I bought a pair of fancy running shoes… here’s what happened.

Hello there! It’s been 2 years since I went from “I never run outside” to my first 5K run. All this time I’ve been running in the same Nike run shoes I used for gym workouts. This year, however, I invested in a pair of good running shoes.
I say “invested” because I’d rather buy a plane ticket than pay for a pair of fancy running shoes that probably won’t get me to New York. At the end it’s all about our priorities, right? I care more about the experiences rather than material things, but I also care about my health. So, it took me over a year to convince myself to get a pair of running shoes.
Before I get any further, I’d like to tell you that I am not a marathon runner and I’m not planning to become one, I am just a girl who was challenged by her husband to learn how to run (and, most importantly enjoy) outdoors. Now that I was running, I wanted to understand why so many people get crazy excited about the running shoes and why everyone claims them to be a game changer.
Long story short, after hours of reading the reviews and recommendations, I got my first pair of Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 34, and I went for a run. Something was different: the cushioning of the shoes was bouncing back and it felt really good. I could feel the foot support, and the shoes were so comfortable! That was it: I liked that bouncy feeling so much that I wanted to run more. And that’s how I went from “have to run” to “enjoy running”. That’s when I realized that my running shoe investment meant to bring good running experience.
The price: is it worth it?
According to Mary Arnold, an ultramarathoner, the average price of pair of solid running shoes is around $110–$150. Let me be honest with you: all I had in my head at the time was “they’d better be worth it” and “calm down woman, you can return them if they’ll turn out to be a joke”. My Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 34 were over $100 and I didn’t return them. I’m sure that at least my knees will thank me later.
Here is mine “It’s not just about the shoes”:

• it’s not just about the shoes, it’s about my health;
• it’s not just about the shoes, it’s about the entire running experience;
• it’s not just about the shoes, it’s about the quality, durability and some kind of running security.
  Would I be ok without those fancy running shoes?
  Of course! Running shoes were not an absolute necessity or priority for me. I would still be able to run 5K and would never have thought there could be something different. But just like not all planes were created equal, not all running shoes were made the same. I’d pay higher price to have more comfort during traveling (especially during those 14-hour flights to Europe), just like now I pay more to have better experience during my morning runs.

From the lady who just started her running journey, who has worked in shoe store, who loves traveling and prefers to buy a plane ticket over material things, and, finally, from a person who now feels dramatic difference during mornings runs – value your health, and get the shoes that will make you feel like you’re flying!

XX,
Gena.