Getting The Run-Around

My sister Suzanne and I registered for the P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll 1/2 Marathon taking place in Phoenix, AZ on January 17, 2010 and training is well underway! Long-distance running somewhat "runs" in my family. Two of my sisters and I ran cross-country in high school. I remember my Dad running marathons growing up and going for 2-3 hour runs on Sundays even in the dead of Illinois winters. Dad trained people to run marathons and helped coach my cross-country and track teams.

January will be my third time running this particular race and I don't remember the training being this hard on my body the last time around. Ray keeps saying that this is what happens when you get older and to get used to it, but I don't want to buy into any of that. I talked to my Dad about all of my aches and pains last weekend and he recommended the first thing I do is buy a new pair of running shoes.

After a tough 5-mile run yesterday, I headed to Sportspectrum in Shreveport to check out their selection. They had a HUGE wall of shoes to choose from and the picture above only shows a fraction. It was really cool; they had me stand on a pad that measured how I distribute my weight on my feet, watched me walk, and recommended the type of shoes that would be best for me. I tried on several pairs, but none of them felt quite right. They were out of my size of the pair that I was certain would have been "The One." Apparently, this is the time of year that manufacturers release the new models of shoes. Due to this, the store will not be receiving another shipment of this particular model.

I'm torn! Do I locate the pair online that I think will work and hope for the best, or wait for the new models to arrive in a few weeks and try them on before buying?