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Getting the right kit – specialist running shops
Pamper yourself – always buy the best for you…. it will pay in the end!
Consider just a few facts about your feet.
Firstly, with 28 bones, 33 joints and more than 100 tendons, muscles and ligaments the average pair of feet are a pretty complex system which, even when running, have to endure a force equal to 3.5 times your body weight.
Secondly, an average marathon runner will do about 40 miles per week in training. Thus in the weeks between hearing of their acceptance and actually running the 2010 Virgin London Marathon, they will run upwards of 1,000 miles.
Thirdly, assuming an average of about 1,000 strides per mile that means you will do something like a million strides during training. Put another way, that is the number of times that your feet (bearing the full weight of your body and its downward strike force) will hit hard and unforgiving ground.
Without adequate cushioning just imagine the shock waves that will hit place upon your legs, hips and spine. Obviously if you happen also to be a little overweight as well, then that impact will be even greater!
Thus the idea of preparing for a marathon using a pair of cheap, high-street, “one-shoe fits all” equipment begins to sound plain silly ….as well as potentially dangerous.
If we want the best eye treatment, the best car body repair or investment advice then we normally go to a specialist for advice. Why should we act differently in this instance?
One of the best pieces of preparation that you will do for you marathon is to put yourself in the hands of a specialist running shop. Yes, their product may be a little more expensive than on the high street but that is because you are getting better quality and more appropriate goods – and they will almost certainly last a lot longer! By avoiding ill-fitting shoes you will avoid training injuries.
Richard Ford owns the hugely popular and respected “Easy Runner” shop in Bristol. WRP asked him why he thought is was essential for runners to get specialist help.
“Every one of us has a different size, shape and weight which is why, for the last 23 years, we have been in the business of personally fitting shoes for running.
With the aid of a video camera, treadmill and trained eye we can identify probable bio mechanical issues which, if pre-empted, can lessen substantially the risk of painful injury. We can match your gait (the way you move) to the type of support and cushioning that you will need to protect you during this repetitive action.
Today, running shoes are actually designed with different gaits in mind therefore all running shoes will not be suitable for all people so it makes sense to first find, and then buy from, a shop that stocks both a wide range of types as well as makes.
Our process of testing gives runners peace of mind (and a better understanding of their body) – which in turn gives them a head start when training starts.
Unfortunately each year we have to deal with runners who, part way through their training schedule, have sustained injuries and problems – invariably due to incorrect footwear.
Injuries can be painful, can wreck both training schedules and entries for major events…. and physio’s bill are not cheap; then comes the need to buy a second pair of shoes to correct the original problem!
The sensible runner gets his or her feet tested, gets the right shoes, and keeps running ….thus saving both money and a lot of frustration!"
By all means feel free to buy the cheapest – but don’t then complain if it breaks (literally), or does not do the job and/or impedes your training.
A maxim oft repeated to me by my father was “always use the proper tools for the job – anything less leads to problems.” Weston Running Promotions wants you to have a trouble free preparation for the 2010 event.
They will advise you on what type of shoe you need and then show you a range of makes that meet that requirement. You can often test them at the shop.
Remember, WRP have negotiated exclusive 15% discount at both Easy Runner, Bristol and Ironbridge Runner, Exeter for WRP customers. Once you have booked with WRP, you will get access to our "Password Protected" (PP) area, where you will be able to download the vouchers you need.
A few tips for when you do buy:
- both during the day and during a race your feet will expand so the best time to buy shoes is in the afternoon!
- try on shoes wearing your usual running socks
- once the shoes are on, check to see if you have a gap between the end of the big toe and the end of the shoe – about a thumb width is ideal
- take note if they lace comfortably or if the heel tabs are too high for your comfort
The same thesis applies to the other kit that you will need. For example during cold and damp winter days you need clothes that can shut water out – yet allow your body to breathe. Check socks to ensure that ill-fitting or badly designed seams do not cause blisters which are not just painful but can be slow to heal and would certainly disrupt your training schedule.
