The 1970s called. They want their color schemes back.

I recently needed to replace my running shoes. I had pounded the sole out of them (ha!). I always dread getting fitted for new gym shoes. Now for me to dread shoe shopping really means something. My mom always tells me that I have a homing device that directs me to the shoe department of any store. It's a gift, really.

But here's my problem with sporty shoes. They are just not cute. I really think that the colors have not changed in the past 20-30 years. Icky blues and reds. I think Nike might be doing something with new colors. But am I only the person on the planet whose feet get completely shredded by Nike shoes? I just cannot wear them.

What's weird is that the rest of the workout clothing industry has kept up with the trends. You just have to check out Lucy, Prana, or Target to see that. My personal theory is that the popularity explosion of yoga has caused the workout clothing industry to evolve. But since no shoes are worn during yoga, not as much attention has paid to footwear. Again, that's just my theory. Then I also wonder if there is some part of the shoe engineering process (if that's what it is called) that inhibits the use of certain colors. Like certain shoe materials cannot be made certain colors? Or it's not cost effective to make certain colors?

The last time I was fitted for running shoes, I cringed as the pair that fit me perfectly were a red and white athletic shoe abomination. As I looked down at the size 9 candy canes, I asked the salesperson if that had anything, um, prettier or more feminine at least. He replied, "Real runners don't care about the colors, they care about the shoes." Um, okay, real runners may not care, but us slow joggers...we are a vain bunch. We like our shoes cute. That way when Ms. Fit zooms past us on the treadmill, we can at least think, "Well, at least my shoes are trendier than hers."

So I wandered into Fleet Feet in Adams Morgan a few weekends ago to get a new pair of shoes. I had my fingers crossed that there would be some fun shoes on the shelves...but no. Darn. I did have this funny exchange with the salesperson though (well, I found it funny):

Salesperson: So what are you training for?
Me: Um, training?
Salesperson: Half or full?
Me: Wait, what?
Salesperson: Which marathon are you training for?
Me: (Speechless because I nearly fell off the bench from laughter)

I am SO not a marathon runner nor do I want to be. I could walk that far no problem. But if I am running that far, it will only be because there is an alligator chasing me (I would be running zigzag in that scenario, of course) or there is a million dollar shopping spree at the end. Those would be the only two reasons. I still have post traumatic stress flashbacks to the 12 minute running test in gym class (One day I devote an entire blog to my horrific high school gym class experiences. It would be cheaper than the therapy I desperately need to get past it.)

Plus, well let's face it, the main reason I won't run one is that I heard marathon runners don't stop to go to the bathroom when they run. They just go on themselves. That grosses me out.

So anyway, I did end up with an ugly pair of shoes that are really comfortable and supportive. I even learned how to "loop tie" my shoes so they fit better...my right foot is bigger than my left foot, so my left shoe always slips a little. The "loop tie" keeps it secure.

My new shoes:



They would be so much cuter in pink with chocolate brown and pale green accents. A girl can dream I guess...or learn how to be a shoe engineer.