| I remember my first pair of running shoes. I had | | | | that I could have the shoes that day. I remember |
| read in a magazine article that the way to | | | | wondering if that meant the shoes would cost |
| prevent injury was to buy good running shoes, | | | | even more. |
| and that any good running shoe would cost | | | | Answer? No. I found out within the hour they |
| between $90-$130. A light bulb went on. I could | | | | wouldn't cost more at the specialty running store. |
| prevent injury and potentially be a better runner, | | | | They actually cost less. |
| all in a shoe? Off I went. | | | | At the running store, the clerk asked me all about |
| My first stop was a huge multi-sport center. I | | | | my running experience. Where do I run? How |
| breezed past the canoes, golf clubs, treadmills, | | | | often? What type of surface? How far? I thought |
| and in-line skates. Scanning the display wall of | | | | he was just making conversation. I found out |
| shoes, I looked for something expensive because | | | | later he had been assessing my individual needs. |
| I thought that meant it must be a better brand | | | | He looked at my feet and my old running shoes. |
| or a better shoe. I naturally picked the shoe I | | | | Then he started bringing out boxes and asking |
| thought looked the best, with the best | | | | more questions. |
| complimentary color scheme, something I could | | | | "How do they feel? What do you like about |
| "match" with any one of my "running outfits." | | | | these? What don't you like?" |
| Then I looked around, huffed and puffed, and all | | | | He asked me to run the length of the store. At |
| but threatened to blow down the display wall if I | | | | first I was embarrassed. Why was he watching |
| couldn't get some help. My help finally arrived. He | | | | me run? It turns out everyone has a different |
| came from the tents and camping equipment | | | | running style, and this is an important assessment. |
| section. | | | | You should expect this at any reputable running |
| Was it a hideous experience? No, not exactly | | | | specialty store. By the time I left, I felt like I had |
| hideous. Did I get help? Yes. The nice man went | | | | the best possible pair of running shoes for my |
| back to look for the shoe I picked out. Was there | | | | overpronating, flat, narrow feet. |
| a problem here? I didn't think so, but any | | | | I learned a lot about my feet and about running in |
| knowledgeable running store employee would | | | | general. I also learned something about these |
| have told me otherwise. This whole scenario was | | | | knowledgeable running store employees. These |
| a problem. | | | | are the people who know the latest in shoe |
| First of all, you don't buy shoes because of the | | | | design and performance. They are typically |
| color or style! You don't buy shoes because you | | | | runners like you and me. They work there |
| think the more they cost, the better they must | | | | because they love running and they love helping |
| be! And finally, you don't buy shoes because they'll | | | | other runners run better. Running specialty stores |
| match your outfit! | | | | can also serve as a center for your local running |
| Lucky for me, the mega multi-sport center didn't | | | | community. This is the place to find local running |
| have the half size I needed, and I didn't buy those | | | | groups, information on training and upcoming races |
| shoes. The man helping me generously | | | | or fun runs. |
| recommended a local specialty running store so | | | | |