A big day.

It seems like every day I feel like I'm having a "big day" when it comes to running. We're constantly boosting our mileage and pushing our pace. Its nice because I always feel like I'm improving...its also not nice because I never (ever) feel like a run is easy! Oh well...

Anyway, I've drifted from the subject. Today was a big day in my running world for a reason besides improving. Today I bought new gear! We went to Road Runner Sports by Greenlake to try some stuff on. On the way in I said to Kyle something along the lines of "Oh great, we're going to a running store...they're going to hear we're first time marathoners and think 'cha-ching!' They'll sell us every last thing they have!" We decided not to tell them. A guy went to find someone to help us and I wandered off for a bit. When I got back the guy was helping Kyle and I heard him say "so most first-time marathoners make the mistake of..." KYLE! I was only gone for like two minutes and he spilled the beans...and I proceeded to buy every last thing they had.

They offered us the free gait analysis to try to choose the best shoes for our particular running styles. They had us take off our shoes and socks, roll up our jeans, and walk across a pad which senses your foot and then shows you an image of pressure points (my heel across to my big toe...similar for Kyle). Then they had us run barefoot on the treadmill...an odd sensation, but worth it because they videotape your running and then put it in slow motion and show you how your feet land, legs react, etc. It was very strange watching my own legs run (and I was REALLY wishing I had shaved them!!) It turns out I pronate which means my feet roll inward. I guess this is at least part of the cause of my shin splints. So, apparently the very best possible shoe for my feet/legs were of course the most expensive ones they had! (I didn't actually check if they were the most expensive, but they were definitely on the higher end.) I bought this pair of Asics Gel Kayanos. The photo doesn't do them justice! They're super cool and even have asymmetrical lacing! Woo! Whatever the heck that's for! Anyway, new shoes, three pairs of running socks...which are different than regular socks because ???, and a pair of Super Feet: the premium insole...Apparently Super Feet will make my feet...uhh...super. And then I won't get such bad shin splints. At $34.95 they'd better work! The great thing about Road Runner is that you get a 60 day period to try out your shoes and Super Feet and if the relationship is not working out you can return them to the store...Hopefully my shoes and I form a bond that only Super Feet can get between.