Why a Proper Size Consultation Can Make or Break Your Running Success

We’ve coached thousands of runners—newbies to marathoners—and if there’s one lesson we’d engrave in every runner’s mind, it’s this: get a proper size consultation before you buy your running shoes. Yes, it’s that important. Each of us here—Mary (66), Diane (61), Carla (64), Ruth (68), Janine (60), and Teresa (65)—has decades of experience in both racing and coaching, and we’ve seen how the right fit can change the game.

Here’s what we’ve learned, and why we want you to take this seriously.

Mary: “Sizing isn’t just about the number on the box.”

Most people assume they know their shoe size. But running shoes? They’re a whole different world. Your feet swell, your gait matters, and sizing differs by brand and even model. I once had a runner struggling with shin splints. She thought it was training intensity, but the real culprit was her too-tight shoes. We had her re-measured and properly fitted. The difference? Night and day. A proper consultation saved her season.

Diane: “As we age, our feet change—so should our shoes.”

Let me tell you something we rarely say out loud: feet change with time. Arches flatten, toes splay, and sometimes even shoe width needs adjusting. I’ve been running for 40 years, and I don’t wear the same size I did at 30—not even close. Every runner, especially women over 50, should get re-sized every year. A consult isn’t a luxury—it’s a tool for injury prevention and comfort.

Carla: “One of my runners cried after her first real fit.”

She had been running in the wrong size for years. Bunions, knee pain, black toenails. She assumed it was just part of the sport. After we sent her for a proper size consultation, they found she needed a half size up and a wider toe box. She walked out of the shop grinning—and later told me she felt like she was “running on clouds.” That’s the power of getting fit by someone who knows what they’re doing.

Ruth: “It’s not about brand. It’s about your biomechanics.”

Some runners get hung up on brand loyalty. But shoes aren’t one-size-fits-all, and what works for your friend might wreck your stride. A good consultation looks at your arch, gait, foot strike, and how your foot moves in motion. It’s personalized. The last athlete I coached came in swearing by a big-name shoe. After a gait analysis, we found her ideal shoe was a totally different model. Her plantar fasciitis cleared up in weeks.

Janine: “You can’t run your best if your feet aren’t happy.”

It sounds simple, but it’s profound. Running is a full-body sport, but your feet are the foundation. If your shoes are wrong—too narrow, too loose, too shallow—you’ll compensate. That leads to strain in the knees, hips, and even your back. When runners come to me frustrated with their performance, we always look at their gear first. A shoe consult is step one in your success plan.

Teresa: “A size consultation is self-care.”

We’re all so quick to invest in training plans, watches, and energy gels. But what about your feet? They do all the work. A size consultation isn’t just for elite athletes—it’s for anyone who values comfort, performance, and long-term health. I tell all my runners: getting fitted is a gift you give yourself. Your future self—running pain-free at 70—will thank you.

What Happens During a Size Consultation?

At a reputable running store like Windfall Run Shop, a consultation isn’t just someone eyeballing your foot. It’s a holistic process:

Precise Foot Measurement: Length, width, and arch height using Brannock devices or 3D scanners.
Gait Analysis: Observing how you walk and run—heel strike, toe-off, pronation patterns.
Discussion of Goals & Injury History: Tailoring recommendations to your needs, not trends.
Test Runs in Multiple Models: You don’t leave until your feet say yes.

It’s professional. It’s personalized. And it’s often the missing link for runners stuck in discomfort or injury cycles.

Final Thoughts From All Six of Us

We may come from different states, clubs, and coaching backgrounds, but we all agree: getting a shoe size consultation is one of the smartest things any runner can do.

We’ve seen it:

Turn injuries into breakthroughs
Turn discomfort into joy
Turn casual joggers into lifelong runners

So if you’re asking yourself, “Do I really need one?”—our answer is a resounding yes.

You wouldn’t train for a marathon without a plan. Don’t train for your goals in shoes that don’t fit.

Ready to make the smartest step in your running journey?
Visit http://windfallrunshop.com/ and book your consultation today.

Your feet—and your future self—will thank you.