Welcome to Sunday's Edition of Carol's Corner. Had a busy but fun day today. We were at The Country Music Park where we going dancing twice today; a party from 12-4 with one band and back for our regular 7-11 dance with another band. Ate lots of bad things but got lots of exercise. Between the two dances I went home and fit in an hour five mile workout, before I went back for our regular dancing, which was fabulous. The two pictures of me are outside the park which is also a campground. This one in the gazebo might be one of my favorite ones of myself. Think I'm going to print this one to frame.

This one is taken by their Veteran's Memorial. You can see all the RV'S and the small lake where they stock fish. The campers can actually fish there. My dress is one of my absolute favorites. I adore the colors and the style both. I am calling this one ” Flower Power”. What's cool is my Cami Shaper that kind of peaks out around the neckline and my shoes, both of the same color as one of the flowers.

Got to wear my beautiful Magenta Ring that I love. Was excited to have one made in that color which is very hard to get.

I was able to tie all the colors together from my dress with my ring, my other jewelry and my FitBit combo.

For tonight's topic I've decided to revisit the subject of what shoes are best for walkers and how they differ from runners shoes. And then there are what we call cross trainers. So let's get this started and see what we find. I'm going to start with information from Prevention. It's in their Fitness Walking section and is titled “The Great Shoe Debate” subtitle ” Should Walkers Wear Walking or Running Shoes”?

The author say as long as she's been involved with walking , over 15 years, there has been a controversy over whether running shoes are acceptable for walkers. Running shoes came first. Before 1986 there was no such thing as “walking shoes”. They only had what we know as “sneakers”.

Walking shoes have come a long way since then. At first they looked like nurses shoes or orthopedic shoes. Now their made with as much technical know how as running shoes and they have a lot of product testing behind them.

Running requires far more cushioning and stability, but that doesn't mean that you can't wear running shoes for walking. It's the fit that counts.

Running shoes tend to be flashier than walking shoes in both design and color. And they're usually more plentiful than walking shoes, so there are more brands to choose from with running shoes. In the downside, running shoes have thicker soles than walking shoes. They'll make you taller , but they'll also make you more prone to tripping, so be careful if you opt for running shoes.

The point the author likes to make, is that walking shoes are specifically designed to help propel you through the heel-toe motion of the proper walking technique. While runners land flat-footed, walkers land on their heels. So the heels of walking shoes are often beveled to increase stability. And that stability is equally important when you roll your foot forward and push off with your toe. ( I can't actually say I've paid attention to how I walk or jog, interesting.)

The author personally recommends walking shoes for serious walkers. She's worn both, but most of the time she prefers walkers.

If you can't find a walking shoe that fits, you can try a running shoe, but make sure you go to a store where a knowledgeable salesperson can assist you in selecting a brand and style.

If you're a racewalker, you'll have to search till you find a walking shoe that is flexible enough to meet the demands of your sport. Try grabbing the shoe at both ends and bending it. If it doesn't flex easily and you want to go really fast, than shop around for another brand. Some racewalkers prefer running flats, a type of running shoe that is very flexible and has a very thin sole.

LEARN THE LINGO

Before you go shopping, take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the following terms. The salesperson you deal with should understand this terminology, too. It can make a world of difference in the quality and fit of the shoe you take home.

EVA A shock absorbing foam that's soft, lightweight and flexible. EVA is found in the soles of many good walking shoes. It compresses on long walks but springs back after a day of rest. Some shoes have dual-density EVA, which simply means that the material has two different compression rates.

HEEL-STRIKE This is the point where your heel makes contact with the ground if your using proper walking technique. You need to consider heel-strike when selecting a shoe, because your heel takes a pounding with each step– and that may happen thousand of times when you're out walking. Look for a shoe that provides stability, with a slightly beveled heel and plenty of cushioning.

LAST This is the mold on which a shoe is formed.(Never heard of it). The last-and therefore , the bottom of the shoe–can be straight, semi-curved or curved. For a good fit, make sure the shape of your shoe matches the shape of your foot.

MEDIAL SUPPORT Sounds fancy, but don't let the terms confuse you . It simply means arch support.

OVERPRONATION This means that your ankle rolls inward when you're walking, which puts too much pressure on your arch and nearby ligaments and tissues. Over time, overpronation can lead to heel pain and other problems. A good shoe supports and stabilizes your ankle so it doesn't roll inward.

SOCKLINER Every good shoe has one of these inserts, which cushions and protects your foot from the shoes “guts.” Without a sockliner , you would feel stitching or little lumps of glue when you walk.

TOEBOX This is the part of the shoe that encases your piggies. It should be roomy, both in width and in height. And it should somewhat resemble the toe-end of your foot. No more pointy toes.

QUICK TIP: Ask other runners or walkers where they buy their shoes. Runners often know the best stores. Their feet take a lot of abuse, so if they want to run for long, they need great fitting shoes.

This has been a very good overview of what you should be looking for in your shoe. Now I am going to give you links to more on the subject.

https://www.aofas.org/footcaremd/how-to/footwear/Pages/Selecting-Athletic-Shoes.aspx. How to select the right athletic shoe.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/290273-walking-shoes-vs-cross-training-shoes/. Walking shoes versus Cross-training shoes.

http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/choosing-best-workout-shoes 5 Biggest mistakes when choosing workout shoes.

http://woman.thenest.com/walking-shoes-crosstrainers-running-shoes-21618.html. The best walking shoes, cross-trainers, and running shoes.

http://www.realsimple.com/beauty-fashion/shoes-accessories/shoes/athletic-shoes. How to choose the right athletic shoes.

http://otwithmd.com/difference-between-running-walking-cross-training-and-minimalist-shoes/. A blog article about the differences in the types of shoes, also when to replace them.

I think that is enough information for you to read up on when you are trying to make a decision on what type of shoe is best for you. I might see if I can find for another day if certain types of shoes are better for certain types of feet issues and something on special inserts or orthotics. Please let me know if that is something that interests you. So continue to stay focused, stay motivated, and stay moving. Till next time, God Bless.