Running socks.

I believe it was back in the beginning of February that McCall and I signed up for the Disney half marathon.  We signed up thinking that that would be some really good motivation for getting in shape and losing a few of those extra pounds that make you jiggle.  Well, I do know that since then I have ran a total of zero times and this week makes my total of walking days 4.  I do still have 5 months until the marathon, but I'm pretty sure I better get this show on the road.  (I actually had a dream recently that it was the day before the marathon and I hadn't even done one thing to prepare and I completely panicked.  Not good.)

A couple of weeks ago, on a Saturday, when I probably should have been out walking/running, I was sitting on my couch having a relaxing movie marathon day.  One of the movies that happened to be on was "What Women Want" with Mel Gibson and Helen Hunt.  I LoVe that movie.

In one of the scenes, Mel Gibson (as an ad executive) is presenting his idea for a new ad for running shoes (and maybe clothes too - I can't remember).  In the commercial he is showing the potential clients, you see a lot of road ... with one lone female runner.  He says something like, "The road doesn't care what you look like, or what you're wearing, or what you weigh.  It only cares that you pay it a visit once in awhile."  I decided it was time to pay my road more frequent visits.

The first time I walked, I was pretty tired.  The second time, surprisingly, I went farther and didn't even feel sore.  The third time I walked about half way up my street and as my socks were slipping down from my ankles, under my heel, and bunching up in the arch of my foot (that fast), I decided I better turn right back around and change my socks.  I grabbed a pair of Elliott's and headed back out the door.

A few days ago, I was on the phone with a friend of mine.  I was telling him that I hadn't even begun my training and I really needed to get more pro-active and less lazy about it.  We talked about the right shoes, and starting slow, and preventing injuries ... and then the next morning I got a text message from him that said, "I have a little something insignificant for your training.  Do you want it now, around 1 pm, or never?"  And about two minutes later, he stopped by my office with socks - breathable, lightweight, made for running, special socks.  How adorable is that?

And who knew socks would make SUCH a difference in your comfort level?  (I guess he did - but I certainly didn't.)  'Cause wow - the next time I got out and walked, it was pretty amazing.  I felt a little spoiled and really comfortable and a little guilty that my son runs track and I haven't gotten him his own special running socks.  

(I'm heading to the sports store during lunch today.)