“The wand chooses the wizard… it’s not always clear why.”
—Ollivander
My new running shoes! Keep reading to find out how buying running shoes is like purchasing a wand…
First off, old shoes can lead to injury. I have Mizunos, which are cheaper than other brands, but they do not last as long. Not even the Weasleys can use hand-me-down or worn-out wands, so don’t even think about using old running shoes!
If you don’t know the style you need, or if you are just interested in changing it up, you benefit from visiting a specialty store. Harry and his buddies went to Ollivander’s. I’ve visited a number of specialty shops, including a few Fleet Feet Sports stores in various states.
The knowledgeable sales staff in any specialty store should watch you run in the shoes you try on. They view your stride and help you find the best fit. Some stores even record your feet while you run on a treadmill. I never knew how wobbly my feet looked until seeing them on camera!
Mr. Ollivander lets his patrons test their wands too. That’s important, especially if you blow things up in the store like Harry.
This weekend, I already knew I wanted a new pair of Mizuno shoes, so I went to Dick’s Sporting Goods. I tried on two Mizuno stability shoes. (Stability helps with wobbly feet!) I went with the more expensive pair. You can’t scrimp on wands either. I doubt phoenix tails and dragon scales come cheap!
Don’t be embarrassed trying on shoes. The last time I bought a pair of shoes, I had the sweet sales lady bring out 7 or 8 pairs, and yes, I ran around the store in most all of them. Ollivander cant wand-fit a patron on the first try either.
Lastly, don’t buy what’s cool or cute. It’s rarely the best thing for you. Dad wouldn’t let me get anything cute for my first running shoe. After running through my first good pair, he analyzed the bottoms of my shoes to see where I wore the most tread and cushion. Then he suggested my next pair. My physical therapist later recommended the exact same shoe my dad had selected. Trust me; they weren’t cute! I doubt it was cool to get the sibling wand of Valdemort, but you know what – Harry’s too cool to care.
Oh, I got a pair of cross trainers this weekend too. They’re sooooo awesome!
Do you have a favorite brand of runners, walkers, or cross trainers? Ever been to a specialty shop?
Love, Sweat, and Beers 