“How was your run?”
“Great! I got new shoes and today was the first time I’d run in them.”
“Ahhh. Isn’t that the best? You don’t even realize how much you need them until that first run.”
And that is right on. That is always how new shoes have felt to me: like I had no idea what I was missing. I have to think most runners feel this way. Taking that box home from the store, or opening that package that comes in the mail every four-hundred miles or so is like your own little Christmas, several times a year.
I take time to look at them, to make sure every thing is just how I remember it. I hope and pray the manufacturer, in their never-ending quest to make a better model, has not changed anything too much between version 4 and version 5. You know what I’m talking about, when you’ve found that perfect shoe, the shoe that feels like it was made for your foot, and it’s now “new and improved.” Meanwhile, you’re just left wondering why they couldn’t leave well enough alone.
Shoes laced, fingers crossed, you prepare yourself for the real test: the run. That was me last Sunday. Up early, looking at a bright, sunny sky and no wind, no evidence of the twenty-three degree (F) temps until I stepped outside. I thought briefly about going back in. It just felt so cold. So, so cold. I play this little runner’s game in my head, though, wherein I make myself walk to the end of the block, and then around the corner. I tell myself “Okay, you cannot see your house. You are far from the door. You might as well run.” Some days, like that day, it works.
So I pushed the start button on my Garmin and ran. I wasn’t twenty steps in when I remembered what the icy weather had made me forget—I was in new shoes. And, oh my, it was good. I knew that this run, this first run, would be the best I’d get out of these. Since finding my favorite shoe, I’ve never been one to need a “break in” period. It is made for my foot, a natural extension, I have no reason to start slow. Through some snow and ice, but mostly a clear path, I ran for eight miles. When I got home, ready to take them off, I looked at them for a minute. No, not because I’m in love with my shoes (though a little, I am) or because I’m overly sentimental about a good run (though a lot, I am), but I just wanted to look at them and appreciate how clean they were. That part never lasts.
sizzle says:
those are some nice looking shoes!
December 19th, 2007 at 5:45 pm
Bre says:
See, even without the new lens you make boring ole sneakers look swanky!
I loathe it when the shoe folks mess with a good thing - it makes me want to be creepy and buy back-up pairs in advance!
December 19th, 2007 at 7:56 pm
Airam says:
Sweet! I got a new pair of runners about a month ago and it feels like walking on air with them on!
December 19th, 2007 at 8:04 pm
barbara bruederlin says:
I didn’t even know that it was possible to get new runners that don’t require a breaking in period. This is heartening news as I have needed new ones for several years now.
December 19th, 2007 at 8:24 pm
craig says:
Having old and new shoes is kind of like having two daughters. I love them both but not always for the same reasons.
Glad you had a great first run in yours. I prefer my shoes with a little dirt on them.
Hope you have a great Christmas and a wonderful New Year.
December 19th, 2007 at 8:24 pm
justrun says:
Sizzle- It is possible I love new shoes too much. The good news is, this goes for all new shoes.
Bre- You and me both. And you know, it never occurred to me before taking close-ups of them how “futuristic” they make running shoes look now.
Airam- I love that you say “runners.”
Barb- See above. And, yes, you can find the right shoes that you can just throw on and not worry about breaking in.
Craig- I understand, somewhat. I think the new ones are a little easier on your knees, which may be the opposite for daughters.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you, too.
December 20th, 2007 at 5:12 am
Danielle says:
Ah, new shoes…it’s what I use as incentive sometimes to get out for a run. So far I’ve been lucky in that Nike (yes, I run in the evil empire!) hasn’t messed my shoes up, the improvements they have made have never been anything bad…just new colors…I wish they would get wilder colors though!
December 20th, 2007 at 6:36 am
anne says:
sweet an ode to shoes, even if they are running shoes.
December 20th, 2007 at 8:15 am
justrun says:
Danielle- Wilder colors? Like my “futuristic”-looking Sauconys?
Anne- I know, I know. I do love other shoes, though. Just none of them wear quite as well for 8 miles.
December 20th, 2007 at 1:37 pm
JACC says:
I love new shoes! That is, until the inevitable betrayl when I get a blister.
December 20th, 2007 at 2:49 pm
Jen says:
Very cool shoes!!!!
December 20th, 2007 at 6:30 pm
k says:
oooh, reading this just got me excited for the new running shoes i’ll be getting for christmas!
December 20th, 2007 at 8:56 pm