If You Run, You are a Runner and Runners Need Running Shoes

As I approached the bronze Ilchee Statue on the Vancouver waterfront trail, we both set our gaze upon the Columbia River that stood before us just as the sun finished setting. It had been a hard three mile run and the swift rise and fall of my chest proved it. There is something about running in the dark that always makes me run faster. In part, it is the unfortunate fear that comes with being a woman running alone.

Ghost 7s: at 500 miles and 6 months, I need new shoes

There is another part of me that loves the anonymity and freedom of running my fastest and my hardest without care of what I might look like, how much I jiggle, how much sweat is dripping down my back, or who is watching. What should have been an easy, three mile training run was also hindered by the pink and yellow Ghost 7s that had seen their best days. I had logged over 500 miles and over six months in these babies. As most experienced runners know, my shoes had reached their expiration date.

The next day, my friend Bianca and I headed to Fleet Feet, a running store that had just bought out an old favorite, Fit Right NW. We walked into the store and in true Portlandia fashion, there were 20-30 runners drinking microbrews and having an awesome time. Looking around the store, there was neon and dayglow clothing draped from ceiling to floor.

Left to Right: Bola, Bianca
Photo Credit: Matt, staff at Fleet Feet

Along the mini indoor track, high tech socks for your left and right feet were on display next to the marathon-worthy water belts and bottles. On the back wall were bright colored shoes with familiar names like Nike, Adidas, Brooks, and Asics; not so familiar names like Saucony, Mizuno and Hoka. With all the runners in the store, I wasn’t sure if we were going to get any service. 

Bianca and I bee-lined to the Brooks section of the wall. I drooled over the new blue and purple Ghost 8s, the same brand and model I’ve worn for the past two years. I had my heart set on these beauties and I knew I was going to walk out with them (after paying for them, of course). It only took a few moments for a staff member, we’ll call him Matt, to approach Bianca and me. I told him that I was in the market for some shoes and that Bianca was curious about what shoes would work best for her. For the next hour, Matt would examine our gait and the lift of our arches. He would measure our feet and try on seven pairs of shoes between the two of us. He would convince us of choosing running shoes for function and performance versus how they looked with our outfits. If I'm being real, my feet were probably a little sweaty and a little smelly, but Matt didn’t let on. It was past 7pm, closing time, but he stuck with us.

Bianca's new kicks, Nike Air Zoom Odyssey

Despite my three marathons, 15 half marathons, countless 5 and 10ks, and the dozens of running shoes I’ve purchased throughout the years, my experience at Fleet Feet was probably the most extensive education I have received when it comes to choosing the best shoes for running. I went in thinking I was going to purchase the same old shoes that I had worn forever. If I’m being honest, I also came in believing that shoe selection had a lot to do with how much weight one carried. While weight may be a factor, what I actually learned was that choosing the right shoe has more to do with the mechanics of how I run. Matt was able to help me find the amount of structure I needed in a shoe by taking the time to examine the way I walked around in the store. I re-learned the importance of shoes fitting correctly and that I needed to make sure I have enough room to wiggle. I was also reminded that when it comes to shoes, we get what we pay for. For a good running shoe, it is not uncommon to pay $110 - $180 dollars.

Beyond finding the right shoe, it is also important to find the right store. It was refreshing to experience quality customer service focused on meeting our different needs. I think it can be tempting, at times, to go to big box stores or to buy shoes online, but seriously, when was the last time Amazon or Dick’s volunteered to come anywhere near your feet or to tie your shoes?

Bola's new kicks, Adrenaline GTS 16

In the end, Bianca and I both walked out of Fleet Feet each with a brand new pair of shoes. To my surprise, I ended up going with the Brooks Adrenaline, a new shoe for me with more support than my past favorite. Bianca went with a pair of Nike Air Zoom Odysseys that looked and felt amazing.

I know many big girls, including myself, have felt like running impostors - not fast enough, not slim enough. We have felt like, perhaps, we don’t belong in a fancy running store with neon clothing and high tech socks. The thing is, if you run, you are a runner AND runners need running shoes. Claim your space at your favorite running store and take the time to find the shoe that works for you. If you’re lucky, you might find a Matt-like staff member too!