A lot of people buy running shoes based on style and color and also even coolness factor. If a famous sports personality is photographed wearing Nike running shoes or Madonna wears Reeboks, all of a sudden, thousands of people rush out to buy the same pair of running shoes. If black running shoes are suddenly en vogue, every other person on the street is wearing a pair. But is that smart? Should you really be choosing which running shoes to buy based on how cute they look, what color they are or who's been photographed wearing them?

Overall, none of these factors are important. If you're a person who likes to be in style and wants to always be on the cutting edge, sure, maybe style is important to you. But it's not important to your feet. In fact, it can cause your feet more harm than good. Buying a pair of red running shoes might brighten up your day and make you feel happy when you look down at your rapidly moving feet and see a blur of rosy prettiness, but it doesn't make you run faster. And, seriously, who cares what Madonna or Victoria Beckham is wearing. Some women might think buying the same running shoes is going to make them look like Madonna. Seriously, it's not going to happen. Get over it.

What matters when you buy a pair of running shoes is actually simplicity itself - do they fit correctly and are they comfortable? Nothing is more important than buying a pair of running shoes that fit correctly. Badly fitting running shoes can damage your feet, rub holes in your toes and heels and cause you to lose interest in running quickly, because you get so sick of being in pain all the time. Badly fitting running shoes can also cause permanent injury to your feet if you wear them for any length of time. An ill-fitting pair of running shoes can easily cause you to end up with shin splints, damaged knees or even tendonitis.

So, the next time you buy a new pair of running shoes, ignore the coolness or style factor and instead concentrate on correct fit and comfort. After all, you're going to be running miles and miles in those shoes - so your feet might as well feel good while you're doing it.

I've been a runner for a long time and although I love running, I know I'm a "bad runner." Why, you ask? Because when I buy a pair of running shoes, I tend to break them in until they're comfortable and then I run in them until there's more foot than shoe, because they have so many holes in them. Now, that might be frugal, but it's certainly not healthy - at least not for my precious feet. Lately though, I've been trying to force myself to be careful with my running shoes and replace them much more often. Surprisingly though, it's not just me that doesn't switch out running shoes, a lot of my friends who are runners don't either. So, if you're a "bad runner" like me and my friends, when is the best time to replace your running shoes?

First of all, keep an eye on the soles of your running shoes. If they're looking worn down and particularly if they're lopsided (one side of the sole worn down much more than the other), they need to be replaced. Running in shoes with uneven soles can cause you to run awkwardly and can actually cause injuries if you're not careful.

The second thing is to make sure you keep a careful count of how much mileage you run. Some runners can get away with replacing shoes every six months if they're only running a couple of times a week. For those who run more often or run further distances, you may have to replace your running shoes as often as every six to eight weeks. The rule of thumb is usually about 500 to 700 miles is a good distance to replace your shoes. So, if you're running four or five times a week, 10 miles at a time, you're going to need new shoes after only two and a half to three months - and even sooner if you're training for a marathon.

Plus, honestly, if you wear the same running shoes all the time, you're also likely to have some stinky problems. So, it's probably best to have two or three pairs and rotate them. That way they get time to dry out after a run, and it'll take a bit longer to wear out one pair of shoes.

Do you have sole? No. I am not talking about the kind that gives you rhythm. I mean do you have enough sole on the bottom of your running shoes? If you don't, you are headed for an injury.

Because your body absorbs a force about three times its weight when you run, you need to cushion each step. The extra cushion reduces your chances of pulling a muscle or breaking a bone. How do you do it? You do it by purchasing a running shoe with an adequate outer, inner and middle sole.

Yes. Running shoes are created with three soles. The outsole is the bottom one that touches the ground. The midsole is the cushiony pad just above the outsole. And the insole is the removable sole that your foot rests on. All of these soles play a special role in protecting your feet. All together, they should be at least an inch. If not, your foot won't be adequately protected when you run. The best way to find a shoe that fits this bill is to bring a ruler with you when you go shopping at the store.

You can keep a mini ruler in your pocket or purse as you shop. Pull it out in order to check the height of the entire soles of potential new running shoes. Also, don't bypass any running shoe with extra gel or shock absorption in it. They will give you a little more support. Most of them are truly equal in their benefit. Therefore, don't worry about paying more for one with a fancy name or design.

So again - I ask - do you have sole? Check out the shoes you run in every day. They will help you answer this question honestly.

It started with a desire to press out a pair of pants and ended with a lesson on foot care. How? I dropped the portable ironing board I was carrying on my big toe and split it in half. Luckily, my injury didn't require stitches, but as a nurse patched me up, she handed me a booklet on shoes. After reading it, I realized the importance of proper shoe attire especially in regards to running.

Running shoes can greatly affect your ability to perform. Why? A good pair of running shoes can reduce the risk of injury while extending the life of your feet, ankles and shins. So, it's important to know what to look for in a pair. Here's how to do it.

Look for a pair of running shoes at a store or website with a large selection. It will increase your chances of finding a pair that is in your size. Select three pairs of running shoes in your size that fit your taste. Don't worry about brand name or price. Check out the flexibility of the toe in each pair of running shoes. It should be able to bend, which will allow your feet to move freely.

When you put each pair of running shoes on, jump up and down. Which pair of running shoes absorbs the shock of your weight the best? Run up and down the shoe aisle. (Be sure to run on uncarpeted flooring.) Does your heel slip out from the back? Are your toes comfortable?

Elect to buy the pair of running shoes out of the three that marks highest in flexibility, shock absorbance, fit and comfort.

If you follow this process when you purchase a pair of running shoes, you will find the one that is best for you. You will also learn that Adidas, Nike and other popular brands have variations in them that might make your feet hurt. Therefore, you can't just pick a pair of running shoes because it's popular. Plus, you wouldn't want to select one in this way anyhow. After all, you're a runner - not a high school student.