DID YOU GET ANY RUNNING STUFF FOR CHRISTMAS?

Christmas has come and gone. Most of you runners out there probably received some great running stuff. Let me guess. New Nikes? A GPS watch? A whole box of Powerbars? Whatever you got, I'm sure you're anxious to try it out.

My stocking was full of running gear: Two black Under Armour tops, the kind that Batman would wear--real tight to show off my muscles. Unfortunately, my muscles aren't impressive. The tight-fitting tops will probably sag a bit, but at least they'll keep me warm.

My wife bought me an Under Armour running cap. I really like it because it is made of that material that breathes well. I noticed the tag on the inside of the hat said it was the woman's model. Does that make me a cross dresser?

I also got some Saucony black tights. I won't have to wear those purple ones any more. Maybe my running buddies will quit making those snide remarks that cast doubt upon my heterosexuality. Of course, when they find out about my new running hat, they'll start a whole new line of wisecracks.

I received two pair of sweatpants--one from Nike and the other with my favorite NFL team's logo--the Steelers. The Black and Gold went 8-8 this year and needed help to make it into the playoffs. Unfortunately, San Diego beat Kansas City's second string team last night and sent the Steelers packin' for another season. I decided to wear my Nike sweatpants on my 8 miler today.

My favorite gift this year, however, came several days after Christmas. My daughter Sarah gave birth to a baby boy--Charles Nash Taylor. My middle name is Charles. Maybe he'll be a runner like his Pappy. Let's see. In six or seven years I hope to run his first 5K with him. He'll probably beat me.

Charlie and Pappy.

Yes, that is my new Under Armour hat.



BUYING NEW RUNNING SHOES: LOCAL OR ONLINE?

Runners who put in a lot of miles go through heaps of shoes. Marathoners will wear out six or more pair a year. With today's high-end shoe prices ranging from $100 to $160, a dedicated runner may have to take out a second mortgage to keep properly shod.

Buying the right shoe at the right price is incredibly important to the person who takes their running seriously. Do you go to the local running store or take a chance online? Good question. I've polled several running clubs around the country to gain some insight into this question. I appreciate all those who contributed to my research. Several factors need to be considered before you make this decision.

1. Are you currently wearing the right shoe? Some runners have discovered the perfect shoe for their feet. Whether by trial and error or conferring with an expert, they have found their dream shoe which keeps them uninjured and consistently on the road. Many runners, though, are not quite satisfied with the shoe in which they are currently training. They may only be having minor problems, but still, they wonder if there is a better shoe out there somewhere for them. A local running store with knowledgeable employees can be a great help. An expert can look at the tread wear of your old shoe or watch you run down the aisle of the store or along the sidewalk out front and quickly determine if you pronate, supinate, or have a normal foot strike. A good salesperson will also analyze your feet to see if they are unusually wide or narrow, and if you have high or sunken arches. Some online stores do their best to fit you right, but there's nothing like the personal touch, face to face with someone you trust.

2. How important is the local store to your running community? Some communities are blessed with running stores whose owners are not only experts in helping to find you the right shoe but are also dedicated to promoting and developing the sport in their community.They sponsor races, speak at club meetings, contribute door prizes to events, and make it a priority to connect with the running community. Their prices may be higher than the online discount giants, but isn't it worth paying the higher price to help maintain their presence in the community?

3. How big is your wallet? For some people, money is not a big factor. They have a good income, and proper running equipment is such a priority to them that they are not willing to risk an online mistake. For others, though, buying shoes online is the best option financially. Times may be tight, or perhaps they have already found the perfect shoe and know the exact size for that style of shoe. Ordering from a discount store could save them 50% or more. For someone on a tight budget that could mean the difference between buying three pairs of shoes a year or six. And worn out shoes can definitely cause injury.

