Running shoes: lucky number 7? #runchat

Sit down, kids.  Grab a beverage. I'd like to tell you a little story about 7 pairs of running shoes and my quest to find the perfect pair.  Because my foot is a little on the wide side, finding shoes that fit is difficult.  I don't really need a wide width (except my Asics are a wide) because most wides are actually too big.  If a shoe does come in a wide width, most stores don't even carry them - you have to special order.  It's dumb but it is what it is.  Since my race is in less than 11 days, I don't have time for that shit.
From left to right, my shoes for the past 2 years.

Asics GT 2170 (grey and purple) - I've run in Asics GT 2170s (or whatever number their predecessors were) from the time I started running.  When I had my stress fracture and started running again, everyone said I needed MORE support.  I tried the newer GT 2000 and hated it.  Too much support and they hurt my feet.  I had doctors telling me I needed orthotics and other crap too, but whatever I tried just made my shin still hurt and I felt like I wasn't getting better.  Then, my PT suggested something very radical - that I probably had been running with too much support and I should try Newtons.

2011 Newton Gravity (orange) - LIGHT BULB! It took some time to transition to a shoe with a 4 or 5 mm drop, but transition I did.  I set PR after PR in these shoes and they will always hold a special place in my heart.  They were on my feet for the Martian Half (17 minute PR), Rivertown Half (3rd fastest half), River Bank Run 25k (11 minute PR), Reeds Lake 10k (9 minute PR), and then Bayshore Half (another 3 min PR from Martian), and then my first relay - The Fred - where I ran 18 miles in less than 24 hours.  Yes, a lot of hard work went into those 10k, half and 25k PRs but I attribute a lot of it to learning to run more midfoot in my Newtons.  Obviously, all that racing and training did a number on those shoes and they needed to be retired. By the time The Fred came around, I was having heel and achilles issues, probably from overtraining and my shoes wearing out.

2012 Newton Gravity (blue and green) - I bought these shoes and something was not right.  They felt HUGE.  I exchanged them for a half size smaller and started really feeling some issues with my heel.  I wore them with heel cups for the Wine Trail Half and it really sucked.  My body was telling me I went a bit overboard this year.  I don't really blame the shoes, but I think the fit not being quite right contributed to my heel spurs.

2013 Newton Gravity (hot pink and blue) - I decided that maybe there was something flawed in the 2012 Newtons so I ordered the 2013 version.  These seemed to run very narrow and my runs in them left me with numbness and tingling in my right foot (the "good" side).  Wearing shoes a bit too tight probably have given me either a neuroma or I have a fracture.  At this point, I'm not finding out until after Jax.  These are currently sitting in the box waiting to be shipped back. *sad face*

Mizuno Wave Inspire 10 (black) - This was a completely new shoe to me and I was excited to be able to review it for the Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans's holiday gift guide.  The Inspire line is a highly structured but very light shoe.  I was skeptical and sadly, my gut instincts were right.  I only managed about 4 miles total in these shoes.  This shoe had so much support that it hurt my arches.  Did you know you aren't supposed to "feel" the support in your running shoes?  If they press into your arch, they have way too much support.  These are also sitting in the box.  I can wear them for walking around but will never run in them.

Hoka One One Bondi Speed 2 (white, red and orange) - I ordered these out of sheer desperation.  I was able to borrow my girlfriend's Bondi 2 and although it was way too big, I liked the cushioning.  (These shoes are insanely cushioned but still quite light).  Do you notice anything in the picture when you compare this shoe with all the others?  How about the fact it's about 2 sizes too big?  I think these could have had potential, but if you have baby feel like me (about a 7-8 in running shoes) you are pretty much out of luck in Hokas.  They run very big and the ones I ordered only come in men's sizing.  This is the smallest size they carry.  Also sitting in the box waiting to be shipped back.

