There is nothing that makes my heart go pitter patter like opening a box that contains a new pair of running shoes. Even when I’m in serious marathon training mode and opening new shoe boxes every few months (I’m a real stickler about getting rid of shoes after a few hundred miles), I still get giddy.
Opening a running shoe box is like revealing a badge of honor – it’s the reminder that I’ve been putting in the work, miles, and training hours that will get me to my goal. The shoes are merely one way to show myself that I’m doing it. I’m excited to put them on, get them outside, and get more miles on them.
New running shoes are glorious.
One thing I will probably never say about my running shoes is that they’re fashionable.
In the same visit, the same sales professional was helping another woman who seemed really set on buying a pair of Nike Free shoes, although the sales professional told her they probably won’t give her the support she said she needed in a running shoe. However, because the colors were better, the woman decided to buy them.
One thing I gave up on a long time ago is worrying about how fashionable my running shoes look on me as I’m knocking out an 18 mile run. The way I see it, shoes are important tools to help you reach goals, and no one is going to negatively judge you for the tools you’re using to accomplish something. Yes, we all knows that a really well put together workout outfit makes us feel AMAZING, but looks don’t produce results, work produces results. It’s OK to buy running shoes that you want to wear with your jeans, but make sure you are properly investing in YOU when you buy a pair of running shoes to run in.
And hey, sometimes you get really lucky and get a pair of perfect running shoes that have your FAVORITE color combo (triple threat win!).
So the next time you’re in the market for new running shoes, think about WHY you’re buying running shoes – for running, or as a fashion statement, because the two are not always one in the same.