Last Tuesday (before things got crazy nutso) I had a chance to meet up with ZOOMA’s Couch to Race Day winner - Michelle!
It turns out that Michelle lives about 20 minutes from me, so I volunteered to join her (and paparazzi her!) while she got fitted for a new pair of shoes at Track Shack.
Michelle has been training in not-so-ideal shoes that have hurt her feet, ankles, and shins – so I was VERY happy to hear that Muscle Milk Light was hooking her up with a gift card to a local running store – and everyone at Track Shack did a great job helping her. (Dear Track Shack – I <3 you!)
We got there around 5:30 and Judy steered us towards Ryan — shoe man extroirdinare.
Michelle asked me if it was a good idea she brought the shoes she was currently training in – and I said DEFINITELY, YES. So the first thing she did was show him her shoes and he checked out the soles for wear. He then had her walk in a straight line and balance on one foot – checking for pronation.
He also measured her foot – before disappearing in the land of shoes to pick out a few styles that he thought would be right for her.
Michelle tried on about 7 pairs of shoes and tested out (by running up and down the hallway) 4 of them.
Ryan was awesome. He showed her pointers for lacing her shoes as well as providing advice on a correct shoe fit. Oh, and he also laced up her shoes for her.
The GREAT news is that Michelle found a pair of shoes that worked for her. The bad news is that they did not have the width of the shoe in stock, so they had to order them for her and she left empty handed. Woomp woomp. They promised to call her once they came in – and she didn’t need to buy them until she knew they fit correctly (<–the sign of a good shoe store).
The shoes she picked?
The Brooks Addiction 10.
She ended up picking them up today — and they are ready for long run this weekend! I am so happy that she found something that makes her feet (and knees and shins!) happy. I was also extremely grateful to have this experience. One of the BEST things about the running community is the support you get from other runners and I can only hope that I am passing on this support! It’s awesome to talk to people (newbies and experienced!) about something you love and that is definitely something we were able to do while at Track Shack.
Best of luck to Michelle with her training — I can’t wait to see her in Amelia Island for race day, if not sooner!!
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Go Michelle! (The other Michelle. OK, fine, BOTH of you). I concur — the shoe experts at Track Shack are the BEST. As a novice runner myself, I SO appreciate all their help, advice and input. I’ve never felt like they were trying to upsell me on anything there. Michelle (the other Michelle), you should also know that if you have any troubles with your sneakers, you should go back in. When I was first getting into running, I got a pair there but a couple weeks later, I started getting blister after blister. I took them back in and they took the laces out, relaced them in a different way and it made a world of difference.
Good luck in your race, both Michelles!
Jackie @ MomJovi recently posted..Creating New Christmas Memories
Too many Michelles! What’s funny is there was a third Michelle who took that picture of us.
I agree with you advice, Jackie – if the shoes aren’t working BRING THEM BACK. They will gladly exchange them!
We are neighbors also. I saw you a few days ago when I was walking the dog. Small world!
Definitely a small world! Hopefully I didn’t give you a crazy look or anything.
I miss the Track Shack! I used to love going there when I lived in Orlando.
Good luck, Michelle! The right shoes make a HUGE difference. Hopefully I see you both at Zooma!
Ashley@cupcakesncrunches recently posted..Living on Purpose
This post makes me smile! I remember getting fitted for my first real pair of running shoes. Oh what a difference it made! Happy running to her!
Sabrina recently posted..This Week In Between
Thank you so much Michelle W for meeting up with me at Track Shack! The whole experience was wonderful. I had no idea so much goes into finding the perfect shoe and I’m so glad Ryan and the folks at Track Shack were there to guide me. The 3rd Michelle was the one to call and let me know my shoes were ready and I picked them up yesterday! Ryan even brought them out to me! I ended up wearing them out of the store to get used to them and have my longest run to date tomorrow. I’m really looking forward to the difference these shoes will make in my training and for race day!