Wednesday, April 29, 2020

WWU - Motivational Shoes

You see why I had to get these, right?

It seems I've gone full circle with my running shoes - I started out with a pair of Brooks Addictions back in 2009, and I've gone through many different brands over the years, with the Hoka Cliftons being my go-to shoes for the last five years.  I did stray to the Brooks Levitates in 2017, and wore them off and on, but usually kept with the Cliftons.

Once I started running again, I've had different things pop up, like the side of my baby toe bugging me, and my arch zings me once in a while during a walk and run, and my left knee began talking to me late last week.  I think some of this is due to me finding my form after not running for a year plus having had back surgery, and as I move forward I expect these to resolve, but as runners know, new shoes can fix everything, haha.

First thing I did was to start wearing my Levitates again.  I'd forgotten how comfortable they are!  So that was working nicely, and then Karen texted me a picture of these Hawaiian-soled shoes.  My eyes suddenly had hearts in them and after quizzing Karen on the model - the Revel 3 - I ordered a pair.  It helps that she and I are shoe-compatible, down to the same size and same level of comfort on everything from sandals to running shoes, so I pretty much know if a shoe works for her, it'll work for me.

Side note:  We have tried on each others shoes many times over the years, swapping them anywhere from the driveway at the Renegade clubhouse to our table at Blue Baker.  Just one more thing to miss while we are all quarantined, sigh.

Anyway, I love them!  I'm gliding on air, like a gazelle.  Well not really.  But they are super light and comfortable, so it feels like I'm running better.  It also makes getting ready for a run more exciting.  The rest of my running gear is several years old, so it's nice to have a brand new pair of shoes to put on.  Sometimes the little things are big, you know?

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Regarding running.  I'm making progress, although it's in very small increments.  Last week I managed to get about 3/4 of a mile done (with 30:30 intervals) before gasping for air, so that's good, right?  With our weather warming up, I know that we're heading into the hardest time to run, regardless if you've been constantly running, so I know that I'll have to take this for what it is and just keep plugging along.

I'm in no hurry to get anywhere - my big goal for the year was to run a 5K in the fall and earn a medal with 2020 on it, but at the rate we're going, there may not be any races before the end of the year.  Who knows.  I hope I'm wrong about that.  But I have a suspicion that may be the way things are headed.

12 comments:

  1. It's all about the shoes, IMHO. I have a pair of Brooks Adrenalines with that pattern. They make me smile every time I look down at my feet!

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    1. Same here! I'm alternating them with the Levitates so it's still a happy surprise when it's Hawaiian shoe day around here. :)

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  2. Those are so pretty! And yay for them feeling great, too! It sounds VERY convenient to have a shoe twin like that (when you can be together). How awesome!

    I really really hope that 5K exists this year :( Fingers crossed.

    That is good you are gasping for air later! Did you get better about starting off slower? :)

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    1. A shoe twin, and bonus, a good friend as well! :)

      I'd already scheduled this post, but yesterday I ran slower, with more even intervals, and was 30 seconds faster than my run on Sunday. Which makes me feel better...I guess working on that will eventually bring a little bit faster of a run. It's not like I'm trying for something crazy, I just want to be where I was last year.

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  3. Those shoes are great! I also wanted to thank you for continuing to blog during this weird time! I am having the hardest time keeping track of which day it is (and I assume I'm not the only one) but your steady blogging schedule helps me remember which day it is! :D Wishing you all the best in this weird time!

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    1. Thank YOU Katie for reading all this time; I appreciate that you've noticed me adhering to my schedule. I'll need to send you a calendar one of these days...

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  4. I know we aren't supposed to care about shoe color but I am wearing Neon Pink Asics right now and they just make me happy!! I hope you find your 5K - if not we could always do a virtual one together. They even have swag for the entrance fee!

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    1. Firl, I have bought the shoe that fits best for over a decade, and I'd say that 90% of the time, they have not been my first, or even second color choice. I love having it all with a running shoe!

      Virtual 5K with you could be fun - our first race together! Not exactly how I pictured it, but life is strange, isn't it?

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  5. All day yesterday I thought it was Wednesday, so I was wondering why you didn't write a blog! I just ordered a new pair of Altra shoes. They are my favorite. These are knitted with some leather on them, so we'll see how they fit!

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    1. I feel like I'll need to send out calendars to you guys soon. ;)

      Send a pic of your new shoes when you get them - they sound cool!

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  6. I've been wearing Nikes ever since I started running at 14! I've never had a running injury so I just stick with them.

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  7. New gear always make things better and easier!!! Love to hear the progress you are making with running!!!

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