you had me at "giant marshmallow"

So I try to make it to the gym at least once or twice a week during the year which sounds pretty pathetic but I tell myself it's better than not going at all. And when I do make it, the main thing I like to do is run for a couple miles. My last year of high school I used to go for a 10-15minute run almost every morning which I loved doing. Since starting med school however that has become almost impossible. Plus, I am no longer close to fit enough to enjoy going for a run around my extensively hill-y neighbourhood. So I've decided to invest the time (and the money) this summer getting to a place where I was physically fit enough to easily be able to go for an hour long run three times a week during the school year. I emphasize "easily" because I know as the year progresses I won't have the mental reserve to push myself to actually do it unless I really enjoy myself.

I met with an endurance-running trainer at my gym last Monday who is a.) awesome and b.) super excited to help me with the whole forming an addiction to running thing which is great! In the very least she's enthusiastic which I always appreciate. The first thing she said to me after I told her I currently can't seem to run for more than 20minutes in my Nikes before my feet start to hurt was INVEST IN A NEW PAIR OF RUNNING SHOES. If I want to be able to run 8kms+ I need the shoes.

So off to Frontrunner I went, not really knowing anything about running shoes except that they were almost always white in colour and pretty pricey. The guy who worked there was really helpful and as soon as I told him my story and showed him my Nikes he asked if I got blisters more on one foot than the other -- yeeeeessssss. He got me to jump on the treadmill and run for half a minute and then I watched the video of my running gait which was incredible! I always knew I had some sort of issue with my gait cos my heels wear out unevenly and I did tend to get blisters more on my right foot than left. And now I know why! On heel-strike, my right foot just completely collapses into the midline so that my ankle is significantly out of alignment with my knee and hip. No wonder! It was crazy watching it and now it all makes sense.

He recommended a pair of shoes by Ascics which did NOT work out at all as both my arches were in serious pain after just five minutes. So I went back to the guy and he thought I should try an pair by Adidas (the AdiStar Cushion 6 W) -- now, I'm not a running-shoe expert, but apparently they do like studies and research into "shoe technology":

"Running shoe built for the neutral to under-pronator who requires an enhanced cushioning and extended durability. If you log serious miles, you ll appreciate this shoe s incredibly smooth ride and ForMotion stability. adiPRENE cushioning in the heel and NoSeam design add to you comfort. Air mesh upper for maximum ventilation. NoSeam-fit technology. GeoFit construction for anatomical fit and comfort. Molded Orthoclase antimicrobial moisture-wicking sockliner. Removable insole. adiPRENE insert in heel for comfort and shock absorption. adiPRENE+ in the forefoot and TORSION SYSTEM bar for midfoot arch protection. ForMotion for enhanced transition and responsiveness. Blown-rubber outsole for lightweight grip and cushion. QuickStrike for best lightweight durability and flexibility. This shoe weighs 10.3 oz."

If I had read this a week ago I would've been pretty darn skeptical and wondered why someone would pay so much money just for a pair of shoes. BUT -- after slipping them on oh-so-smoothly and then actually running in them, holy crap I am a BELIEVER.

It's almost indescribable, how amazing these shoes are. And yes, Kirsty will be shaking her head in disappointment that I am now "one of those" people but you just can't understand till you try. Everything they say about it is true, and then some. The only way to describe what it feels like running in these shoes is, it's like you're running on giant marshmallows that mold to your feet with incredible support.

I just LOVE these shoes... and true love lasts a lifetime.