I'm talking about real running shoes for actual running, not the cute fashion sneakers that are popular at the moment.

I had to buy new runners last week. I haven't had a new pair in at least six years. I went to several stores that specialize in running gear, as well as generalist stores like Sportchek, and in all of them, I was faced with a wall of HIDEOUS CLOWN SHOES in eyewatering patterns and chaotic combinations of "lady" colours, many of which were so vivid they could probably be seen from space.

I'm not all that fussed about the appearance of my running shoes -- they are gear, after all -- but come on. It's like all the designers used to work for Hasbro making My Little Pony toys. They must know that we have no choice -- if you need runners, you need runners. I looked at the wall of men's shoes, and while there were a few neon choices, there were also lots of plain white and subtle blue options. In the end, I settled on a hot pink pair that aren't too bad -- at least they're mostly all the same colour, and no weird shapes or glitter. And they feel like clouds on my feet.

I saw this cartoon yesterday and actually laughed out loud. The illustrator nailed it!