How Do I Make My Running Shoes Last Longer?

If you're a runner, you're always wondering, "How can I make my running shoes last longer?," because, let's be honest, who wants to pay up to $150 every time you purchase new sneakers? It is recommended you change you running sneakers every 500 to 800 miles, so that works out to every five to eight months if you run 15 miles a week- if you're a distance runner you're looking at a higher frequency. For some, replacing shoes that frequently can be a huge financial drain.
So how does one go about making their shoes last longer? There are a couple of variables you need to consider before following the tips below. First, what kind of runner are you? Do you have a heavy strike or a light strike? Are you an efficient runner? Second, what materials are your shoes made of and do they match your personal needs? Lightweight runners with a neutral landing pattern and efficient form can find their best mileage in lightweight or minimalist shoes. However, someone with a heavy body and strike, wearing the same shoes, will get fewer miles out of their shoes.

1. Shoes have a birthday! Write the purchase date on the side of the shoes and keep track of your mileage with a paper or online log. 
2. Use them just for running. Yeah, we know, you want to show off your cool kicks, but by doing so, you're putting unnecessary miles on your shoes. If you have to do errands after your run, make sure you bring a pair to change into while you're out. Just like with anything else, the more you use it, the faster it wears out!
3. Give them some air! And by air, we don't mean the dryer, which will break down the shoe materials  quicker (and make a heck of a racket while they're drying). If your shoes are wet from sweat or rain, wipe them off with a brush or paper towel, towel dry, and stuff with newspaper or paper towel. This will keep them from getting moldy and musty. And never leave them in your gym bag!
4. Have two pairs. If you're a distance runner especially, make sure you have two pairs that you switch during the week. This allows the other pair to dry out and gives the shoes time to recover (shoes need time to recover too!). By doing this, you can tailor your shoes to your specific workouts; one shoe may be better suited to longer distances while your other pair may be better for shorter distances. This is also a great way to work in minimalist shoes if you're thinking of going that route. 
5. Buy your shoes based on the terrain. If you run wet, muddy trails, purchase shoes that are specifically for that type of terrain. Wearing shoes that are meant for city streets or treadmills will wear out very quickly when running on grass, dirt, or sand. 
6. Keep your shoes out of the weather. Don't leave your sneakers in your car overnight or during the day while you're working, especially in the winter or summer months. Extreme temperatures can change the shape and size of your shoe and therefore you'll go fewer miles.
7. Change your form. Perhaps your shoes aren't lasting you as long as they should because your running form needs to be changed. Are you keeping a short, even tempo and a straight line from your head to your toes? If not, then work on how you run. Watch elite runners to get an idea how you can better your form, but know that this will take time to master your perfect and efficient running form.
8. Don't go beyond your limit! Everyone has a limit as to how far they can run in one day, one week, one month, or one year. If when you're running you're feeling fatigued and sloughing through your workout, stop. When you go beyond your limit it takes a toll on your shoes because they're taking the brunt of your impact.

By following these tips, you can expect your shoes to go longer and farther!
References: Runner's World and Health
If you are a runner with a foot or ankle problem, call our Rocky Hill or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Jeffrey S. Kahn, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Sports Medicine Podiatrist in CT
Podiatrist in Rocky Hill and Middletown, CT
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Tennis Player Muguruza Goes Under Knife

Tennis player Garbine Muguruza, ranked No. 59 in the world, had surgery two weeks ago on her right ankle

and will be out of the tennis circuit for six months.
The surgery was to remove the osteochondritis dissecans of the astragalus, an injury that causes pain and stiffness of the ankle. Most cases of osteochondritis dissecans occur after a twisting injury to the ankle and are actually fractures of the joint surface.
The 19 year old Venezuelan was diagnosed with this condition after her participation in the Florianopolis Tournament in Brazil. The operation was performed by Doctor Juan Carlos Monllau and took just an hour and a half. After the surgery Muguruza said she was pleased with the procedure, commenting, "We are very happy with the operation. I hope to be able to start my rehabilitation very soon."
Muguruza will not be able to put any weight on her foot for three weeks and if her healing progresses in the right direction she will be able to start rehabilitation in the middle of August. She is not expected to return to the courts until 2014.
The Caracas born player also had surgery on her nasal septum to clear up breathing problems which have affected her for a while.
Muguruza had a spectacular first six months of 2013, starting at 104 in the world and finishing at number 59. She had a noteworthy turnout at her first Wimbledon several weeks ago. Her trainer, Alejo Mancisidor said it was the right time to operate now. "It was the right time in order to be able to come back next year with a good ranking and to start the year playing in the big tournaments," he said.
Reference: Madrid Open.
If you are a tennis player and have a foot problem, call our Newington, Kensington, or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Craig M. Kaufman, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Sports Medicine Podiatrist in CT
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Tigers Player Infante On the DL

The Detroit Tigers placed second baseman Omar Infante on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday. The team
recalled 22 year old infielder Hernan Perez from Double-A Erie. The Tigers had been hoping to avoid putting Infante on the list. The move is retroactive to July 4th and Infante will be eligible for activation after the All-Star break.
The injury occurred during the game against the Toronto Blue Jays a week ago Wednesday when Infante was hit hard by Toronto's Colby Rasmus, who was sliding into second base.
Tigers Manager Jim Leyland expects Infante to be better after the All-Star break. Infante is hitting .309 with six home runs and 27 RBIs in 76 games this season.
Perez made his major league debut last month, playing two games for the Tigers. His record is similar to Infante's, posting .300/.324//422 for Double-A Erie. He has 28 doubles and stolen 24 bases in 31 attempts this season.
Reference: USA Today and CBS Sports
If you are a baseball player and have a foot problem, call our Newington, Kensington, or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Craig M. Kaufman, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
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Magic's Glen Davis Has Another Foot Surgery

Poor "Big Baby" Glen Davis. He was having the best season of his career and then he fractured his left foot.

