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C25K and a plea to the shoe gods

June 17, 2010 | C25K,i like pretty things,working on my fitness

Here’s the thing, I don’t run unless someone is chasing me.

I basically haven’t ran since I played softball in high school. That’s part of the reason I don’t run. Playing sports screwed my body up and I’m basically broken from the knees down and I have a jacked up shoulder from pitching.

I’m basically 80. I know. SHUT UP.

Well the other day I decided I was going to attempt Couch 2 5K because I hear it’s a good beginner running program. So I got on some old (but super cute) Nike Air Maxes, uploaded a dj mix of my favorite songs to my iPhone and downloaded the C25K iPhone app (because I love any excuse to play with my iPhone, duh) and got myself all psyched up. Then I hit the bike path outside my house and died.

Shin splits and hurty ankles and it was all kinds of awful and I was like, GOODBYE FOREVER.

A couple days after that, I decided I was going to buy new running shoes if I was really going to do this. I went to Fleet Feet to get fitted and the dude measured my feet and watched me jog and all that stuff. He explained that I land on the outsides on my feet then sort of collapse on the insides. He had some fancy word for it that I can’t remember, but from what I got out of it, my feet are kind of flat or I have very low arches. Whatever.

He picked out some shoes to try on and I decided I liked one pair until he was all, “those are only $140″ and then I died.

AGAIN.

So I went with my second choice which were still $95 or some nonsense.

I’m attempting to restart C25K tonight now that my feet are properly outfitted. If you never hear from me after this, I probably died again and my body is probably somewhere along the bike path in South Chicago.

Also, can we just discuss how most running shoes are ugly? I know it’s more about practical and not pretty but dude, if I spend over $100 on shoes I AT LEAST WANT THEM TO BE CUTE.

Not hideous, but definitely not cute. What’s a girl gotta do to get some stylish shoes?

Dear Christian Louboutin and Jimmy Choo,

There is a demand for cute running shoes (FROM ME), so can you get on that designer running shoe line? People would be all over it. Swear.

Love,

Jamie

P.S. I made a C25K list over at Shoptopia. You should probs check that out!

33 Comments so far
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I don’t understand why running shoes have to be ugly in order to make it so that you can run for longer than 10 minutes without having your legs fall off. It makes no sense.

Good for you for starting to run again, PS. I haven’t run at all (expect maybe twice) since last July when I “ran” my half marathon in San Francisco. I’m thinking about getting back into it though. I miss my runner’s legs …

You can do it!!

So, I attempted C25K a while back and besides the fact that I failed which is pathetic but not the point, I got new running shoes from some fancy shoe place and they basically told me my ankles were all needing of support or they would collapse in on themselves.

And then I was told my feet were size 9.5 which just made me want to cry because all the shoes I own are 8s and why so big? And then they brought out the ugliest shoe in the store and told me it was my best (read: only) option because of my crap ankles and low arches.

And meanwhile there’s a cute little size 5 foot girl trying on super cute black white and pinky-red shoes and I was all screw you size 5 shoe girl! And then I hated my shoes and went to Lululemon for new clothes to compensate for my fug footwear. And then I stopped going to the gym a month later.

nic Reply:
June 17th, 2010 at 12:06 pm

@Lauren, This is AWESOME. I salute you.

Weirdly enough, I feel like GUY’S running shoes are more attractive looking than female running shoes. Why is that fair???

The word you’re looking for is pronate. And I TOTALLY HEAR YOU on the fugly running shoes thing.

I remember that on the first or second day of my beginning women’s running group we had a rep from the running shoe store come out and point-blank tell us “Do NOT buy shoes because they are cute.” Doesn’t mean I don’t get excited when they are, though.

As for the price, it’s totally cheating but I suggest you go to the running store, get fitted, and then go home and buy them online. You can find last year’s models (yes, running shoes are like cars) for way cheaper.

And for the whole feeling like you’re going to die thing? Go slower. Like, so slow you could probably walk faster. The biggest mistake beginning runners make is going out too fast, hating it, and then quitting. Of course, you could also decide you just hate running and do something else instead. Either way

I know, right? I bought two pairs of shoes before my gym membership renewed – one nice looking pair of Nike joggers, and one fugly pair of Asics on sale for like, $20. Guess which ones support me best?

HI! Hooray for you! I can’t run either, but it’s mostly because I breathe wrong and my fingers and feet go numb and I feel like I’m going to pass out. I went to the doctor last summer because I thought I had a heart defect because it happens everytime my heart rate goes up. He told me I’m fine, but I hyperventilate. His solution? I’m supposed to stop and breathe into a paper bag. No joke. Can you imagine getting off the eliptical or however the fuck you spell that and breathing into a paper bag? Or, um, during the hmmm hmmm? “Oh, excuse me for a minute honey, I just need to break for a quick breathing session with my handy bag here…” So effed up.

Anyway…yeah. RUNNING SHOES. So fugly indeed. But, my theory is that they’re LOUD and super ugly so that everyone looks at you and secretly hates you (although I applaud people who can run- for reals yo) for being a go getter and running and stuff.

