Clean Run Magazine - April 2006 - 7

? Everything you always wanted to know about agility but were to ask afraid
By Brenna Fender As a novice preparing for her first trial season, I am
busy readying Do you have a question about agility my trial gear. Ring
surfaces will vary at each trial: grass, Astroturf, rules or anything else
agility related? Mail your questions to Angie Pawinski: rubber matting,
and dirt equestrian . Is there a benefit to buying jmpink9@aol.com
specialized shoes for running each surface, or will my well-worn Angie
collects the questions and forwards sneakers suffice? them to us so we
never see the names. Clean Run Productions' owner Monica Percival says,
The American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine website says Many
competitors recommend specific shoes. Guy Blancke that if you participate
in a sport more than three hours per of Smooth Moves Agility says, I have
been running in Ditas week, using a sport-specific shoe makes sense. The
motions for centuries because they are comfortable and suited to required
in different sports vary as do the forces on your feet. various surfaces
in terms of grip. Anne Andrle, who has been The purpose of an athletic
shoe is not just to help you perform a Grand Prix and Steeplechase
finalist multiple times, says, better, but to help you perform more safely
in your sport. Personally, I run in Ditas for outdoor trials or indoor
trials A good shoe for agility must not only provide traction and with
packed dirt, and regular running sneakers for all man- stability on
different surfaces, but also must be comfortable to made surfaces. wear
for long periods of time and support both straight-ahead acceleration and
running as well as cutting movements. Floridian competitor Craig Olsen
says, I have some really cool shoes that I purchased recently. They are
made by Nike and Professional athletes can buy different shoes or spikes
for they are called `all conditions gear.' I like them because they every
surface. Most agility exhibitors don't have that luxury are lightweight,
they look cool, and they have a tread which I they must choose carefully
to find a versatile pair or two to am really happy with. They give good
traction on both grass meet their needs. and dirt and are okay inside but
this is probably not their best Percival continues, Your `well-worn
sneakers' may or may surface. I also find them comfortable to wear. The
fact they not be designed for the job. When you selected them, did you
feel so light was their selling point as well as the tread. choose them
for wearing around the house, Jane Schlueter, who recently competed in her
first AKC walks in the woods with the Nationals, says, For indoor trials I
have tried many different dogs, and doing errands types of shoes, both
expensive and downright cheap. Most on the weekend, or did of them have
been comfortable but have made my feet and you select them with legs ache
after wearing them for a few hours. Believe it or not agility or a similar
sport the most comfortable shoe that I have found is the Athletech in
mind? If the answer shoe from K-Mart! She continues, I used to wear the
same isn't agility, then make type of shoes both indoors and outdoors but
recently bought sure you give the shoes a a pair of AgileGear Qualifiers
from Clean Run for outdoor good tryout before you try trials. They have a
studded tread for better gripping even wearing them in competition. under
wet conditions. Schlueter has to wear thick socks to Go out to your
backyard and run make her AgileGear shoes fit and says that she believes
they a zig-zag pattern at full speed, planting might be too wide for a
narrow woman's foot. hard and changing direction every five yards or so.
Try a couple of front crosses in quick succession. Ideally, Purchasing
properly fitting shoes is important. Says Percival: do this when the grass
is still dewy in the morning wet grass Improperly fitted shoes are the
number one cause of foot is a fact of life at many agility trials. See how
your shoes feel. injuries and problems. There should be an index finger's
You don't want to be slipping or sliding when you try to stop width
between the longest toe and the end of the shoe. abruptly or turn. The
shoes should provide you with good The toe box should have adequate room
for your toes. The solid traction, but not too much. You don't want to
`stick' to shoe should bend at the ball of your foot where your toes
actually bend. D the surface which could cause you to trip or cause an
injury. NOTE: While it is not permissible to make copies of Clean Run
magazine, we wish to give readers permission to make copies of this
particular column for personal use. This means you are free to share
copies of this column with students, friends, or club members. The
information may also be included in not-for-profit newsletters as long as
credit is given to Clean Run. | April 06 Clean Run 7
Clean Run Magazine - April 2006

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clean Run Magazine - April 2006
