Nothing ruins your running momentum like having to stop to put your earphones or earbuds of your iPod back in. Well.. some things may be worse like running into an angry mutt, or an ex on your run. But those things make me run faster unlike having to put my "sound" back in. Another common problem with the run-of-the-mill earbuds/phones is the achey sensation in your ears after wearing them for a good period of time. I guess I could always wear my headphones from the 80's that make me look like a disc jockey.. although I'd need a converter because I'm pretty sure those aren't iPod compatible. What a dilemma!

 

Enter Seth Burgett, President and CEO of yurtopia™ (listed in Forbes magazine as one of America's Most Promising Companies 2009). Burgett like some of us, but to the n'th degree as he was training for an Iron Man 70.3 triathlon, suffered from uncomfortable earphones. Having a background in minimally invasive surgical devices Burgett came up with an award winning idea for custom size earbuds. Burgett and his team invented a unique-imaging technology to digitally scan an individual's ears and produce a soft custom-size ear-tip that attaches to iPod and mobile phone earbuds. yurtopia's patent pending ear "brannock" (measuring device) measures your ear and shape to find the right custom-size yurbuds™ for your ears specific. And guess where I got mine? That's right. New Balance Saint Louis. All of our New Balance store locations are now carrying yurbuds™ and yurphones™. Our fitting specialists at all locations already do a great job on fitting your feet, now they are trained to fit your ears as well! Once your size is determined the yurbuds simply slip over the high quality yurphones™ or your existing earbuds from your iPod, iPhone, or Bluetooth to provide exceptional comfort, unmatched fit that stays-in-place and superb sound quality. The concentration of sound that is so efficient that many wearer's are able to reduce volume by up to 50%. That's just for those who don't like to "rock out" to "Billy Jean" on their run like me.

So... to sum it up... Athletes. Music Lovers. Business Travelers. Gamers. BlueTooth® Wireless Headset Users. All listening to their favorite top 40 tune, favorite Sonata, favorite D&D character, or learning to ask where the men's room is in Swahili by CD, in comfort and convenience of their custom-fit yurbuds. Due to the fitting process these are only sold at our store locations not through our catalog or on our website. To find our locaton nearest you click here.

Is it a big deal if the shoe has pronation control? What if I don't need it? ... and by the way... What IS pronation control? In this session our aim is to clear up a little confusion about pronation and supination. As always if you are still left with questions please feel free to contact a member of our customer service at info@brownscatalog.com or go straight to the pro at DrShoelutions@BrownsCatalog.com. 

Pronation
When weight bearing, pronation is an inward tilt rotation of the hind and midfoot with a lifting of the outside border of the midfoot, and an outward swing of the forefoot. Sounds complicated doesn't it? But basically it refers to the outward rotation or "twisting" of the heel when weightbearing. It is quite common. In fact, a mild degree of heel pronation is considered normal. It is the natural yielding movement of the heel and heel tendon when receiving body weight and stress, and serves as a kind of shock-absorber. Excessive pronation however, indicates a serious foot problem. Such pronation is visible from a rear view of the naked foot when standing. The heel thrusts outward. This is accompanied by a visible outward curving of the heel tendon which is attached to the heel bone. Because the heel bone is the vital anchor or control center for normal foot alignment or balance, excessive pronation can create a malalignment and imbalance of the whole foot, as well as causing a shift in body posture. With excessive pronation the inner ankle dips down, the long arch becomes depressed, and the whole foot tends to tilt inward. Also the forefoot everts or turns outward. Excessive or Over pronation is a condition closely akin to flexible flatfoot. Excessive pronation tends to break down the medial side of the shoe from the excess pressure and stress. This is one of the ways a person can tell if they suffer from over pronation. A person with a flat or low arch tends to over pronate. Check your arch type here. For more information and recommended New Balance models for Pronation click here.

Supination
The opposite of pronation, supination is an outward tilt rotation of the hind and midfoot with an inward swing of the forefoot and increased pressure or shift of weight bearing surface to the outside border of the midfoot. Just as in over-pronation, excessive supination or under-pronation can create a malalignment and imbalance of the foot, causing a shift in body posture. With excessive supination the inner ankle is lifted, the long arch is extended, and the whole foot tends to tilt outward as the great toe may turn inward. Check the wear patterns on your current shoes. If the compression is on the outside (opposite side of arch) or lateral side of the foot from the heel to the midfoot this indicates supination. Please note, if the wear is primarily in the heel it may not indicate supination as a normal foot strike pattern shows wear in the outside edge of the heel. If there is excess heel compression this may be due to a heavy heel strike not necessarily supination. A person with a high arch may tend to supinate. For more information and recommended New Balance models for Supination click here.

