New Shoes!

So, last week after talking to a couple mentors at practice I decided to order my shoes online instead of at a store. I was debating about switching up because I've worn the same kind of shoes for three years. I was all ready to hop on a treadmill and have someone else analyze my gait and everything, not because there was anything wrong, but because I figured that my running has changed a bit (I mean, come on, my first marathon was a 5:12 and my Marine Corps was a 4:22 and I'm running even faster now...).

But the general consensus was that if it isn't broke, don't fix it. AND I had heard from someone that the store I was going to go to (which I won't mention) is actually quite terrible at shoe fittings. I trust this person, so her advice weighed in heavily on the decision. I was also told that I could save a ton of money online.

So, I went to search for my beloved Adidas Supernova 7 Cushions. Oh yeah, in a 9.5.

Did I mention that this was nearly impossible? I did find a few pair, but most of them were on eBay, which I really thought about, but then was like NO, I cannot count on eBay when it comes to something as important as shoes. I also found a pair for $100. Uh, the retail price of these shoes is $85.

After some more research I found out they were discontinued. Oh. The new model is now called a Supernova Glide. (I found this confusing because they have always been called Supernova Cushion with a new number behind it AND there is a Supernova Sequence, which is like the opposite of what I need. I just assumed the Supernova Glide was another one I didn't need...like for over-pronators or something.)

Anyway!

A quick search for the Glide left me with lots of options. With some Better Business Bureau research and the help of Froogle, I was able to secure a pair for $73 with free shipping from Sayville Running. (Retail for these shoes is $100.)

I ordered them on Monday and already got them YESTERDAY!!! Pretty awesome. Sayville Running gets props from me for that. (Although it might just be because they are so close. Apparently they are in Long Island.)

Now, I haven't run in them yet, which we all know is most important. But I do have to give kudos to the new designers. They finally realized that I don't want atrocious running shoes. I will finally have a pair of shoes that LOOK like I'm a hard core runner and not an aerobics instructor (there is nothing wrong with that, in fact, I love aerobics, but I would not want to be running in aerobic shoes.)

Anyway I put together this "informational graphic" to illustrate my point. :)

Of course, all of this means nothing if the update doesn't work for me biomechanically.

So I'll be testing them out tonight.

D'Oh!

Yesterday, I decided that appearance was more important than comfort and wore what my boss calls my "ruby slippers" to work. They are these red patent leather peep-toed pumps with a skinny 6-inch heel. They actually are quite comfortable if you are just walking around the office and not much more. I had no problem with them in Cincinnati, where I did mostly driving and very little walking.

Well, I kind of forgot that I had a meeting uptown yesterday...and my boss walks FAST. Plus, although I am usually anchored to my desk all day, yesterday I was running from room to room for various conference calls etc.

When I got home, my feet were killing me so badly that as soon as I was past the doorman I slipped my shoes off and padded down the hallway to my elevator in my stockinged feet. Luckily, someone was holding the door for me and was sympathetic to my problem because he saw me sloooooooooowly walking down the huge hill to get to our building.

My toes were all smashed into an inverted v-shape and as the night progressed my legs really really hurt.
In fact, they still hurt today. It also wasn't fun to wake up in the middle of the night with a horrible charley-horse in my left leg.

I guess I learned my lesson. When you are training for a marathon, comfort and being smart about your feet/legs is more important than looking good.

By the way...did you know that Cole Haan teamed up with Nike Air to create the most comfortable high heels ever? Form AND function!!! Of course, something as wonderful as that also has a price tag that I am not used to for my shoe. Guess I will just have to wait for them to go on Zappos :)