Yesterday I finally got my runner Baptism. I bought a pair of compression sleeves for my calves. It’s the running equivalent of shaving your legs for the first time in cycling – well at least I think so. I bought a pair from Running Wild in Fort Lauderdale for $41. Not necessarily what I would call cheap. That’s pretty much half of what I pay for my Asics 2140 – online of course.
But if I had ordered the compression sleeves online instead I’m almost certain I would have ordered the wrong size. Or at the very least I would have worried about doing so until they got here. I’m comfortable ordering my Asics 2140 online because the 2100 series has been the only shoe that has always worked for me. I liked the DS Trainer 11 (or 12?) but that went out the window with it’s next generation as it was a completely different sneaker and fit. Asics, you reading this??
I regress. If I were trying another model, I would definitely pay the extra few dollars for the piece of mind of a good fit. But that’s not what you’re really paying a couple of extra dollars for. You’re supporting the local running community. Running Wild in Lauderdale and Foot Works in Miami play a HUGE role in putting up our local races. Without the stores you’d still have runners but no running community and a hell of a lot less races.
I drop of my used sneakers at Running Wild which gives them to indigent kids to help their running. I hope Foot Works does the same thing – and I suggest you remember this before you throw out your next pair. Without this option my ill fitted DS Trainers would have went to waste (I tried to make them work for a couple of weeks).
Yesterday, I was helped by Coach Robert, a friendly man, big into running and has a couple of years on me. Turns out he’s running the half marathon on Sunday while I’m still undecided between the 5 and 10k. By going into the store I made another friend – or at least another familiar face at the race. I also got some free inspiration.
Running Wild
www.runningwild.com
1133 N Federal Hwy
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304-1423
(954) 565-9400
FootWorks
www.footworksmiami.com
5724 Sunset Dr
South Miami, FL 33143-5316
(305) 667-9322