For a full fitting experience contact a fitting specialist at one of our store locations. They will be able to analyze wear patterns and even scan your feet to identify high pressure areas and determine pronation or supination tendencies.

These recommendations do not take the place of consulting with your health care professional.

I often get the person who states, "I need a good shoe but I have no idea where to start." With all the different categories, models, and shoe technology "jargon" I can certainly see how it can get confusing. So I've decided to do my best at clearing at least a few things up. Over the next few months I'll be posting some informational blogs on some of the things that might be confusing when looking at all of the choices. Each of these informational write-ups will be titles New Balance Shoe Technology. If you've been reading for a while you may have caught the "What's Your Type?" entry that instructs how to find your arch type. That is a good place to start. Also consider the type of activities for which you will be using these shoes. For example, if you are running of course you will want to go with a running model. If you are doing weight training or aerobics and may also incorporate some jogging you would want to choose a versatile cross trainer like the 1210 or the 1010. If you are unsure or don't see your activity listed under the Men's or Women's drop down list on our homepage please contact a member of our product specialist staff either through Shoechat, Email, or by phone at 800-728-6247 and they will be happy to assist you. Once you've chosen the category type of shoe you need you may want to consider the last.
What is a last? 
A shoe last is the 360° plastic, wood, or metal model/form upon which a shoe is constructed. Lasts provide a unique fit and size profile for women, men, and kids. The last along with extensive width sizing, combine to provide the best overall fit in the shoe industry. The Last will give a particular model a general standard or blueprint for heel width, instep height, forefoot width, and toebox depth. The most popular lasts seen throughout New Balance's core models are SL-1, SL-2 and now the new PL-1 last. The link below will take you to a chart detailing each last and the fitting characteristics you can expect from a model made on that particular last. Keep in mind however that the last is just one piece of technology behind New Balance shoes. The material from which the shoe is made, such as leather, mesh, synthetic, along with the features incorporated in the shoe give each model individual fitting characteristics. Check back for more on "New Balance Shoe Technology".
Tips for a Comfortable Shoe Fit 

*Watch the video below to witness the dangers of wearing improper or ill-fitted footwear.*
Think about your run, not your feet.
 

If you have it you know. You know the comfort and the convenience. You know the feel of a great recovery shoe. You slide the 801's on after a long day at work, or a long work-out. You slide the 801's on after a long run. You even slide into the 801's after a never-long-enough night of sleep. The 801 is a short-cut to comfort for everyone and every after-activity. We have a limited availability! So if you want to replace an old pair, stock up, or slide them on for the first time Get HERE Quick!
I might have to fight ya for my size!

Men's 801       Women's 801

* Just a tip!
If you suffer from plantar fasciitis it is not recommended to go barefoot. Use the 801 as a slipper, or to supplement other footwear options to insure you do not walk barefoot while suffering from PF.  The exercise your feet receive through your arch and toe areas while wearing the backless 801 actually strengthens the fascia tissue, thereby relieving symptoms and expediting recovery.

School's Out. Pool's Open. Socks are Off.
It's warming up in the Midwest and if I'm not in my New Balance sneaks, you can usually find me with my toes exposed! These little piggies can hardly wait all winter! One of the many perks of working with shoes is getting a first look at all the new styles. I chose my favorite sandal for the year back when snow was still on the ground. It's the Freeport. No it's the Salina! ... or maybe the Margot... or the Petra! Eh. Who says you have to have one favorite anyway?! Those are my styles but the sandals can't do it all alone. For fabulous summer feet you have to do a little prep work as well.
Below I've listed some tips on getting your pigs out of their blankets for summer fashions and fun. 

1. Soak feet in warm water 7-10 minutes.
2. Pat dry with a clean towel, not forgetting between the toes.
3. Trim the nails straight across, not on a curve to avoid ingrown nails.
4. DO NOT use sharp instruments on calluses! This can cause infection.
     Instead use a pumice stone for the really tough spots.
5. Apply lotion, such as Khepra foot balm with essential oils, for good foot health.
     Repeat in the AM and the PM. Massage into cuticles as well but take care not to apply lotion
     between the toes.

Beware of Flip Flop Tendonitis! Adapting your feet to flip flops or sandals from closed toe shoes can create extra stress on the shin muscles and calves. Your feet aren't used to having to work to keep the shoe on and balanced. When moving into open toe shoes as the warmer weather approaches, wear them gradually and give your muscles a chance to adapt and get back into the "strut" of summer fun. This will help avoid painful shins or tendonitis of the leg. 

Use these tips throughout the warm season for good foot health!
And if you're feeling extra saucy put on some polish! Nobody likes naked toe!

