Finding the squeak!

I have new kicks! They are so pretty and I love that they match a lot of my running clothes, because nothing motivates me to get off my butt and exercise than cute, matchy-matchy outfits. But I have to tell you a somewhat long story about why I would write a post about my shoes. 

So I'm a runner. But let me be clear, I don't "like" running. But I do like food, and fitting into my clothes, and, as I learned in 2013, I like medals! As in the kind you get when you run a race, or as my lovely son calls them, participation medals. But I don't care, those little hunks of metal on a pretty ribbon are the most beautiful thing after so much hard work. 

Anyway, late last year, I developed soft tissue injuries in both of my feet. At first I thought it was my new shoes, so I went back to my old shoes. That didn't help, so after a few months of suffering, I broke down and went to the podiatrist. I didn't particularly agree with his diagnosis, but I followed along and wore the compression socks, the boot, physical therapy, blah, blah, blah - even dry needling, which is a special kind of torture IMHO. But none of it worked. After several months, a lot of money, and worsening pain, I went back. The doctor had one of those aha moments, when they finally hear what you've been saying and changed the diagnosis. I was fitted for custom orthotics (that I didn't want because I'd rather spend that money on travel or craft supplies) and sent on my way. 

I also did a lot of online research and found some shoe recommendations, and proceeded to spend a rediculous amount of time trying on different kinds. I finally found some I like, but managed to buy a pair two sizes too big. I exchanged them for the correct size in a slightly different model, and saved $60! My custom insoles arrived and I went for a run. I'm not saying it was a miracle, but my feet were a thousand times better. Still need to heal a bit more but, I'm very excited that after months of pain, and searching for a solution, I've finally turned the corner. 

So you can imagine my distress the other morning when I put on my awesome new kicks on my way to work and they squeeked! Not just a little squish, but for real, that annoying clownish squeek.  Several times, I readjusted the insoles, and nothing worked. I even tried it without the insole, squeeeek. I wanted to cry. Seriously, one more trip to the mall was more than I could mentally bear. 

Dejectedly, I sat down to take them off and put them back in the box. As I carefully, and whist fully removed them, I brushed my hand on the bottom of the offending shoe and felt it. A peanut! It was wedged in the sole. I removed it, put my shoe on, no squeek! What a relief, and a lesson. Sometimes the squeek is not what you think it is. Be careful before giving up. I've been running three times in these new shoes, they are great, and the insole has worked wonders.