On the run for shoes with Bill Rodgers
Bill Rodgers points to the pair of shoes he wore when he won his first Boston Marathon in 1975 -- a simple pair of royal blue Nikes with a trademark white swoosh. They sit in a case at the Bill Rodgers Running Center at Faneuil Hall alongside a hand-stenciled mesh jersey advertising his affiliation with the Greater Boston Track Club.
Running gear may look a little fancier these days, but Rodgers, who has won the Boston and New York marathons four times each, says your approach to finding the right pair of shoes should be simple. He prefers shoes that are comfortable, flexible, and not overbuilt.
''You want to feel like you're barefoot," says Rodgers, who is 57.
Stores that specialize in running, such as Rodgers' Running Center or Marathon Sports, will help you find shoes that match the way your foot strikes the ground. Shoes can help control movement like excessive pronation (when your foot rolls in too far) or excessive supination (when it rolls out too far). Heavier people might consider shoes with more cushioning. Most people run to stay healthy, Rodgers says, so it is important to wear shoes that aren't going to land you in the doctor's office.
''If you get the wrong shoe, you could get injured," he warns.
To create optimal customization, adidas recently launched its computerized running shoe ''1," which adjusts its cushioning to a runner's weight and pace, and costs about $250.
But most runners can expect to pay between $80 to $90 for a good pair. You can find less expensive shoes, but quality is not a guarantee.
Americans spent $4.7 billion on running shoes in 2004, according to the Florida trade group Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association, up from about $4.4 billion in 2003. Accounting for almost 29 percent of all sales, running shoes are the most popular category of athletic shoes in the United States.
The Bill Rodgers Running Center first opened in Cleveland Circle in 1977 (that location is now closed), and the Faneuil Hall store opened a year later.
The store's walls are lined with running memorabilia, including cases of shoes that Rodgers wore for various winning performances from companies like Asics, Puma, and Etonic, all former sponsors of his.
These days, Rodgers favors models by Asics -- a lightweight shoe called the GEL-Magic Racer, which he races in, as well as models like the GEL-Landreth and the GEL-Flash. Serious runners might choose lightweight racing shoes, but most only need a pair of trainers, he says.
Rodgers, who last ran the Boston Marathon in 1999, will be a part of tomorrow's broadcast of the 109th running on Channel 5. He continues to run about 50 miles a week -- he once averaged 130 -- and competes in about 25 races a year.
More people have taken up running, Rodgers believes, because of its physical benefits, and because it's a sport you can participate in throughout your lifetime.
''It's probably the number one way to keep your health and fitness," he says.
Emily Shartin can be reached at eshartin@globe.com.