For more advice on Foot Health click here.

 I heard someone say once, "If it's worth doing, start now." Since then I have found so many situations in which to apply that way of thinking! But at the risk of rambling I will concentrate on one issue...Exercise. Last week we talked about New Year's resolutions and how easily they slip the mind once other activities roll in with the Spring. If you're anything like me you need constant motivation or you end up back on the couch with your bag of Cheetos watching Golden Girls marathons and the Food Network. So I did a little research to help me keep my "Thomas the Tank Engine" mentality going. Below I've listed 5 steps to help us stay focused.

*BE SPECIFIC
When starting out with a resolution or a goal don't just say, "I want to lose weight." or "I want to run more." or "I want to eat less Cheetos." Set a specific target to reach within reasonable allotted time increments. For example, if you want to lose weight set a monthly pound loss target. If you want to run more set out a specific mileage per week and build on that as the month progresses. If you want to eat less Cheetos.. don't buy them.

*PAT ON THE BACK!
Everyone likes a reward. Once you hit an incremental goal treat yourself. The last time I hit a goal I bought a new pair of shoes. That's a pretty big pat on the back but I was very excited about the achievement... and they were really cute. There may be an underlying addiction there. Hmm.. Next year's resolution in the making. But you don't have to go that far. Get yourself that new bag you've been eyeing in the display window or the movie you've been wanting to buy. Or motivate while rewarding with something new like running shorts/shirt, pedometer, sackpack. Anything to to tell yourself, "Great Job!" 

*SUMMON MORAL SUPPORT
Sympathy pain. Misery loves company. Getting other people involved can have a positive effect on overcoming the toils of the task at hand.  I am in my 1063's much quicker in the morning when I have someone yanking the blankets off and telling me to get my toes on the road. Especially if they will be joining me. Whether they are physically by your side or just supporting you along the way, having someone else know what you're striving for is huge motivation.

*MIX IT UP
A change of scenery is highly motivational. If you feel like you're stuck in a pattern just taking a different route to work can stimulate alertness throughout the day. You need routine but monotony will wear you down. Get out of that ho-hum habit of doing things the same. If you are a runner, take a different path when you have the time to change it up. There are so many different routes you can take and with each you'll see different people and places. Exercising indoor? Work on different areas each day or change up your technique to get a well rounded routine. 

*IMMEDIATE ACTION
Simply, if it's worth doing, start now! Don't use phrases like, "The diet starts tomorrow." or "I'll just run twice as long on Monday." That kind of talk is the first step toward the couch and Friends re-runs.

So... you have 341 days. Get off the couch and I'll see ya on the road!

Let us know your goals with a comment! And come back to let us know you made it! We'll give you a "Pat on the Back."

As the new year rolls around we reflect on the previous year and think of what we may have done differently or would like to have had accomplished by December 31st. This kind of reflection is great motivation for people to make "New Year's Resolutions." The tradition of the New Year's Resolution goes all the way back to 153 B.C. Janus, a mythical king of early Rome, was placed at the head of the calendar. With two faces, Janus could look back on past events and forward to the future. Janus became the ancient symbol for resolutions. Many Romans looked for forgiveness from their enemies and exchanged gifts before the beginning of each year. For curiosity sake I inquired through personal blog and word of mouth what kind of resolutions my friends and others were putting on their lists for 2009. Here are the top 5 responses:

#1 Eating Healthier

#2 Running Regularly

#3 Regular Exercise

#4 Getting Outdoors

#5 Spending more time with loved ones

Others can be categorized into a list of more personal goals such as finishing school, starting up a website, regular meditation, training their dog not to use the couch leg like a fire hydrant, etc.. but 85% of the people that answered had the first three somewhere on their list. I am pretty certain this list resembles those made for 2008, 2007, 2006... more than likely because the beginning of a new year corresponds with the end of the holidays (a.k.a three months of sedentary activity partnered with face-stuffing).

It is great to have a positive plan and perhaps with January comes the impression of a fresh start, or a chance to try again. The trick is sticking to it! The same people making New Year's resolutions are infamous for forgetting what they were come March.  Yours truly not excluded.  So start easy. Set a goal for which your resolution will simply be a means to an end. But be specific so that you can break it down into short-term achievable targets. For example, if your goal is to lose 10 pounds by the time you have to squeeze into that bridesmaid dress or bare your belly in that bikini, than break it down into so many pounds per week or month. If you’re like me and sometimes have difficulty “sticking to it” than come back next week for 5 tips to help keep that motivation going!

If frugality is part of your resolution be sure to check our homepage for brand specific discounts throughout the month of January!