Storytime

I was 15 years old. I had some shin splints or achy knees or some sort of "growing pain" probably as the result of walking, playing kickball on asphalt, jumping down concrete staircases on a skateboard, or whatever else I was up to that might have caused my legs to "hurt." I thought I shouldn't have this pain, that it meant something was wrong. That's what we're taught after all. I went to the doctor, who happened to refer me to a foot and ankle specialist. He assured me that my feet weren't right and gave me these blue things that I put in my shoes and haven't taken out for almost ten years. I didn't ask any questions.

These blue things, commonly called orthotics, have become decrepit. But I never think twice before plopping them into my shoes. Now I'm wondering what the hell am I doing with these things and whether or not I need to continue to use them. They are pretty expensive to replace and I don't intend to drop the cash for something I don't need.

So this morning I didn't put them in my shoes before heading out. I don't know what I feared would happen, but the run was uneventful. Peaceful actually. Delaware River was tranquil like a layer of crystallized sugar. I ran real slow for 4.5 miles in 39:07. Perhaps I'll try this again sometime.