“I’ve been so smart in my training,” my patient says in an almost defensive tone. “I’ve been diligent on all of my strength workouts, building my miles slowly, and even stretching,” as they continue their campaign.

In typical fashion, I continue to prod with questions as I contort my patients, checking their range of motion and strength. As I work through my laundry list of questions I end with one final poke.

This question comes after I rule out all the major training flaws and after doing a thorough screen of their strength and flexibility. More often than not, it’s the nail in the coffin.

“A couple weeks ago, but they’re the exact same pair!” This is the typical response when I ask, “have you changed your shoes recently?” It’s also a reason why so many are injured. Take a look at this video describing why no two pairs are ever the exact same. Old shoes are often thought to be the culprit of an injury… but what about a new pair? Could you be opening a new pair and a can of injury warms? Maybe.

Knowing how to properly transition your shoes is crucial. It’s why I talked about it awhile back in this article. A proper shoe transition can help you avoid a “stupid” injury that may derail your training for a few weeks or longer. Take a look at this video explaining more: