The B!&$# Knee and Why You Should Shop Local

I fell in love with the wood floors the moment we first walked into our house. They were original to the 1935 structure and added so much character. Some spots are worn and others are perfect. They are cool under your feet and, if you hit the right spot, they creak.

Just like my knees seem to be lately.

I noticed it a few weeks ago when I went down to the basement to do some laundry. Each step seemed to ache, just behind the knee cap. It didn't hurt. It wasn't uncomfortable. Just stiff and achy. I didn't think much of it at the time.

However, as time has passed, I've noticed it more and more. It's not necessarily more frequent or a stronger sensation but it's there. After each time I run, the steps are a bitch. Well, my knees are. The steps are just steps.

I decided that the answer had to be new shoes. If anything hurts and is related to running, the first answer is always get a new pair of shoes. I had already been drooling over the Ravenna 6 colors so a fresh set wouldn't be a hard sell.

Hello, I love you!

Finding the time to actually buy them and, to be honest, the money would prove a bit more difficult. (Miles will go to Pre-K this school year, and I basically sign away my paycheck every time a letter comes from the school.)

So I decided to think about what else it could be – too many plyometrics in boot camp classes, uneven road conditions on my regular routes and the stupid baby weight. I tried to reduce my ground contacts in class and reversed my runs. As for the extra weight ... well, I'm trying but it's stubborn and I'm frustrated.

Anyway ,,,

I decided that I needed to get a little guidance before I splurge on shoes or get hurt. Via Facebook, I messaged the shoe guy from my running store. (You know my running store because if I owned it, I wouldn't worry about money for shoes.)

The conversation that occurred is why you need to find a good, local running store and stick with them.

• He remembered that I was wearing a lighter shoe last summer. He said that the heavier Ravenna might be too clunky for me now. The extra cushioning, too, could be causing my gait to be less efficient and thus causing the knees to be sore.

• He knows that pregnancy can change foot size and gait.

• He asked more questions. Where was the pain and when did I feel it? Where was I running?

• He recommended stretching and other changes before coming into buy new shoes.

There was a small part of me that was disappointed that new shoes wasn't the first thing I said but I was so impressed that helping me wasn't about giving me a pitch. He knows that creating a good rapport with a customer will lead to a sale. And not just one but many.

I could only hope that my knees are as nice as my shoe guy. I'm doing my stretches and getting down with the ice and Deep Blue oil, and I feel confident that things are going in the right direction. I suspect I'll head into the store in a month or two when the miles add up on my Ravennas. Then, he'll get the sale and I'll have some fresh kicks.

Babbling Brooks

I don't think I had ever been happier to see a glass of wine.

After spending a half-hour on the verge of a complete meltdown, panicking that I had lost $100 cash intended for a new pair of shoes - when in fact I had spent it on groceries - I needed something to bring me down. Get me in the spirit of things.

And by things I mean Ladies Night at Three Rivers Running Company.

The shop has hosted the event for a few years now - and I have been twice before - but Saturday was my first time attending the event in its year-old location, and I found it to be quite the night. The larger space allowed for tons of socializing, and the store was able to put out a spread of fruit and wine along with samples of chews and various nutrition bars. (The bars were at vendor-type tables with representatives from Shakeology and Advocare.)

There was also representatives from Girls on the Run, on-the-floor bra fittings and a fashion show, which featured this super cute Brooks shirt (color 955) that I just couldn't bring myself to buy. Extra skin + sheer fabric is not a match made in heaven.

As for me and Brooks shoes, that turned out to be another story. I've always considered myself to be a Nike girl, and I had intended to buy the updated Nike Structure Triax while I was there. The always knowledgeable Casey advised me that Nike had made some changes, and some customers weren't happy with the new feel. I had heard some rustling of this online and when the store didn't have the shoe in a 7.5, I took it as a sign to try for something new.

Seriously, if you live in Northeast Indiana, come here to buy shoes. They KNOW them.

I tried a style of Adidas that are similar to the Triax but even with some adjustment on the lacing, I found it to be too wide in the heel. As I jogged in my jeans - keeping it classy, folks, I tell ya - on the treadmill, I felt as if my heel was slipping out. No good. No good at al. There was another shoe, though. One that was a bit lighter. One that could work.

The Brooks Ravenna.

I've always wanted to wear Brooks (for no rational reason) but have never liked a pair that I tried on, resigning myself to the fact that I couldn't #runhappy. So it was with trepidation that I tried them on. But like Cinderella, once the beautiful purple shoe slid on my foot, I felt like a running princess. A princess who could take on a BQ.

Or another glass of wine.

And I did, wandering the store, hanging out with my friend Chris and chatting with the ladies. It was a lot of fun, a welcome surprise for going alone and on the verge of tears. Maybe it was the wine or maybe it was all of the ladies who were so open and friendly, reaffirming my love for the running community.

What did you do this weekend? Any races?