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Diana Schwenk, health, Hump Day Chronicles, lessons, life, prepared, tools, uncomfortable shoes, wisdom
I may as well have been wearing these shoes…
Yesterday I had a meeting about 22 blocks away from where I’m located. The meeting was in an area of town that is just crazy with traffic and not the easiest place to get parking – especially over the lunch hour!
So I decided to walk; which is great – I love walking – no problem.
I figured this way I could take care of several things at once. You know, go to my meeting, get my daily walk in and enjoy a beautiful spring day.
So I put on my business wear and searched for a comfortable pair of shoes. Here’s the dilemma, all my good walking footwear is casual, all my business shoes have heels and/or pointy toes. I did manage to dig up a pair with a very low heel and they sparkled gold in the spring sun – perfect!
For just a moment, I played with the idea of tucking my TOMS Classics into my bag but quickly decided against it. I should have listened to that voice!
Suffice it to say that by the time I got home (round trip almost 45 city blocks) my feet were hurting something awful. When I took off my shoes, I was afraid to look. So I took a deep breath, closed my eyes, counted to three and looked down to find blistered and bloodied toes. (I know, gross visual – sorry) 🙂
Needless to say, I’m now on a mission to find that elusive shoe that says business and comfort. Any suggestions?
~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~
Lesson re-learned: Don’t ignore your inner voice!
talktodiana 
Great photo, Diana! Well, it is useful to find a pair of shoes…preferably low, wide heel base with treads/rubber non-slip. Lots of choice compared to a decade ago. It just depends how much $$$ you’re willing to pay.
I understand. I’ve been wearing customized orthotics for past 15 years. I cannot walk that type of distance in dress shoes.
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Apparently, neither can I! I am currently on hunt for the perfect shoe. If I find it I will let you know!
Diana xo
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Ouch! A hard lesson about heeding that hunch. I’ve overlooked it at times and paid dearly too. Great post Diana, and best of luck finding the right and perfect shoes for business AND walking. 🙂 hugs, Gina xo
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Thanks Gina!
Diana xo
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Nothing worse than that – may I suggest a Calgary based shoe store by the name of Arnold Churgin.
http://www.arnoldchurgin.com/
Although on the pricier side, I always found the shoes I bought there to be highly durable and super comfortable while not sacrificing style. I swear I had a pair of shoes from there that lasted 5 years, and they would’ve lasted longer had I not moved to Korea and downsized.
Hope your tootsies are on the mend!
~Andrea ❤
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Andrea, I’ve bought shoes there before and you’re right, they’re very comfortable! My feet are fine. They felt better within minutes of taking those shoes off!
Diana xo
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OUCH!
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A perfect executive summary Julie!
Diana xo
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Haha!
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Oh your poor feet, you should had walked in better shoes and took the nice looking ones in a bag to change into when you got there but live and learn I guess
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Yes. I should have. I won’t be doing that again while this experience is fresh in my memory, I can tell you that!
Diana xo
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Do get some comfy shoes… well worth it! …and there are some nice good looking comfy shoes around! Hope your feet feel better soon, Lavender footbaths are lovely!
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Thanks Ute, Lavender everything is lovely! ❤
Diana xo
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ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch…
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Yes. OUCH! 🙂
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So … Changing shoes on the sidewalk is an issue. Just saying ‘cos it isn’t an issue for me …
Find shoes that work – and let me know 😉
p.s. European 39 C. US 8 C.
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You’re adorable Val! Thanks for the chuckle. ❤
Diana xo
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Dianna Ferrari have a good range that cover both types of wear 🙂
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So, why not wear your walking shoes and just carry your business shoes? There are lots of attractive carry-bags out there (and should be cheaper than a new pair of shoes, non?; )
Just sayin’: )
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Oh, and DO be sure to do a hot, salt-water soak once or twice a day to help heal those tender tootsies tout de suite!
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They felt better almost immediately after taking my shoes off!
Diana xo
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yeah but new shoes is fun! 😉
Diana xo
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OUCH! You’re a wise woman an I have no doubt you’ll find an effective solution. Based on the description of your feet after the walk, sooner would probably be better! ;-D!
Russ
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Russ, I was actually surprised at how quickly my feet stopped hurting after I took the shoes off! Thanks!
Diana xo
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I like the shoes above but anything by Clarke or Born usually works for me. Nothing worse than aching feet. I always carry moleskin with adhesive on the back in my purse for emergencies too, or even a band aid.
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You’re a smart woman!
Diana xo
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Gravity Pope sells them — these are the particular ones I have — http://www.gravitypope.com/shoes/product/22123-fly-london-p500382-015-pako I’m thinking of getting the red ones too.
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Thanks Louise! I will have to walk down the street and have a look! I bet I could wear those with dress pants too! 🙂
Diana xo
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haha — yup. listen to that inner voice!
One is to wear sneakers to walk and take the pretty shoes in your bag.
The other — I have a pair of black Fly shoes that are amazing — they’re funky, look good with leggings and skirts, have a bit of a platform and ultra ultra comfy. They’re not ‘pretty’ but they are cool to look at. I can, and have, walked miles in them.
🙂
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There’s no solution to this other than carrying comfortable shoes (which are usually sneakers or not very attractive shoes) and then slipping the professional ones on before a meeting. I just don’t think pretty shoes, even flat ones are comfortable for walking long distances, D. That’s just me though.
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I don’t like complete flats either. I want to find the perfect shoe or invent it! ❤
Diana xo
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Ah, the bane of women’s fashion. I like clogs- addicted to Dansko– and some of their flats are nice for pants, and fab for walking. Good luck! Easy Spirit, Clarks, ok too. Heels are the real issue.
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Thanks for the tips Lisa, I will check those out!
Diana xo
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Seen so many movies where they wear soft shoes for the walk and change to business shoes at the place of business… is that not on??
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I see that too. I don’t like it much haha and I don’t want to change my shoes out on the sidewalk! There’s got to be a stylish, low heel shoe I can walk in and if not, maybe I should invent it!
Diana xo
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Yes I would follow Rose’s advice. Poor you, I hope you’re feeling better!
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Much better, thank you Jennifer!
Diana xo
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Hell Diana those shoes in your image look like something out of a Medieval torture chamber. Hope your feet are feeling better.
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Thank you Don – my feet actually look worse than they feel now. It was most painful while walking!
Diana xo
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It’s simple. Find some no-heeled, non-pointy shoes, and rock it. Also, here where I live, many women wear their sneakers when they need to walk somewhere and put their “good shoes” in their bag to change into whenever they get where they’re going. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that!
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Yeah I used to do that when I had an office – worked well! But now I will have meetings in public places and I don’t want to change my shoes on the sidewalk or zip to the washroom to change. Know what I mean?
Diana xo
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I do know what you mean–but trust me on this–you’ll be sorry someday if you don’t do what’s best for your feet (and legs and back–because it’s true that the ankle bone’s connected to the shin bone, ect….). Just do it, despite “inconvenience” or concern about what others may think.
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You’re absolutely right Tracy! It would kill me not to be mobile. Who cares what others think!
Diana xo
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Okay, I was acting like a mother hen, but it’s only because I care. 🙂
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❤ !
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