I finally got to the running store today to get new shoes. I went to a running specialty store which guarantees the fit of the shoes. It was a neat process. First they watch you walk so they can see if you turn your feet out or in. Then you get onto a platform which is hooked up to a computer. It heat traces your foot to see where the pressure points are and even tells you your size.

I was shocked to learn that the computer pegged me as needing a 10.5 women’s shoe. I used to be a size 9 before pregnancy. After pregnancy, I’ve been wearing 9.5 quite comfortably. Apparently, I was wrong. Running shoes should be big enough to have a thumbnail length between the end of the toe and the edge of the shoe. My regular, non-running shoe size is still 9.5. It’s only running that requires me to wear clown shoes.

I don’t have arch issues, and ended up needing a shoe with a little bit of support but not a lot of support (Medium support).

It came down to a pair of Brooks and a pair of Sauconys. I liked them both, but in the end the Brooks felt a little less stiff and a bit more bouncy. It was close though, I could have gone with either of them. So I made a decision and bought the Brooks.

I hope this helps alleviate the knee pain that has developed in my knees. It’s been a subtle pain on the tops of my knee caps that started a few weeks ago. I notice the pain the most at night, but also when I stand up from a sitting position. Doing a web search and self-diagnosing it, it seems like it could be Runner’s Knee or patellofemoral pain syndrome. Getting better shoes is part of the treatment/prevention for runner’s knee so I’ll see if these new shoes do the trick. I’m hoping that I caught it early and it will subside soon. I don’t want to rest it, and I don’t want to stop running.