Am I A Trainer Snob?
I like nice clothes. It’s not a crime. Unless you steal them. Which I don’t.
I find spending more money on high quality clothes tends to be an investment because they last longer and I embrace that concept by wearing things to the bitter end. This inevitable demise came to my trainers the other day as I discovered a hole had worn through the sole, so I embarked upon a footwear based journey of self discovery.
Shopping is hard. Especially for someone as analytical as myself, there’s a lot of variables when choosing footwear. Different occasions , weather conditions, clothing combinations all need consideration and let’s not forget hypothetical scenarios… what if I have to jump a pool of acid, Climb a lamppost or kick a hedgehog? (NB. I would only kick a hedgehog if it would save human lives) What about the supermarket? I could slip on some grapes, a can of beans could fall on my foot… arrghhhh!?! Choice paralysis!
Shops came and went, I covered great distances and the daylight dwindled. As I was trudging back to the bus stop, defeated, I saw a generic shoe megastore was still open. I ventured in… What delight, thousand of shoes, all utterly sh*t! My options diminished in seconds, if only I’d thought of going to rubbish shoe shops earlier! The only remotely suitable shoes were some bland airwalks reduced to £9.99, we have a winner. Suddenly, I realised that my requirements aren’t that common, I don’t want people to think my shoes are good, being ‘on trend ’ is pretty shameful in my eyes.
So why, given my general misanthropy, was I reluctant to wear these shoes? I don’t care what people think of me, so am I really a trainer snob devoid of rationality?
‘‘No!’’ I declared defiantly as I headed to the tills.
On my way home I pondered what was distressing me, ‘It can’t be just because they were cheap, I’m not that shallow’. Admittedly, no self respecting skater would wear them- but I haven’t skated in years. Here’s my conclusion, at some point in my youth, the brand had sold out in my mind and now (for me) they represented style over substance, perception over function and ironically that’s what was frustrating me.
Needless to say, when I got home I ‘debranded’ my shoes and they do the job just fine.
Am I a trainer snob? Perhaps a bit… but at least I’m not paying for it.
Finally, I need to congratulate myself. I have just bought the nicest asics running shoes that I have ever owned. LA Marathon, here I come! Maybe I am a trainer snob…
