The Infamous Walker Limps Home
Estimated reading time: 16 minutes, 57 seconds
New Glycerin Walking Shoes
As I returned from my brief four-mile walk, I heard someone at Augusta Mae‘s boutique ask, “Where did the clouds come from?” I noticed they were setting up a tent for the sidewalk sale. Behind me, someone commented, “It’s not supposed to rain during our sidewalk sale.” Despite the dark clouds overhead, the forecast indicated no rain, and not a single drop had fallen on my arm. Neither a drizzle nor a heavy downpour would stop me from my mission: to buy new walking shoes.
Upon entering FleetFeet in Westfield, I explained my needs to Justin, the first salesperson I encountered. “I need new shoes,” I said. “I’ve been wearing Brooks Glycerins, but…” I hesitated, uncertain about how much more to share. When I visited in early April, I felt confident identifying myself as a walker, averaging seven to eight miles a day. However, after dealing with a dozen frustrating experiences, I found myself feeling out of sorts.
Justin silently encouraged me to explain my seemingly temporary condition, as the truth was the only hope I had of walking without pain again. I was walking a lot—seven or eight miles—and buying shoes twice a year,” I said, showing him a photo of my well-worn shoes. But now,” I blurted out, “I have plantar fasciitis.”
“You really tested those shoes to the limit,” he said with a grin. Pulling up my previous measurements, Justin explained that they were familiar with my condition and would find some shoes for me to try on. Each of the three pairs felt as if my feet were, if not completely healed, very close to feeling like I could tap dance all the way home.
“Let’s try one of our plantar fasciitis inserts designed for walkers and runners,” he suggested. The inserts I had purchased from my podiatrist helped, but I agreed to give them a try. I mentioned that I had learned how to remove and replace the insoles. As I walked from one end of the store to the other, each step felt easier, almost as if I were experiencing a surge of dopamine. You are walking faster,” Justin said with a smile as I passed him and completed a second lap.
After almost 48 years, I recently lost my wife, Jan Lilien. Like The Little Prince, Jan and I believed that “The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or touched, they are felt with the heart.” This blog is a collection of my random thoughts on love, grief, life, and all things considered.
