A bit more about....loving your trainers

Some tips garnered from my recent physio visits and combined with wisdom from you guys and other places - these should help to give your trainers a longer effective life.

1. Do check the tension all the way up each bit of the lacing when putting your trainers on. Your foot needs to held securely in place to benefit from your shoe's support.

2. There's a great tip you can see on this website on a loop lacing lock that helps your shoe to hold your heel securely. Some other ideas here too on lacing to suit your gait and foot.

3. Use a double bow to ensure that your laces don't come undone whilst running (definite trip hazard!).

4. After running, resist the temptation to lever off your trainers without undoing the laces - and don't push off with the other foot. These actions can damage the shoe - especially around the heel.

5. Between runs, let your trainers air. Leave the laces loose & keep in a dry place. If they've got wet, resist the temptation to put them on top of a radiator - stuff them with newspaper instead to speed up drying.

6. I hate cleaning trainers - so I have a pair for the gym that are pristine and another for running outside. My gym shoes are new versions of my outside ones - once the outside ones wear out, I simply switch to the gym ones (already broken in on the treadmill) and buy a new pair of gym shoes.