it's what's on the inside that matters.....right????

ardelle-

had a fabulous birthday yesterday. got on the treadmill after bodypump to run a few miles. called to check in at home to make sure everyone was up for school when i was reminded of what was even more important. the kids and chris were at home waiting on me for a birthday breakfast surprise. luckily i already had a mile under my belt and had almost completed the second. i increased the speed and hoofed it out.

my big plan for the day was to get new running shoes and go to a couple of movies i'd been wanting to see. i had been thinking about the deal with running shoes for a few weeks now. i fondly remember the days when i picked a shoe by myself and made the selection based on appearances. i thought almost any shoe out there was a possibility. i'd been examining the shift of that more and more intently as my birthday approached. when did i learn that wasn't true? when did i learn that a running shoe was only good for 6 months or 500 miles, whichever came first? when did i have someone watch me run on the treadmill and tell me i need a motion control shoe and these were my four or five choices, of which i might not find any attractive. and when did i start absolutely believing what they told me was true? i guess it was when i put that first pair on and was won over by the soft cushioning, flexible forefoot, and glove like fit. it was what was on the inside that was important. the inside is what made us a perfect match.

every 6 months or so i start getting a sore arch or achy forefoot and i know it's almost time... usually the outside of the shoe still looks fine but inside it is broken down. this year as i was i psyching myself up to make a choice based on the important things about my next running shoes i became very aware how we as people are like running shoes. lots of times the outside is really not an accurate reflection of what is happening on the inside. and those perfect fits take a bit of effort to find. in my life the number of great fits is much closer to the motion control options than the wall of shoes they are a part of. and at a newly 39 i am satisfied, actually elated, about my motion control people and shoes.

i have to tell you i was super prepared for the venture.. i brought with me my past three pairs of running shoes (MINUS THE ONES I VOWED NEVER TO WEAR AGAIN AND BANISHED FROM THE HOUSE AS SOON AS I GOT HOME FROM THAT LAST MARATHON) in a green (not plastic) bag. (a different new year's resolution) i was making sure the salesman would know what had worked in the past as well as donating them. they take old running shoes to the local day center for homeless and provide shoes for people. and to top it off.....i remembered my own socks to try on with. you can see i was very focused here. however, even having recently spent time pondering these things when i walked into tulsa runner yesterday and saw the wall of shoes it was quite enticing. but, i stayed focused. there were only three choices this time and our movie started in 45 min. i even shared my people /shoe theory with the salesman who smiled politely and nodded his head in agreement. the trip was a success and now i have new shoes which always inspire running. mission accomplished.

on another note i highly recommend the movie "it's complicated." chris and i both laughed so much. not for the kids though.
the kids are out of school for the rest of the week due to frigid temperatures.... chris is quite perturbed by the ordeal seeing how his office is 10 feet from the hub of the home's activity.

kristin