Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 113, December 2018 | Page 7

LETTERS going on how complicated it’s become to buy the right running shoes! The list of questions you need to go through before even fitting a shoe gets me nervous! Also, I have spent so much money on the wrong shoes over the years... some due to listening to what friends believed were “the best running shoes,” and other times due to buying the latest brand online. On a recent visit to the shops to buy new road running shoes, I said a little prayer, went through the questionnaire, did a few ridiculous jogs inside the store that had all eyes on me, and finally decided on a shoe that wasn’t as beautiful to look at, but felt good in every way! I truly believed these were specially made for my feet. Sadly, though, one year and 1700km later, I was back at square one, with tekkies shouting to be thrown out, as proven by the new niggles. Those tekkies had done their time! Bargaining that I’ll just go back and get the exact same pair? Wrong! Turns out the shoes I had were from the previous year’s collection, and were no longer being made, nor found on the shelves anymore! Bummed about the bad news, I decided there and then that with my next buy, I’ll just get two or more pairs of whatever tekkies my feet feel like ‘Champs’ in. Boom, back-up plan made, problem solved! Or so I thought… Reality struck and I nearly fell on my back when I saw the insanely high prices running shoes were going for! And then they still call it a “special,” too! So I was worrying about affording one pair, let alone the other two pairs I considered as backup! Running has always been the cheaper sport, compared to cycling and triathlon, but looking at price tags for tekkies, and other running apparel, it concerns me, making me wonder how long I will still be able to afford With the economic downturn in this country, a plummeting exchange rate for the Rand and skyrocketing costs of imports, the prices of shoes have unfortunately gone through the roof over the years that I have been in this industry, but these prices have steadily climbed over the years, not just shot up overnight. It is a sign of our times that things have become much more expensive. That said, you got 1700km out of your previous pair, which is way more than the average runner gets from a pair of running shoes, so you’re actually doing very well! – Ed. VORENTOE VORENTOE RUNNING ACADEMY I • No Turnin CONTACT: Do you need race numbers, medals or shirts for your upcoming event? and enjoy my lifelong sport, the one I started as a barefoot runner at eight years old. – Mariska Janse van Rensburg, via e-mail [email protected] [phone] [phone] IN2SPORTS.CO.ZA 7 Tel [phone]