I now actually own running shoes. The walking shoes I had been training in are now re-relegated to "walking shoe" status.
I bought these new shoes yesterday. Like the Steem-esque color scheme?
Yesterday I went to Xebio, a popular sporting goods shop here in Japan. On the advice of
a good friend, I went to have my feet analyzed by their machine--called "foot navi"--before committing to a purchase. This was the best thing I could have done. Thank you, 
After standing on the sensor and letting one of the staff run the analysis, I was presented with the above printout, showing detailed data about my feet and their size, weight distribution, etc. As I had expected, my feet register as "super wide." I also found out that my left foot is about half a centimeter longer than my right. Interesting.
Anyway, they proceeded to set me up with some great shoes (pictured above). The first pair I tried on were Asics, and they felt great, but were out of my price range. The next pair were these great, "Steem-colored" New Balances. I laced them up and went out for my first run in real running shoes when I got home.
Yesterday's Run:
DISTANCE: 4.02 miles
THEME SONG: "U Can't Touch This" - MC Hammer
Playlist so far:
"Under the Pressure" - The War on Drugs
"Somewhere" - Soundgarden
"Owner of a Lonely Heart" - Yes
"Rose Garden" - Lynn Anderson
"Napalm Love" - Air
"Lips Like Sugar" - Echo and the Bunnymen
"Truth Hits Everybody" - The Police
"U Can't Touch This" - MC Hammer
Haruki Murakami - WHAT I TALK ABOUT WHEN I TALK ABOUT RUNNING.
One foot in front of the other. That's the thought for today, and about all I can manage sometimes!
(If you missed the last MARATHON BLOG post, 12, you can find it HERE. If you want to know why I am keeping this blog please check out this post: "Signing Up for Niigata City Marathon! Running in Name of Steem, Freedom!")
~KafkA
Graham Smith is a Voluntaryist activist, creator, and peaceful parent residing in Niigata City, Japan. Graham runs the "Voluntary Japan" online initiative with a presence here on Steem, as well as Facebook and Twitter. (Hit me up so I can stop talking about myself in the third person!)