It's good to have
Jaki in my life. Her brother is a fanatic marathon runner and Jaki knows a few
things about that, because of her brother. She adviced me to go to the Asics
store, on Oxford Street (next to Primark), as they have the Foot ID System in
that store.
It works with a 3-D
foot-scanning device equipped with 4 lasers and 8 cameras,which enables highly
accurate foot measurements down to the millimetre, within seconds.
The system derives
those foot measurements that are relevant for finding the right fit - and
selects the right type of shoe for each runner.
The software is able
to instantly visualise any deviations from average values or the 'model foot',
and quickly identifies measurements that could be critical.
Because only if a
shoe perfectly matches the foot, gait and other physical requirements will it
take a runner really forward and make them - really happy!
And THAT is all I
desired!
I hate going to
Oxford Street.
I might not be your
'typical female' because I cannot stand shopping and being around shopping
crowds.
Oxford Street,
especially on a Saturday evening, is hellish, to say the least.
I also hate -
diamonds. Diamonds are not my 'best friends'. People are.
The good news is that
the Asics shop is almost on a corner, of Oxford Street, so you don't really
need to fight the crazy shopping crowds to get there.
And it was also
almost empty.... Thank goodness!
Even before I walked
in, I saw the three booths through their tall , glass windows. They have this
equipment on each of their landings.
The first thing I
did, after walking in, was to ask an employee FOR THE BEST MARATHON RUNNING
ADVISOR. I was instantly pointed to - XAVIER!
He is Spanish, looks
Spanish, is tall and very, very professional in what he is doing.
But that, I found
about, a bit later.
I instantly had good
communication with him and every single question I asked, was answered.
I've never done this
process before, so he had to guide me through it step, by step.
I had to take my
socks off and stick each of my feet into a box like device, that made digital
copies of my feet. Before I put each of my feet into that machine, Xavier had
to apply first, tiny dot like stickers to certain spots on my feet. On each of
their sides.
Great fun!
After having the
digital pictures of my feet pronounced onto a big TV screen, Xavier then put me
on a treadmill. This time I had to have my socks on and also special trainers,
that were part of the measuring eqiupment.
He asked me what
number of trainers I wear.
I vary between 39/40.
I power walked the 2015 marathon in Nikes, size 40.
Zero blisters but I
did get a black nail on my left foot toe.
Turns out, Xavier enlightened
me, that I was power walking the marathon in shoes one size too small. Hence
the black toe nail!
"Your feet
expand by one size, trust me!".
OK, I have just
learned one more important thing.
So on I hopped onto
the treadmill and Xavier started it. He asked me 'what is my running speed '
and without even listening to my answer he set me up on 7.
I was a bit
surprised, as at the beginning of this year, when I was starting my marathon
training, I would warm up on the treadmill at the spped of 5,7.
BUT.... I quickly
surprised myself how comfortable it felt running at the speed of 7!
Another discovery!
After a few moments
of my running, Xavier stopped the machine and asked me to hop off. He showed me
a film of my running. How I position my feet.
It was another eye
opener! My left foot was wonky.
So he kind of had
this look on his face: "I know which shoes you need!" and went down
to the shop floor and returned witha few boxes.
The first trainers he
took out, were black Asics with some colouring on the sides. And they 'did not
speak to me' at all!
I put them on and
they did not feel right.
But the second pair
of trainers that he took out - were heavenly in every single detail.
I fell in love with
them even before I put them on my feet!
But, they were a size
41....
I asked Xavier:
"Why do they have to be one size bigger? Will they not make my feet look
too big?".
His answer came with
a smirk: "You want a black toe nail again, help yourself to a smaller
number!".
You guessed, I
grabbed the size 41!
When I put them on,
they 'spoke to me!'.....if you know what I mean.
If you don't, I don't
care because I know what I mean and that is what counts.
I looked at Xavier
smiling, and he said: "These are the ones! They are durable and light.
They will last you until the marathon and you will train and run in them, in 5
months!".
THAT sounded so
reassuring!
I had another go on
the treadmill, at the speed of 7, and it felt puuurfect.
When I got off the
machine, Xavier showed me the film of 'before' and 'after' - running in the new
shoes. And everything was like as if God had designed it.
I FOUND MY RUNNING
SHOES !
Xavier was pleased
with himself, and I was also pleased with him, but we still had to go to the
shop floor and look at all the different colours of this type of trainers, so
that I wouldn't feel deprived of something. I followed him down the stairs.
When we stopped in
front of the wall displaying all the other colours of these same type of Asics
trainers, I smiled and said: "Xavier, you have chosen the best
ones!".
And he smiled back.
As you might have
noticed, there was a lot of smiling going on between me and him.
A smooth running
process!
When you deal with
real professionals, everything seems to be falling into place. Just like that.
When I was paying
Xavier, I asked him if he had ever run the marathon?
He is tall, fit,
athletic....
He said: "No! I
am too lazy. I play football."
OK ----- I am lazy,
too. But I need to run ONE London Marathon, before I die!
I paid and walked
out....
A proud owner of my
new marathon training and running Asics!
The photos will
follow.
From the Asics shop,
we went for a tea to a nearby spot. I needed to sit down and
get away from the
crazy shopping crowds.
I ordered my tea and
noticed that our waiter was this really buff, young man.
I like talking to
people, so I started asking him questions about sport.
It turned out that he
is a competitive body builder, in the process of getting
prepared for a
contest. He also noticed my Asics shopping bag.
He told me about the
discipline that he needs to endure in everything: eating,
exercising, being
very careful about his body.
I was in full
agreement, whilst eating my macaroon ..... but only ONE!
Seriously, I am paying
attention to what I eat and how I eat.
And it is already
rubbing off, on my husband.
