So, I started my experiment today, but I didn’t get up at 6:00. We had tennis shopping to do last night and didn’t get to bed early enough for that, so I started the day today at 7:00, which felt plenty early anyway. I figure I will work my way up to 6:00. I managed to keep my grumbling to a minimum this morning, and I got up fairly quickly. I have a feeling that’s because it’s the first day of something new and I still have motivation left. We’ll see how it goes next week…
I started the day with a big mug of green tea (a caffeine source I hoped Zea would find more acceptable than coffee!) and some studying and prayer. A lovely introduction to a Thursday. Again, easy to say on day one, but I’ll take it!
Last night, we bought new tennis shoes. It made me think of my dad. When I was little, he’d always measure my feet with those cold metal contraptions. They terrified me, looked a little dangerous, like they could pinch you or take off a toe, but as long as Dad was operating them I wasn’t too afraid. He’d study my little feet, and then I’d try on shoes and he’d squeeze the toes to see if they were too big or too small. He was an expert on my feet—knew that I had a narrow heel, knew what kind of shoes would fit me best. I missed that so much yesterday as I tried on shoes myself, pushed down on my own toes. I wanted someone there to tell me what shoes to get, to tell me, “You’ve got a narrow heel, just like me.” I wanted someone other than me to be an expert on my feet.
In the end, I chose a pair of New Balances that were on sale. They were the shoes I was sad to take off. Dad always seems to wear New Balance sneakers, so I wondered whether there was something about our feet that was especially suited to that brand of shoe. It made me feel connected to him, though he is hours and hours away, taking walks to the river, hiking the hills, surrounded by trees we don’t have here.
3 Comments
It’s totally possible. I once read an article about how shoe companies use a foot model (like an actual human) for each shoe size, so if a particular brand seems to fit you best, it may be because the model has little particulars about her anatomy (like the narrow heel) that make the shoe fit.
Also, next time you are shopping for some sneaks, see if there are any Fleet Feet stores in your area! They do gait analysis and professional fitting. (We have Fleet Feet in Altamonte Springs, but I use Track Shack–the family-owned, local version–in downtown Orlando for my running shoes, and it makes a HUGE difference!!)
I will definitely keep my eyes open for a Fleet Feet. Gait analysis and professional fitting! Sounds so fancy! I have heard that a good pair of shoes is essential for running, etc. I’m working my way up–from an old $7 pair from Steve & Barry’s forever ago, to a pair from a department store. Eventually maybe I will make it up to professional fitting. Always nice to have something to shoot for.
Yay for green tea! Great for antioxidants, and possibly good for weight management with eating, at least according to some random internet or magazine blurb. But regardless, great for antioxidants and better than coffee.