Will your next running shoe look like this? It has been suggested that buying a new pair of running shoes every 3 months is a good idea if you are a competitive runner. What should you do if you are a world class ethopian runner who doesn't train in shoes? There seems to be a contradiction here in that some of the best runners in the world have at one time or another done a great deal of barefoot running. If you notice most world class runners do not have shoes that are overly padded in the heel? They seem to be running in racing flats? Why is this? This flies in the face of what most running shoe companies are saying. I believe you will find future running shoes to have less padding in the heal and a more minamalist design. This gives credance to learning and practicing proper running form, completing speed skill drills once a week, and having a well balanced training plan that stresses a gradual (10%) increase in volume each week, along with a rest/recovery week every 4th week for those under 40 years of age, and every 3rd week for those over 40. A new pair of running shoes every month may still be a good idea but it is not a reason to neglect the afore mentioned training principles. In the end it isn't the shoes that make the runner.
