Tag: Mizuno

Running in Circles

Monday was a big day at work for a few reasons and by the end I was looking forward to a nice, easy recovery run after work. I chose the lake path again, partly due to the flatness after the previous day’s 10 and I because I thought it would be a good place to test out my new shoes. They fit great in the store but I had to go up a 1/2 size. When I wore them for the puppy walk on Saturday night, they felt too big, especially going downhill. Ruh-ro. This time out I paired them with my Pro Compression Trainer Low socks (love by the way) as they are a little thicker than my other socks. So much better!

My mother met me at the lake and we set out. I was feeling tired and my leg was not appreciating the heels that I had worn all day, so I wasn’t expecting much. After a 10 minute warm up walk, I broke away to run, not sure I was going to 3 laps or 4. I think the Sayonara’s had my legs a little confused. They forgot it was supposed to be an easy day. I averaged a 9:35 pace for the next 3 miles with forced walk breaks in each mile because I knew I should be running slower. 4.25 miles in total for the day. I felt pretty good in the shoes, but then it’s only been 8 miles. I was trying to pay extra attention to my form since I knew they were a lighter weight than I was used to, it did get a little sloppy towards the end. I will have to work on that next time. 🙂

Today was D-Day otherwise known as doctor day. After waiting so long, I was kind of afraid something was going to push it back again. I skedaddled out of work at 1:45 because I was afraid of any traffic issues. Of course, there were none so I ended spending some time in the parking lot. 🙂 For the first time, my mother joined me at the appointment. I just wanted a better answer so I was all for anything that might make him listen more. We were there for 2 hours, granted part of that was waiting in the waiting room. I was prepared for him to want to order tests, I was prepared for different medication; I was not prepared for was for him to admit that he needs another opinion. Umm, aren’t you the specialist? So I have a bunch of blood work I need to do followed by 2 new heavy duty antibiotics and then a histamine blocker? They are also working on a referral for a doc down in LA. Boo.

One of the antibiotics he initially wanted to prescribe dictated no strenuous exercise because it could damage your tendons. I guess I had my “hell no” face on because before I could say anything (or freak out) my mother spoke up. She implied that I could get really bitchy without running -haha- true story! He switched medications so I am still ok to run. It just means that once again I am going into a half marathon while on antibiotics. After getting out of the appointment I was just felt drained, and after 3 days of running/ walking I turned the evening into a rest day.

This week might end up with fewer running days but I am trying not to stress on it. I start class tomorrow and am trying to figure out how to do a business mixer and the gym on Thursday. I need to do my long run on Saturday because the company picnic (or beach day) is Sunday. This school thing is really throwing me off- when am I ever going to do business internationally anyways?

How about you guys? Ever wanted to snap at a doctor?

What company picnics? Yay, nay or never had one?

How has your week been?

Different Kind of Marathon

After Tuesday’s run debacle, actually it was more of a phone debacle than a run debacle, I was anxious to get over it. After work on Thursday, I had planned on running there but the wind had picked up and I did not want cold ears. Seriously, why do my ears get cold so easily? I went to the park instead. Once there, I found that it was super busy. Well, there were cars everywhere but when I got on the path, there weren’t a lot of people.

I set out for three laps of the lake. With the construction still going on, I decided to walk that section every lap. I figured with my luck, I would trip over an orange cone. I tried to keep my pace as steady as possible while still focusing on my form. Why is that so hard? It was a pretty good run. I kind of looked forward to the little walk break each time it came around. I finished out my laps and checked my Garmin. My pace was faster than planned and I didn’t feel like I was pushing too hard. Sweet! If only it be like that all the time. 🙂 There was some big shindig going at the park, so as I was walking out all sweaty, I had to walk through groups of people all dressed up. Oops!

Hey, that's pretty good :) — Hey, that’s pretty good 🙂

At work on Friday we had a sandwich potluck. We were celebrating the arrival of a new coworker and anothers birthday. It was fun and a healthier option for a potluck. Well, not counting the onion dip, that was just tasty. Plus it wouldn’t be a Friday without my usual Friday breakfast- healthy food fail.

