52 Lives

In the last posts I’ve been writing how the cold weather has affected my runnning motivation. You know what is like to go out in the rain. The worst part is when you’re still inside and looking out the window. No way you gonna go there. But if you have the will power and you put decent clothing on, the run won’t feel as bad as in the first place. So basically the most critical motivation you need is the motivation to show up. I had lost that motivation, but today I bought it back. I got myself new running shoes.

Couple of weeks ago I broke the cushion of my running shoe. There was a short, plastic nail on the ground and I stepped on it. I didn’t notice it at the time, but two days later I noticed the weird sound on every other step. I took the nail out. The weird sound was replaced by a “boof” sound (the air coming out from the cushion) and needless to say, the cushion wasn’t working anymore.

Anyways, I had already thought about getting new shoes and had my eyes on Asics shoes. I had heard good comments about Asics, so I was eager to try them myself. I was going to buy the shoes from internet (cheaper…) after trying them first, so I needed to go to a local store.

Then I made the two common mistakes every running forum is telling NOT to do…

Rule #1: Avoid big sports stores.

First of all, you should avoid big sports stores. There are shops specialised just in shoes, so those are best places to find professional advice. They even loan you the shoes for test runs. I went to a common sports store, because I had time to kill (I was babysitting) and the store was just around the corner. The guy who introduced me the shoes at least knew the basics and was very helpful. He checked my pronation on a specific device (you stand on a reflecting glass and there’s a green light coming from the below) and discovered I had a little overpronation (he told me 2/3 runners have some sort of pronation). I also have a high arches, so tomorrow I’m gonna go to the same store to buy custom made insoles for my shoes.

I tried four different shoes. The first three pairs were Asics and I was pretty pleased with the third pair. Then I asked for similar shoes, but from different manufacturer. The guy handed me a pair of Brooks Trance 7. Man, when I tried those shoes they felt like I didn’t have shoes at all! Love at first sight! I had to walk the aisle three times, because I couldn’t believe these shoes were so good. I even changed the other shoe for the Asics and walked again. The difference was notable, so I was convinced the Brooks were my choice.

OK, so I had find the perfect shoes. It was time for the mistake number two.

Rule #2: Don’t make quick decisions

I could have thanked for the service and leave the store. Then I could have looked what’s the price in the internet and order them online for lesser price. But no, I was so thrilled by the shoes and the guy was giving the regular sales speech (”So you take this pair? Do I put them in a bag?”) , so I couldn’t resist the temptation. I thought it’s better to get the shoes now, not two weeks later from the post office. I thought the price difference wouldn’t be that huge, so why not buy the shoes? I got full service and everything. Naaa… there you go, Mr Salesguy: 139 euros ($195). It’s a deal.

Hour later I was feeling what they call buyers remorse. I tried to convince myself this was a decent purchase and I should have no regrets. Then I did something I don’t recommend for anybody with similar remorse: I checked the price from the net. The same shoes cost 60 bucks less in the first online store I checked. F**k! I could return the shoes in normal situation, but they were in sale so they the store is not accepting them back.

My Own Rule #3: Don’t look back

Well, I don’t like to think about the price anymore. Actually I feel like a golfer. When they lose their self-confidence, they go get it back from the golf store. Same happened to me, I just can’t wait to go running with my new shoes! Tomorrow I’ll pimp my shoes with custom made insoles and maybe I buy new running socks. Due to the huge amount of money I have spend on running I need to invent excuses NOT to run the whole weekend…

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