** Whilst WRP may be specialist tour operators, we are not specialist suppliers of kit. What we want to do is to advise you of where you can get similar specialist help.
In the list below, we are offering contact details of a number of first class specialist shops who will provide excellent advice, help, encouragement … and a good range of specialist equipment.
We do not know them all personally but all advertise in specialist running magazines and many have been highly praised by those who travel with WRP. They are a good starting point and, if you have any doubts walk out and try another shop. Above all, get your feet tested.
*** Should you know of such a specialist shop which you would recommend and currently is not featuring on our list (and therefore others should know about) please do let us know so that we can pass that information on to other runners in your area.
Specialist running shops - in your area
WRP are delighted to be working with the following specialist running shops. As explained, above, we strongly recommend that you make used of the specialist knowledge and wide range of stock that these shops can offer to you. Many also will carry details of the 2010 WRP tour to the Virgin London Marathon.
| BRISTOL Easy Runner 6 Horfield Rd. St Michael’s Hill Bristol. BS2 8EA Tel 0117 – 929 7787 www.easyrunner.co.uk |
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Moti 49 Whteladies Road Bristol BS2 8EA Tel 01179 297787 |
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Sweatshop Bristol David Lloyd Leisure Greystoke Avenue Westbury-on-Trym Bristol BS10 6AZ Tel 01179 507788 |
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CARDIFF Run and Become 12 Wood St. Cardiff. CF10 1ER Tel 02920 – 232 346 www.runandbecome.com |
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CHESHIRE Running Bear 5 London Road Alderley Edge Cheshire SK9 7JT Tel 01625 582130 www.runningbear.co.uk |
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CUMBRIA Pete Bland Sports 34a Kirkland Kendle LA9 5AD Tel 01539 731012 www.peteblandsports.co.uk |
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DEVON Ironbridge Runner 15 Bartholomew Street East Exeter. EX4 3BG Tel 01392 – 436 383 www.ironbridgerunner.co.uk |
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Frank Elford Sports & Fitness Specialist 27 Mayflower St Plymouth Tel 01752 265122 www.frankelfordsports.co.uk |
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The Runners Guide 40 Walnut Road Chelston Torquay TQ2 6HS Tel 01803 690444 www.therunnersguide.co.uk |
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DORSET Running Free 22a Bournemouth Rd Poole BH14 0ED Tel 01202 741900 www.runningfree.net |
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Purbeck Sports Limited Tilly Mead Commercial Road Swanage Dorset BH19 1DF Tel 01929 423235 |
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HAMPSHIRE Alton Sports 110 High St Alton GU34 1EN Tel 01420 84101 www.cautionrunners.com |
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LANCASHIRE Complete Runner Leeds Rd Nelson BB9 8EA Tel 01282 690111 www.completerunner.co.uk |
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LEICESTERSHIRE Running Fox 70 Ashby Rd Loughborough Tel 01509 231750 www.running-fox.co.uk |
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LINCOLNSHIRE The Lincolnshire Runner 455 High St (South End) Lincoln LN5 8JA Tel 01522 512733 www.lincolnshirerunner.co.uk |
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GREATER MANCHESTER & LANCASHIRE Tobutt Sports 508 Blackburn Rd Astley Bridge Bolton BL1 8NW Tel 01204 308506 www.runningandfitness.co.uk |
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Foot Traffic – Bolton 463 Blackburn Road Bolton BL1 8NN Tel 01204 301230 www.foot-traffic.co.uk |
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Sweatshop Sport and Leisure Ribby Hall Holiday Village Ribby Road Wrea Green Near Kirkham PR4 2PR Tel 01772 68322 www.sweatshop.co.uk |
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MIDDLESEX Runnersworld West 139 Field End Rd Eastcote Pinner HA5 1QH Tel 020 8868 6997 www.runnersworld.ltd.uk |
