Long distance runners are the hard core mile junkies of the fitness world—whether they're running marathons, ultra marathons, or... running for 5 hours, 21 minute and 23 seconds while juggling, they put their body through the ringer as they rack up miles. Which is why it's crucial for them to have the proper running shoes. Picking the right ones takes some background knowledge.

"There are likely a variety of shoe types and brands that will work well for a runner. As long as you can avoid the wrong pair of shoes, then you’ll be set to tackle all the mileage you desire," says Blake Dircksen PT, DPT, CSCS, Doctor of Physical Therapy at Bespoke Treatments.

Dircksen recommends rotating through at least 2 different pairs of shoes, each of a different make-up (heel-toe drop, stack height, foam density, weight, etc.), to ensure that you’re not loading the body in the same way, step after step.