Things I'm Loving Right Now

There are several things in my life right now that I am absolutely loving! So I thought I would share those with you today!

Sweet Potatoes

I bought sweet potatoes last week and I can't get enough of them! We ate them for dinner twice last week! My mouth is watering just talking about them!

My Fitness Pal App

This app is really helping me see the different types of foods I am eating. I love this chart above that tells me my calorie breakdown for the day. Writing down all the foods I am eating has really helped me become aware of what all I was putting in my body. And the weight loss is a big plus!!! 

Celebrity Pink Jeans

I will admit that I have a habit of wearing my clothes too big. My jeans are always too loose and big on me. So I decided to venture out of my comfort zone and try some skinny jeans. A co-worker told me about this brand  (Celebrity Pink Jeans) and I have fallen in love with the fit! I liked my first pair so much that I went and bought two more pairs! I will definitely be shopping soon for some capris and shorts by this brand.

The movie and music of Frozen

Seriously...is anyone NOT loving this movie right now? It is one of my most favorite Disney movies of all time! I love the great message about family that it portrays. And the music is just phenomenal! And Olaf is just icing on the cake!

New Asics Running Shoes

New running shoes always make me happy! My knee and shin were starting to ache so I looked up the mileage on my shoes and it was time for new ones. I got the same model I always get (Asics GT 2000 2) but picked this bright neon yellow color! I love them! 

QOTD: What are you loving right now?

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday

I just want to say that I've had these shoes on twice this week already! Yay for no pain while I'm running! Let's just hope it continues as I increase distance (once Dr. Justin gives me the ok to run more mileage of course)! I haven't run over 3 miles but at least I'm running some!

QOTD: Do you like short runs (3 miles or less)? They aren't my favorite but I'll take short runs over no running at all!

St. Patrick's Day Virtual 5K Race in NEW shoes!

As you know one of my running resolutions for this year is to run 13 races in 2013. Luckily Jill and Jen started this challenge and I am so happy to be a part of it! To help us all reach our goal, Jill and Jen are hosting several virtual races this year.

So far I have participated in all of their virtual races thus far. Tackle the Miles was the last one I ran.

This month I participated in the St. Patrick's Day Virtual Race! I was so excited because I so wanted to wear some fun St. Patty's Day run gear! You know it's all about the outfit, right?!

I headed out for my run like any other day except I was dressed in St. Patty's Day gear AND I was running in a new pair of shoes. I love my Asics GT-2170's and they have been discontinued. As soon as I learned they were being discontinued I bought a couple of pairs. Well..sadly this is my last pair of my beloved shoes. Asics has updated the model to the GT-2000 but I've heard varied responses on whether they are comparable to my GT-2170's. So I am going to enjoy these shoes while they last.

I don't know about you but I HATE getting new shoes. It always takes me a few runs to break them in. I know they say you shouldn't have to break in a new pair of shoes (especially when it's the same model you wore previously) but I always do. New shoes are always tighter on my feet and I always have to retie them a thousand times to get the fit I like. I like my laces super loose when I run. I also feel like I run a little different when I get new shoes. I'm sure they are rearranging my gait a bit since the older shoes have worn down and my gait follows. 

I also usually have some kind of weirdness that happens with new shoes. For instance, I've had my right foot go numb the first few runs in a new pair. I've felt like I was running heavier in another new pair. My hips were super sore after running in another new pair. These things always work themselves out after a few runs in the new pair of shoes but I still dread it.

So I wasn't really looking forward to this run because I knew it would probably feel awkward. I started running and could immediately feel the difference in the run. The new shoes felt great! I realized how bad my old shoes actually were! I looked down at my Garmin and saw that I was running pretty fast...I guess the new shoes were making me speedier too! 

Around the halfway point of the run I started feeling a small stab of pain on the top of my right foot. Here we go. I kept running and prayed it would go away. It wasn't an enduring pain....just a stab every so often. So I ran through it. 

I made it to the 5K mark, stopped, and looked down at my watch. 29:56! That's the fastest 5K I've ran in a long time! The new shoes helped me go fast!

The rest of the day my right foot felt weird. I waited to see what it felt like the next day...and it was fine. I analyzed it and decided that I had laced my shoes too tight. So the next run I did I loosened the laces and never felt that pain again. But of course now it's in my mind...and every run I focus on that foot hoping no pain arises. Ugh! 

The St. Patrick's Day Virtual 5K was a speedy success...despite the achy foot! And don't you think the outfit is too cute??? ;-)

QOTD: Do you like running in new shoes? Have you ever had your favorite model be discontinued?

My Running Shoes Just Quit!

Yep! They just gave up and decided they were done. Mean shoes!

How do you know when it is time for a new pair of running shoes??? This is a question a lot of runners ask. I'm going to tell you my sure signs that tell me it is time to get a new pair.

The number 1 sign it is time to get a new pair of shoes:

Something starts hurting. Usually it is my hip. So guess what happened after Tuesday's run??? Yep...my hip was killing me!!! And yes it is still hurting. :-( And I have a half to run tomorrow. I'm trying not to worry or panic because this happens every time my shoes quit on me. And I get a new pair and the hip eventually stops hurting. So...fingers crossed.

The number 2 sign it is time to get a new pair of shoes:

I hit about 275 miles on the shoes. They say that running shoes usually only last around 300 miles. Some runners can stretch the miles out longer. Not me...once I get close to 300 miles something starts hurting and I know it's time for a new pair. My current pair are at 291 miles. It is weird because I've been running with no pain for so long...and then Tuesday all of a sudden my hip just started hurting. It's like the shoe literally just quit! So frustrating!

The number 3 sign it is time to get a new pair of shoes:

The tread on the bottom of the shoe starts wearing off.

And for me...the tread on the side of the inside top part of the left shoe is worn all the way down. Weird it only happens on this one foot...I must pronate more on that foot.

So my goal for these shoes was to wear them for tomorrow's half and then switch to a new pair. But because of my hip pain I went ahead and wore my new shoes for Thursday's run. They are the same kind of shoes (Asics GT-2170's) just a new pair. The run and shoes felt great...but my hip is still sore. So I'm wearing the new shoes for the half tomorrow...which I'm a little worried about since I've only run in them once. Hopefully they will be fine.

Look how pretty and clean they are!!!

My plan as of right now is if I need to...I will take about a week off from running after tomorrow's half if I feel the hip needs it. Luckily I am at the beginning of marathon training and can tweak my training if I need to. I just want to play it smart! For now I've been icing, rolling, and stretching often!

QOTD: How do YOU know when it's time for a new pair of running shoes?