I wear a size 11.5 in women’s shoes. It sucks. I have skis for feet. I wore a size 10 in the fifth grade. I have never purchased a pair of shoes from Lady Foot Locker. When I played ball growing up, I would always have to wear a men’s basketball shoe. No fun girly colors for me! I could (and would) share track shoes with some of the guys on the team (they were the ones who would forget their shoes, not me of course). I very rarely find cute dress shoes that fit. I’m a fan of the peep toe, as I can occasionally squeeze my foot into the last size 10 of that style that is left at the store. As luck has it, the last 11.5s usually have 4 inch heels. I’m fine pushing 6’3” on special occasions, but for an everyday dress shoe, I’d rather keep it a little lower.
Over the years, companies have realized that some women need a shoe that is larger than an 8. There are many many more styles available in larger sizes. I’m quite sure they only make one pair of each style because it seems that most attractive shoes are “available” in larger sizes but not actually in the store. Imagine my surprise after Christmas when I found a pair of New Balance running shoes at Kohls in my size (ok, they were an 11, but they fit great!)! They were perfect: just enough space in the toe, good colors, comfortable.
I have battled with athletic shoes since I can remember. Although I didn’t realize it at the time, the years of shin splints I battled while playing basketball were caused (most likely) by the shoes I wore. Training and running a couple of marathons have proved the importance of a well-fitting shoe. The specialty running stores have suggested shoes that should work best with my gait and alignment (I happen to think it is a waste of time, no shoe these people end up recommending has ever been comfortable or pain free. Ahh, I take that back. One shoe, the style I used while running my first marathon was awesome. Of course the ‘new version’ was not just a new color. Something was tweaked and the pain came back.). I usually end up throwing in some arch supports or sucking it up through the pain. The beauties I bought at Kohls resulted in no pain. It was awesome.
A few weeks ago, I finally had to buy some new running shoes. With each step, needles shot through the balls of my feet. I really really loved those shoes, so it is hard to buy a new pair. I went back to Kohls. They did not have the shoe. I tried other stores and online. Turns out, this shoe has been discontinued. Really?! What luck! Good grief. Anndd as my luck continues, that particular size of New Balance does not even fit anymore. It is *gasp* too small! I almost cried by the time I hit the fourth store. I tried on several other styles too. Nothing really fit. My toes squished to the end and that was not ok. My feet must expand with the heat or something. I wanted to find an 11.5 in a shoe, but none could be found (not even a 12). I tried the men’s sizes and they were completely out of all shoes in my size (are you kidding me?!).I refused to try yet another store so I ended up going up half a size. I figured a shoe a smidge too big was better than a smidge too small.
My first run in the new kicks was a twelve mile trek through South Mountain. It felt great. I had a blister by the end, but I blamed the pedicure that I had the day before more than the new shoes (What part of “no” did the guy not understand when he held the pumice stone up? I’ve worked hard for that extra skin and I need it! I should have kicked him in the face.). It was a great run and I was happy with the pair. . .
. . . until my third run. The muscles along the outside of my shin bones ached. I thought it was just a bad run. I have had this pain every single time I have run since. Boo. I tried the old New Balance once more just to see how they felt, maybe my shins would hurt and something else is wrong. Nope, there is zero shin pain. It’s a sad day. The needles poking through the balls of my feet are not as bad of a pain as my shins. I will throw the arch supports in my new shoes to see if that helps. Here’s hoping! Otherwise, I might just chop off my toes so I can find a better selection of shoes in my size. It would also minimize the need for pedicures?
Over the years, companies have realized that some women need a shoe that is larger than an 8. There are many many more styles available in larger sizes. I’m quite sure they only make one pair of each style because it seems that most attractive shoes are “available” in larger sizes but not actually in the store. Imagine my surprise after Christmas when I found a pair of New Balance running shoes at Kohls in my size (ok, they were an 11, but they fit great!)! They were perfect: just enough space in the toe, good colors, comfortable.
I have battled with athletic shoes since I can remember. Although I didn’t realize it at the time, the years of shin splints I battled while playing basketball were caused (most likely) by the shoes I wore. Training and running a couple of marathons have proved the importance of a well-fitting shoe. The specialty running stores have suggested shoes that should work best with my gait and alignment (I happen to think it is a waste of time, no shoe these people end up recommending has ever been comfortable or pain free. Ahh, I take that back. One shoe, the style I used while running my first marathon was awesome. Of course the ‘new version’ was not just a new color. Something was tweaked and the pain came back.). I usually end up throwing in some arch supports or sucking it up through the pain. The beauties I bought at Kohls resulted in no pain. It was awesome.
A few weeks ago, I finally had to buy some new running shoes. With each step, needles shot through the balls of my feet. I really really loved those shoes, so it is hard to buy a new pair. I went back to Kohls. They did not have the shoe. I tried other stores and online. Turns out, this shoe has been discontinued. Really?! What luck! Good grief. Anndd as my luck continues, that particular size of New Balance does not even fit anymore. It is *gasp* too small! I almost cried by the time I hit the fourth store. I tried on several other styles too. Nothing really fit. My toes squished to the end and that was not ok. My feet must expand with the heat or something. I wanted to find an 11.5 in a shoe, but none could be found (not even a 12). I tried the men’s sizes and they were completely out of all shoes in my size (are you kidding me?!).I refused to try yet another store so I ended up going up half a size. I figured a shoe a smidge too big was better than a smidge too small.
My first run in the new kicks was a twelve mile trek through South Mountain. It felt great. I had a blister by the end, but I blamed the pedicure that I had the day before more than the new shoes (What part of “no” did the guy not understand when he held the pumice stone up? I’ve worked hard for that extra skin and I need it! I should have kicked him in the face.). It was a great run and I was happy with the pair. . .
. . . until my third run. The muscles along the outside of my shin bones ached. I thought it was just a bad run. I have had this pain every single time I have run since. Boo. I tried the old New Balance once more just to see how they felt, maybe my shins would hurt and something else is wrong. Nope, there is zero shin pain. It’s a sad day. The needles poking through the balls of my feet are not as bad of a pain as my shins. I will throw the arch supports in my new shoes to see if that helps. Here’s hoping! Otherwise, I might just chop off my toes so I can find a better selection of shoes in my size. It would also minimize the need for pedicures?
