What if your life were a running shoe?

Running shoes are often categorized in terms of their cushioning, flexibility and responsiveness. Runner's World magazine regularly features new running shoes in the various categories, so you can select the shoe that best meets your individual needs. It occurs to me that we can use these same categories in other areas of our lives.

Motion-control shoes are designed for runners (often over-pronators) who need plenty of support and durability. Overpronators have excessive foot motion, the arch tends to collapse inward too much, increasing the risk of injury.

Stability shoes are designed for runners who need a combination of good support and cushioning.
Cushioned shoes are designed for runners (typically biomechanically efficient runners) who need a minimum amount of support and maximum cushioning. Underpronators (supinators) tend to have a high arch, which can result in too much shock traveling through your body, since your arch doesn't collapse enough to absorb it.

Performance shoes are recommended either for racing or, if you're biomechanically efficient, for training. They are generally lighter.

If a shoe is too soft, it may lack durability. In general, more cushioned shoes tend to be less responsive. Responsiveness of a shoe relates to how smoothly a shoe moves with your foot from heel strike to toe-off.

If a shoe is too firm, it might not provide enough protection, making a runner susceptible to injury.

If your life were a running shoe, what type would currently suit you best?

Do you need more motion-control? Are you an over-pronator in various areas of your life such as work? Before reaching the "collapse" point, additional support might be needed.

Are you perhaps like many of us and need a combination of both motion-control and cushioning? If that is the case, what does stability consist of for you?

It is useful to take a look at your larger life in terms of biomechanics. There may be areas where you know you have weaknesses that make you more likely to suffer an injury. Being proactive about those "biomechanically weaker" areas, could consist of adding more motion-control, stability or cushion.

In which areas of your life are you already efficient and ready to race? What's your next event?