Minimalist Shoe

Confession: I am not one who looks forward to my yearly physical - no real reason. I just never look forward to it. This year I was particularly unexcited, my doctor (who was amazing) had retired last May (which I am thankful she is retiring so she can enjoy this phase in her life) but it left me without a primary care doctor.

This past week I got a call from the doctors office noticing it had been over a year since my last physical and wondering if I'd like to schedule one, begrudgingly I agreed and they listed off the doctors who were accepting new patients. I know nothing about any of them so I told them I would prefer a female if that was an option and then felt like I was playing Russian roulette. I wanted a doctor who I felt comfortable around (I know if the first one wasn't what I was looking for, I could switch, but then I felt like I had an endless cycle coming of doctor switching.). They scheduled me for a new doctor at the clinic I go to. Blah I was getting the new kid, who I was afraid was going to be 12.

Much to my surprise, I hit a home run, the new doctor is wonderful. What makes her even more wonderful is that she has a vast knowledge of sports medicine (she has done a ton of work in it). When we were talking she was examining my knees (which have had 4 surgeries on them) and gave me some advice about maintaining them. I also told her a bit about how my one knee has been bothering me, it clicks, it swells, it's annoy (it won't keep me from running in January, I am too stubborn, plus she said I'd be fine). Anyways, she suggested that I start to work down to a minimallist shoe, she thinks it may help my knees. She also talked me through how to make the transition.

I do have a pair of Vibram 5 fingers shoes that I wear when I am just out and about and love them. However she warned me about what happens if I transition too quickly to a more natural shoe. I am excited to shoe shop again (since Asics no longer finds it necessary to make the same shoe that I fell in love with four years ago). I am excited to go try on some shoes and see if I can make the transition to a less supportive shoe. She suggested the Nike Frees after looking at my arch and all that good jazz. Whoop Whoop.

Anyways, so now that I am over my Asics (or at least trying pretending to be) I am ready to go to a bigger town than mine (seriously not many good options in terms of looking for running shoes in my town) and try on some shoes.

I am also jazzed that my new doctor isn't totally lame and won't be retiring next year (I would guess she is about my age).