4. How important is it to buy the latest model? Usually, shoe manufacturers tweak their shoes every year to keep them abreast of the latest technology. Most of the time the changes are minor, but sometimes major alterations occur which, by the way, doesn't always sit right with loyal customers.  I'm currently running in Saucony's Triumph 9 (I believe the latest model is the 10 or 11). If you don't mind wearing last year's model, you can save a a bundle of money. Occasionally, local stores will offer last year's model at a deep discount, but because of limited inventory, this opportunity can be hit or miss when you visit the store. I have discovered that many online stores offer great discounts for last year's models (normally 35% to 50%) and are well supplied with plenty of sizes. If you don't mind missing out on the latest technological tweak, then you can save some bucks with last years model.

Online Running Shoe Stores Recommended by Runners
If you have a great local running store, by all means please support it. You are fortunate to have knowledgeable  people close by to provide support and expertise to the running community. If for some reason you like to buy your running shoes online, then here is a list of vendors recommended by runners from around the country and the reason the store was recommended. To check prices, just click on the link and visit the store. Some stores are better known for customer service and others for deep discounts. The stores are listed in no particular order.

RunningWarehouse.com --  Runners noted that this store offers good selection, free shipping, return shipping, and a shoe fit guide that takes your current shoe and size to determine what size you would wear in another brand. Marathon Maniacs get a 15% discount.Also, one runner suggested to always check online for discount codes.

DickSportingGoods.com -- Runners noted that the shipping was fast, Nikes were available, and that Cyber Monday discounts were great.

Amazon.com -- Since a multitude of vendors sell through Amazon, many runners check prices here. Before buying. It was recommended to make sure the particular vendor offers free returns.

Eastbay.com -- Eastbay has been in business long before the internet arrived. One runner commented that he has been buying from Eastbay since 1987 and often gets great discounts.

FinishLine.com -- Finish Line is known for their coupons and sales. Runners need to know how to check online for coupons or register with them to receive coupons by mail. They also offer reward bonus money for returning customers. Be sure to take advantage of their sale prices when offered.Shipping is free on orders over $50.

RoadRunnerSports.com -- Runners reported that they are known for fast shipping and a 90 day return policy, and great customer service.

JoesNewBalanceOutlet.com -- If you are a New Balance faithful, you may want to check out this outlet store that offers discounts and free shipping for purchases over $75.

KellysRunningWarehouse.com -- A runner reported that this store offers great discounts, sells her favorite shoe (Gel Kayonos), but recommends that you put items in the shopping cart to see the discount.

HolabirdSports.com -- This store is one of my favorites. They offer great deals on last year's models and are currently offering free shipping. Usually your purchase must be $65 or more to receive free shipping.

SierraTradingPost.com -- At this store I find the deepest discounts for my particular shoe, Saucony's Triumph.They have a wide variety of other running shoes, however all their shoes are last year's models. You have to know when to buy because they regular offer special deal days. I subscribe to their "daily deal flyer" so I know when to buy. You should definitely know your brand and size before buying here. They also offer a variety of running clothes here at deep discounts.

Runners also mentioned they had great buying experiences at the following stores:

Zappos.com -- 

NewtonRunning.com --

OnlineShoes.com --

ZombieRunner.com --

 Happy shopping!

A RUNNER'S LETTER TO SANTA

Dear Santa,

I write this letter with some hesitation because I'm not sure how much you value fitness. From all appearances you are a rolly-polly, mostly sedentary, cookie munching pipe smoker. Most runners are lean, active, diet-conscious non-smokers. Okay, I'll concede diet-conscious--many of us are also addicted to cookies and chocolate. But the smoking habit is definitely bothersome to us.Therefore, with some apprehension I make out this runner's Christmas list, hoping you will be able to view these requests from our perspective. Please do not consider me a rebel without a Claus.

1. True Grit --  not the DVD from the John Wayne movie or even the Cohen brother's latest remake but rather what was found deep within the main character of the novel, Mattie Ross. Becoming a bonafide distance runner takes true grit. It is the difference between those who turn off the alarm, roll over, and go back to sleep and those who get up and lace up. It is the difference between those who go out for a jog on the first sunny spring day and those who trudge through three inches of snow in mid-winter facing wind chills under twenty degrees. With true grit, we refuse to be flash-in-the-pan, fly-by-night runners. We become the real deal.

