Give a girl the right pair of shoes...

 

 

I've had a challenging relationship with shoes ever since I  contracted paralytic polio at the age of 5. Red polio shoes were the order of the day to accommodate my ankle to hip leg brace and to have an orthotic in my left shoe. Red polio shoes are part of an exhibit at the National Museum of American History. Before contracting paralytic polio, I danced ballet. I felt such joy with my classmates and Miss Patricia our beloved ballet teacher. I loved slipping into my Capezio ballet shoes with an eye on when I could go up on point. It was not meant to be but there was another story meant to be written. After coming out of my leg brace, I still had to wear red polio shoes but on special occasions could wear Mary Jane pumps. High heel shoes were out of the question. As an adult, buying shoes was always a challenge given the difference between my right and left foot.

After the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome in December of 2006,  my left foot needed a toe up leg brace. To accommodate the brace, I had to wear black orthopedic shoes and use a cane to conserve energy and relieve stress and strain on my body.

In February of 2008, after working with a personal trainer and meeting my initial goals of getting off of a low toilet seat and diversifying my health and wellness routine, she asked me my next goals. After telling her I wanted to run the 2009 Boston Marathon having never run a day in my life she said, "Well you're going to need a pair of running shoes!" Janine suggested I go to Marathon Sports where I was blessed to meet Spencer Aston. I borrowed a pair of Ruth Anne's sneakers. When Spencer asked me "What are you in now?" I said, "Actually, I am in black shoes with a toe up leg brace. I just borrowed these from my daughter."

Spencer was enthralled with my story. He took a half hour with me to evaluate my gait and figure out the best pair of running shoes given my unique foot discrepancies and somewhat unusual soon to be runner's gait!

Through the years I've explored different kinds of running shoes. For those of you reading this who are runners, you'll feel me when I say that just when it seems like you have the perfect shoe, the shoe manufacturer changes the style. 

Our go to store for everything we need as runners now is Heartbreak Hill Running Company.  After my go to shoe for several years changed the design, I asked the amazing staff to help me find a new shoe. I fell in love the Brooks Ghost 15.

I'm on the Brooks Running email list. When Ruth Anne was getting new gear, while she was trying on a new top, I was moved to ask, 'Hey have you heard anything about the new Ghost Max?"

"Why don't you try it on?

"Oh I'm all set right now. I don't want you to have to go get them if I'm not planning to buy them."

Vivian said, "It's no trouble at all. What size are you?"

"9 1/2 wide."

"Oh they don't make the Max in wide but why don't you give them a try."

As soon as I put them on I knew it was the shoe for me. There's cushion exactly where I need support. I don't need the extra width. There's more support for my feet without the extra width. They look great and feel great:

I went back to Heartbreak the next day to get a second pair.  I am so excited to take them out for a spin for a training run on the road to the Bermuda 10K. What a thrill to experience a new pair of kicks that fit so well! As I said to the staff at Heartbreak, "It's as though they were made for me!"

When you give a girl the right pair of shoes, she can conquer the world or in my case, conquer the Bermuda Hills in January. 

From my heart to yours
In health and wellness,
Mary

Visit my website to be inspired by my journey. May it ignite a spark within you to go farther than you ever believed you could. Be sure to visit the News and Events Page with links to podcast interviews, speaking engagements and where you can find my incredibly inspirational story.

My books that pack powerful messages of healing, hope and possibilities are available on Amazon

Thank you to Mike Reilly for featuring my story on Stories From the Finish Line Sponsored by CURAD Performance Series to inspire others.

Be sure to subscribe to the On The Runs podcast for stories of individuals who are fierce and determined to overcome challenges, set goals and crush them. Here is the link to my Episode 56.

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Be sure to download and subscribe to the AdaptX podcast. Here's the link to my wonderful conversation with host Brendan Aylward sharing my journey of transformation and healing in the wake of polio, Post-Polio syndrome and trauma.

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