
In running, shoes are everything! Our sport is simple- lace up a pair of shoes and out the door you go– no other equipment needed. With this in mind, selecting the best shoe for you is everything! Every runner is unique- the way our foot strikes the pavement is custom to the way our individual mechanics move us.
I remember when I started running in third grade– heading out to the mall to get my trainers and spikes. Carbon plates were a thing of the future and choices were limited to what was in the stockroom. We always got what was on sale or what was available to take directly from the store. Today, there are so many options out there to satisfy even the pickiest shoe buyer. It’s important to do your research and to know what works best for you. When considering a new shoe, some things that come to mind are: comfort, weight, breathability, stack height, and stability.
I’d love to help others avoid one particular mistake that novice runners often don’t realize. The stack height in a shoe can differ greatly and force you to use different muscles/change your mechanics depending on the heel to toe drop. Going from a 10mm drop to a 2mm drop or vice versa can cause all sorts of issues for a runner if they do not wean themselves into the new shoe. I remember having horrible calf pain while trying to go into a low-drop shoe and while transitioning back out of them, I would then have pains in my quads/hips. Luckily, Swift has shoes with varying stack heights to match every runner’s preference.
With age, I’ve learned to rotate the shoes that I use. I find that in switching things up, it gives a set purpose to each run– I have my daily trainers for easy runs, shoes that I use for speed sessions, and then there are race day shoes! When I wear each pair of shoes, I know exactly what the goal is for their use. Each provides a specific purpose and is engineered to fulfill just that. Swift has a variety of shoes in its line to easily fit into every runner’s rotation.
Innovations in shoe technology have forever changed the sport. Records have been reset and will continue to be reset as shoe technology and science continue to evolve. What I love about Swift’s Horus is that it allows for a carbon plate in a shoe that’s supportive and comfortable for everyday runs. The shoe is vibrant in color, light, cushioned, and quick.
I was injury prone right at the time that carbon plated shoes made their debut in 2016. I initially didn’t want to try them, fearful that I’d end up even more injured. The faster I got, I noticed I was the only one not wearing the carbon plated shoes at the start line, so I decided to join the crowd by purchasing my own pair of carbon plated shoes a few years later. A carbon plate allows for maximum recovery after a hard run or race. I have been able to bounce back much more quickly between marathons using a carbon plate. Swift allows for a functional and affordable carbon plated shoe that can help you to propel to fast speeds while also aiding in recovery/less wear and tear on foot muscles.
By
John Ladesic