Adventures at the Run In

(photo of my old sneakers)

I bought a new pair of sneakers yesterday! That sounds like a simple statement, but of course there is a little story to go with it. :)

My first time experience at the little sneaker store called the Run In was interesting. When I first arrived at the store I noticed the small, dusty display window. There were two old, faded sneaker promotion posters hanging on the glass window and behind them the space was filled with shoeboxes. I started thinking—--Is this place still in business? ---Is it possible that I just drove 2 hours for nothing? Thankfully, when I pulled at the doorknob, the door opened. I wish I could have taken a picture of the store. It was crazy! There was one small path open for customers to walk from the cashier to a bench. Other than that, there were shoeboxes everywhere!! The shoeboxes were piled from the floor to my waist, and some even higher.

Immediately I saw the sales clerk, an interesting older man. I explained what I was looking for and he told me take off my sneakers so he could see what type of sneaker I needed. As he looked at them, he muttered a few things under his breath and then scurried off to the back room. At one point I heard a few boxes fall in the back room, which was immediately followed by some major swearing. When he came back I tried initiate some polite small talk, but with his one word responses I didn’t get too far. He did however hand me six pairs of sneakers, which he recommended for my "foot type". I tried them on and I was allowed to take them for a "test drive" outside on the sidewalk. After I picked out a pair (Asics GT-2100), he bluntly explained that my old sneakers were too small for my feet and that I needed a bigger size. I thought---I hope this man really knows what he is talking about. I have been buying size 7 ½ sneakers since high school and I have never had a problem. But I suppose if he can find six pairs of sneakers ideal for my "foot type" in a crazy, crowded little shop then he must know what he is doing.

So I paid the bill, said thank you, and walked out of the store $85 dollars poorer, but 100 percent happy with my new sneakers!

Good Bye Nikes!
February = 22 miles
March = 22 miles
April = 73 miles
May = 85 miles
June = 103 miles
July = 113 miles
August = 153 miles
September (to today) = 69 miles
Total = 640 running miles