Shoes.

Okay, seriously.  It's a chick blog.  Did you think we'd get through the first week without mentioning shoes?

One thing that I'm learning on my journey is that running shoes are an intensely personal (and spiritual) decision   Some people are just fine with cheapie sale-rack Nikes.  Some people demand top of the line yak-leather-upper Eccos.  With me, I'm somewhere on the high end of the middle.

As the blog header reveals, I have a blown Achilles tendon.  More about that in a future post, but for now, suffice it to say that not only do I have a blown Achilles, I also have chronic ankle instability.  Again, more on that in a future post.  Anyhow, I need stability / motion control in my shoes, or you'll find me lying on the ground and crying.

Originally, I started with New Balance 1123 shoes (which have since been replaced by the 1540 model).  The rollbar technology helps keep my foot stable, but they are quite heavy, clocking in at 12 ounces (3/4 of a pound) for each shoe.  Plus, they're not the most attractive shoe I've ever owned.

I can stomp some serious cow pies with these!

When I started getting serious about running, my friend Mikaila suggested that I go to Fleet Feet and get properly fitted.  They put me on a treadmill, looked at my gait, and had a little giggle about how much I overpronate.  Apparently, my ankle really is all busted.

Anyhow, they came out with a few pairs, but I put on the Mizuno Wave Alchemy 11 pair ... and I was home. They were light (just 9.7 ounces each!), decent-looking, and PINK!

Oh baby yoooouuuuuu ... got what I neeeeeeed ...

Easily, these were the most comfortable pair of shoes I'd ever worn.  I put them on, hopped on the treadmill in the store, and took them for a spin.  Heaven!  I will never question Fleet Feet.  Ever.

Finding the right shoe really does make all the difference. I highly recommend going to a running store and getting properly fitted for your shoes.

A girl's best friend.

No, it's certainly not diamonds.  Although they're lovely ... they're not as useful as a good sports bra.

Back in my younger (and thinner) days, I could run over to WalMart or whatever and grab a cheapie "sports bra".  They were less than $10 and did the job just fine.  I mean, how much support does a pair of perky teenaged nearly-B's need?

And then ... pregnancy.  The boobie fairy came!  I woke up one morning and BAM.  40DDs.  Holy shit.  I went to bed a respectable 36/38 B ... and woke up with huge cantaloupes on my chest.

OMG BOOBIES!!!1!1!

After my daughter arrived and I was no longer nursing, they settled in to my lifelong size ... a 42D or DD (depending on the day).  It took me a while, but I've had to learn how to dress and support these monsters.  They show no signs of shrinking in my old age, either.

So, when I started running, I didn't really think much about supporting the girls.  I mean, who wants to wear a big ol' sports bra contraption   One of the simple bras I wear every day - a t-shirt type bra - is fine, of course.  Luckily, I only made it about a third of a mile before I realized the error of my ways.  It became abundantly clear that I had to find a decent support bra before I gave myself a concussion from the bounce.

My first try was, of course, back at WalMart.  They had a "compression" bra in my size.  The tag said "active", and it was made by Just My Size.   I figured that would do, right?  WRONG.  DEAD DAMNED WRONG.  I made it about a half mile before I wanted to shred this piece of garbage.

Try number two was also a FAIL.  I went to Sports Authority in search of a bra.  Upon my arrival, I was given the side-eye by some chirpy little blond yoga-looking thing.  Clearly, fat girl wasn't welcome in her little fiefdom, so I just found my way out of the door.  And into the car.  And tried not to cry because I was embarrassed   Worse ... I felt like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman. I felt like I should call my husband and sob and say, "I have all this money, see.  And ... and I have these great big boobies.  And if I don't find a bra - a good bra - they'll hit me in the face when I run and black my eyes."

After I dried my eyes, I went next door to Dick's.  I didn't really feel much like shopping, but I realize that I couldn't do much for a run if I didn't harness the girls.  And luckily - I struck gold.

I wandered around for a few minutes, and finally someone asked me if I needed help.  I looked down and mumbled something about being okay.  She took pity on me and said "well, if you're looking for fuller figured sports bras, they're over here.  I usually suggest Moving Comfort.  I bet we have your size.  Let me know if you need anything, okay?"

I sniffled and headed over to the rack.  And there, shining like a beacon in the D-Cup night, was my little piece of heaven.

Ahhh, heaven.

Meet the Moving Comfort Maia.  It isn't the prettiest piece of lingerie I own, but damn if it isn't my favorite.  It keeps everything right where it should be, has a comfortable underwire, and doesn't give me uni-boob or pancake boob.  It just fits.  And it really is worth the $40 or so.

Now, I have been told about Enell.  A friend of mine mentioned that they make great bras for folks that the Boobie Fairy has gifted with an excess.  They run about $70 with tax, but OOOH PURPLE!

I need to get one to try.  Of course, in the interest of science and all.