The injury happened just minutes into the January 30th game against the New York Knicks. He needed surgery to repair the fracture, which caused him to miss the rest of the 2012-13 season.
Hopes were high he would have a full recovery and return quickly to basketball related activities. However, Davis suffered a setback while working out at his alma mater LSU. At the time the Globe speculated "this latest tweak may cause him to take most of the summer off."
On Monday Davis had surgery to replace the screw that was put during the first surgery. The Magic announced that Davis will resume basketball related activities later in the summer in a statement: "Glen Davis underwent a surgical procedure today to replace the screw in his left foot. Davis originally suffered a left foot fracture of the 5th metatarsal during a game against the New York Knicks on January 30th, 2013. He is expected to resume basketball-related activity later this summer."
According to Davis's agent, John Hamilton, "He's just been having some discomfort. It made sense for us to get it checked, and that's what we did."
The surgery was performed by Dr. Robert B. Anderson, a podiatrist in North Carolina.
"He doesn't anticipate problems going forward," Hamilton said. "We just need to give it time to heal properly."
In just 34 games last season Davis averaged 15.1 points per game, 7.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 31.3 minutes. In Davis's six professional seasons, these were his career-highs. Before left with his injury, the Magic were 13-21 and after he left the team finished 7-41.
References: Rotoworld, CBS Sports, and Orlando Sentinal.
If you are a basketball player and have a foot problem, call our Newington, Kensington, or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Craig M. Kaufman, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Sports Medicine Podiatrist in CT
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Ateneo's Ravena Out With Ankle Sprain

After missing Sunday's game against rivals the De La Salle Green Archers, Ateneo star guard Kiefer Ravena
is out for at least two weeks with an ankle sprain.
Coach Bo Pearsol said Ravena is "still recovering from a severe ankle sprain and is listed as day to day."
Ravena did not play in last Wednesday's game against the Far Eastern University, which the Tamaraws won, 79-75 in overtime. It was the first time in his UAAP basketball career he missed a game.
Ravena's doctor, Randy Molo told Spin.ph's Snow Badua the Blue Eagle's most prized player suffered a Grade 3 ankle sprain. The following quote has a lot of Filipino jargon, but you'll get the gist of it! "The most severe kind yung (ankle) injury niya. It's a recoverable injury kaya lang time frame wise it will take a bit longer than a Grade 1 type (of sprain)," Molo said.
Typically the injury takes four weeks to heal, but since Ravena will be on his second week of the injury on Sunday, the 19 year old amateur basketball player will have just two weeks left in his recovery.
Molo compared this injury to that of San Antonio Spurs' Tony Parker, who had a similar injury. Parker was out of the NBA for four weeks.
Pearsol said Ravena is listed as "day-to-day" because of the sprain. Molo added, "When somebody's status is day-to-day, anything goes. Meaning, he can come back this day or he can come back at a later date."
Reference: ABS-CBNNews, ABS-CNNews
If you are a basketball player and have a foot problem, call our Newington, Kensington, or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Craig M. Kaufman, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Sports Medicine Podiatrist in CT
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Oscar Taveras Out Of Futures Games

Oscar Taveras has been dealing with a right high ankle sprain for more than eight weeks now, and rightly so,

he's getting frustrated.
The St. Louis Cardinals' top outfield prospect sustained the sprain in May when he slid awkwardly into second base. He has continued to have problems since suffering the injury, reaggravating the injury on June 23rd, and landing on the disabled list for the second time about two weeks ago at Triple-A Memphis because of recurring ankle discomfort. There is no timetable for his return to the Redbirds.
The Cardinals do not currently have a need for an outfielder and will likely play it safe with this potential star. This means the 21 year old will spend a bit of time on the disabled list.
It also means Taveras will not be able to participate in the Futures Games. Taveras and second baseman Kolten Wong were selected to represent the Cardinals for the second straight year in the All-Star break's annual prospective's showcase. Wong will be the only one going to the Future Games this year, as it is unlikely Taveras will be off the disabled list before the games begin.
Taveras, who has missed more than a month total with the injury, is batting .307. He has been rehabbing at the team's complex in Jupiter, Florida, where he had been running and doing baseball activities.
References: NBC Sports, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
If you are a baseball player and have a foot problem, call our Newington, Kensington, or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Craig M. Kaufman, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
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Minnesota Lynx's Augustus Out With Ankle Sprain

The Minnesota Lynx were without their star scorer Semione Augustus last night in the game against the Atlanta Dream because of an ankle sprain.
A Lynx official confirmed on Monday that Augustus sprained her left ankle and would be out indefinitely.  She had an MRI on Monday morning, which revealed the damage.
Augustus sustained the injury during the second quarter of Sunday's 91-59 win against the Phoenix Mercury when she attempted to chase down a loose ball while defending DeWanna Bonner's layup with 7:01 left in the quarter. She did not return to the game. Forward Maya Moore (former Husky!) stepped in for Augustus and scored 23 points.
Augustus entered the game ranked 13th in the WNBA with 16.3 points per game and left Sunday's game with eight points.
Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve said after Sunday's win, "We need our players to step up to be successful. And this team knows how to do that."
Reference: Twin Cities and Star Tribune
If you are a basketball player and have a foot problem, call our Newington, Kensington, or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Craig M. Kaufman, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Sports Medicine Podiatrist in CT
Podiatrist in Newington
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