Tuesday, June 8, 2010

My Sneaker Procurement Experience





I am new to this whole athlete thing.  I do not have all the gadgets and gear.  Most importantly, I did not have the right sneakers.  I have known this for a little while.  I have noticed that after my runs, by knees felt tight and sore.  My hips were out of whack.  I knew this had to be shoe related.  (It also could be because I have a big ass, but I am sticking to the shoes). 

So, yesterday, I went to a sneaker specialty store.  I thought the process would only take 20 minutes, so I drove over before my planned workout.  Boy, was I wrong.  90 minutes later, and close to $200 bucks, I walked out with moon boots, anti-microbial socks, and new insoles for my kicks.  Let's explain the process.

I walk in, and they first measure my feet.  Then, they have me stand on a computer scanner and they measured my arch and my gait.  Apparently I have a better arch than I thought.  I always considered myself to have flat feet.  Apparently, I have a 'flexible arch'.  So you think I am finished, nope.

Then, they have me run on a treadmill, barefoot.  They take a video of each of my feet, while I run.  It shows in slow-mo, that I roll my ankles, where they should be straight.  In the end, they recommend a mobility stabilizing shoe.  Now, this sounded OK, except all the options in this category are weird looking.  They all have extra thick bottoms, are generally flat, and kinda ugly.  However, I am really hoping that my knees feel better, so I am up for the challenge.  So, this is what I bought:






















I am hoping I didn't get taken for a ride.  However, I do like this RoadRunner Sports.  I can try them for up to 60 days.  If I hate them, I can return them covered in mud.  I appreciate that.  The bad news is I missed my workout to buy these shoes.  It just took too long and I could not squeeze it all in.  So today is the day that I get my test drive on my gear.  Wish me luck!

7 comments:

  1. I think it's a terrific idea that you can try trainers out and return them if they don't do the job... I really struggle with buying the right pair of trainers because I have massive feet (US women's size 12) and in the past have had to make do with what I can find in my size (men's ones, normally) and hope for the best!

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  2. I own those same shoes but in hot pink not blue. The foot surgeon recommend them. I think they are cute.

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  3. WooT! That sounds like so much fun. To go get fitted. I'm pretty sure you didn't get taken for a ride. Everyone that I've heard going to one of those stores and getting fitted. I hope you'll LOVE it!

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  4. This sounds so exciting to me! To have your feet measured, and your gait analyzed, and waited on... like in a "real" shoe store?? How cool? I wanted to do this before I bought my shoes but the closest store that does this is almost two hours away. So I tried my best to analyze myself.

    I think $200 for shoes, socks and insoles, plus experienced help (not to mention the option of returning them covered in mud) sounds like a pretty good deal. Let us know how you like them!

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  5. That's great, I was in the same boat when I started with my shoe-issue and got some Nike Shox that I absolutely ADORE. It makes a huge difference to have shoes working with you and not against you. I hope that you like them and it was worth all of that time in the store!

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  6. Sounds very thorough to me. Plus, they aren't ugly IMHO. Of course, I would prefer pink but we can't have everything right?

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  7. WOW! Sounds like a COOL experience..Can't wait to hear how they work...

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