A confession

I admit it. I have terrible feet. Wide, flat, and huge.

I seem to have inherited all of the bad foot genetics from both sides of the family (Though the freakishly-large size of my clodhoppers seems to come from some 3rd cousins once-removed I don't know about). If I were to mainline some HGH I'd pass up my father's shoe size in a matter of days.

I keep my toenails painted all pretty for the occasional traipse through airport security, but generally refrain from wearing open, flat shoes. It accentuates that I look like an aquatic bird (who, ironically, hates water).

Unfortunately for runners like me, we can't shop in the sexy section. No Nikes, Adidas, Pumas, or Kahrus. Since 1999, I've been swiping my credit card for Asics Gel Foundation IIs, size "huge". Always $85-$100, and never on sale. Perfect for overpronating and unsexy clydesdale types. Ugh.

But due to the minute and silent population of over-pronators who require motion-control shoes that go long miles, Asics has ditched my beloved Gel Foundation IIs in favor of the more moderate Gel Foundation 7s.

What is the point, you ask?

Getting there. Promise.

After 9 years on the Asics wagon, I am now a Brooks girl. Ariels, to be exact. Still size "huge". In fetching neon green and silver. The gracefulness of the name "Ariel" deceives me momentarily into thinking I have lovely and small feet like my sister (she has all the luck!) and can wear runners that have a ghost of a chance of being discounted. $117, ouch!This is the most revealing picture of my feet I'll allow.

But, as Jonny says, I'd rather have great hair and hideous feet than the other way around.