We are of the class of people who like to stock up on all the perfect gear before we decide if we like a hobby. It’s a naughty habit which we are trying to curb. And when I say we, I mean Henrik. The most recent trial hobby has been photography. We are now proud owners of a digital SLR and are very well on our way to being well equipped with all the bells and whistles. Now we’re on to the next...running.

Like I said, we’re trying to curb stocking up on all the fancy gear, but there is one must. The combined age of Henrik and my running shoes is older than Henrik. We read a few articles on good shoe choice, clipped out a few test reviews and headed to downtown Hamburg. An hour and a half later Henrik was the proud owner of a pair of Supernova Glides and I left empty handed. This seems to be a reoccurring theme in our history. I can remember the lovely shopping trip 4 years ago when Henrik left with 3 new pairs of shoes and I ended up with a pair of pity socks. But this time it was different. They wouldn’t sell me a pair of shoes because they said I over pronate (ankles turn inward) so much I need to have my feet checked and have insoles made before I buy new shoes.

So I left pretty bummed, thinking my career as a marathoner was over. A few hours later I put on my old running shoes and off I went feeling ready to take on the challenges that lie ahead, bad feet and all.