I Wear Ugly Man Shoes

These are my new "ugly man shoes." When I started running I never, ever thought that finding the right shoe was akin to the pursuit of the holy grail. There are so many permutations of running shoes--what is your arch, pronation, how far do you run, how much do you weigh, do you wear and orthotic--if not, hey we can sell you one. With the formula you'd think that they could pop in the data and come up with a shoe that makes you run like the wind. Wouldn't you?

I have been wearing New Balance shoes for most of the time I've been running other than a misguided detour over to Mizuno. I also ended up at the podiatrist for custom orthotics when my foot started burning and then feeling like I was running with a knife stabbing me continually in the forefoot. The orthotics helped, some. They let me get from 3 miles to 5 miles before the pain got unbearable. This then lead me to the great running sock search.

Injinji toe socks, super thin Nike socks, Adidas bamboo socks. Each were okay but only for so long, like 5 miles. The super thin socks are winning so far but not sure they'll hold up for a half marathon. The bamboo socks are okay but I put toenails (short ones) through them on a regular basis. The toe socks were great for awhile, theory being it separates the toes and helps take pressure off the forefoot. Still, pain between 3 and 5 miles.

Finally, with a 9 mile run staring me in the face I went back to the local running store for new shoes. Anyone in Howard or surrounding counties--go to Feet First, they rock (locally owned, knowledgable staff, new high tech equipment and big new store!). I gotta say that it was the best shoe fitting ever, even if I ended up with ugly man shoes. I learned early on that you have to be willing to pay whatever and wear whatever feels good. The cute or cool looking shoes are rarely the ones. The heavier you are and the further you run the more true this becomes, IMHO. I must have tried 0n 2o pairs of shoes, each of them having some annoying factor, rubbing the top of the toes, rubbing the ankle, slipping the heel, or all of the above. After much trial and error out came the ugly man shoes. Smart sales guy didn't TELL me they were man shoes. Smart guy. It would have made me resistant, because that is just the way I roll. He gave me the super special way to tie the shoes so my heel wouldn't slip. Nothing sewn across the top of the shoe to rub in one spot or another. Ahhh, running shoe nirvana.

Now I feel I must begin to stockpile the ugly man shoe. Unfortunately in the running shoe world the companies remake their shoes all. the. time. And the new, improved version, isn't necessarily an improvement for all of the devotees of the current shoe. I did get a heads up that Hola Bird Sports is a great source for shoes at a discount, especially the discontinued ones. And the best news FREE SHIPPING.

Mall Talk

PDQ and I went to the mall this evening to pick out her special prize for being cooperative in the mornings. My special sticker method worked wonders and it was my turn to pay up. Of course she picked going to Libby Lu (or the School for Pole Dancers as Gman calls it). Its all I can do to stop from wincing in a store that is so sticky sweet and pink. PDQ picked out a fake pink headset to further her lip syncing career as a Hannah Montana wannabe. Then we proceeded through the mall with a stop at Sephora to Christmas shop for my sister. The ladies were enchanted with PDQ and her gushing over a fluffy white brush (that serves no purpose other than being pretty the sales woman confirmed). Then it was off to Macy's to see if I could find a dress to wear to my cousin's wedding in two weeks. As we approach Macy's this was the conversation:

PDQ: Macy's or is that Macy Penney's?
Me: Huh?
PDQ: Is this just Macy's or is it Macy Penney's?

As we walked through the store she stops in front of a dress, gives it the up and down, declares it too short and moves on. Then there is a series of "love it," "love it," "hate it." She hears me snickering and says, Mom I *am* a designer! Oh really, what do you design? Well, not really but sometimes I put stuff together and that is designing. After perusing the dresses and finding nothing appropriate she came shrieking that she wanted night goggles. I am sure the look on my face was priceless. She drug me over to the nightwear and showed me the coveted night goggles--actually silk sleep shades. Finally, after hearing her complain about her feet hurting I took her for shoes--wide shoes (for the record, those came from her father). She found the light up shoes of her dreams and I couldn't' resist buying her Keen's on clearance so hopefully we are set for shoes for the winter!

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I am thankful that PDQ is such a vibrant child who has an opinion of her own and generally lights up a room.

Do my boots and googles go?

Well at least she matches.... Ellie is in love with her new (clearance priced!) cowgirl boots. We had a great weekend--not at all what I expected. More on that later!

My feet are in serious love with these shoes.

I just gotta say, I heard people rave about Crocs clogs but I just couldn't bring myself to even put my feet in them. I wear a size 10, a pair of big bright clogs where never going to do my feet any favors. Then my sister got these cool Crocs sandals and said they were the most comfortable things ever. I gotta agree. I tried them on in the store and then had to order them online because they only had neon colors. Mine are the chocolate and cotton candy, good name, even better feeling. My feet are so darned happy! I don't know if Stacey and Clinton would approve but I really don't care.

Speaking of love. Check out my eHarmony Marriage evaluation over at Maven Says.

I went for allergy testing this morning after my shrimp eating experience. Sure enough, I tested positive to shrimp, crab and lobster--if that isn't enough to make a crustacean lover cry I don't know what is. I was issued an epinephrine pen and advised to stay away from shellfish with the warning that the reactions generally get worse. What a serious bummer, I really love shellfish, I guess I will be a "turf" girl from here on out. While I was there she tested for environmental allergies, I'd always expected I had them but I never knew to what. Turns out to almost all tree pollen, cats, some molds and a HUGE reaction to dust mites. My wrist was itching before I even walked out of the room from getting tested. Two hours and a dose of Benadryl later its still red and puffy. That might explain my eczema and my allergy attacks turned sinus infection pattern. My instructions are to go home and put covers on my pillows, mattress and box springs. I am anxious to see if it helps.