All I need

My favorite part of the day is when I slip on my running shoes. I feel them lace up around my foot perfectly, I know the miles they hold. We just run and they understand me and we share the pain and the strength. They become slightly worn each time we meet, their soles are left on the road and they know its a love hate/relationship between us. They don't care if my clothes match or if my hair is done, they just beg for the punishment of the pavement, a sentence I gladly give them with each step.
They don't judge my gender, they don't care if I am emotional or if my nails are painted. We just run and they know my sweat and blood, those moments of triumph and they always fit no matter what. Like a good friend they never judge and have learned how to deal with me when I am having a bad day. It is the heat of steps that bond us, even though I understand they have a short life and I must reacquaint myself with another pair eventually. But we don't speak of that, we don't speak of anything, we just run, in the sun and in the rain, we each release a sigh of relief to know that for that short time we are together no one will tell us what to do or how to do it, where to go or that we aren't good enough. We just run, through the good days and the bad, and without having to tell them, they know that they are the best part of my day.