Happy Feet!!!

How to choose the right running shoe

Welcome Runners!

If you are an aspiring runner, and you are looking for some guidance for choosing the right gear for your feet, you’ve stumbled upon the absolute treasure-house!

No! We are not giving you the secret formula of shoes of the best marathoners of the world, because believe us when we say, if we gave you their shoes, your performance might deteriorate instead of improving.

Just like glasses, every person would have a different and distinctive need for their feet than the rest. And you’d know when it comes to you. If it hasn’t, let this blog be you first step towards having a ‘Happy Feet’.

As you set to find the best your feet can get, firstly you should be able to figure out what kind feet you have, its shape and size; and what kind of shoe fits you properly from heel to toe giving your feet the best comfort. Your current shoes are also a great story teller. Make sure you wear them when you are visiting the store. Let’s give you a better idea how your next pair should feel on your feet.

The three main foot types are

A.    Flat feet:  Imagine stepping on an insect. There’s 0% chance that it would survive! Flat feet tend to have fallen arches, making them flexible and prone to overpronation, an inward rolling motion.

Weakness: prone to injuries like plantar fasciitis, shin splints, ankle strain.

B.    Neutral feet: These are the most normal variety. A neutral foot lands on outside of the heel, then rolls inward (pronates) to absorb shock and support body weight Luckily, you can wear the widest varieties of shoes available in the store.

Weakness: Due to effective shock absorption neutral feet are a boon, but are not immune to running injuries.

C.     High-arched: The insect who you stepped on, is probably having a party tonight. The arches in these type of feet are particularly defined, the feet end up being rigid, leading to supination, or landing on the outside edges of the feet.

Weakness:  shin splints, plantar fasciitis, bunions, heel spurs

There are tools like ‘Video Gait Analysis’ and ‘3-D Foot Mapping’ which assist you in precisely determining the kind of feet you have. Once you do that, finding the right shoe becomes easier and you are closer towards identifying your feet’s soulmate. But here are some significant DONT DO things you should keep in mind.

1. Don't buy only because it looks cool! - You might want to look fashionable while buying shoes, but don't let that be the only criterion. Often, when you get a shoe that looks cool, you end up hurting yourself. When you buy, think feel and fit, not fashion.

2. Don’t buy shoes that are too small - Tight-fitting shoes lead to blisters and black toenails. Women in particular are used to wearing their shoes close-fitting, as they're often more self-conscious about the size of their feet. There should be room enough in the forefoot—about half an inch.

3. Don’t buy shoes in morning - Your feet start swelling in the morning and they don't stop until about 4 p.m. That's as big as they're going to get. Hence one should always buy shoes in the evening.

4. Don’t assume your size - An 8 in an Asics is not the same as an 8 in a New Balance or Nike. Sizes differ because of different lasts (foot forms), the different shape of the upper, and the way the shoe is stitched together. Have your feet measured every time you buy, and always try the shoes on for fit. 

Knowing your arch type or running mechanics isn't the whole story. You still need to pinpoint shoes that match your foot's contours and movements. Your shoe should complement and support your stride. Before buying, take a short run around the store, or on a treadmill to test the fit, function and comfort before you make your final purchase. It should literally feel like a part of your foot, working in concert with your natural foot shape and biomechanics.

To prevent injuries replace your shoes every 1200 – 1500 kilometers. Running in old, worn-out shoes is one of the most common causes of running injuries, and also, old shoes look OLD. Running often cause shoes to lose their cushioning, stability and shock absorption. You’ll know when you need to replace your shoes when you start feeling uncomfortable. Take a stroll in the store and try some new shoes and you’ll realise if you really need a new pair. 

We also urge you to get an understanding of your feet through Video Gail Analysis, as it is one of the most important tools to determine which kind of shoe suits you best. Later, you may want to surf some online shopping websites so that you get better deals. Let's crystallise our dream of 'Digital India' along with our running dream, eh? 

For a serious runner, deciding to buy running shoes is almost like purchasing a house or a car; you ought to spend a lot of time in them, so you are absolutely sure you have Happy Feet!

Why should you avoid running!

 

Have you thought of running but have always made excuses to avoid running? Have you tried but you never gained the courage to run long distances? Do you feel running is a redundant exercise? If you do, Voila! This post is written exactly for someone like you!

This highly informative article is intended for those people who have been advised by friends, doctors, physical therapists, exercise physiologists to run, but have still avoided it till date, because “I can’t!”

Here are 15 reasons for people like us, who want to avoid running at any cost. Even though we know what it provides.

1.     Running Can Help You Live Longer – who wants to live longer anyway?

Runners live longer than those who don’t. A research by a health institute in the US experimented with about 1,000 adults (ages 50 and older) for 21 years. At the end of the study, 85 percent of the runners were found to live a hunky dory life, while only 66 percent of the non-runners were alive. Why would I wanna live that long anyway?

2.     Running can get you high – But I already get drunk every weekend!

The high that a Runner gets is REAL! Experimental Technology published a study which shows that when we run, our brains pump out endocannabinoids, cannabis-like molecules that keep runners happy—and hooked. But who needs endocan-whatever, when we can get high sitting on our own couch!

3.     We start using cars lesser!

Gym workout might only take an hour, but getting to and from the gym takes another 30 minutes’ drive in my car. How’d I use my credit card which gives me waiver in fuel surcharge? Running won’t help me there as the second I step out of the front door, I would be running.

