Soles for Souls

Just got back from walking nine miles. It took me 128 minutes. So, that comes to about 14.2 minutes per mile. For years whenever I walked I was pretty consistent at walking a pace which was about 20 minutes per mile. However over the past 14 months I've been able to increase my pace by being intentional about walking quicker.

Now I don't claim to be an expert, but I do know that something which really helps one's feelings and attitudes about walking is shoes. Or as I want to point out today soles for souls.

I grew up wearing Black Chuck Taylor All-Stars. During the 1960's and 1970's this style of shoe was worn by the Boston Celtics. It did a soul good to have these on one's soles. Today I still wear "Chucks" but only for liturgical events. I have Blue ones for the season of Advent, Red for Pentecost, Black for basic officials and White for Easter and Christmas.

When I started getting more into walking I trained for and completed the Quebec City Marathon in August 2008 and the Rock N Roll Half Marathon in Phoenix in January 2009.
However, after both events I had some significant blisters and also subsequently lost some toenails (I know TMI). So, Sue Ann suggested that I go to a shoe store that specializes in meeting the needs of runners and also walkers. I spoke with a staff person and told her about my experiences. She watched me walked and then measured my feet.

Now, I must tell you, for about the past 42 years of my life my shoe size has been a 13. But, to my surprise and shock I was informed that my appropriate shoe size is 15! Okay, now might be the time to check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bigfoot. That's me in the picture!

Not only had gravity had an effect on my waistline and BMI, but now I was also becoming
SASQUATCH, you know BIGFOOT! I was in denial. I kept saying to myself, "size 15, how can this be?" But, I swallowed my pride (and also a gallon or two a ice cream). Of course, the shoes had to be specially ordered. You maybe saw them being shipped on a semi-truck (one of those which are proceeded and followed by cars or trucks with blinking lights and (OVERSIZE signs)
on them. I got my new shoes and began wearing them. To my delight my feet felt "light." And when I did the Salt Lake City Marathon on April 18, 2009 there were no blisters or any other problems with my feet.

So the moral of the story is "get some good soles for souls."