Oh, and P.S. I think that Kate over at punchitin.wordpress.com did this 2-5K thing last summer or some time or other, so maybe she’d be a good resource from her experiences. If nothing else, to bitch about how it’s annoying or share funny running stories or whatever it is you runners do/ talk about.

The first shoes I ever bought at a real running store were so ugly and yet so expensive, and I felt like I wasn’t hardcore enough for thinking that. I do like the purple on yours, though!

Ahhh shin splints can be the death of any decent run. I get them horribly.

Then, a lovely blogger named Terra (instatick.wordpress.com) told me about a little trick that has since banned tight ankles AND shin splints from my runs.

It sounds ridiculous, but after you do all your stretching, use your feet to trace the alphabet in the air. I usually do this along with some general foot/ankle circles. No more shin splints!

I’ve never had a cute pair of running shoes. Ever. I know that’s not the point of running shoes, but it’s sad.

I know running shoes are crazy expensive and ugly, but it’s so worth it! I over pronate too and I was getting shin splints all this time and shooting pains in my feet and since I got my new shoes I haven’t had any problems since! You’ll rock the 5K!

I had shin splints and hurty ankles from running too. I’m planning to get new shoes, so I’m interested to hear if they help or not. Keep us posted!

When I first started running, all I wanted were cute shoes. Then I was hurt all the time. The ugly, expensive shoes are totally worth it. I do tend to wear more Nike shoes though because they make a lot of their shoes in bright, obnoxious colors and I get compliments on them all the time at races. And I agree with some of the other commenters that you can always compensate with cute outfits! Good luck with C25K!

there is also a demand FROM ME TOO. make sure to include that in your letter to jimmy choo

Good luck with your running! I’m so not a runner. I just hate it.

I really don’t understand why running shoes can’t be pretty. There are lots of things in this world that are pretty and functional. Running shoes should join the club.

I’ve been doing this for a few weeks now and can already tell I’m building my endurance up a little at at time. You can do it!

i don’t run unless i’m being chased, either.

and even then, i’d probably stop to contemplate what would happen if the person persuing me actually CAUGHT me.

like, do they have a knife? are they trying to kill me? or just make me listen to Clay Aiken albums or something equally offensive?

because seriously. i might just let them. i’m THAT lazy.

for my first marathon i bought pink nikes that had the nike + thing in them. I damaged my knees so bad i’m still reaping those consequences when i run. I wanted the cute shoes though.

Now i only buy brooks sneakers and each time i buy new ones I get my feet measured and my step checked out at my local running store. Totally worth every penny to save mah legs.

And you can still totally match your running outfit to your sneaks that totally makes them legit and cute (i do that still)

i so don’t run either. but good luck lady!

Yeah! Like I said, we can be running buddies! WHoo! I will bitch and moan about how I hate it and think I’m going to die the whole time, but I will do it! Haha

Oh my god, Jamie. You have no idea how many times I’ve said that exact first sentence: I don’t run unless someone is chasing me.

YES. Except you’ve got more on me because I will continue to not run. Good luck!! And let me know if you find those cute running shoes, because THAT might be the motivation I need to actually get off my ass.

[...] tried Couch to 5k in the past but never been able to stick with it. Jamie Ann recommends an iPhone app to walk you through the program while you listen to your own music and [...]

Running also makes me want to die. I can do other workouts. But running=terrible!

My feet do the same thing when I run! I have special arch support and really ugly looking shoes but when I run it’s like running on a cloud and my feet never hurt! I’m kind of broken from the knees down too, so I understand your woes =)

Cheering from you on the sidelines!

I’ve never heard of getting your feet fitted! I have terrible shin splints, but I’ve never really talked to anyone about how to prevent them. I’m definitely going to find somewhere around here that does this and get shoes to help!!

i love this, and you. you’re going to do so AMAZING. i started out with c25k a few years ago and now i can run like nobodys business. you’re going to be a beast.

if you need mid run encouragement? text me. i’ll be at the gym every night this week and i’ll give you all the jillian michaels esque motivation you need.

xoxoxox

I downloaded that program awhile ago. I’ve yet to start it. Good luck!

Those aren’t the WORST shoes I’ve seen. But I know what you’re saying. I guess you choose form over fashion in this case!

Okay, I know the C25K sucks at first but I swear to you it works. I hated running, but now I’m on week 7 and I only slightly dread going out now! Two words of advice: invest in ice packs, and ankle weights do wonders for your knees. Good luck!

Uhg, running is just BORING. If there were prettier running shoes, it might take it up a notch…

Oh my god, I had the exact same experience last year – the hating running, couch to 5k, the shin splints, the decision that it must be my shoes, not my ass that hurt my poor shins, and then – wait for it – I bought that exact same pair of runners. Good luck!

you inspired me to look into C25K and buy the iPhone app. hopefully i’ll use it…good luck to you!!!

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Just a 20-something in Chicago trying to keep my head above water. Neurotic, over-thinking, shameless celebrity gossip addict, bad tv watching girl with expensive taste and no money but completely adorable, if I do say so myself.

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