February 14, 2018
Monday I mentioned I wore my sneakers to work because they make me feel good. Well, speaking of sneakers… in order for them to literally make you feel good and have happy feet, you have to make sure you are replacing them as needed. I KNOW this, but still at least once a year tend to slack on replacing them and end up with my feet screaming at me to do so! I replace my sneakers approximately every 400 miles (about 3 pairs a year). I was due for new ones around the beginning of December, but being winter time with yucky roads and often wearing my yaktracks, I decided I would wait a little while.
Well a little while turned into end of January, when I at least put it on my to-do list so it was on my radar to get it done. January turned into beginning of February, when I did shop online for some. I more often than not shop for my sneakers at a specialty athletic shoe shop approximately 2 hours away; their service is unbeatable to say the least, along with their knowledge, experience, and guarantee to fit you to the right shoe!
I have found what shoe brand/make/model works for me for the most part. It’s always ‘iffy’ in the spring when new models come out for the season; they make changes and it’s not a guarantee that they are going to fit you as well as the previous year’s model. (Did I ever mention I hate change; especially when you have a favorite running shoe! Why do they have to go and mess with it.
Anyway, I am in my third pair of the model I’m wearing now and know that I love it so I figured instead of making the 2 hour trip or calling and having them ship a pair, I’d try to find a pair on sale online first. Well I found a pair on Amazon, shipped directly from them (no third party), free shipping about a third less than what I normally pay. Easy, done, on their way! Wore them around home and work for a few days to break them in like I always do, and within 4 days my feet started to hurt. (My feet are a bit temperamental; I have to have good support or they start to hurt.) I felt like when I first put them on, they didn’t quite fit the same; they had less support or something but I wasn’t sure if it was my imagination so I gave them a try. I also had in the back of my mind a past experience from a year or two ago when I thought I’d try to save money and ordered a pair online that was a ‘good deal’ from a site I had never heard of.. big mistake. They arrived and I knew as soon as I put my foot in that they were not the right shoe, they looked identical, but the support that I buy them for was totally missing. They felt flat as a board inside! Thankfully when I called and complained that I believed they were selling ‘knock-offs’ they didn’t deny they were and quickly offered me prepaid return shipping and my money back.
So I understand a no-name site I never heard of trying to sell ‘knock-offs,’ but I expected more from Amazon? Not impressed and now I feel like I can’t trust ordering my running shoes online anymore; or at least if they are less expensive than they should be I guess.
Anyway, live and learn, and remember to replace your running shoes regularly, based on your use. It can really have an affect on your whole body- feet, hips, back, etc.
Lastly, I had a great (extra) early morning run today! Got 6 in on a Wednesday! And it was warmer and the roads were dry! Oh! And the best part, I was joined by my running buddy; sure does make the miles pass quicker!
Ps- not to knock Amazon but I tried to post a review about the shoes I had purchased and I received an email back that stated my review would not be posted due to it’s content. I guess they didn’t like what I had to say; it was just the facts. We might want to keep that in mind next time we are reading reviews before we purchase something. It may be that some of the negative reviews didn’t make the cut. 🙄🤐
Runner With A Hunger 