I had 8 miles on the schedule for today. I knew my mother and I were heading into SLO to go shopping early, so I figured I would be running them in the evening. That was until we were shopping and running errands until 7:00 pm. Does a marathon of shopping count? Yeah, I didn’t think so. We hit a few stores before lunch. Lunch was Firestone as usual. I enjoyed my usual kid’s burger with bacon wrapped in lettuce. I’m such a grown up. 🙂 But guess what this grown up did? She didn’t order any fries!!! I think that’s a first, they have awesome fries.

That is when things got a little busy. A Homegoods recently opened in SLO and we had been waiting to check it out. So had the rest of the county apparently. The place was packed. Plus the store isn’t really set up for carts but you need a cart to carry your haul! There is so much to look at, we were there for a while. 🙂 The line to check out was freaky long but actually moved pretty quickly. I behaved myself and spent under 40 bucks. From there, it was time for the Running Warehouse.

I did something that I have never done before. I returned a pair of shoes. I tried, I really did, to like the Adrenalines but I just couldn’t. They felt like bricks on my feet. Plus, they had so much cushioning that the first few times I wore them, I had troubles feeling the gas pedal. At the SLO Marathon, I think I counted more than 10 people wearing them. I wanted to grab them and ask why???? What was I missing? I haven’t even worn them in a month. I have been wearing my old pink Inspire’s even though they kind of hurt and my Waver Rider’s. I felt kind of weird returning them. The service was awesome as usual. The only questions asked were what didn’t I like about them. Then we discussed the replacement. Thankfully, he said what I had been thinking. My pronation is similar in minimum support shoes and moderate to max support shoes so I may as well go with what is comfortable. So here is my shiny new pair of… Wave Rider 17’s.

Yep, second pair. Now I just have to decide if I want to use these just for races (after breaking them in) or save them for when my current ones are worn out. I was leaning towards the race idea but then I remembered that my next 2 races are on the beach. They will get wet and dirty. But no, they’re too pretty!

So all that combined with the usual Saturday errands turned into a Saturday of no miles. 😦 But there’s tomorrow right?

How was your Saturday?

Anyone have a race?

Should I save the shoes or just break them in?

Slacker Reboot -Training to SLO (and beyond)

Back in February, I had a few issues with my legs not feeling so good. I figured it was caused by overuse as the training plan that I had been following was a little overeager. The mileage that it was calling for was a little intimidating. 40 mile weeks are great for some people and in theory I like them, but come on, Slacker over here. Weeks 2-5 hitting 40 was yowza! I never actually hit that mileage but I was running more than I was used too. After the ugliness that was the Heart & Soles 10K, I took a week off resting my ankle, Achilles and basically my left leg and started fresh with a new plan. A Slacker Plan. I tried using it leading up to my half in March and I am planning on continuing with it through SLO and for the beach half I want to run in May (doh!).

I thought about what worked for me before 3 days a week and then I considered the fact that I want to run more races this year and continue to improve my times ( sub 2 please?!). Plus there was my goal of hitting 750 miles this year. So I decided on 4 days a week and decided to call it 4-5-6-SLR.And either 1 long run (L), or a track workout (S) or a race (R) on the weekend. Why does it need a name? Because I like names. Why so many letters? When I figured out the SLR almost looked like Slacker, I tried really hard to come up with a word for C or K, but no luck yet. 😦 Maybe someday I can graduate to 5-7-9 🙂 Kind of random, but does anyone else remember that store?

There are no set days and I can switch of the mileage and work out when I want. Plus, with 3 different towns and a treadmill to choose from, I have a lot of flexibility. And I don’t get frustrated when I miss a Track Tuesday or hill interval Wednesday because I can do them on whatever day I feel like it. Now I don’t feel guilty for never running on Fridays. 🙂 I would like to get to the point where a weekend long run is at least 10 miles; every week. I’m not there but I’m working on it.

Wednesday morning’s commute! Double rainbow!

So with that being said, after Monday’s crazy rain and a Tuesday rest, I headed out Wednesday for a quick 4 miles. I wasn’t feeling the run for some reason so I wanted it done quickly. I was aiming for as close to 5k race pace as possible. I had missed my Wave Rider’s so I ran in them that night. Maybe it’s all in my head, but I am faster in those shoes. My first mile included a little warm up and then I was off. Miles 1-3 felt good, I hardly felt like I was pushing. When my Garmin chimed at mile 3, I saw a chance to push. If I pushed- hard- I could pull off 4 miles in what was my very first official 5K time- 35:44. So I pushed. 4 Miles- 35:35-holy crap. This left me on the backside of the lake so it gave me plenty of time to walk it out and breath after. I was super stoked.

Thursday called for 5 easy miles. The first 2 miles were pretty good, but by starting my 3rd lap, I knew I wasn’t completing 5. My ears were freezing. I can’t stand cold ears, they hurt, so I figured one more lap would bring me to 3.5 miles and I would be done for the night. Which I was ok with because there were a few border collies out for an evening walk. They looked well-behaved, but then I never expected to be attacked by one in the first place a few years ago. I admit I never took my eyes off of them when I ran past and my hand may have strayed to my pepper spray. I had a 1/4 mile left to complete when I got to add a new animal to my animal encounter list-

Yep, these guys are actually pretty scary when they charge you and then try to follow you. Great for a strong burst of speed at the end but freaky. Then I realized they were between me and my car. Boo.

My weekend looks pretty clear. No complaints, I would love to sleep in. I need to get in a long run and an easy run at some point but other than that, nothing. I can’t even begin to say how much I am looking forward to that. 🙂
Anyone else have an aggressive goose (or any animal) encounter?
How was your week? Anyone racing this weekend?

February Recap

February ended with a whimper. I did not get in a run on Thursday like I hoped. I decided that another rest day was smarter than just trying to add to my monthly mile total. Plus by some freak chance of nature, the mileage came out perfectly even and I decided that was pretty cool-

The numbers geek in me is smiling :) — The numbers geek in me is smiling 🙂

Mileage- 70 Miles
Races- Super Fun Run 5k and Heart & Soles 10K both of which ended up being way harder than planned.

Friday I was prepared for a 12 hour work day but it only ended up being 10ish. No complaints here. 🙂 Everything got done (hopefully) and we were home free. Our area has been pummeled by rain the last few days. While I’m not complaining because we desperately need it, driving in it is not so much fun, even less so at night. Turn on your headlights people!!!

Today’s weather was more of the same but that didn’t stop me from heading to SLO for a little shopping, good food, and a trip to the Running Warehouse. Lunch was the usual yumminess, and I was able to show restraint when shopping. For the most part, I did buy two new pairs of running shorts. 🙂 You can never have too many right? Plus it occurred to me that I didn’t own a pair of black shorts, how did I let that happen? Problem resolved.

The Warehouse was packed. I had hoped that the rain would keep the crowds down, but I should have know better. We runners are crazy, right? I knew I was going to take awhile, so I was ok waiting. I had come prepared and I had both my Inspire’s and my Wave Rider’s with me. I explained everything to the guy who helped me. I am pretty sure he has helped me before and he seems super knowledgeable and friendly. I then ran on the treadmill in both of my current shoes. I still over-pronate but only on the right foot. The shoes didn’t make a giant difference either. Apparently I do things backwards, my right foot is smaller than my left and also has a higher arch. But it is my left that hurts. Truthfully, it feels like my shin splints used to, so I know ramping up my mileage and pace were factors. I am also come to realize that my left glute is weaker than it should be. Which is kind of hilarious actually, not only am I a Slacker but I have a lazy ass to prove it. 🙂

After the treadmill test it was time to try on shoes. All the shoes!! Haha, just 4 pairs. I tried on the following- Mizuno Wave Inspire 10, Asics Something or other, Brooks Transcend and Brooks Adrenaline 14. I guess that tells you how the Asics worked out. 🙂 The toe box pinched in a way I did not think I would get used to. Whereas the toe box in the Transcend felt huge, plus the price tag was a little steep. The Inspire’s felt ok but not great. The Adrenaline’s felt loose but more cushioned. Each time I tried on a pair of shoes, I ran up and down the concrete walkway outside the building. I am sure the people in the cycle store thought I was looney. I have seen people doing it before but never have. I felt like a weirdo but it was better than the treadmill.

I mentioned that the right Adrenaline felt very loose. He tied my shoe in a way I had never seen that made it super snug. They called it shoe-doo (shoe +voodoo). I was torn, I wanted to stick with Mizuno out of principle and I had a knee jerk reaction to the Adrenaline’s. Probably because the very first pair of running shoes I ever owned were Brooks Adrenaline. In the end, I went with the cushioning and chose the Brooks. As long as they work out, my shoe rotation will now be the Adrenaline’s and the Wave Rider’s. So long to the pink Inspire’s that have not been so friendly.

My mother was with me and I took so long that the new Brooks Cascadia caught her eye. She’s had the previous two versions. She tried them on and loved them, so she left with shoes too. I then treated her to dinner at Woodstock’s. Today was my cheat day, so yum!

I didn’t make it home in time to run today. It was already dark and my gym closes early on Saturdays. I am anxious to finally get back out there tomorrow. Both because I am getting twitchy and to try out the shoes. I am hoping for a break in the rain because I would like to test them outside and not have them turn into a giant mud ball. I need to get back into training!

Who raced today?

Anyone else ever feel like they are cheating on their shoes?

A Twitchy Slacker

The Slacker in me is a little confused right now. I decided to take it easy this week after the my painful race on Saturday. Was that really just a few days ago? Sunday was a puppy walk and Monday was an easy run. What I didn’t mention before is that after that somewhat stiff 4.5 mile run, I went for another puppy walk. Total miles for the day 7.5. Not exactly low key.

Tuesday I did take a rest day, which I won’t lie was pretty nice. By Wednesday I was itching to run. The weather outside looked marvelous and I couldn’t wait for work to be done for the day. I figured I could do an easy 3.5 miles in the 40ish minutes of daylight remaining. This time I was prepared with my belt and my Garmin. Just after starting my run I remembered what I had forgotten. Wednesday was a high wind advisory day. Holy crap, it turned a mild 58 into about 38. My ears were so cold!!!!

I felt like I was crawling. I was a little stiff and not loving that the route from work is pretty much all downhill and then uphill back. I didn’t make it to the the 1.75 mark before turning around because I realized that would put me halfway down the blind curve-hill so I turned around just before. Other than the wind, the weather was great and the views were awesome. I stopped a few times to take pictures. I stopped my Garmin around the 5k mark and walked the rest of the way back to my car. Checked my Garmin while stretching- 29:14. Big oops.

Like I said, a little confused. I felt slower than that. I made sure to stretch and foam roll really well last night. At least as well as I could. There’s something about the foam roller that makes me feel completely uncoordinated. 🙂 My leg feels mostly ok today. It doesn’t help that I have had a few meetings this week, so that has meant skirts and heels. And I haven’t taken my comfy boots to the repair shop yet. Even with a tall heel they felt like slippers.

Today was a rest day and tomorrow will be too. I admit to feeling lazy and its making me antsy. I know I need to rest a bit and it is annoying. Luckily or not, next week will be really busy at work as well, so I am thinking maybe another step back week. 😦 My training should still be on track even with that. My 2014 mileage goal is on track as well. I was over what I needed in January and I should be above in February as well. Now I just have to convince myself it’s not a bad thing to cut back next week.

Thanks for listening to my rambling twitchiness. I should be working on a paper but I am channeling my inner Slacker and marathoning Netflix instead. I’m on episode 4, I may have created a problem. 🙂

How have your week’s been?

Can you believe there are only 8 days left in February?!