I pretty much like to baby myself when it comes to my running shoes. 

This however was not always the case.  When I first started running

over 16 years ago, I pretty much bought my running shoes based on

how they looked and the price.   Since I bought my running shoes at

JC Penney’s that might tell you I wasn’t willing to spend too much for

my shoes.

Over the years though, I started to have problems with my shins.  First,

it was shin splints. Then it was just very tight shin muscles.  I could only

run a few miles, and then I would have to climb Mount Sentinel up to

the “M” to alleviate the shin tightness.  While it was a good workout,

it frustrated me with my inability to run longer distances.

At one point, about 10 years ago, I was talking with a co-worker about

my shins always feeling tight when I ran.  Chad was a fellow runner

and immediately suggested I go to the Runner’s Edge (our local running

store) to get fitted properly for my next pair of running shoes. 

“Won’t that be expensive?” I worried. He just looked at me and said, “Aren’t

you worth it?”  And I had to agree. Yeah, he’s right. I am worth it, and since

I do love to run, it’s important to have the right equipment.

Not too long after that, I ended up at the Runner’s Edge, where Anders, the

owner was able to tell by watching me walk that I have a tendency to over-pronate. 

He said I needed more support and put me into my first pair of Adidas Brevards. 

Especially designed for women, these running shoes have served me very well. 

I saw immediate results with my new shoes!  No more tight shins! 

And the best part…they looked great too!  The price was almost double what I had

been paying before, but to be pain free and know I was wearing the right shoes

for my running style was invaluable.

One other important lesson I learned was to buy new shoes more often.  I usually

get a new pair twice a year now.  And since my work place rewards employees

who use alternate means of transportation to get to work, twice a year I get a

gift card good for the downtown stores. 

My commuter rewards amount has been very close to the price of a new pair of

running shoes each time.  Hey, can’t beat that!

In fact, just last week I bought a new pair…they’re the same color as my previous

pair, only the white parts are whiter

See…

My New Shoes!!

How ’bout it?

-Vision Runner