Published: July 08, 2009 10:01 am      

Running into a new pair of shoes

Like most women, I love to buy shoes. However, my shoe taste might be a little different than most. I enjoy buying running shoes. When I walk into my favorite sporting goods store, I am drawn to the fresh smell of leather, bright white shoe strings and metallic colors of the newest model. I am like a kid in a candy store.

Oh sure, I like a cool-looking shoe — who doesn’t? But, my first priority is finding a shoe that will cradle my foot in sheer comfort. I want my foot to feel like it is resting on a piece of heaven. Unfortunately, after three months of pounding on the pavement it starts feeling more like hell.

When I try on shoes, it is quite an event for me as well as the other shoppers in the store. After I lace up the first contender, I naturally want to try it out. So, I start jogging around the shoe department. I usually get quite a few stares, but I don’t care; I am in the zone.

That shoe leather must be more toxic than I thought. There should be a warning label on the box, or better yet, a glowing neon sign that says “We (the store) are not responsible for your actions beyond this point.”

I usually spend an hour debating on what shoes to purchase. I normally try on each pair of shoes at least twice. I feel the space between my big toe and the end of the shoe several times to make sure there is enough room.

When I first started running, I made the mistake of buying a pair of running shoes that were too snug. I thought this would be better since my feet wouldn’t move around much.

I couldn’t have been more wrong. Since they were too tight, I got a black toe from the constant pressure and eventually lost my toe nail. Let me tell you, sports tape was my best friend that summer.

When I find a pair of running shoes that I really like, I am very tempted to buy several pairs. A really good fit is hard to replace. I am often disappointed when I go back to get a new pair that the previous model I had been wearing has been discontinued. If I ever win the lottery or inherit a lot of money from a long-lost relative, watch out. Who knows, with that kind of power I could become the next Imelda Marcos. Remember her? I could have a whole room dedicated to running shoes. Now, that would be a beautiful thing.

When I was growing up, my mom took me shoe shopping before the school year started. I received two pair, one for everyday use and one for gym, which lasted me the whole year. Boy, I sure have blown that concept out of the water. In three months time, I have completely worn out all the tread on the bottom of my shoes. It’s like feeling a stick of butter — no kidding. Since I occasionally run on wet pavement, even more so in the winter months, this can be dangerous. It’s like sliding around on a snowboard minus the board — not my idea of fun.

When I was running the other day, I thought of a great new concept — high-heeled running shoes. Now, they would be a lot more comfortable than stilettos any day. When I look at skinny, high-heeled, narrow-toed shoes, I just shutter — chills go up my arches.

These would be tailor-made for comfort. Who would ever want to take those babies off? Not me. Come on New Balance and Nike get with the times. I think we could negotiate a deal here — call me.



Angie Bicker is the lifestyles editor with the Clinton Herald. She has been with the Herald since 2001.