I have started well into my journey of running and training for the Tough Mudder coming this September. The last couple of weeks I have been averaging about 10-12 miles on my body in addition to my Zumba classes and home workouts. Recently, in the midst of my run, about 3.5 miles in, I started to feel pain just below my left toes in that fatty cushion part of my foot also known as the ball of my foot. At first it was annoying but if I stretched my toes and rubbed it out it didn’t seem so bad. But then the other day in the middle of teaching a Zumba class, three songs still to go, I got the pain again and it was bad. I couldn’t put any weight on that foot which doesn’t work when you are trying to dance let alone lead a dance….
All the signs were telling me it was my shoes and I needed to do something about it, but time and money were not at my side so didn’t let it become a priority. Finally, during my first night runs with a friend, I brought up my “mysterious” pain and how annoying it was. Being in the medical field and an avid runner herself she recommended I visit Runner’s Roost. She informed me they not only sell shoes but they sell you the right shoes…meaning they first analyze your gate and then have you try on and run in the shoes they think fit your needs best. You would think with my background and experience I would have told myself to do this sooner. But sometimes you just have to hear it from someone else in the right setting.
The next day I went to Runner’s Roost keeping the power of intention on my side. I informed the sales associate that
I’ve been having pain in my foot and (holding my old shoes up) these probably had something to do with it. Just looking at the picture the New vs the Old you can probably see it too! What was I thinking, running in those old things…With a polite but funny smile the sales rep brought me over to the fitting area to begin the search for the perfect running shoe. We talked a little bit about the type of running I was doing/going to do and then a little about my end goal…the Tough Mudder (I love that he had done it before and could share his input, plus he was very encouraging and told me I wont have any problem finishing the race). He measured my foot like most shoe stores, but then he had me walk bare foot towards the door and back. After a few other little balancing movements and walking around for him to watch my gait he zipped to the back to gather a few shoe options for me to try on. Normally when I try tennis shoes on I put one on and walk around lop sided and “make” sure I like how it feels while keeping the price tag well into consideration. Well, at Runner’s Roost you put both shoes on, walk around the store and then run on a tread mill for a minute or two. Then, after you have narrowed it down to two options, you try one shoe on each side and do the same. I felt like I needed go in both feet (ha ha, I know) and give this opportunity of finding what my feet and body really needed a real chance. I narrowed it down to the Saucony Triumph ISO and the WOMEN’S MIZUNO WAVE RIDER 18. The Saucony felt light and feathery but the Mizuno felt like there was more support. When I shared my thoughts the sales rep dropped down twisted and pulled the Saucony shoe strings from the bottom of the shoe and then had me walk around again. I consider myself an intelligent person but why didn’t I think of that…all of a sudden the Saucony became a different shoe, it was light as a feather and supportive. I knew then and there it was the shoe for me. The shoe size is a little larger than what I normally would buy for myself but I found I don’t walk on my toes as much as I normally do and that also happens to be a major reason why I was getting hot spots in the ball of my feet. So, the decision was made and it was time to pay my dues and scoot along my way.
Now, being the girl that normally shops in the kids’ shoe section or clearance rack it was difficult spending as much as I did on these pair of shoes. I’m still hearing about it as we go through our monthly budgeting. I do believe this was a an important purchase as I embark this pretty major journey of running a 10-12 mile obstacle course to ensure minimal impact on my body. I have discovered some minor bad habits with the way I walk and stand that have been causing pain in my hips and lower back that I would have never paid any attention to if I did not have someone watch the way I walked and if I didn’t work with my friend who started as just my chiropractor and is now a good friend and my running buddy. I can focus on doing what’s right for my body for this race and for my long term health. I am excited and nervous at the same time for this experience. I’m sure I will embark other areas of discomfort or pain but one must experience discomfort when they change, right?! Anyways, I am grateful that I have a couple of experts I can trust to give me good advice and support me as I train for this craziness!
So, my little shoe journey turned out to be a pretty big deal. Whatever type of work or exercise you are doing make sure you are wearing the right kind of shoes. It’s more than just about style, it’s about quality of life and treating that amazing body of yours like a golden temple!
