...That was the response I expected when I went to the running store for shoes.
Let me back up though. My oldest had been talking about running for a few weeks, remember how I said he doesn't forget? So I started researching online. Running shoes are complicated. The other problem, they are super bright flashy colors. In my mind I was thinking... as if seeing me try to run wasn't enough to draw attention, let's add neon colored shoes. After looking at diagrams and reading articles and blogs about running and shoes, I had a pair in mind that i thought would work for me and searched all over town. Everywhere I went didn't carry that shoe and the people kept reffering me to a local running store. I was trying to avoid that....at all cost.
So I finally decide to bite the bullet and go. I had one night that my husband would be home for awhile after work for me to go. Now, I should have considered that I would go straight from work when I chose my outfit for work. That day I chose to wear a long flowy skirt. So here I am in my skirt and my over weight, out of shape body walking into the running store. A super peppy greeter meets me at the door and inquired about how they could help me. I explain, sheepishly, that I want to start a couch to 5k program with my son. She smiled and reassured me that my plans and goals weren't silly or unobtainable. This was defintely not the reaction I was expecting! So she explained the process and sat me on a bench to wait for my fitter.
My fitter was super supportive. She measured my feet. I stood on a scale looking thing that measured how I apply pressure on my feet. She watched me walk back and forth with my skirt hiked up so she could see my legs, feet and ankles. Then she brought out several different styles and brands, none of which were super flashy! I tried them out, walked around and narrowed it down to the ones I was leaning towards. I put them on and we went outside to run on the sidewalk outside the store. I picked the shoe I was happiest with so she brought me back to the bench and I switched fitters to finish up. They have additional insoles that offer different support for your foot for running. The new fitter put one of those insoles in my left shoe and left the other at it's base. So back out we went. She told me how far to go and come back. I started running, still having my skirt hiked up, concentrating really hard on my feet, the feel, thinking about positives and negatives. I noticed I was getting to the point where I was supposed to turn around. As I started to turn, I planted my right foot wrong and my foot rolled underneath me causing me to fall. Lovely! Large girl running in shoes she hasn't bought yet, wearing a skirt is now face down on the ground with a throbbing foot. Now, the thing about me is when these kind of things happen...I tend to faint, it goes along with my narcolepsy. So I am sitting there trying to distract myself about the pain because if I passed out I was certain they would call an ambulance!!! Needless to say, I felt like this was an omen. Maybe I shouldn't even do this!!! They took great care of me until I felt ok enough to finish up my shopping experience. I decided to buy the shoes because if I allowed myself to use the fall as an excuse, I knew i would never take any other steps forward for my health and wellness.
The next morning my oldest and I got up and started the app. Couch to 5k name gives you the impression you can go from sitting on the couch to running a 5k, which overtime I am sure you can. However, I decided after trying it several days there needs to be a pre couch to 5k app. I am nowhere near able to tolerate even the short 90 sec bursts of running that the app calls for the first day. So for now I briskly walk a track near my home and hope in the next week to run the curves and walk the straights. Then maybe I can give the app another chance!!!
I highly recommend our local running store if you are thinking about running, trying to run or even walking with the intent to run (like me!). They are genuinely nice and supportive of all those who are interested in running! Definitely made me feel welcome! Kudos Running Central!
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