4.     I don't want to lose weight, cuz I hate Losing!

Dare you make fun of me by calling me FAT. How does it matter if running every week would help me lose substantial amount of weight in a couple of months’ time? It's not such a great deal to lose weight, but I hate losing.

5.     Running Can Help Score You Vitamin D, but you got to get up early

The human body gets most of its vitamin D from sun exposure. Taking your run outside early morning can help boost your levels to ward off depression, prevent type 2 diabetes, and strengthen your bones. My snooze button already feels bad.

6.     It’s an exercise without any equipment

Running is so easy I won’t be required to use any equipment for it. Just a shirt, short, and shoes, and I am good to go. What good can that do? I’d rather join a gym.

7.     Getting Lost, as there is no specific path or a track

One can run anywhere, which has a serious problem imbedded in itself. Once you start running, you may actually get lost as there is no need of even a track for running. I am not sure if I would even want to try that.

8.     Running with pets?

Some people take the liberty to run with their pets. A recent study also concluded, the four-legged animal experiences similar highs as experienced by a runner himself. But who wants to exercise their pets? I absolutely loathe it. And so does my dog. We better be staying home and watching cats’ videos on YouTube.

9.     Running makes bones stronger

Running is a high impact exercise, meaning it loads and strengthens your bones along with your muscles through core building exercises. But running doesn't help my tongue anyway as my tongue doesn't have bones. When it would help my tongue get stronger, I might give running a thought!

10.    Running helps you reach your goals.

Running makes you very goal-centric. You’re always trying to achieve new milestones, and you know that you can’t just beat your goal in a day. It takes discipline, time, and consistency. That mindset, and practice working toward running goals, does in helping you reach other career, financial, and personal goals. But they are already bogging me down, so I better work on those goals first, duh!

11.    Makes me more Social

These days it seems that homes are quieter than libraries. But while running, everyone’s chatting. Whether you run with one buddy, or join in a running club, the sport is all about community, it’s a brotherhood. And of course, post-run happy hours. Being social in this manner takes so much effort. I’d rather socialize on Facebook!

12.    I could spend more time with myself

I am more of a solo exerciser. Running alone would make me meditate on all the trials and tribulations in life and tear me apart. Running alone might help me zen out my thoughts and organize them better, but maybe I'll do it later.

13.     Running is never the same!

Every run is different. One can mix it up so many ways, from running hills, going on tempo runs, performing intervals, or mixing it up between the road and the trail. I’d rather watch adventurous movies than being so adventurous myself.

14.    Our bodies are naturally constructed to be seated.

Running is the most basic form of exercise, using one's own body, weight, and two legs to push oneself forward. It’s as functional as any workouts would get. But we have been gifted with buttocks, for us to sit. Why not use them instead? Incidentally, I am writing this article as I am seated. If I were running, how’d I write!?!

15.    It will motivate me to eat more carbs

Running is just an excuse to consume more carbs. And not just whole grain “healthy” carbs. I am  talking about Cookies, Pastas, and White Bread Pizzas of the world. Simple, fast-acting carbohydrates are a runner’s best fuel, and augmenting your intake can help you run better, and recover quicker. And I am in no need to cultivate such excuses.

I love running. I can sit and watch people run all day! And if you intuition suggests this post is sarcastic, I think you’ve got the point! 😜

When did Tyler Durden made his entry Fight Club?

You're not your job. You're not how much money you have in the bank. You're not the car you drive. You're not the contents of your wallet. You're not your fucking khakis. You're the all-singing, all-dancing crap of the world...

This is Tyler! Tyler Durden. One of the most inspirational characters ever created. He is also ranked no. 1 among the top 100 movie characters of all time (Joker's no. 3) 

But here's the thing.. Most characters have their 'finest hour' as their entry in the movie. But that's not true for Tyler. All the time he's on screen, could be attributed as his finest hour. He's just so good.

Man, I see in fight club the strongest and smartest men who've ever lived. I see all this potential, and I see squandering. God damn it, an entire generation pumping gas, waiting tables; slaves with white collars. Advertising has us chasing cars and clothes, working jobs we hate so we can buy shit we don't need. We're the middle children of history, man. No purpose or place. We have no Great War. No Great Depression. Our Great War's a spiritual war... our Great Depression is our lives. We've all been raised on television to believe that one day we'd all be millionaires, and movie gods, and rock stars. But we won't. And we're slowly learning that fact. And we're very, very pissed off.

Most of us who have seen the movie think Tyler made his entry during the plane journey while he is sitting next to the narrator (and not Jack). But that's not true. He has made his entry (at least) five times before this very scene. Here are the screen-shots of the times when he could be seen (though only for a single frame in the reel). That is when he is trying to manifest himself thru the movie.

If you have not seen Fight Club , Please watch it RIGHT NOW! You can watch it here . I don't own the link, I googled and posted the first result I got.

Welcome to Fight Club. The first rule of Fight Club is: you do not talk about Fight Club. The second rule of Fight Club is: you DO NOT talk about Fight Club! Third rule of Fight Club: if someone yells "stop!", goes limp, or taps out, the fight is over. Fourth rule: only two guys to a fight. Fifth rule: one fight at a time, fellas. Sixth rule: the fights are bare knuckle. No shirt, no shoes, no weapons. Seventh rule: fights will go on as long as they have to. And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.