Mizuno Wave Elixir 8 (blue and orange) - Also a completely new shoe to me and just purchased last night at our local running store.  I'm getting very desperate. I love the look of this shoe - it actually feels like a racing flat and is very light, but it isn't a racing flat at all.  This shoe has very little support but a lot of cushioning in the heels, to the point of a 13mm heel to toe differential (for comparison, the industry average drop is about 12mm).  This is HUGE, especially since I'm used to running with 8mm (Asics) or 4mm (Newtons).  It also has almost no cushioning in the forefoot to allow for a more powerful toe-off.  This part worries me for my run this afternoon.  I already have issues with my forefoot from the neuroma or whatever and I'm afraid they are going to hurt.  I ran 1/2 mile at the store in them fine, but that 5 minutes was nothing compared to a 2+ hour half marathon.  I also feel like I'm taking a giant step backwards in that I had transitioned to a more minimal running shoe and now I'm clear at the other end of the spectrum.  I'll put them to the test this afternoon.  I know that already being broken, there will be no miracle shoe that will all of a sudden make all the hurt go away, but I'd like to get through a run without limping.  Stay tuned.

In case you missed it - Corey won my book giveaway! Congrats, Corey.

Have you ever had this much trouble finding a running shoe?  What is your favorite shoe to wear?

Motivation Monday: lacking

I thought some new running shoes (don't get me started on the color - I'm pissed Asics doesn't carry wide widths in the new bright purple) and a couple funny Bondi Bands would help me find my mojo again.  So far they haven't helped.



I've really lost my motivation since Disney and running (heck, working out in general) is just HARD and I'd discouraged and frustrated.  I need to keep reminding myself that I will make it past this - feel free to smack me upside the head with that little nugget of wisdom from time to time as well.

One of these days I'll find that love of running again.  In the meantime, I'll just keep telling myself to "suck it up, cupcake".

What do you do when you've completely lost all of your motivation?  (And please don't tell me to stop running or take a break from running because I've also managed to gain almost 5 pounds since Disney and running is the only thing that has ever worked to control my weight.)

After you help me find my motivation, head over here and enter the giveaway I have going on.  You know you want to!

Fitness Friday: a #giveaway from @SuddoraSports

A few weeks ago, Paul from Suddora contacted me about partnering for some giveaways on my blog. You all know I'm all for reviewing fun workout stuff and giving things away to my readers, so I said "Sure!".

Suddora is a growing sporting goods site that sells headbands, armbands, and a variety of other workout gear and accessories from a bunch of different brands.  Paul asked which headband I'd like to try and sent me this adorable Chica Bands Zen headband to review (plus another exactly like it to give away)!

Even on my least favorite machine I look cute & my hair is out of my face. 

I had never tried Chica Bands before and was excited to receive one.  The band is beautiful - I think I could just wear it with my regular clothes - and the velvet on the back side of the band definitely kept it from slipping.  On Wednesday, I tried it out on the ARC trainer and for lifting, then on Thursday I gave it a workout in spin class. No slipping and it kept my hair back.

Now, how do you win your own Chica Bands Zen headband?

1. Mandatory - visit the Suddora sweatbands page and come back to leave a comment telling me which one you like the best.
2. For bonus entries, "like" Suddora on Facebook and/or follow them on Twitter (up to 2 extra entries). Come back here and leave a separate comment for each one.
3. For additional entries, share this giveaway on Twitter, Facebook or your own blog (up to 3 more entries). Make sure you leave comments telling me how you shared - links would even be better so I can give you some social media love :)

That's 6 chances to win a beautiful Chica Bands Zen headband of your own.  I'll choose a winner using my awesome Fruit Machine next Thursday, November 22nd (that's Thanksgiving Day) after 8pm EST and post the winner on Friday morning, November 23rd.  Make sure there is a way for me to contact you if you win!  Good luck!

**the fine print: Suddora.com sent me two Chica Bands for review, giveaway, and promotional purposes but the opinions are all my own**

Fitness Friday: Fall Running Gear?

This doesn't have much to do with fitness, other than the fact it is DEFINITELY turning into fall here in West Michigan, but this picture was on one of my friend's Facebook pages and I had to share.

This is the South Pier in St. Joseph, Michigan this week (near where I grew up).  You know the waves  are high when they splash up higher than the lighthouse - Lake Michigan doesn't often look like this. (My heart goes out to anyone affected by the storms this week - I know I don't really have anything to complain about. We had some crazy wind and a lot of rain, but nothing like NY and NJ).

