The Anatomy of a Running Shoe

Anatomy of a Running Shoe

Here we go.  This is my time.  Below me is a thick white line.  It is not just any thick white line, it is one that when I cross, my whole life changes. No longer do I care about appearance; no longer do I hold back, the only thing I care about is giving my all.  Before I cross, I treasure the last few seconds of taking deep breaths of oxygen.  I feel it dive into my lungs and then escape through my nose.  I jump up and down desperately loosening everything I can.  As I jump I can feel every muscle in my body working together.  My body acts as the lace of my shoe.  It connects everything and holds inside it the potential to do anything.  Everything in my body is clenched because it knows the challenge of what is ahead, just as the lace is pulled tight because it is preparing to desperately fight to stay tied.  My eyes wonder and I am bewildered by the fact that all bodies are so unique.  I look to my right and see a statuesque girl that is very tall and has prominent muscles showing, and to my left is a girl about half my height who is squat and sturdy.  How strange that we all train our bodies similarly, all have the same goals, yet there is still not one obvious ideal body type.  Some of the fastest distance runners are tall, some are short, some have little muscle mass, and some have a lot...  There is not one that is undoubtedly faster than the other, just as though there is no one shoe lace undoubtedly better suited than another.  You can trim or tie a shoelace however you want, you can shape and tone a body however you would like, but good luck trying to turn one into something it’s not. 

My ears are flooded with the cheers and yells of anticipation from spectators and teammates.  I feed off their energy, and work to inspire them to realize that anything is possible if you have support not only from others, but also from yourself.  I would trust my teammates with just about anything imaginable.  I give an infinite amount of credit to them for creating who I am today, for they have comforted me and have never let me fall.  I never would have dedicated all my free time and energy to this, if the people around me failed to provide me with the plethora of support I receive.  I’m sure you have heard someone say, “Comfort is key”, when buying shoes, right? However, this concept can be applied to more than just a shoe.  Similar to my running shoes, my team provides me with just the right amount of comfort and support needed to reach my full potential.  They will always be by my side preventing me from getting hurt.

However, standing in front of this white thick line, the thing I believe is the most crucial aspect not only to winning a race, but in life, is strengthening your soul.  For me, running is my outlet, it teaches me more lessons than any person ever could.  As I stand in front of this line, the thing that helps me the most is digging deep down inside and realizing why I chose to do this.  Why do I have a special love for this sport?  Why do I like pushing my body to its limits?  The answer is always simply the same, because this is what makes me happy.  You have to want it; the feeling in your soul has to be right, just as the feeling of your shoe sole has to be right.  When buying running shoes, you look for one that feels right, the sole that gives you the most confidence and strength, when “buying” (earning) a first place medal in a race, you have to find within your soul something that provides confidence and strength. 

I feel my spikes digging into the track, and the pressure of my whole body on my left foot. This is it.  This is the moment when everything comes together.  No longer is it my teammates and supporters, my soul, my body, those things make up who I am, so now it is just me against the world.  I quickly glance down at my shoe, no longer is it separate pieces in a factory.  No longer is it the sole, the laces, and the support/comfort, those now make up what it is today.

With my eyes glued to the gun, I take one last deep breath, I tighten my bouncy hair one more time, and with that I am ready.  I am ready to show the world what I’m made of.  Everything led up to this moment.  The hours of pushing and sweating, the ups and the downs, the technique, I have all I need. 

I take a few steps back from the thick white line, and patiently wait for the man with the white hair and shiny gun to signal the beginning of my reign.  “On your marks, get set”; I feel my legs pounce up to the line. “BOOM”.  It is now every man for himself.  It is now me on my own, I blocked out the world, having one thing in sight.  The sport of running fits my personality almost as perfectly as my shoes fit my feet, so nothing is going to get in my way now.

WATCH ME.