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Why I Love Fleet Feet Columbus

I have finally embraced the idea that I need new shoes. If you recall, I shed some tears over my shoes some time ago but still had not given in to the idea that I needed to upgrade to a model that is currently being manufactured. Stress fracture = Lesson learned.

I went to Fleet Feet last weekend, was fitted by the the shoe technician (I feel like they need a good title, I mean subway staff get to call themselves sandwich artists; let's give a cool title to the shoe guys and gals, after all they are there to make our feet happy, theoretically). He gave me two pairs to try on, the first? A pair of Brooks. I shook my head the minute I saw the Brooks box knowing my feet are too wide for every pair of Brooks I have tried. I know a lot of people love their Brooks, they just aren't right for me. I humored my shoe technician and tried them on anyway. Instantly, everything started poking my feet in all the wrong places. Big fail there.

The other pair? Mizuno Endurance 11. I took a spin around the parking lot. I wasn't convinced these were the correct shoes as they were hard and very inflexible. I, on the other hand, was trying to be somewhat flexible with my shoe technician and because the shoes didn't hurt, in fact they felt good, I purchased said shoes. These shoes were going to create new memories for me.

Or so I thought...

As of yesterday, I had gone on three runs with my shoes and after EVERY run I have barely been able to walk. I had major pain in the heel and the outside of my foot. I know that you are going to have some soreness after a run with new shoes, but I don't think I should be in so much pain I can't walk. Yesterday I hit my wall with these shoes...

I called up FF and talked to another shoe technician who told me to come on in to swap out the Mizunos...

Here is where my love for FF continues. I went in there and my shoe technician spent almost forty five minutes fitting me, showing me the various plates in the shoe, showing me how the soles of the shoe should look in the mirror, explained to me why my feet hurt with the other shoe, showed me how I should tie my shoe, etc. FF exchanged my the Mizunos for a pair of Asics and my feet are happy!

Comments

  1. MandyJune 10, 2012 at 9:29 AM

    That's awesome. I love Fleet Feet! Your feet definitely need to be happy. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Christina BradyJune 10, 2012 at 5:01 PM

    Gotta love great customer service ! Only too bad it took two visits and three runs.

    ReplyDelete
  3. LaurieJune 10, 2012 at 9:39 PM

    I have had to return shoes there too and it happens! I am glad you went back as I was worried when you said "should my shoes HURT me." Uh, no, they shouldn't. Let's hope these have many many runs with you!

    ReplyDelete
  4. UnknownJune 15, 2012 at 8:53 AM

    I have a similar story. Old shoes = calf strain. New update to my Saucony's was too wide, but I didn't know. 8 miler ended in blood, I thought it was from wearing compression socks for the first time. 4 miler with good socks = blood. I went back to Fleet and the Tech called me a badass, gave me new shoes and comp'd the $10 price difference.

    I will never buy shoes anywhere else. I will never buy shoes without being fitted.

    ReplyDelete

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