New Kicks!

So this weekend I bought, for the very first time ever in my whole entire life- a pair of REAL running shoes!! Yes, me. The Funkmaster of taking naps, the girl who has reserved seating at her local $1 movie theater, the one who teaches classes on "How to stay in bed all day long". That's right- ME! Stephanie Dyar has purchased a pair of running shoes! And not just ANY pair of running shoes, these are from an actual Running store! Where you walk in and sign up to be "fitted". My shop of choice is Run On in Dallas.

So when you go in, the first thing they have you do is take off your shoes. Then they begin to tell you how Horrible cotton socks are. And I quote "cotton is rotten and to be forgotten". They didn't really think it was funny when I said, yeah but you can get 12 pair for $5 at Target! They simply handed me ONE pair that cost $12 and then proceeded with the fitting ritual.

Then they have you bend slightly at the knees. They feel your arch and give your feet a little squeeze. I think the squeeze is just for show.

Then you walk about 10 paces and they watch your gait, and you walk back. Then they disappear into the back room for about 2 minutes. Meanwhile, you are perusing the shoes on the shelf- picking out the colors that match best with what workout clothes you already own, picturing how dang cute you are going to be when it comes time to actually run in your new, perfectly matching shoes (and $12 socks- which do NOT come in colors).

After a few minutes the salesman or woman reappear with about 3 boxes. They proceed to pull out some of the most unattractive, insulting colors one could ever put on a shoe! Really! Why would you even think lime green would go with Anything I own?!? When the color choice of my salesperson is questioned, I am given yet another mantra of the running world- Running shoes are about performance, not fashion. And before the word "fashion" is out of their mouth, they have already gotten the shoe on your foot and begin to lace it up. No room for arguments I suppose.

Well, I try on a few pair, and without voicing it aloud, I do let "look" come into play just a little when I'm deciding which shoe is most comfortable. And which shoe "feels less like I'm wearing a shoe" than the rest.

About 45 minutes later, I have chosen a winner. And I have already planned another trip to Sports Authority to get a matching top as soon as I leave!

I check out, spend more money than I EVER have on one pair of shoes, toss in some elastic laces so that during our transition time for the Triathlon, there is no time lost spent lacing, add in a few goo packs, and I'm ready to roll!

So behold!! My new running shoes! They are the Nike Air Zoom Vomero- and without even trying, they match my bike shoes too!! Blue, silver, black and white. My new color scheme! Who says its not about fashion?! (Turns out that the Trek Bike I so desperately want is also in this same color scheme- just crazy it is!)

So here are some pics of my new kicks:

The man inside the shoe is actually the inventor of Nike! Bill Bowerman. He came up with his concept by melting rubber in his wife's waffle maker!