I have never tried to hide my devotion to a certain shoe. I have been wearing New Balance for as long as I can remember, and they will always be the shoe that let me be a kid without the obligatory twisted ankle. Too bad I didn't find them (with the help of a good looking Podiatrist) until I was a teenager!

In any case, it's been well over a decade since my first pair. For anyone who buys one brand of athletic shoe (exclusively), you know that one tends to develop a keen awareness of how to achieve the perfect fit. In my case, I know it to be a size eight, wide width. In NB lingo, this translates to an 8D. Anything smaller, and it hurts to walk. Anything bigger, and I trip over myself (or, rather, I increase the likelihood of tripping over myself).




This is the last pair of running shoes that I bought, which was last May (above). Back in the weight loss days (I'd say 2002-2003), when I was walking 15-20 miles a day, I was told that I would need new shoes every 500 miles. I don't know if the guideline has changed or if it is different for running, but the guideline is every 300 to 400 miles. I guess if you have joint deformities such as I have, this is especially important. I decided on the 1063 model after exchanging emails with a rep from New Balance. I explained that the best running shoe I've ever had was the 891 I bought in 2006. Unfortunately, there is no direct descendant of that model out there.

"Sharyn A." was kind enough to tell me that, "The style that would be the closest in terms of cushioning and support technologies to the W891's would be the WR1063. This is a great neutral running shoe with ABZORB SBS in the forefoot and ABZORB DTS in the heel area. It offers Stability Web and our N-LOCK Midfoot Support technology." She also recommended that I look at the 1011 since I have flat feet, and I guess that is their flat-foot-flagship. I headed to my nearest New Balance store to try on some shoes. The 1011s squished my toes, and I knew that my black toenail percentage would change from 20% to 100%. I loved the 1063s as soon as I laced up.

The experience back in May was extremely pleasant. Sure, the salesman insisted on measuring my foot and questioning my size, but in the end he gave me a punch card toward a free pair of shoes, and stamped it several extra times because I have shopped there in the past without being offered a punch card. In May, I was feeling dedicated to getting my running feet back. I even remember taking a trip to Chicago and making sure to bring my running gear so we could run around the city before we left. Then, injury…and you know the rest.

I put on about 200 miles during September and October, and my ankles finally got to the point where they need a couple days between runs. As you can see by the shoes above, I come down with my weight on the outsides of my feet, and I've worn down the soles of my shoes so that they no longer protect me from myself. I went back to the New Balance store yesterday, and was helped by the same gentleman—who was the manager, I discovered.

I went to the 1063s again (if it "ain't" broke, don't fix it?), and told him that I would like them in an 8D.



"8D? Are you sure?" He looks at my frame, looks at my feet. "Let me measure you." So, I play along and slip off my shoes. "I'm measuring you at a 7, 7.5" he says, "with probably a C width". I tell him that I have been wearing NB for years, and to trust me on the 8Ds. So, he played along with me since I played along with him.

I try on the first shoe, which he insists on lacing himself (to prove me wrong, I assume). He feels the top of the shoe for my big toe. "Well your toe is where it's supposed to be." He then feels the sides of my foot, and seems surprised to find my foot right where it's supposed to be. Without another challenging word, he boxed up the shoes and rang up my purchase (punching my card two more times…props for that!). As you can see, the new shoes should keep my ankles under control. Ignore that cat in the background who is trying to attack a fresh pair of shoelaces.

I just find it funny how many times people have questioned me on my shoe size. Don't they know how many times my mother dragged me to the foot specialists? Seriously. I don't love my feet, but at least I know how to take care of them. Give me some credit! I am not one of those uninformed consumers who buy shoes because they look "neat". Speaking of which though…there is something about an orangish running shoe, no?



I wonder how many shoes posts this makes now?