Santa, Please Bring Me Some Sneakers

What would you do if your husband or wife gave you a nice pair of running shoes for Christmas?

Would you be offended? Would you take it as an unpleasant hint that you need to lose a few pounds?

Or maybe you’d grab those running shoes, shove them on your feet and lace them up perfectly to see how they fit.

I’m hoping you would do the latter. I know I hope to be.

I have never been a runner. I’ve never understood how people can run outside for an hour and be happy about it. Just thinking about running on the treadmill makes me wince.

I am the perfect example of someone who loves group exercise. I like talking to people, socializing as I sweat and making new friends in the process. I’m a group exercise instructor, go figure.

Yet, I did the unthinkable this year. I asked my husband to buy me some running shoes.

I didn’t ask for black leather boots or a cashmere sweater. I asked for sneakers.

Hear me out on this one.

I don’t plan on running every other day in the morning when it’s so dark you have to wear reflective tape. I’m not going to enter any half marathons either.

But sometimes I wish I didn’t have to drive over to the gym at a certain time of day, with or without the kids, to get my workout. Sometimes, I just want to walk out my door and start my exercise. And I know from my experience teaching fitness that proper footwear is important.

And that’s why I put a pair of Asics – hint, hint – on my Christmas list this year.

Come Christmas morning, that might just be me you see running around the neighborhood.

I’ll be sure to smile and wave.

Alice Warchol is a freelance writer and fitness instructor.

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