New Adidas Shoes

Finally went and got fitted for new shoes today at the running store! I had to look up the directions to the store because I've only been there once and it's in a part of town I rarely go do. The owner of the store was the one to help me out, so I felt kinda special. I wore my old shoes in so whoever helped me would have something to compare the new shoes to. I explained to him that I feel like I'm rolling out too much when I walk/run. I also told him about the shin pain I've been having. He then told me that the shoes I was wearing (ASICS Gel-Cumulus 10) would have been the ones he would recommended! WHAT?! If those were the shoes for me, why did I hurt so bad?

After pulling the 3 other pairs of shoes he had in my size, we commenced to trying them on. That's right, the store still doesn't stock very many size 6 shoes. The first pair we tried were the Adidas Supernova Glide. A totally neutral shoe. It felt great! I jumped around, ran around, and ballet-danced just to test them out. I felt like I was just wearing a big sock. So comfortable! We tried the other two (the ASICS Gel-Nimbus 11 and a pair of Nike's that I can't remember the name of) and because I have a wide foot, they didn't work as well as the first. I did ask if he would recommend another brand of shoe for me that they didn't stock in my size that I might be able to order. The owner said no.

So, after a lot of ballet-dancing, and chose the Adidas shoes and brought them home, along with some reflective wristbands :). Best part....they gave me a discount on the shoes for being a teacher!!!! I made a pit stop by Dick's Sporting Goods before going all the way home to pick up some GU Chomps. The running store I was at only had PowerBar stuff that wasn't gluten free. It took me for ever at Dick's! Apparently everyone in Rockford wants sports stuff for Christmas. After looking through the entire store, I finally found what I was looking for in the check-out line. Mmm....Orange GU. I know I don't run far enough yet to deserve the GU, but that's why I like the Chomps...they're bite sized :). I only need to eat one. I've read about the Jelly Belly Sports Beans on other blogs, but the package didn't say gluten free and I can't find any research on them....so I stuck with the GU. Sadly, the chocolate GU isn't gluten free :(.

When I finally made it home, Bentley and I suited up and headed out. I finally got the play list right on my iPod and was totally psyched for this run. New shoes, new tunes, well-behaved puppy....what more could I ask for?!

About a mile into the run, my calves and achilles started cramping up. Luckily Bentley needed a "pit stop" and I could stretch. That helped for another 1/4 mile. I had planned to take Bentley once around the block and then leave him at home to finish. As I slowed down to avoid a "fall down go boom" on the icy patch at the end of our driveway, a massive side cramp developed. I put Bentley inside, stretched and continued on the way. I was able to make it all the way home again, but not without a lot of effort and mental-cheerleading. All together, running and walking, I did 2.82 miles.

Hopefully this is just a side effect of new shoes. If this is still going on in January, I will make a doctor's appointment. I never had these problems while running track in high school. Granted, I was a sprinter in high school, not a distance runner. Anything over 200M was torture to me then! Now I can run miles! Fingers crossed that the "new shoes smell" will wear off soon and they will be my perfect fit! Otherwise, the lady who rang me up said that if they aren't working I can bring them back and they'll find me another pair.