So anyway I went to a real runner's store last week. I am 37 years old and to be honest I did not even know they existed until recently. I have needed a new pair o' running shoes for a long time, probably about 3 years. Yeah, I know now, that is not a good thing. Who knew how important shoes could be? Obviously not me!
The thought of going into any exclusive fitness venue of any kind stresses me out. Even though I am getting fit, compared to elite athletes I look more like the water boy. I know this is stupid and I know you will all say not to worry about it but I also know many of you do the same thing as I do. I always think that everyone is either thinking "what is she doing in here" or "man she needs to be here" I can't help it and I do know better, I do.
*Let me warn you ahead of time that you are going to be extremely jealous if you do not live in Utah and cannot go to the same store as I did. The experience I had was over the top and the wisdom I left with made me feel like my superhero cape is right round the corner.
On my way to the pool I decided I better just suck it up and stop by the Runner's Corner. I knew I had to for my triathlon training. So I did. I walked in and was greeted by a man named Hawk Harper, very nice I must say!
He had me go and sit in the back by the shoes. Then it all started...
He asked me to take of my current shoes and he examined them. A little strange but okay I did as I was told. Then he proceeded to tell me that I was a heel striker. That is the one little bit of running information I did know believe it or not. I have had enough people tell me that toe striking is better but I have just never been able to get the hang of it. He also told me I favor my right foot. Possibly because of the way roads are curved but anyway he was kind of like a running shoe medicine man.
I tried on my first pair and we went outside. He wanted to watch me run. Mind you at this time I had no idea he trained elite runners and held all sorts of records. If I did know that I would have said I had a bone in my leg that prevented me from running today or something.
So I ran in my best form that I knew and he took me right back into the store and put this little elastic gadget on my arms that held my thumbs up. He then explained to me that I need to keep my arms tucked in and by my chest, and instead of letting them flop I need to pump them. He also told me I needed to put my shoulders back and use the energy from my arms, then my legs will follow. HUH? Okay so I did what he said and guess what happened??? I ran faster and a little toe strike happened!
We went back into to store and went through 6 more pairs of shoes. I would try one of each kind on, go run and then switch out my least favorite. The whole entire time I was trying out shoes he was filling me full of running knowledge. I had no idea what it all entailed and I was just like a sponge soaking it all in. I LOVED IT!! Hawk was amazing! He has experience beyond anything I could find online or read in a book and he loves to help others improve. WONDERFUL!
Two and a half hours later I went to the register to pay for my new shoes. I did not have a clue of the price because the whole experience was so fabulous to be honest I would have paid $200. Guess what? My shoes were $89.99!! Can you just say holy WOW? I was kind of sad to go because I have made a new friend. I left with the little elastic thing, my new shoes and a free pair of socks in hand but most of all I left with knowledge.
Hawk told me I can stop in any time and talk to him about running, and you know what? He meant it! I know I could probably go in there right now and he would remember my name. I watched him do that with several people while I was there. Just amazing! I hope if you live in Utah that you can stop by his store. So worth the drive!
I know you’re wondering how the shoes are huh? Well my first run was 3.8 miles in 45 minutes and I have never run that far continuously before in my life. It reminds me of when I got a pair of hush puppies when I was a kid. I put them on and raced my brother because they made me so fast!
A faster toe striking runner,
Shannon
XO
11 comments: