Reflections on 2013.

We are entering into the final week of 2013, and as a year winds down and a new one is ready to usher in new opportunity, it's a good time to look back on the highs and lows of the previous year.  There are a few key moments that I keep thinking of when I look back on 2013, and I have chosen to share them with you.

January / February ~  As I rang in 2013 it was laced with sadness and an injury.  I was still dealing with a break up that was very difficult for me, and to make matters worse I was in physical therapy for a hamstring injury so I couldn't cope through running.  By mid-January I was three weeks away from having medical clearance to run and I needed something to look forward to on the calendar.  I decided to plan a road trip down to Kentucky to visit my brother and his wife, and meet my beautiful great niece.  On Valentine's Day I drove down to Lawrenceburg and embraced the change in scenery, took my time going through small towns, singing along to my XM radio, and embraced every new experience as a way to rejuvenate my temporarily downtrodden spirit.  Spending time with my family and enjoying a slower pace of life, I started to feel my spirits lift.  I met a friend of my brother and sister in law's and she had a significant impact on me.  She has just gone through a break up and had absolutely no problem talking about it - how hard it was, how awful she felt, how much she cried - she just put it all out there and was completely unapologetic about it.  That kind of authenticity and honesty isn't something you see very often, and it reinforced to me that it's okay to feel what you're feeling - we're all human, we have good days and bad, and you don't have to 'fake it' to get through things.  Just be who you are.  I was so thankful to have met her!


Woodford Reserve tour in KY!

Selfie with my brother. :)
 

March ~ My mojo really shifted in March.  With a happier mindset, starting running again, and having some promising things going on with work I was happy to be pleasantly surprised by a man who has proved to be the most loving, intelligent and engaging person I have met.  I was on a work trip in Orlando when he and I started talking, and it has been wonderful ever since then.  It proved the old adage true that you find what you're looking for when you stop looking for it. 

July ~ I think back to this month a lot.  I took a road trip to Colorado with three girls I coached when they were in high school, and are all sophomores in college now.  We had an amazing time of scenic runs, yoga at Red Rocks, fireworks over Breckenridge on the 4th,  singing along to Luke Bryan, cooking some hit or miss meals, and having a lot of laughs.  None of the girls had been to Colorado before so I loved showing them my favorite places, hiking to hard to reach places, and sharing my love for the mountains.
 

September/October/November ~ Cross country season was something for the story books - I still can't believe it.  Our season was highly decorated this year.  We won many meets, broke records, suffered devastating injuries, and still managed to pull off a state win - the first one in school history for the program!  I could not have been more proud of the girls I've pounded out so many miles with.  Seeing them all glow on that podium made all the early mornings, late nights, and 60+ hour work weeks worth while. 

December ~ Christmas was a very happy time for me this year.  I had a wonderful man to spend Christmas Eve with along with his family, and it was the feeling of 'home' I had wanted.  His nieces insisted I sit next to them at dinner, laughed with his parents, played games with his brother and his wife.  It was wonderful! Christmas Day was a relaxing day with my parents - grilling steaks, playing cards, watching A Christmas Story. 

Though this year had a bit of a rocky start, it really has ended up being the best year I have had.  I hope you all have some time to reflect on the year that is wrapping up and celebrate those moments that stand out to you.  Congratulations on your 2013, and I look forward to cheering you on in your successes in 2014 as well. 

 "Have a dream, make a plan, go for it. You'll get there, I promise."____Zoe Koplowitz, Achilles Track Club member with multiple sclerosis, who required 24 hours on crutches but finished the 1993 New York City Marathon. 

 

Sometimes It's A Grind

It can be easy to assume that a person that has been running consistently for 23 years sails through most of their runs, adds miles easily, and finishes every workout with a smile.  I can tell you with certainty that it isn't true for me.  At least right now. 

As you may have read in earlier posts of mine, I was approaching this training plan with a different mindset and decided to truly let my body rest and fully repair before I started logging miles again to prepare for 2014.  I purposely let myself get out of shape so that when I started running again my body would stay healthy since it had ample time to heal up from all the wear and tear of the year.  I still think it's a great game plan, but WOW - does getting back into shape blow sometimes. 

Ever since I have been running distance things always feel like a grind until I get to the point that I'm comfortably running ten milers.  Then I can add miles with ease, my soreness is minimal, and I enjoy my workouts a lot more.  Today I did a 'long' run of seven miles and it was honestly tough.  A big part of that was the footing I was running on - It's a balmy 39° in southern Wisconsin today so of course I headed outside to log the miles, not really mentally preparing myself to sill have an ample amount of slop and snow to trudge through. 

I accept that I am where I should be right now - I shouldn't be fast, I shouldn't be effortlessly running 12 milers, I'm right where I need to be - rebuilding. Though it is hard to think back to past times when I could have done a 20 miler in today's conditions and still felt just fine.  It's a continuous cycle for us runners - we're always in states of building, maintaining, peaking, or resting due to us choosing to rest, or our bodies deciding for us.  I'm happy I'm re-building after consciously choosing to rest, but WOW - it schooled me today. 

I ran for the second time with my new GPS watch (the NikePlus - thank you wonderful boyfriend!) and I was surprised that I still managed to average close to 8:30 miles with the conditions, but it felt more like ten minute miles.  I intended to stop and take some pictures to share since it was absolutely gorgeous out there, but I was very well aware that if I stopped much I'd lose my gusto much more quickly. I did manage to stop and get a couple great pictures of people ice skating on a pond I ran past - it was very Normal Rockwell! 

Realistic Advice for New Runners, and 3 Tips to Help Stick With It

So it's that time of year.  Two of the three holidays that make up the 'holiday season' are over, you have a layer of cookies padding your waist line, and you're faced with New Years.  A time of resolutions, renewal, and promises of clean slates and fresh starts.  I often hear of people that decide they want to get back in shape, join a gym, do a triathlon, run three times a week, learn to rock climb, or learn to eat clean once the calendar turns to January.  I'm dedicating this blog entry to those people that have decided that they want to become a runner in 2014.   

Becoming a 'runner' can be an enticing goal.  You see those long, lean, graceful runners effortlessly gliding around Lake Monona with their perfectly fitting tights, streamlined reflective gear, and high tech watches, and they make it look SO easy.  You think back to cheering on a friend at the finish line of a race last summer and think about how much you wanted to be in their place.  To know how it felt to cross a finish line and get congratulatory hugs and high fives from friends and strangers. 

Of COURSE you want that to be your 2014 goal.  Your clothes fit better, your energy level is higher, you would make healthy, runner friends.  You could hang a race medal in your office to spur casual conversation with people that walk by.  It all sounds good - right?  Well, if that's the goal you have for yourself, I want to do you favor, and tell you what to really expect.  And also give you a little guidance to keep at it when motivation is running low and you'd rather order a pizza and watch three episodes of Dexter than head out the door on a run. 

First of all, it isn't going to feel good.  Not at first.  The rule of thumb is that the first mile of any run is always the hardest, so when you're starting from ground zero and building up to just doing a mile, expect it to feel more like a grind through a battlefield than a walk in the park.  But it will get easier - I promise. 

You will have aches, pains, and soreness.  If you haven't been doing much of anything for at least 6 months, your body will need to adapt to the rigors of working out again.  Just because you're sore or feel creaky when you get out of bed the next day does not mean you should stop - those aches are your body adapting to doing work!  Embrace it as reinforcement that you're challenging yourself and improving!

And lastly, progress is slow.  If you expect to go from jogging ten minutes your first time out, to running a 5 miler in 40 minutes two weeks later, that's highly unlikely.  It can be hard to make a big lifestyle change - you want positive reinforcement and noticeable results right away! But patience and a slow build is key when you're starting out.

So here are three things to help you be fully prepared to do the work and reach your goal of 'runner' status in 2014.

1 - SHOES.  You need good shoes.  It's critical.  You can get away with going  minimalist and cheap on every other aspect of running, but if you have crap shoes, it will show.  Quickly.  And if you're thinking that the $40 pair of Asics walking shoes you picked up at Kohl's 6 years ago counts as 'new' because you have only worn them three times, you still need new shoes.  Do yourself a favor and give yourself the best running chance at succeeding - go to a local running shoe store and get fitted by a professional.  It makes a WORLD of difference, and you often times find a better return policy at specialty running stores than at big box stores like Dick's or Sports Authority.  You should expect to pay at least $100 for a good pair of shoes, or even more.  Mine run around $145 retail.  (I would hate for you to have sticker shock and decide to stay in your 2005 Keds because you don't want to part with the money.)  If you don't have a specialty running store near you, go to Runner's World Shoe Finder and do some research before heading out to a store to try them on. 

2 - SET REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS.  Just because you ran a 6:15 mile in seventh grade doesn't mean you can do it now.  If you haven't worked out at all in more than three months, and you have a sedentary job, start out with a mix of walking and jogging.  If you have had really minimal activity, jog a minute and then walk a minute.  If you've had a bit more activity in your life, do 5 or 10 minutes jogging and 5 of 10 minutes walking.  It's not quite the run you had in your head of cruising around Monona Bay and then running a few repeats up Bascom Hill, but even the best runners had to start somewhere.  Sprinting immediately when you get out the door will make you feel awful waaaay faster than starting slowly, so take your time.  Speed comes with the more miles you put in, so don't kill yourself to prove something to your inner 7th grader. 

3 - FIND TRAINING PARTNERS.  If you have a friend, co-worker, or even on-line training buddy, it will be enough to hold yourself accountable.  People who want to improve themselves are all around you - maybe you have a co-worker that will want to be your running buddy at lunch.  Maybe finding a beginners running group is more your style.  Local gyms and running shoe stores are goldmines for running groups for all abilities.  Check out their website, or better yet - ask about their running groups when you're in there buying your new shoes! 

Good luck to all my readers that are planning to enter the world of running!  It's hard work, some of your toe nails may fall off, you may struggle wearing those heels to work or for a night out, and your bed time may get quite a bit earlier, but it's worth it.  You won't be winded going up the stairs, you make instant friends when you spot a race shirt you know or see someone else with your same running watch on.  You start to know exact mileage to different places around your town, you have a healthy stress reliever, and you can proudly call yourself a runner!

10 Last Minute Gift Ideas For That Runner on Your List Who Already Has Everything

Runners are often a type A, decisive bunch.  If we see something we want, and we think it will improve our running in some way, we typically find a way to get it.  Right away.  So if you have someone like that left on your list and you have no idea what to do for them since they have everything already, give this a read.  Hopefully it gives you some giving inspiration!

1 - Socks.  Sure, you think  back to your childhood, opening up a box of socks from your grandma.  And wishing there was anything else in there but socks.  But to a runner it's different.  You can't ever have enough.  Most runners are particular to a specific brand/style, so try and at least find out if they prefer thin or thick socks, and go from there.  Getting them something they haven't tried in a fun color can end up being something the love and put on their list for next year! (That's exactly how I ended up in my Thorlos of all different colors - thanks mom and dad!)

2 - Start a memory board for them.  As runners we end up with a lot of running photos, race numbers, congratulations cards, space blankets....  I had my stuff tossed in a box for years until I came a cross a couple bulletin boards.  I have added special running memorabilia for a few years now and they look like this:  To get one started, print a few  running pics of theirs, try and snag a couple race numbers they have lying around, and maybe print out a race review from Runner's World that they've run.  Get it started and give it to them to finish.  I'm sure Pinterest has a zillion way cooler ideas than what I have made for myself, but you get the idea. :)

3 - TriggerPoint Foot and Lower Leg Kit.  I've only used these a little bit when I was dealing with plantar fasciitis in 2011, but it is a great gift for any runner.  It helps massage out knots in your calves and feet, it comes with an instructional dvd so you know exactly how to use them, and it can really make a huge difference in heading aches and pains off at the pass, or ending up injured down the road.  It's a great proactive gift for any runner!

4 - Running Related Christmas Ornament.  You may think it's cheesy and over done, but the more running related stuff I see on my tree, the more I love it. I have some that are store bought, and some that my mom made for me out of Shrinky Dinks that she designed off of the logos for milestone races of mine. 

5 - Lightweight Running Jacket.  As runners, we can't have enough of these.  Try to find one in a color that is different than what is already in their rotation.  Big things we like in a jacket is to be wind resistant, have ample zipper pockets, have a little hole inside a jacket pocket so the cord of your earbuds can slide through (if this sounds weird to you, just look for it - most jackets have those these days), and for the sleeves to be long enough.  Maybe that's me because I have abnormally long arms and no one told me?  At any rate, a gift receipt is a good idea here.

6 - Fun Pair of Arm Warmers.  You can't ever have too many of these either!  They make long sleeved shirts obsolete, so the more you have in rotation, the better.  Get a fun color or design, any specialty running store should have a good selection, and sizing isn't tough to figure out.   

7 - The Performance Enhancing Kokopelli from Trail Runner Nation.  This is a fun design for a temporary tattoo that was created by the clever folks at Trail Runner Nation (the best podcast ever, by the way).  You can get them in black or pink (or a combo pack of both!) - 20 for only $10.   If the runner on your list is into trail running they could use these.  Encourage them to take a picture of their strategic placement of their Kokopelli and send it in to Trail Runner Nation - they could appear on their website/Facebook/Twitter! 

8 -  Magnetic Key Holder.  This is more along the line of a stocking stuffer, but would be oh so useful for every runner I know.  We often drive our cars somewhere to start a run, and then especially in the heat of summer - where do we put our keys?  Some stash them under a bush, put them behind the gas cap, or run while holding a pound of clinking, janitor style keys.  This could all be avoided if we had one of those little magnetic key holders that we could stash in one of our wheel wells (or somewhere more creative).   

9 - A Road ID. This is a form of ID for your beloved runner to wear as a wrist band or shoe tag that is custom made to have their name, phone number, name and number of a loved one, and any other important info (if they are diabetic...).  They come in all sorts of colors, ship quickly, are inexpensive, last a LONG time, and are a great way to show your runner that you care and want them to be safe. 

 

10 - Transition & Seat Wrap by Orange Mud. This thing looks AWESOME, and is SUCH a good idea.  It was recently shown in Runner's World, and I have to admit - I want it too.  It's a towel with a zipper on one end, so it slips over the headrest in your car and stays there, and a belt also runs through the length of the towel so you can use it as a cover up in you need to.  It's genius!  The belt allows you to stealthily change your shorts without getting an indecent exposure ticket, and having a way to get it to actually stay put out your seat is fantastic.  A perfect gift for that runner who has everything already!

Happy shopping my friends - I hope this helps with your last minute gift buying!  (tick tock tick tock- Christmas Eve is just one week away!)

A Partnership to be Written in Pencil

Just recently I have been writing about how happy I was to be training again, my quest for the right shoe, and I was cruising right along.  Until I wasn't.  I have been battling a cold for the past 10+ days now, and not the standard issue cold, but the kind that holds on like grim death.  Last night it was at its worst - no meds of any kind helped, I was only semi-comfortable sitting up with my mouth  hanging open, and my sore nose glowed like Rudolph's.  I had gone for a couple runs early on in my illness only to see that I felt much worse the day after (thanks for pointing that out my dear training log). 

This is exactly what I've been feeling like lately. Yuck!

In an act of desperation last night I resorted to trying out a couple old wives tales pared with as much sleep as possible.  After sleeping for 11 hours with half an onion next to my bed and fresh garlic rubbed on the bottom of my feet, I felt the tide turn.  By this afternoon my congestion was about 80% relieved, and my lungs only half as tight as yesterday.  So naturally I started thinking about the necessary adjustments I'd have to make to my training plan to get back on track.

Eleven years ago when I first started getting into distances longer than a half marathon I was not quite so flexible.  If I felt a cold coming on, but my Hal Higdon training plan called for a 38 mile week, you'd better believe that I'd be getting all my miles in, even if it meant carrying a backpack full of Kleenex and running a pace comparable to that of a turtle.  I was a slave to the plan, and in my mind, they were all written in pen.  No changes allowed, if it was on the calendar, it had to be done.

My approach to training is much different now.  I realize and accept that my miles need to be approached with flexibility and mindfulness.  I no longer look at my body as something to be conquered, but something to be partnered with .  I am only 35, but have been running consistently now for 23 years, so working with my body is a priority if mine if I want to be running for another 23 years.  Tonight I will re-work my dry erase board to modify what I had already planned out for myself, and know that it doesn't put me behind, it just changes my approach.  I am working with myself and not against it to get me to the line in April, with my primary goal of being healthy when I get there.  A partnership dictated in pen is not the way to get myself there, but instead to move ahead with flexibility and moderation, in pencil. 

"It’s better to be 10% undertrained than 1% overtrained when you step up to the start line."

Grattitude for Running

If there is ever a time when you think about running a lot more than normal, it's when you're injured or you're sick.  And right now I'm sick.  I've been battling a cold for more than a week, and thanks to my new habit of keeping a running log, I clearly saw a pattern early on that on a day that I started feeling better I'd run, then feel way worse the next day.  So here I sit, on my couch with my mango orange juice, kleenex, warm Breckenridge sweatshirt, a movie and my laptop.  Most of my day has been spent in and out of naps, perusing Pinterest, texting and snapchatting with friends, and looking through my Twitter feed.  As I indulged in social media and putzed around my apartment I realized - I am surrounded by constant reminders of how running has positively impacted my life. 

For one thing, you can literally see how running has infiltrated my world. I have Christmas ornaments on my tree that are plastic runners, home made ornaments of certain races I've done, even a plastic water bottle ornament.  My tree skirt is a space blanket from the Chicago Marathon.  Photos on my refrigerator show a kids running club I created and ran for a summer, a pre-race picture of me with my brother.  I have more running shoes in my closet than any other kind of shoes.  I have more running related and racing shirts than anything other clothing.  I love wearing my digital watch with dress clothes if it matches.  I am almost always wearing my Tiffany necklace from the Nike Women's Marathon in San Francisco in 2007.

 

Out two dinner with two lovely women I've met through racing. 
(and of course I'm wearing my Tiffany necklace)

I also noticed running's impact on my life through the people I talked to today - athletes I have coached that are now in college, a friend from high school that ran with me on my middle school team, feeling inspired by facebook posts from a friend in my running club who always looks at the world with excitement and positivity.  My life is filled with people that I have met through running, and I am extremely grateful for that.  There's always someone to bounce ideas off of, get inspiration from, commiserate with, laugh with, and run with. 

Other ways running is an ingrained presence in my life is more subtle.  I stepped outside to take my dog out this evening and the first thought I had when I hit the fresh air is that it was a perfect night for a run - it was a 'warm' 23 degrees, no breeze, a fresh dusting of snow on the ground so you have a little traction.  It's also noticeable in how I operate in my regular day.  Instead of walking to take my garbage out, I will run.  If I'm at work early or after hours and I have to get something off the printer, I'll kick off my shoes and jog there and back instead.  To wake up during the work day I'll stand up and stretch at my desk instead of sitting to look at loan files.  If I am faced with a particularly scary or stressful situation, I get in my 'marathon mindset' and tell myself that if I can run multiple marathons an ultras successfully, I can get through any situation. 

Something I never really took notice of until lately, is the actual health benefits of my running.  Overall, I'm really healthy. I have a great BMI, I carry Dresden's huge bag of dog food through Menards by myself without getting winded, nurses always comment on how low my blood pressure is.  I'm thankful I have a passion that is good for me so I've never needed to try all that hard to be healthy, since it just came with the territory. 

 

The x factor health benefits resonate more with me though - it's helped me to be more confident. I was a painfully self conscious kid growing up, so to have running give me a way to feel powerful and effective did wonders for me.  There are lots of chances I've taken in my adult life that I really don't think I would have had the balls to attempt if it wasn't for the years of running and racing under my belt. 

And to me what is bigger than all of that is how my running has impacted other people.  I landed my coaching job because the head coach saw me running trails at the Arboretum and followed me to the parking lot.  That moment changed my life completely - my running wasn't just about me anymore. I was an example to young runners. It was a way to complete the circle by giving back to them and teaching them the foundation to healthy running and all that comes from it.  They make me want to be my best as a runner and a person so they see a good example of a woman who leads a healthy, balanced life. 

Then there is the fundraising.  Many races sponsor a charity so entry fees and raising extra money is often a component of racing.  I have personally helped raise more than $8,000 for great causes.  It's great to think about that kind of contribution since at the time I looked at my fundraising more as fun and a way to network with other people, but I suppose it is something to be proud of. 

As much as I'm ready for this cold to run its course, it's nice to think about the role running plays in my life.  I am glad I had the drive to follow my passion and keep pushing the envelope with it.  It's definitely had its hard times, but I'd rather ride out the ebbs and flows of running and feel alive than lead a life devoid of passion, purpose or chance.  Happy trails my dear running friends - I hope you can all take a moment and honor the runner in you and acknowledge the good that comes from it.  Every step makes you, and your world better.

Shoe Update : Ready To Change Our Relationship Status

When I wrote a few days ago I told you all about my sad departure with my beautiful hot pink Asics Nimbus (Nimbus's, Numbuses, Nimbi, Nimbusss... whatever - the plural of Nimbus).  I had begrudgingly traded them in for the Asics Cumulus.  I tried my first run with them this weekend, and I didn't get a block away before I knew I couldn't stand them.  I guess in dating terms it would be the equivalent of getting up and walking out before your drink even hits the table.  What can I say, when you know, you know.  And I knew I didn't like them at all.

I threw on my last pair of training shoes since there's still some life in them and cruised around in the snow for 5 miles while singing along to a play list of Christmas music, Don Omar, and John Mayer.  I was finalizing my list of other shoe options on Monday before heading to Movin Shoes when it dawned on me that I could just try the Nimbus in a size bigger.  Not sure why I didn't think of that before?  I've been an 8 1/2 for as long as I can remember, but if moving into a 9 allows me to stay in my long-term shoe relationship with the Nimbus, then I was all for it!

My pal Tom was working that day and quick to accommodate my request for my dream shoe in a 9.  He knew me well enough to forewarn me that I wouldn't like the color, but at that point I just wanted something that hugged my feet in all the right places and made me feel like I was running on air.  When I opened the box I did cringe for a moment, but at least they weren't dark blue.  (I don't know why, but I really dislike that color on anything but jeans.)  I put on one of the new shoes, and kept my old training shoe on the other foot so I could feel a direct comparison.  After just about two minutes on their treadmill I knew - It was the one.  No pressure on the bridge of my foot, I could cross my toes without straining to do it, and the heel felt great.  SOLD!

Tonight I finally pounded out a 5 miler on my treadmill to start breaking them in and it felt great! As you can see below, even my dog approves.  I am happy with my new relationship and am ready to make it official - I'm ready to call them 'the ones' for the next 3 months before I start to rotate them out for a newer version. 

Dresden giving me his seal of approval.
 

Full Body Cross Training Workout For You

For those of you that don’t know me personally, I also have a personal training background in addition to my running. I went through the certification programs at the Monkey Bar Gym here in Madison, where I learned a lot on writing workouts that are very challenging, don’t take up much space, use your own body weight for most things, and are incredibly time efficient. Here is a workout that I did last week that ROCKED. I had the good kind of soreness for a solid two days. Keep in mind, this is just what I did and the weights I used. Modify what you want, change reps, weight, whatever – it’s just a fun, but challenging full body workout. Have a great week my friends!

