Day 293
Women love shoes. At least that seems to be the popular dogma these days. First we had Cinderella, then that woman from Sex in the City whose name escapes me, and now there seems to be a glut of TV shows that feature stiletto-wearing law enforcement babes chasing bad guys.
You know, I actually have an easier time believing that these law-women can take down an international terrorist ring on a Tuesday and still have time for after work drinks at their favorite watering hole than I can believe that they can sprint in pumps. I have difficulty navigating the 8-inch patch of gravel between the parking lot and sidewalk at work and I don’t even have a gun drawn.
I like shoes, but I wouldn’t say I’m fanatical in any way about them, with one exception.
Running Shoes
Just before The Simple Year started, I bought a new pair of running shoes. Typically in years past, I buy new work out shoes about every 6-8 months as my shoes get a lot of use. I honestly don’t know if shoe manufacturers design shoes to purposely self destruct after a few months or not, but they really don’t last that long. The tops might still look OK, but the soles get all worn down and cause all kinds of aches and pains.
This year, I figured I would stretch it out as long as I could and then find a pair of gently used shoes. I figured lots of people buy shoes intending to work out and the plan never gets fully implemented.
I wanted their shoes. Is that too much too ask?
My First Attempt
I don’t know if you can tell but these Ebay shoes which were described as “worn only once” are metallic silver and neon yellow. So not only do they look like a distant cousin of the 70’s moon boot, they also must run a bit small because my toes were crowded. I did try to exercise in them a couple of times, but I had to stop before I lost a toenail.
The Next Try
Next, I tried some of those minimalist shoes which are all the rage. I’m not sure WHY they are so popular as I started to call them The Princess and the Pea shoes since I could feel EVERY LITTLE THING underfoot. Plus, I could never really get past their resemblance to the geriatric slip-on shoes favored in nursing homes everywhere. These were also an Ebay purchase.
I Get Lucky
Things were getting a bit dire and it was looking like I was going to have to either forgo any high impact work outs for the rest of the year or break down and buy new shoes.
Then fortune smiled on me. REI has a twice yearly garage sale in which they sell off all of their returns or demo items. It is usually a zoo with people rushing in when they open the doors to snatch up the good deals. I stopped in their last sale relatively late and there, waiting for me, under a beam of light, with angels singing was the perfect size running shoe that the tag described as returned because “arch is too high.” Well not for me, they fit perfectly and I don’t think they were every really worn.
So, the truth is, I got really lucky. Honestly, under normal circumstances I don’t think previously owned running shoes in good shape are that easy to find. After this year, even though I think we will largely continue to consume less, I think we will probably buy our sneakers new.
Glad you found good shoes! I have a bad knee and was never happy with most shoes until I found minimalist running shoes.
They came with a booklet that warned however that you shouldn’t just jump into minimalist running. You should spend a long time just walking first and then slowly add in running. That might have been the problem you had.
I guess I was lucky. My introduction to minimalist shoes came via a pair of flats I had bought myself for work.I didn’t realize it at the time, but the shoes did give me sore calves and, oddly, the muscles in my hips were sore. Over time thought, they have become my favorite shoes. I now have minimalist winter boots, summer flats for work and even running shoes.
By the time I got around to running in minimalist shoes, I had been walking almost daily in minimalist shoes for about 6 months and because of my knee problem, I started it really slow: 1 minute running, 4 walking, repeat 4X, next week a bit more running, etc. These are the first shoes where my knee doesn’t start hurting while running (okay my sort of pokey jogging is what I call running). The shoes force you to change how you run. I went from being a heal-striker to landing first on the balls of my feet. The heel striking is probably part of my knee problem. That’s not to say everyone who heel strikes will have knee problems, it just contributes in my case.
I actually dislike wearing other shoes because the whole “princess and the pea” thing is missing! 🙂 When I switch to regular shoes, I feel them forcing my to move my feet differently; i feel like I’m not grounded; and they just feel HEAVY.
Good info on the minimalist shoe, I know many people that swear by them. I am actually a mid-strike runner and walk toe to heel instead of the more traditional heel to toe. Maybe that’s part of MY problem. I’ve actually been walking around the house in the blue shoes, maybe I’ll change my mind after some time 🙂
I agree – tennis shoes for our family are something I have not had good luck with buying used. As a matter of fact, my little guy (5) just set some sort of new record for destroying a new pair of tennis shoes – we got them after Christmas and they already have holes in BOTH shoes. Can’t skimp on quality shoes for the kids who wear them everyday or for exercising to stay healthy.
Glad you found some! The one pair of shoes I spend money on are my running shoes. Like you, I wear them out and replace them a couple times a year. Bad shoes = bad knees/hips/back. I’m glad you found a great pair! And good to know they have those items at the garage sale. I’ve never gone because of the zoo and I really don’t care that much . . . but I might hafta cruise in there with my kiddos some garage sale day and check out what’s left 🙂
I find it funny that Carrie’s name escapes you from sex in the city 🙂