Good morning all.
Saturday was a rest day, so nothing to report. Yesterday Charlie and I hit the pavement for 40 minutes. I couldn't tell you how far I went or my pace since my Garmin took 35 minutes to reset itself. I hadn't used it since Italy. It kept asking me if I was inside. I think I did pretty well. But I really REALLY need to get out on the road more. It's not as easy as the TM. I need to find a nice balance between getting used to the asphalt and not killing my knees.
And now.....without further ado.....presenting
Judith Anne's Adventures in Running Shoe Shopping....
I have been so far training in my old New Balance Cross Trainers. It's REALLY time for new running shoes. So off we go to the mall yesterday. First stop, I forget the names of some of the stores, something like Running Shoes R Us. A young girl was on her cell phone, popping gum, twirling her hair. I half expected Katherine Zeta-Jones to step out and do a T-Mobile commercial. So after ten minutes of looking over their rather limited selection, I chose one pair I wanted to try on. So I walk up to the counter and she yells at me mid-conversation "WHAT SIZE?" I tell her eight and a half wide. She says "WE DON'T CARRY WIDE" and keeps right on with her conversation, gum-popping and hair twirling. So, we walk out.
On to Foot Locker. Where I spend 20 minutes looking at shoes. I pick out three pair. We look for someone to help me. Finally two young men walk out of the back room, both bouncing basketballs. You know how they wear those striped shirts to they look like umpires? One guy had on a shirt that was ten times too big, it was untucked and his sneakers were untied. Then, despite the fact that I was standing there holding three shoes, he looks right at my husband and says "Need anything?" Charlie tells him that I would like to try those running shoes on. So Mr NBA Draft Candidate looks at me, looks at the running shoes, then looks at me, as if to say, "Yeah....SURE." But instead he mumbles "whatdoyouneed?" I want to tell him "I need to speak to your manager and then when I am done with him I want a few words with your mother!" But instead I tell him my size. He says they don't carry wide. I say "fine" and we leave.
Then we go to Lady Foot Locker. A young man with the worst case of acne I have ever seen comes bouncing up to Charlie. Umm, OK aren't we in LADY Foot Locker??? Charlie tells him I am looking for shoes. He looks at me, again, with this once-over bit. OK I may not LOOK athletic but I'm on my way there, OK????? So he asks me what I want. I tell him I need a wide with. He says they don't carry wide but they have one Asics that people with wide feet buy. So I ask him if I can see it. It's a $130 shoe, which is more then I intended to spend, but since I budgeted about a hundred, it was not totally out of the question. So I try it on. It feels like Heaven on my feet, which I comment on. He says "Yeah, they are great for standing in all day". Now, I figure he's assuming I am going to be wearing them on my way between the refrigerator and the couch. I'm starting to get annoyed with the insinuations and attitudes I am getting from these salespeople. So I tell him point-blank: "I am training for the WDW Half Marathon. Mind if I take a spin in these"? And with that I go RUNNING as fast as I can out into the mall, dodging people, looking like a complete idiot, but making my point. Amazing what a difference it made when I came back. Suddenly he was all professional like, talking to me about inserts and treating me like a RUNNER. Well, too bad. I wasn't in the mood anymore to buy running shoes. I told him I'd have to think about it.
And with that, I went over to the Discovery Store and sat in their massage chair for ten minutes.
No one took me seriously about needing RUNNING shoes. I guess because I have some weight to lose. This kinds irked me. Today I am calling the Sports Authority to see if they carry wide before I go up there. I can't wait to find a shoes I like so I can buy it on-line from now on.
Geez.
Carrie - I got our shirts on Saturday.

Even see a grown woman running around the driveway holding up a bright lime green shirt with tears running down her face? It wasn't pretty. But, well, that was me. I kept thinking, just as I did with the socks ,"
Tangible evidence that I am actually DOING this!" Whoo hoo! I was tres excited!

Thank you so much for heading this up. They are FABULOUS!
Sunny - I love the marathoner in taper shirt!

I have to order one. I already had the "taper discussion" with DH. I pointed out to him that I will be tapering around the holidays. Plus he will have his kids for ten days over Christmas. It might not be a pretty picture. Perhaps he might want to stay at his parents house with the kids. Just to be safe. I hope you are doing well today.
Craig - OMG! Your post made me laugh!

What a way you have with words! I'm sorry to hear all those crazy things happened to you, though. How nerve-wracking.
Kelley - OMG How is Matt today?
Mel - The chatroom sounds great but I'm usually on only at work . Yes, when I'm supposed to be WORKING!