I finally made myself go buy new running shoes today. I hate going to get new shoes. There are too many choices and I always worry that I will buy a pair that after only a few outdoor runs will prove themselves to be really uncomfortable and therefore a waste of money. And possibly the worst part… I look at the wall of funky, bright, multi colour shoes, none of which fit me properly. No, every time the ones that seem the best fitting for me are boring old white. Sure they throw on a couple of colourful stripes, but by the time the white turns grey (which usually seems to only take two runs) you don’t even notice the stripes anymore. I am not even sure why they bother to make white shoes anymore since everyone I have talked to wants colour, colour and more colour. Even guys seem to want to break away from the standard looking shoe. In my “real” life I am not a neon person. I own a lot of burgundy and gray clothes. But if I am going to be out there running crazy distances I figure I might as well have some crazy shoes to match.

So here are the shoes that make me smile:

My happy shoes 🙂

Come on, you’re smiling right now, right? That said, my husband’s only response when I showed them off was, “Why?”

Ottawa’s big racing event of the fall is the Army Run and tomorrow is the big day. The Army Run is Canada’s fastest growing race event, with 22 000 runners registered in either the 5k or half marathon races. It is hard to believe that this is only the 6th year of the Army Run. It started in 2008 with only 7000 participants. Despite the fact that race was before my running days, I was one of those who took part in the inaugural event. At that time I was Nordic Walking and I walked my first half marathon distance in 2 hours and 56 minutes. I returned the following year to walk it again, taking 3 minutes off my time. I’m not sure why I didn’t make it to the race these last few years, but I am definitely looking forward to returning as a runner.

For those who have not been to this race before, it is a different experience from any other large race. From the dog tags for medals, to the cannon that starts the race, this is a unique run. More than anything, there is an emotional and motivational pull to this event that is just a little stronger than anywhere else. This race is about supporting our troops and recognizing what they and their families have given, all in the line of duty. Both distances have a large number of ill and injured soldiers and civilians taking part, and if that doesn’t motivate you to get off your butt and do your best nothing will. I remember seeing Jody Mitic in one of those previous races. Jody of course is now well known in Canada as a second place winner in Amazing Race Canada. But in that 2009 Army Run everyone knew him as the double amputee soldier who would be tackling the half marathon. When I spotted him on the course I was tired and wanted to slow down. But the effort that he was clearly putting into achieving a pretty amazing goal was so clear that I knew I could not take a break. This race reminds us to try the impossible and strive to be better.

So, tomorrow I will do just that. No, I won’t be going for a PB, actually I am planning on adding quite a bit of time to my 21.k best time of 2:03 and change. I will though be going for my farthest distance yet. My original plan was to tack on km to the end of the race. However, at Expo last night I ran into someone I used to work with who is a very accomplished and experienced marathoner. She right away suggested I switch my plan around; start with my individual run and then do the race. She wisely pointed out that then I would be finishing my longest run with the encouragement of a crowd. What a brilliant idea. At first I wondered why I didn’t think of it but then I realized that starting a run that early in the morning is just not something that ever comes to mind for me. But that is now my plan. I hope to fit in 10 (maybe 12?) km before the half marathon. The logistics are going to be a little tricky as I am going to try to finish that run as close to my start time as possible while still making sure I get into the crowded start area with a bit of time to spare. I am also not looking forward to starting a run already cold and damp. But it will all be worth it if I actually make it past the 30k mark tomorrow!