My Mizzies

I never want to devote a blog entry to something as materialistic as a pair of shoes. But know I am aware this is the case for today's entry. However, it's more about the process....

So does everyone know that 'real runners' don't choose their shoes by the color? Upon doing a little research for some new shoes, several website were very explicit about making it known that if you don't want to look like an idiot (their words) at the running store, you don't pick a shoe by its color. Man, they weren't joking...(more on that in a sec)

If I could have chosen by the design and color - these would have been my babies...

So after my long run two Saturday's ago, I was cooling down and all of the sudden I felt the horrible burning on the heel of my foot. It was to the point I could. not. walk. I was hobbling down the street (almost) in tears trying to get to my apartment (almost in tears). 2 blocks seemed like 2 miles. For the next 3 days I looked ridiculous walking around. I thought my hopes and dreams of keeping up with those Kenyan marathoners for the first 50 ft of the marathon were shot forever!

To make a long story short - the pain in my foot could be healed with a little TLC (foot rubs from a pregnant woman) and a pair of new shoes. Yea - new shoes!

I'll spare you all of the details of my trip to the local shoe store, but there were in fact signs all over the store in bold letters saying "You do not choose a shoe by its color!" So at this store, they measure both feet, watch you run on a treadmill. Then you have the pleasure of choosing a pair out of the 3 or 4 they give you. Despite my tempation to go with coolest looking ones, I picked out ones they said would help my foot and best fit my running style. I actually lucked out, my shoes weren't fusia or neon something - a nice navy and silver pair of Mizuno WaveRider 12s...

After spending a buck-sixty (that's $160, Mom), and feeling broke, the associate at the store ensured me that the shoes were very well known for their durability and that I should have "no problem training in them until race day." Wait - until race day? What's this until business?

Turns out you should change shoes like you change car tires - the problems was I was under the impression that the milage was about the same for both. No mi amigo(a), once you log 400 miles, it's time for a new pair. This explains why my foot started to give me real pain, my black Nike's had logged well over 600. Anyway - I'll cross that 'buying another pair of shoes in 2 months' bridge when I get there. It's crazy to think that I will have run that many miles in 8 weeks.

Thanks again to all of you that have shown your love and support! Heather and I are touched by your thoughtfulness and generosity! We love you all! Our son is growing and we can't wait to meet him in (hopefully) six short weeks!

This week - my eyes are on the 16-mile prize this weekend. This will be a new personal record for me. Just have to stay healthy until then. Weather hasn't been that great. Tomorrow I've got 800m pickups for 8.5 miles - terrible stuff.