Monday, July 23, 2012

The shoe review of an addicted runner...I only have 15...

Yes, I own a lot of running shoes but you will come to understand they all have a different purpose for me. I have a neutral foot and enjoy wearing minimalist shoes even during my long training runs. My feet do very well with the lighter weight shoes. I wear racing flats for training shoes but it works for me.
I am probably termed a Brooks girl but wear Saucony and Mizuno brands as well.

Here is my personal shoe review of my trainers and racers and even one shoe that is a loser...


Beginning left to right in the back:

Row 4: These shoes are on the way out, I don't wear them too much anymore, except for some junk miles or when the weather is muddy.
  1. Brooks Launch: A nice trainer shoe, I just can't wear them over 7 miles or they hurt my feet.
  2. Brooks Pure Connect: A minimalist shoe that I am trying to like. It's been a hard sell. My mind isn't made up on this one yet.
  3. Mizuno Wave Rider 14: A trainer shoe I used to wear all the time before I switched to Brooks. I love the hard feel on the bottom.
  4. Mizuno Wave Rider 14: See above description

Row 3:
  1. Brooks Green Silence: These shoes are really racing flats but I use them for my training. Proud I have almost 643 miles on these shoes!! I love, love, love them...and they are going to quit selling them. Boo!!
  2. Blue Brooks Green Silence: I just call them blue to distinguish from the black and purple ones. Same as above
  3. Saucony Kinvara 3: These may be the replacement trainers for my Green Silence when I can't buy them anymore. These remind me of the Mizuno Wave Riders with the hard bottom. Love them!
  4. Purple Green Silence: Still in the box waiting to use. 


Row 2:
  1. Mizuno Ronin 3:These I call my "loser marathon shoes" because they let me down in my big qualifier marathon and therefore they will never grace another "big race" again! Loser!! Thanks a lot!!
  2. Brooks T6 Racers: My 5K and 8K racing flats. They make me feel like Dorothy in Wizard of Oz and I pretend I can move fast! Sometimes I actually do haha.
  3. Saucony Fastwich:My 5K racing flats I wear sockless. It is a different feel and I enjoy racing with the wind running through my toes.
  4. Mizuno Ronin 2: My yellow Mickey marathon shoes. These have done well for me in long distances and I'm not done with them yet!


Row 1:
  1. Nike Zoom Spikes: I wear these sockless at the track meets during the summer. They make me feel fast!
  2. Saucony Kinvara Trail: Since I'm helping coach Cross Country this year, I figured I needed some trail shoes. These are more minimalist and crossover to run on asphalt as well. I've enjoyed them so far.

So, there you have it. I wear the Brooks Green Silence, Blue Green Silence and Saucony Kinvara 3 mostly. 


I do have a pair of Mizuno Wave Riders down at the beach for the time I actually decide to run on the sand. Not sure when that time will come but the shoes are there waiting.


Hope you enjoyed my little review. I think I have all different terrains covered but if you can think of another kind of shoe I need, just let me know...:)


Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Step back mileage...necessary but not always fun...

I must admit that being in a "step back" mode for the past 2 months has been a little difficult. I'm really only stepping back my mileage every other week but I don't necessarily write down what mileage I will do each day like I usually do. I know how many miles I want to run each week but I'm trying to enjoy it nonetheless. It is hard to not run your regular mileage and when I try to explain this to others...they just don't understand. It still amazes me at how much I actually love running! Yeah, I know, you think I'm weird but oh well...there are worse things to be addicted to right? 

I've been having some pain down my legs when I drive and the doc said it was probably a pinched nerve. I have some anti-inflamatory medicine and I can tell a huge difference after just 2 days. It has not affected my running pace at all...just uncomfortable when I drive. Good thing I have a high tolerance for pain!

I will soon be ramping up my base mileage to 50 per week and then comes the marathon training in October! I'm looking forward to writing my own training plan this time around. Bobby coached me for a year and a half and I know I will refer to the plans he created for me too. 

It seems I do something with running almost every evening. I have my run class 2 nights a week, CRW run group on Tuesdays, XC team practice on Tuesdays and Fridays, and Godiva track meet on Wednesdays.

Fun times!!

FYI-I have developed a 4 week training program for beginners or those wanting to get back into regular exercise. I will meet with you personally to explain all the details and get you started. If you are interested, send me an email. dawnwhiterunning@gmail.com

That's all for now...Happy Running
The Olympics are soo soon!! Will and I leave August 1. We will communicate via facebook while we are gone...