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I have my last long run before the Wine and Dine Half tomorrow and I'm thankful the winds have died down a little (and I pray that my east coast friends are all doing ok after this week's storm). It's not supposed to be great, though, and I have a limited window of when I get get my run in thanks to the kids marching band making the state finals competition in Detroit on Saturday.  I'm really hoping I don't need to set a distance PR on the dreadmill tomorrow (my current "record" is 8 miles and tomorrow I have 10). Wish for some half-way decent weather for me, m'kay?  In the meantime, maybe someone could get me a cute new fall running jacket like this one:

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or this one:

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Is anyone else as obsessed with Lululemon as I am, but own NONE of their clothing because it's so freaking expensive???

What's your go-to fall running gear? I have a winter running jacket from New Balance but it's too warm to wear it yet.  I need something for this in-between time that doesn't cost $150.

**fyi - if you try to sign in to comment through twitter it will probably say you are "@undefined". Please don't use twitter for now - I'm trying to figure out why this is happening - but please keep commenting!**

Fitness Friday: @trammisms ?: My Favorite Gear!

Back when I was had my 3rd bloggiversary post and requested questions, Sara at Domestically Challenged asked what some of my favorite running gear, clothes and accessories are (and since she's a teacher she'll probably correct my horrible grammar on that sentence). It's the eve of my first triathlon so I figured now was as good a time as any to answer her question :)

I'll start with some of my favorite running clothes:  

I pretty much live in the long bra tops from Nike.  I like them really tight to smush down the girls which means my daughter and I wear the same size (which is completely crazy, but whatever).  My favorite bra

is from Under Armor and they are really hard to find in colors other than white.  This hot pink one is AWESOME but really old.  As for bottoms, I'm also a big fan of Nike's long shorts and their capris.

I had the hardest time finding tri gear that didn't make me feel like a total cow.  I like my running clothes tight, but these things take tight to an entirely new level.  (For reference, my Nike gear is all a size small and my tri gear is either medium or large.) After trying on about 30 different things, this outfit from Pearl Izumi has become one of my favorite running outfits as well.  Even thought the shorts are shorter than I normally wear, the grippies shut up, it's totally a word at the bottom keep them from riding up.  Plus, the bottoms are lower cut in the front which is really awesome and super comfy. (This is what I'll be sporting at my tri tomorrow!) I need to check their website for running-specific clothes since I'd love some more shorts without the chamois liner inside. 

Shoes! I can't talk about running gear without giving a shout-out to my Asics GT-2170's :)  I've worn this model of shoes for several years now.  I thought about trying to switch to a lighter, more minimalist shoe after my whole stress fracture/reaction mess but every doctor and running store I talked to said not until I'm 100% healed.  They said stick with these, so that's what I'm doing.

Here are just a few of the accessories I can't live without:

Zensah compression sleeves, a hat (I have several), race number belt (this one is from One More Mile and is actually my daughter's but I love the WTF), my Garmin Forerunner 205, Body Glide, Nuun, Shot Bloks, RoadID (you can get one by clicking that link over there --->) and a great pair of running sunglasses.

Last but not least, some of my favorite accessories/clothing items EVER are my Team Sparkle skirts. Every major race I've done since my marathon last year has been run in a sparkle skirt (Grand Rapids Marathon, Tinkerbell Half, Knoxville Half, Down and Dirty Mud Run).  I've worn other skirts before, but I get so many compliments every time I wear a sparkle skirt and on those rare occasions when I chick a guy, I think, "yeah, you just got passed by a girl in a skirt!".  The blue one will be making it's debut at the Disney Wine and Dine Half in November - I can't wait to show you all my outfit for that race. It's going to be so fun!

I'm undecided whether I'll wear a sparkle skirt tomorrow for the tri.  How about you all vote.  Should I wear the lime green skirt for the bike and run?  (I haven't done any biking in it, but at this point with the rain in the forecast it might actually brighten the day).  

Leave a comment - yes or no - should I sparkle at tomorrow's tri?

Disclaimer - all opinions are mine and so is the gear - I just love this stuff, no one paid me to talk about it :)