The hubby's new shoes

The hubby bought a new pair of running shoes a little over a month ago.  A few runs into wearing them, his feet and legs started hurting every time he wore them.  This was strange, because the sales person at Gazelle Sports sold him some Brooks Defy's which were supposed to be great shoes for an underpronator along with some extra inserts for more cushion.  He's never had pain running before.


So we did a little online research, and it looks like the Defy is not for underpronators at all.  Several sources including the Brooks website and the Runners World Shoe Finder confirm.  The hubby also tried taking the extra inserts out of the shoes, and they hurt somewhat less but were still causing him pain.


So last night, we took the shoes back to Gazelle.  The hubby has used them for a month and a half (at low mileage, but still that's beyond the normal return period).  We explained what happened and the pain that he is experiencing and asked to do an exchange for a pair of shoes that he can wear.  He is so pumped right now to exercise...I really want him to be able to run comfortably.


The manager and two sales people at the desk all insisted that the Defy is a good underpronator shoe.  Whether it is or it isn't, they are causing him pain, so we didn't argue when they offered to take the hubby back to try some different pairs.  Off to the shoe racks we went.

The manager helped us out himself.  He went through the whole routine watching the hubby walk back and forth, assessing his foot falls, and bringing out several models to try on.  Of interest, it looks like the hubby lands on his toes when he runs.  Such an unusual man...an underpronator and a toe striker!  All of the shoe models felt comfortable and more cushioned than the Defy's, though it's so hard to tell without really running in them.  In the end, the hubby settled on the Nike Air Pegasus, which I think is cool because I'm currently wearing the Nick Vomero, which is the next step up in the same line.  I described how it feels like each foot sits in a little shoe hammock, and the hubby agreed.


I hope these shoes work out for him.  If they don't, we'll do an exchange again.  If the shoes don't solve his pain issues, then it may be an injury or change in his body that we didn't know about.  Maybe something resulting from his previous back injury.  Only a doctor could tell, and he'll go to one if this doesn't resolve.


So right now, I'm not super confident in Gazelle when it comes to selecting the right shoe for every runner.  They have done well for me in the past, but this thing with the hubby is weird.  However, they did treat us right in the customer service arena.  They exchanged a $95 pair of new shoes for the $105 old ones (I'll gladly let them have the $10 difference for letting us do the exchange after the normal return limit) and refunded us for the $45 inserts that we no longer wanted.  At the end of the day, I'm happy and hopeful that the new shoes will be just what the hubby needs.


I'm ready for more running with my man!

Students Suspended for Riding to School

65 students were suspended on their last day at a Grand Rapids area high school after riding their bikes to school (see the article here).  They arranged for police and the mayor as escorts providing legitimacy and safety.  However, the principle of the school considered their ride an inconvenience for traffic and a safety hazard.


Not only was the ride legal, but contacting the police to arrange an escort shows that safety was considered and addressed for the activity and that the students were behaving respectfully.


This frustrates me.  The principal made a decision that ruined 65 seniors' last day of school because they rode their bikes together for transportation.  I empathize with her concern for keeping the students safe, but her response seems  uninformed about proper bicycle riding and the relationship between bicycles and motorized traffic.  The article notes that the students claimed a lane of the road.  However, another lane was still available for cars.


I think that the principal overreacted here.  Your thougths?

Kickin' It Old School

On our Wednesday night kickball league this year, we have 2 wins and 0 losses so far.  Undefeated!  Woo!

We are kickin' it old school!

Mountain Biking, Go!

The hubby and I and some of our friends made our first mountain biking excursion to Luton Park on Sunday.  It was an absolutely gorgeous day - the kind that last all year in my fantasy world.  And it was great to get out on the trail again.  I was a little nervous at first, but one of the things I love about Luton is that you quickly gain confidence riding it.  Before long, I was going over obstacles and swooping around curves with a smile on my face.


It was a good test for the hubby's back, too.  After an injury earlier this spring, he has been healing slowly.  But he has been going for runs with me, playing kickball, and now biking, so I'm enthusiastic that he will be able to get active and fit this summer.  Woo!


I'm also very proud of our friend Christy.  She is new to mountain biking - just got her first trail bike - and bravely took to the trails.  She fell a few times, but it didn't seem to phase her at all.  She just got dirty, and a little scraped, and then got back in the saddle.  I'm truly impressed and proud of my fellow woman rider!




Last Week:


Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Walk 1.8 at work
Walk 1.2 with hubby


Thursday, May 3, 2012
Dodge ball - last game of the season!


Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Run 4.3
Ran the first 1.2 with the hubby then continued on.  The later part of the run felt slow.  How can just a week off from running after a half marathon make me feel so out of shape? :)


Wednesday,  May 9, 2012
Walk 1.2 with hubby
Kickball - first game of one of two leagues


Thursday, May 10, 2012
Run 1.2 with hubby
Frisbee golf at Old Farm Park - 1 mile walking


Saturday, May 12, 2012
Run 1.2 with hubby


Sunday, May 13, 2012
Mountain biking at Luton Park - 9.6 miles

Weird Al in Detroit

This is what I did on Saturday!

Smells Like Nirvanna

Amish Paradise

The Saga Begins

After the super fun Weird Al concert, the hubby and I walked across the street from the Fox Theater in Detroit to Comerica Park.  I was feeling brave, so I tickled the Tiger under his arm.  I don't think he looks too happy about it.  In fact, I think he's about to kill me.  ;)

Comerica Park - Home of the Detroit Tigers

Let's Take a Walk

My office manager, Terrie, and I have started a simple wellness program at our office.  From May 1 to August 31, we are encouraging our coworkers to get out walking.  We have mapped out several loops near the office and have been going out on our lunch hours to get our bodies moving.


We have set up a board in the break room to record mileage.  At the end of each month, we will give out a prize to the person who walked the most miles.  At the end of the summer, there will be a grand overall prize.  Cool!


I really hope some people get into the spirit of healthy competition!

Last week:


Monday, April 23, 2012
Walk 1.6 miles at work
Run 2.5 including 4x2:00 aerobic intervals


Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Walk 1.6 miles at work
Run 2.5


Thursday, April 26, 2012
Walk 1.2 miles
Dodge ball game - we lost :(


Saturday, April 28, 2012
Trail Half Marathon in Pinckney, MI - 13.1 miles
Total time 2:19:07, Avg mile 10:37


Sunday, April 29, 2012
Run 1.2 with hubby