Running & Workouts Lately and I'm Back in my High School Running Shoe!

Hello and Happy Tuesday to you!  This is use to be a running blog, but you wouldn't know it lately, would you?  My leg/hamstring/back of knee area hasn't gotten any worse, but it hasn't gotten much better.  I will tell you this - It didn't bother me at all while I was out in California, even though I spent each and every day walking for hours in flip flops.  But when I came back, it began to ache again.  I guess the only conclusion you can draw here is if I ever want to run again I'm going to have to MOVE TO CALIFORNIA.  Right?!

For the past several weeks, I've eased back into running though.  Mostly doing run/walk intervals, where I run a mile, walk a mile, for 4 miles.  But recently, I've progressed to 3 to 4 full running miles.  The problem area bothers me much less on the treadmill.  I think the hills in my neighborhood are partially to blame for aggravating the hamstring.  But I miss running too much.  Even just a few short miles once or twice a week is making me happy right now.  If it becomes terribly bothersome again I'll back off but for now I'll take what I can get. 

Throughout all of this I've maintained my workout schedule, simply swapping my run days for walks.  I'm also trying to focus more on strength training, which I'm hoping will address any underlying muscle imbalances which may have led to this.  So here's what my weekly workouts look like lately:

Run or run/walk - 2x week
Strength training - 2x week
Other cardio/Class at gym - 2x week

In addition to adding more strength training in an effort to address the (unknown) cause of whatever is going on, I decided it was finally time to get some new shoes!

The Hokas I had been wearing just turned a year old, which is WAY too old for running shoes.  I had planned to get a new pair in the spring, right after my half marathon, but then I started saving money for my trip instead, and then after that, came down with this leg injury.  So I've been running on old shoes which is just no bueno.  I've been waiting for the running store to have some kind of sale since the Vomeros and Hokas I usually wear are close to $150.  That hasn't happened but as fate would have it, I recently got an email from Nike about their clearance sale on past season running shoes.

Last season's Pegasus was on there.  The Pegasus is the running shoe I wore in high school (TWENTY years ago!) and it's also one of the most iconic running shoes on the market.  It was introduced in the early 1980's and has been around ever since, now currently in it's 32nd iteration!  It's been a trusty trainer among long distance runners for decades. 

I upgraded to the Pegasus's cushier (ie. pricier) cousin, the Vomero, many years ago and haven't looked back.  But I needed new shoes and couldn't pass up the clearance price on these.  Original price is $100, and they're currently on sale at Nike.com for $65, plus I had a coupon (from retailmenot.com) that brought the price down to $55 plus free shipping!  Best price I've ever gotten for running shoes.  Just thought I'd pass that along for anyone else that runs in Pegasus.  Go get them now!

They're so pretty!

So what do I think of them?  I LOVE THEM!  I ordered the size I normally wear in Nike's (6.5) and they fit perfectly right out of the box.  There was no break-in period.  I took them out for a run and had 0 issues.  No rubbing, no blisters, no hot spots.  I've tried MANY, many brands of running shoes over the years, and none of them ever fit me like Nike's.  We all have our preferences, but these have worked for me for years. 

The Pegasus's are cut a bit narrower than the Vomero's in the toe box, but I had no issues with this.  I can tell they have less cushioning than the Vomero's, particularly in the forefoot, however, they ran so smoothly and the feel was similar, if less plush. 

Night Running.  Because it gets dark so DARN EARLY now :(

 

All in all, I'm ecstatic I have new shoes and that I found these at that price!  Since I'm not running high mileage right now, I feel the cushioning is quite adequate.  I know many distance runners wear Pegasus and put tons of miles on them so I think I'm safe with my current 7 miles per week!  When I'm able to run more, I plan to get another pair of Hokas or Vomeros to alternate with these. 

Sooooooooooooooo, that's where running and I are at right now.  We are in a committed lifelong relationship so I'm not too worried that we're currently experiencing a bit of distance. I know we'll be all over each other again soon. HAHA  Also, wearing these shoes makes me feel like I'm 14 again, and that's a good feeling!

(*Obviously, I wouldn't recommend most people order running shoes online!  Only do this if it's a shoe you've worn before and/or been fitted for at a running shop!)


What's the current status of your relationship with running?

What other workouts are you into lately?

What shoes are you running in right now?