2. Reindeer Games -- I'm not talking about the kind you play on the computer or X-box or the kind that has turned the youth of our nation into pudgy couch potatoes. Runner's need to be physical. Give us more fun runs with our club members, great events from racing a mile to the ultra distances, trail runs, even tough mudders, color races, and zombie runs. We want to be able to fly for miles, maybe not through the sky but along some country road, mountain trail or city park. Runners are born-again kids and reindeer games keep us that way.

3. Wide-Screen Vision -- No, Santa, not a wide-screen television. I'm talking about great goals, golden goals, the kind that challenge the heart and demand courage. For some of us it's running our first 5k. For others, give us the vision of our first half marathon or marathon. We want to become people who overcome our fears and self doubts by facing giants--challenges we once thought were impossible. Give us goals that transform our characters and transcend the daily grind of this weary world. Is that asking too much?

4. New Wheels -- I'm not talking about a new car, although that would be nice, but rather refreshed and revived bodies. We runners beat ourselves up. We don't know when enough is enough. We need wisdom to know when to let up or stop, and knowledge to know what to do to remedy our ills: a good physical therapist or masseuse, an insightful coach, and cross training equipment. We don't want to enter the new year as the running wounded but rather the running renewed.

Santa, I know these requests may sound strange to your ears. You may think we have elf-image problems or perhaps are Claustrophobic. We're not. Though, we are a different breed. But sometimes it's better to be different. Maybe it's the best thing. Think about it. What would you do without Rudolf?

Dear Readers: My Christmas gift to you is a free ebook, my latest novel, The Old Man and the Marathon. You can download it for free at Smashwords.com. This gift is available through December 31.

OLD SHOES -- NEW SHOES

Today I broke out a new pair of training shoes. I've been wearing the same style of shoe for the last eight years--Saucony Triumphs. They just seem to fit my feet right. I never buy this year's model with a $120 price tag. Usually, I can get last year's model for nearly half price on special deal days at Sierra Trading Post or Holabird Sports. Often I will buy two pairs if I get a price under $70 with free shipping. They sit in their new boxes in the corner of my room beside my dresser. Sometimes I will open the box and smell them. Don't you just love the smell of new shoes. What do they smell like? Potential.

I hope they keep making Saucony Triumphs for years to come. There's nothing more frustrating than finding that the shoe you love, the shoe in which you have been training for thousands of miles, has been discontinued, or even worse: altered so much that it just doesn't feel the same on your feet. That makes me mad enough to want to headbutt a llama.

I try to make each pair last about three months. By then the tread is pretty well worn on the bottom. I run four days a week. That means in three months I will have used those shoes approximately 52 times. If I pay $70 for the shoes, that means each run costs me about $1.35. Can you believe that? If I would pay full price for the shoe, it would cost me $2.50 every time I go for a run. That's literally highway robbery.

My son-in-law, Josh, is a minimalist. He pays a lot of money for running shoes that don't have much to them. He tells me that the minimalist shoe replicates running barefoot with the benefit of just enough material to protect the feet. I'm not a minimalist. I need as much cushion and support as possible. I even have inserts to prevent plantar fasciitis. I asked Josh how often he has to buy minimalist shoes. He wasn't sure. "Think about it," I told him. "The more you run, the more minimalist those shoes become. In fact, the more miles you put on those shoes, the closer to bare feet they get." If the goal is minimalism, you should be able to train in those shoes until they completely fall apart. Then you have reached minimalist Nirvana.

My latest pair of Saucony Triumphs are bright red. I don't like the color, but that was the last pair they had in my size. When I ran down the street today I almost blinded a lady when the sun broke from behind a cloud and the rays hit my shoes. Fortunately, she looked away quickly. Maybe it wasn't the brightness of the color. Maybe she was just embarrassed seeing an old man running along in bright red shoes like an elf that had just escaped from Santa's workshop. I don't care. They felt great. In three months I'll switch out to a new pair. By then they won't be so bright. The winter weather will take its toll. By the end of February I will consider them old shoes. Do you know what old shoes smell like? . . . Success!