On a side note – when I write in the number reps, that means total. For example, I put 24 reps – meaning 12 on each side. For mountain climbers I did 100, meaning 50 on each leg.

I used a set of ten pound weights, five pound weights, and one kettlebell that weighed 12ish pounds.
I linked youtube videos to the exercises for those of you that aren't familiar with some of these.

Mountain Climbers (100)
Wide Leg Sit Ups (from P90X) (25)
Kettle Bell Swings (alternating hands) (16)
Plank Alts (14)
Toe Taps (100)
Weighted Lunges (24) (I used two ten pound weights)
Mason Twists (100)
Renegade Rows (12)  (I took it easier on this one with just two 5 pound weights)
Lying Leg Raises (25) (I do the version with legs straight, and don't let my feet touch the floor)
Kettle Bell Cleans (20)
High Boat Low Boat – One minute, changing positions every ten seconds.

This is high boat low boat - one my my favorite ab combinations


I went through this workout twice at the specified number of reps, and then went through a third time, only doing half the reps but not taking any rest inbetween.  It was a great full body workout that didn't take a ton of time. I ran an easy mile to warm up beforehand amd did some stretching after.  Enjoy!

On Line Dating... For Shoes.

It's finally time to break out the winter running gear, follow an actual training plan, and start looking ahead to the 2014 racing season!  Though I feel like I've been waiting for this for a WHILE, I did truly enjoy my rest time.  It was nice to know that I was really doing something positive for my body, and embrace that being healthy doesn't mean hammering out hard miles all year.

A couple weeks ago I picked up a new pair of shoes to break in before I had to start running consistently, and I hate to say it.... but they weren't quite right!  I have been in the Asics Nimbus for probably.... more than 3 years?  Once I found them I fell in love, felt at home with the smooth ride, all the cushioning, and not to sound like a girl... but the colors were AWESOME.  There was something about the toe box and mid-foot that was narrower than normal, and though I wanted to just get used to it, remembering the stress fracture I had on the top of my left foot in college reminded me that undue pressure on the top of my feet as I add miles is probably not a good idea. 


These are the beauties that, sadly, I only spent 20 miles with. :(

I tried a couple pairs of different shoes on down at Movin Shoes and left with a pair of Asics Cumulus to try for a run, but I'm already unsure because of a little heel slip I noticed as I jogged back to my car. 

Don't you  just hate it when this happens??  You develop a close relationship with the running shoes you always run in . You share private moments with your shoes, they become your training partners, and you grow to have part of your identity tied in with the shoes you always pair up with.  So now what do I do?  I feel like I lost a running buddy!  Of course when I got home I felt like I had to do some on-line research to find an appropriate shoe partner to look into.

As I used the Runner's World Shoe Finder tool, I couldn't help but feel like I was in the on-line dating world, but for shoes!  I had to enter my gender, my height, weight, arch height (which I felt was a little personal... :), miles per week, pronation pattern.  I have found a few options that I'm hoping to try if this current pair doesn't win me over.  Our first date run will be on Saturday, so we'll see how it goes.  The Cumulus has big shoes to fill.... maybe that's not the right phrase to use when you're literally talking about shoes... but anyway - we will see.  Like any smart girl, you shouldn't have very high expectations of a first date, whether it's with a male prospect or a shoe prospect. 

But as for my first training week, it went great!  I am trying two new things to help me be as consistent and well rounded with my training as possible.  The first thing is that I bought a dry erase board calendar that I have  hanging in my kitchen.  I wrote all my planned workouts for the month on there and color coded the different components - running, stretching, yoga, abs, drills, and cross training.  My theory is that if I see them every day, I'll be more likely to do them.  Plus I love crossing things off lists, so that's an added motivation.  I also am keeping a running log for the first time.  Hopefully with those to added pieces to my preparation for racing season it will keep me on the right track, and help me spot issues faster than if I wasn't documenting my progression. 

So now I'm back to my shoe screening process - I'm hopeful I'll find 'the one' within the week, but we all know there's lots of duds you have to try on before you find something you can commit 300 miles of foot time with.