Cross Country Running

When you're taking part in cross country running you need to ensure that you are properly attired, and the most important part of your clothing to get right is your cross country running shoes. When you run, your body suffers extreme jolting which is hard on the body so it's important to choose good quality shoes. With cross country running, this is especially important because of all of the different terrains that you run over - you need to be sure that your shoes can cope with whatever surface you run on.

Of course, you may be tempted to save money by buying a cheap pair, but beware! It will end up a lot more expensive and painful for you if you develop injuries due to inadequate running shoes. Ensure that you have the right cross country running shoes and protect yourself from injury.

So, what are the key features to look for in a cross country running shoe? You should look for a shoe that has good grips on the sole so that you always maintain good traction even on wet surfaces. A mesh on the side is important so that your feet can breathe properly - sweaty feet are not only uncomfortable but can lead to blisters. You'll need a shoe that provides good support for your feet and ankles to reduce the shocks from your feet hitting the ground many times. It's also very important to look for a running shoe that is as lightweight as possible so that it doesn't slow you down and feel uncomfortable.

It may be a good idea to choose a running shoe that is half a size larger than you would normally buy a regular shoe, as feet tend to swell up when running. If your feet are particularly wide or narrow you should try and find shoes designed to fit the width of your feet as well. A correctly fitting shoe is important - too tight or too loose could cause painful rubbing and blisters.

As well as the technical features, it's important to feel confident that you look good, so choose a shoe that you like the look of and will feel good about wearing. You never know, the extra confidence from looking good in your running shoes may even make you run faster.

As with any new shoes, your new cross country running shoes should be broken in gently. Take some short runs with them so that your feet can get used to the fit of the new shoe and the material can have time to soften up. You should never complete a long run wearing a brand new pair of shoes.

Like anything that gets this kind of daily wear and tear, running shoes should be replaced promptly once they start to show signs of wearing out. A good ballpark would be to replace them every 400 miles or so of running. Older shoes will no longer continue to protect your feet to the same degree so you will run the risk of injury if you continue to run on them once they have become too worn.

Cross country running is an enjoyable and healthy pursuit, and some time and money invested in finding the right pair of cross country running shoes will be well invested in ensuring that you can enjoy it safely and comfortably.