Step Two

The first step to actually running is getting running shoes. This is definitely the best part of "running." Yesterday, Chris and I visited Fleet Feet in our old neighborhood of Adams Morgan. This store is fabled to be a runner's paradise where you the employees expertly find your perfect pair of running shoes. You even get to go outside and run around in them.

We arrive and of course, we get the standard "may I help yous?" and we reply with "just browsing." One Fleet Feet employee, Roger, wouldn't take no for answer, so I rolled up my jeans and put on a pair of socks. He told me that I am a pronator (I think) after I stood up and gave me three different pairs of shoes to try on. He also asked me questions like if I had shin splints or other problems. My answer was "I have no problems. I don't exercise."

I settled on a big pair of Sauconys size 9 wide and $13 pair of running socks (cash-ola). Since I normally wear an 8 I have concluded that they reason why I don't like exercising is because their shoes are sized completely different and I've been exercising in the wrong shoes.

My shoe purchase also came with a nice surprise--a cameo appearance by Mayor Adrian Fenty and his children. For those of you outside the DC Metro area, Fleet Feet is owned by Mayor Fenty's parents.

The next step is actually running in the shoes. I am also going to get more help from Fleet Feet with this matter. They have a beginners class starting at the end of February (8am Sundays-boo) that I've decided to try. It's 10 weeks AND early. I don't remember deciding I wanted to become a morning person. However, I will start breaking in the shoes this week. I refuse to be the worst person in the class and huffing and puffing after about 90 seconds. Definitely more to come later.