shoes can fix anything

I know I am getting a bit gushy lately and today will not be any better, sorry, I'll work on it. So , everyone knows that about four weeks ago I decided to take up running- lots of naysaying and whatnot on my part. I began, as planned, but surprisingly, I loved it. I did get a "runners' high" and I was completely addicted. After my first 4-mile run I found that my toes were numb. This was, of course, unacceptable. I decided to switch from my old, but fancy running shoes to my cheap cross trainers for a few days until I could get to the running store to get properly fitted shoes. Big mistake. After my next run my knees were quite sore but I was assured by all my runner friends that it was normal and would go away shortly. I went running again the next day. It hurt a lot. Being the tough runner athlete-type that I now considered myself to be I ran through it, most of the way. I was forced to walk the last 1/4 mile because I was limping to badly to maintain any sort of pace or rhythm. I spent the next two weeks walking like an 80-year-old woman with severs arthritis. Running was definitely out, even walking up the stairs was a feat. My three story house was not kept up to it's usual level, I simply couldn't take all the stairs. My friend Dr. Amanda looked the injury and prescribed proper medication and physical therapy. I went to running store where they took one look at me and knew what I had done wrong. They sent me home with new fancy running shoes with the promise that it would get better. By the beginning of the second week I was starting to wonder if I would ever walk normally again , let alone run. (I know, impatient, over-dramatic) Two weeks to the day after my fateful "run through the pain" day, I tried again. My new shoes are magic and my knees actually felt better after my run than they did before. I have run almost every day since and I still love it. I am so grateful for a body that does what I ask of it almost all of the time, that heals quickly and adjusts to my randomness, that is strong enough to tote my kids around and to do things that are hard, just because I want to challenge myself. I am grateful to walk, and especially to run.