Myrtle Beach running store services

Black Dog Running Company Fitting Process

We know that having the right equipment (shoes) can mean the difference of enjoying your training and racing and being sidelined due to running related injuries. The shoe fitting process is the first step to keeping you on the road and closer to reaching your goals.

The BDRC fit process is informative,thorough and fun. There is never a need to make an appointment and it is free of charge.

Most quality running shoes range in price from $90 - $140+

the average price is around $110.

Background Information:

We begin with some basic questions about the type of running/ walking you do, your training goals, the predominant surfaces you run/walk on, your average mileage and your history of injuries that may affect your running. This information guides the fit process and helps us recommend the shoes that are best suited for your needs.

Shoe Analysis:

If you currently are a runner/ walker, bring in your running/ walking shoes so we can analyze wear patterns, which indicate how you land in your current shoe.

Walk/ Jog Analysis:

Because treadmills are a much softer surface and can increase your degree of pronation, we also analyze how you walk and/or jog in the shoes on a hard surface, we have a track surface installed in the store. We also have a treadmill in the store, so that customers can run for several minutes and get a better feel for the shoes.

Glossy of running terms

Pronation - The inward roll of the foot

Supination - The outward roll of the foot

Gait Cycle - Body movement as one foot makes contact with the ground, leaves contact with the ground, then reestablishes contact with the ground.

Shoe Terminology

Neutral(Cushioned) - Shoe that allows the body to go through its natural gait cycle

Stability - Shoe that provides support along the medial (inside) part of the shoe. Recommended for persons who bear too much weight along the medial part of the shoe during their natural gait cycle

Motion Control - Shoe that provides the greatest level of medial support. Used for persons with highly excessive weight bearing along the medial part of the shoe.

Cushioning - The technology used to allow the shoe to absorb impact. Differences in cushioning systems will affect the overall feel and performance of the shoe.

Upper - Material and structure of the upper portion of the shoe. Difference in the upper will affect breath-ability, water resistance and fit.

Common Running Ailments

Over-Pronation

Pronation is the inward roll of the foot. This is a necessary function of the anatomy of the foot that provides support, balance, and cushioning for the body during motion. In a normal gait cycle the heel comes in contact with the ground, then pronates slightly as the foot flattens out and finally pushes off from the middle to the inside of the forefoot to allow forward motion. Many runners over-pronate, where the foot flattens out too much and the inward roll becomes severe.

Under-Pronation

Far less common than over-pronation, under-pronation (or supination) is when the foot fails to roll inward and instead the body weight remains along the outer edge of the foot. Supination motion is natural during the push-off phase, when the heel leaves contact with the ground and the body balances along the entire forefoot as it propels the body forward.

Plantar Fasciitis

The plantar fascia is the dense connective tissue located at the bottom of the foot where the heel and arch meet. It is most frequently caused by over pronation. If the foot flattens or becomes unstable during running/ walking, the plantar fascia may pull away from the heel bone. This results in pain and/or swelling primarily where the heel and arch meet. Pain is most noticeable when pushing off of the toes.

IT Band Syndrome (ITBS)

The lliotibial band (IT Band) is a thick, fibrous band of tissue extending down the outside of the leg from the hip to the outside of the shin bone (tibia) just below the knee. The IT Band provides stability and assists in flexing of the knee. ITBS is often due to overuse and sudden increase in mileage. Foam rollers and massage sticks can be great tools to help relax the IT Band. Persons with pronation issues or who are bow-legged are more susceptible to ITBS.

Shin Splints

Shin Sprints are caused by fatigue and overuse of the muscles along the shin bone (tibia) most often they are along the inside of the shins and toward the lower half of the leg. It may be caused by training regimen, but is often a result of running/walking in shoes that are broken down or are improperly fit. It can often be a combination of shoes and starting out doing too much too soon, we have to build the muscles in the correct way.

We offer Discounts on Purchases for Active Members of the

following groups:

*Grand Strand Running Club

*Myrtle Beach Triathlon Club

*Local Middle School/High School XC and Track Team members

These discounts are not in conjunction with other sales or specials.

Services