Time for new shoes!

Well, at least I think it's time for some new shoes. Despite having a former cross-country runner for a sister, I don't know much about running shoes. Usually when I buy them, I choose a shoe based on it's looks and if it feels comfortable. That's where my running shoe knowledge ends.

I knew that if I was going to do this half-marathon thing, I'd need to get new shoes, but I was going to wait just a few more weeks when I had finished my pre-marathon training. After Saturday's run, though, I think I'll need to make a trip sooner than expected (good thing that tax refund came already!).

It started well. I didn't check my distance until I had run 3.25 miles of my total 4 miles. That's HUGE. Normally by mile 2 I'm starting to get bored of the view of the large empty parking lot. Each treadmill does have it's own TV, but that only keeps my attention for so long. By about mile 3 (I'm guessing), my left knee started hurting. This has happened before and it usually goes away after a few minutes, but it only got worse. I ran through it (maybe not the best idea) and then did a nice, long, slooow cool down walk. By the time I got off the treadmill, I was limping a little. I think I'll get a little patellar band for my left knee tonight--I've been using one on my right knee and it helps so much--hopefully that'll help on the run tomorrow.

My shoes might also be playing a role based on the fine information I've found while trolling the internet. Since I've been running in my current shoes for at least a year, and my running has become a little more serious, I'm ready to make the leap to a real running store to buy shoes that are meant for my crazy high-arch feet. There's a ton of them in Madison (at least 4 or 5) so I should have a good shot of finding something that works. I'd hate to get injured now when I've put so much effort into getting here.

Valentine's Day was perfect--the BF and I stayed in and made dinner (chicken alfredo lasagna--genius!) and dessert (a molten chocolate cake). I got to choose the movie to watch, so we watched Pride and Prejudice--the new, shortened version. I'm not sure the five-hour Colin Firth movie would've been the best way to introduce him to Jane Austen.

~eca.