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NORFOLK Sport Link Unit 14 Taverham Garden and Craft Centre Fir Court Road Taverham NR8 6HT Tel 01603 868606 www.sportlink.co.uk |
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NOTTINGHAMSHIRE Sweatshop Virgn Active Health Club Low Level Station The Great Northern Chase London Rd Nottingham NG2 3AE Tel 0115902036 www.sweatshop.co.uk |
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SCOTLAND Achilles Heel 593 Gt Western Rd Glasgow G12 8HX Tel 0141 342 5722 www.achileesheel.co.uk |
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Athelite 27c Montgomery St The Village East Kilbride G74 4JS Tel 01355 268245 www.ATHelite.net |
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Run and Become 66 Dalry Rd Edinburgh EH11 2AY Tel 0131 313 5300 www.runandbecome.com |
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RUN 4 IT 21 Holburn St Aberdeen AB10 6BS Tel 01224 594400 www.run-4-it.com |
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RUN 4 IT 50 Couper St Townhead Glasgow G4 0DL Tel 0141 559 5450 www.run-4-it.com |
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RUN 4 IT 57 Bothwell St Glasgow G2 6TS Tel 0141 221 4300 www.run-4-it.com |
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RUN 4 IT 108 Lothian Rd Edinburgh EH3 9BE Tel 0131 228 3444 www.run-4-it.com |
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The Running Shop 17 South Mount St Aberdeen AB25 2TN www.therunningshop.uk.com |
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Footworks 14/15 Bruntsfield Place Edinburgh EH10 4HN www.footworks-uk.com |
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Sweatshop David Lloyd Leisure Newhaven Harbour Newhaven Place Leth Edinburgh EH6 4LX Tel 0131 4678740 www.sweatshop.co.uk |
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Sweatshop David Lloyd Leisure Netherton Road Anniesland Glasgow G13 1BJ Tel 141569126 www.sweatshop.co.uk |
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SOMERSET Running Bath 19 High Street Bath BA1 5AJ Tel 01225 462555 www.runningbath.co.uk |
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Weston Super Sports 2 Boulevard Weston super Mare BS23 1NA Tel 01934 632562 www.westonsupersports.co.uk |
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SWANSEA Up and Running 8 High Street Swansea SA1 1LE T el 01792 456060 www.swansea.upandrunning.co.uk |
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TYNE AND WEAR Northern Runner 52 Low Friar Street Newcastle-Upon-Tyne NE1 5UE Tel 08456 120145 www.northernrunner.com |
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WARWICKSHIRE Coventry Runner 223 Burnaby Road Radford Coventry CV6 4AX Tel 02476 668498 www.coventryrunner.co.uk |
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WEST MIDLANDS Birmngham Runners Shop 64 Stratford Road Shirley Solihull B90 3LP Tel 0121 7456007 www.birminghamrunner.com |
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Sutton Runner 268 Jockey Road Boldmere Sutton Coldfield B73 5XL Tel 0121 3552901 www.suttonrunner.com |
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WILTSHIRE Sole Obsession 29 Harnham Rd, Salisbury, Wilts. SP2 8JG Tel 01722 – 421 000 www.soleobsession.co.uk |
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WORCESTERSHIRE Runaround Sports Activity Centre Top Barn Farm Holt Heath Worcester WR6 6NH Tel 01905 622288 |
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YORKSHIRE Keep on Running 710 Attercliffe Rd Sheffield S9 3RP Tel 0114 244 5335 www.keep-on-running.co.uk |
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Simply Running 4 Albion House Albion St Hull HU1 3TD Tel 01482 222169 |
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Complete Runner Leeds Rd Ilkley LS29 8EQ |
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Triangle Unit 1 Long Row Horsforth Leeds LS18 5AA Tel 0113 2590477 |
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Sweatshop David Lloyd Leisure St John's Playing Felds Hull Road York YO10 3LG Tel 01904 426402 |
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EAST YORKSHIRE Humber Runner 229 Boothferry Rd Hessle HU13 9BB Tel 01482 647613 www.humberrunner.co.uk |