able to find three identical pairs. Variety is not important; in fact, I prefer a uniform. Less to think about. I did think that it was too bad about the black shorts because they have side pockets that zip closed—no need to tie my key to my shoes—and as I looked ahead to running the Vermont 100-miler in July I thought how convenient it would be to tuck some GU packets and my pill case with Advils into my pockets rather than in my sports bra. I have not had to change shorts in a 100-miler yet, so maybe this one pair will see me through.

Most important to me on this trip though—the motivating force—was to stock up on a few pairs of the shoes I had come to love, and which, for that reason, I was sure would be discontinued before too long. They are called Air Prestos, and they are similar to the Huarache in that they are very light and have a socklike fit. As someone who primarily runs ultras, I always thought I needed more shoe, but I don’t. It just took me 20 years to really figure that out.

I’m actually much happier in a bargain-basement environment where all the shoes are out on the floor and you can scan the inventory yourself; but here at Niketown there is a relatively small display with one sample per style, and the actual shoe must be requested and sent from another floor. This takes time, so I sat down among a group of women trying on shoes. I realized I was surrounded by European tourists who were checking out some of the retro styles that Nike has

revived. They had cameras and subway maps and guidebooks. I have to say, though, that despite some of the inconveniences—low inventory, few sales, having to wait for things to be sent up—I was taken in and enjoyed the energy and the no-expense-spared look of the store.

As I sat there, I looked forward to taking my purchases to the gym, changing, and heading out to Central Park for a loop or two in my new clothes and—more important—new shoes. I had worn my current pair of shoes almost down to the nub, and a hard 50K and marathon seemed to be the nails in their coffin lid. With 20 years of mileage on my 35-year-old body, Inow notice that old shoes bring on some aches. A bruise on my shin and a slight pain in my right hip were gentle, but constant, reminders. In past years I had been known to buy as few as two pairs of shoes a year with no ill effects or injuries, even though I was running more than 5,000 miles a year. When [ heard that one rule of thumb was to get new shoes every 500 miles, I was sure it was dreamt up by a shoe company. I am still skeptical of that 500-milerule, but laverage about four pairs a year now.

I started running in high school, joining both the cross-country and track teams, but did not compete in college. I just ran miles and miles on my own, for my personal satisfaction. Thad one regular running partner, but truthfully neither of us knew much about the sport and we just sort of made up our own routine as we saw

September/October 2002