Are you man enough to put on some high heels and run in one of Grand Junction's signature events? If so, you can join forces with other teams and compete in the "Men in Heels Race" coming up Thursday, September 12.

Gentlemen, not only will the high heels make your legs look ultra-sexy, but they'll also give you a less-than-competitive edge for this race. No doubt you can imagine the fun, and potential buffoonery, that comes with men in heels.


When it is all said and done, this event benefits Hilltop's Latimer House, providing shelter and services to those affected by domestic violence. The race is fun, and all for a great cause.

The crew at the station competed in last year's event. I very proud to say our team, the Heels Angels, came in dead last. I knew we were in trouble when I looked at our five-man team and realized that I, at the age of 48, was the youngest member of our team by almost a decade.

Check Out Your Favorite Men In Heels, Grand Junction
Tim Gray
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So, how does one get in shape for an event such as this? Trust me, it's harder than it looks. Courtesy of Fashionlady, here are some helpful training tips:

  • Strengthen your ankles and perform ankle strengthening exercises for a week before you want to wear high heeled shoes.
  • Stretch your feet and ankles before wearing high heels. Build strength in the ankle area to run around in heels. This will help in reducing the chances for injury and damage.
  • Before making the decision of running in high heels, learn how to walk perfectly in them. It is important to balance yourself and run without falling.
  • Opt for thick or wide heels which will give your feet ample support. Running in stilettos can be dangerous and lead to sprained ankles.
  • While running around in heels, be cautious about any holes and uneven surfaces. It is hard to walk or run in high heels when you are walking on grass.
  • Practice perfect posture for running on high heels – Stand straight, make sure your hands are 6 cm away from your side and point your palm to the floor.
  • While you are walking on a flat surface, press the heel of your foot to the ground. Do this with the other foot and keep your posture while running. Add in some few hip swings into the run for cutting down the strenuous effort and for more bounce.
  • While running down the steps, it is easy to be on your toes. Lift the heel a little above the ground and step down in a way your foot lands in that position.
  • While running on pavement or sidewalk, ensure that your heels don’t get caught up in any surface or groove.

The suggestion about "add in some few hip swings into the run for cutting down the strenuous effort and for more bounce" is particularly helpful. I think that's what our team did wrong last year. Not enough hip swing. We won't make that mistake again.

Are you man enough to sport some heels and compete in this race? Training begins now! The event kicks off at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 12, during the final Downtown Farmers Market on Colorado Avenue between 4th and 5th. Register online at Meninheelsrace.org. Oh, and as an added bonus, this year's race will be televised on Fox4 starting at 5:30.

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