Top Gear: It's gotta be the shoes.

Gear. You can’t undertake any endeavor without first getting cool gear. For us Woggers that means we run a fine line. There is lots of cool stuff out there but we don't want to be "That guy." Also, I don’t know that a Wogger needs the same stuff that an Olympic Marathoner does. But there are a few things we do need and first and foremost that would be shoes.

Who knew shoe buying could be so complicated? I mean they’re shoes. They’ve been around for a long time. Yet shoe buying today seems to require some sort of advanced degree. Or so the other magazine who shall not be named will make you think.

Oh, I’ve read their “Shoe Issue” and learned all about pronation, heal strike, arch height, blah blah blah. Now look, I’m not saying these things aren’t important. They are. But what I am saying is that I don’t have to be the one to make the critical reads of my foot. I am not going to measure anything. I am not going to videotape myself Wogging to study how my heal strikes and my foot rolls. But that’s ok, because someone else will.

I got fitted for a pair of shoes in high school by the dude at Footlocker “random mall shoe store”. And it was fine. But upon reflection, someone dressed up like a referee that’s not a) a referee or b) at a Halloween party, should not be taken as a great authority. So what you need to do is find a really good shoe store. I went to “Luke’s Locker” and was very happy. I have heard good things about “On the Run.” I also like the margaritas at “On the Border” but that’s a different story. If you are unsure where to go, ask that person at the gym that lives for working out and running. Just try not to end up at the mall with referee guy fitting you because he’s probably concerned more with how to pick up the girl at the Pretzelmaker than he is with how your shoe fits.

And it is important to get a good fitting shoe. As I said, I got fitted in high school. So when I decided to do the San Antonio ½ marathon last year I went to some place  where I could fit myself and save a few bucks (I won’t say their name but it rhymes with Bacademy). I got the same type shoe I wore in high school. Guess what, my waist ain’t the same size as it was 20 years ago and neither is my foot. So I Wogged my little heart out at that ½ and Wogged three toenails off at the same time. So I bit the bullet, paid non-bacademy prices, got my shoes fitted and Wogged another ½ in March of this year and had no problems whatsoever. So go ahead, gear up. Learn all you want about shoe-science. But remember, someone else is learning this stuff so you don’t have to.

Alright my Wogging friends. It’s time for me to go. I will be back  Monday to let you know how training went this week. And remember, it’s a Wogger’s World out there. So let’s stand united. Well, let’s not stand too much because we’re trying to get in shape.