Hoka One One Clifton Review

 

 

Well, it's about time I write this!  I've been running in my Hokas for nearly 2 months now and meant to write up my impressions weeks ago.  Since I have even more miles on them, I think it just makes my opinion that much more credible!  I wish I could tell you exactly how many miles I've put on them, but unfortunately I'm not a shoe-mileage tracker.  Never have been.  I attempted to do it this past spring when I bought my new Vomeros and even made a new entry in the Notes section of my phone, only to enter 3 runs and then stop.  Any suggestions for how you track mileage (and stick to it!) on your shoes would be greatly appreciated.

 



I don't really want to spoil the ending of this review, but in short, I could not be more in love with these shoes!  I liked them when I tried them on at the store.  I liked them right out of the box on my first run at home, and I've continued to love them in every run (indoor or outdoor) since.  This is big for me, since I've had a hard time finding a shoe that serves me as well as my Vomeros do.  I've tried several other brands, and always end up returning them and going back to my Nikes.  This is the first time in years I've switched shoes successfully!  So, let's break it down a bit...

Shoe Details:
Weight:  6.6 oz  (SUPER LIGHT!)
Heel/Toe offset:  5mm (most standard running shoes have 8-10mm offset)
Category:  Neutral/Cushioned

The first thing everyone notices on these shoes is their admittedly *exotic* aesthetics.  I admit to calling them 'moon shoes' before, during and after my purchase.  I don't even care anymore because that's how much I love them.  The sole is obviously much thicker than a standard running shoe, however, the offset (difference in height between the heel vs. toe) is only 5mm, giving them a lower drop than most regular (non-minimal) shoes, so that it doesn't feel like you're higher off the ground (I swear). 

PERFORMANCE:
I've been running about 3x a week in these since I got them, mostly low mileage (3-5 miles) since I'm not training for anything right now.  I've worn them both on the treadmill and on the road.  I've noticed no difference in performance on either surface.  These shoes are SO LIGHT.  I don't know how they cram the amount of cushioning in them that they do without the shoes feeling like bricks but they have figured it out.  They are for sure lighter than my Nikes.  My pace has picked up without me even trying, so there's that too. 

These are categorized as a Neutral shoe, but I've also been told they offer some stability.  I can't really comment on that as I don't need stability and never run in a stability shoe so I honestly do not notice if that's the case, but I can tell you that for a neutral/cushioned runner these are a dream come true.  They are highly cushioned but your foot doesn't feel like it's sinking into quicksand.  They feel surprisingly springy. 

One note:  Initially, I wanted to get a feel for these without my Spenco insoles, so I was running without them in the shoe.  [I've been running with the Spencos in my Nikes ever since the owner at Charm City Run suggested that may be the missing link in my recurring shin issues.  They have been a Godsend because I trained for and raced my last half marathon without wearing compression sleeves once and didn't experience ANY shin pain the entire time.]  I ran in the Hokas alone for about a month when I started to feel the start of some pain on the medial side of both of my lower legs, so I quickly decided I'm an idiot and put my insoles in.  This has nothing to do with the shoe, but with my own anatomy.  There is no shoe alone that can support my extremely high arches, not even my old standbys.  The only thing I miss about running with the insoles is they add a little bit of weight back into the shoe and I kind of miss how light they felt prior. 

FIT:
This is actually my only negative point on the shoe.  I feel they run almost a 1/2 size too big.  The running store did not have my size in stock so I had to order them, and I ordered my regular size - 6 1/2.  Most people recommend a thumb's width of distance between your big toe and the end of a running shoe for the best fit. These definitely have more than that.  After running a few times in them, I actually called the store and they confirmed these shoes do run a bit big, but most people still went with their regular size.  Being the fantastic store that they are, they tried to order a 6 for me to at least compare, but Hoka was sold out of them!  So, I've just been wearing extra super thick socks to compensate.  My recommendation here would be to just try them on in the store and go with what works for you.  Other than that, the inside of the shoe feels wonderful with no hot spots, and nothing that rubs.  I've not had a single blister in the 2 months I've been wearing them!

VERDICT:
IN LOVE!  I've been running relatively low mileage in these shoes, but I can see why ultra runners love them.  I look forward to putting more mileage on them throughout the winter in anticipation of a spring half.  I don't care if I still get some weird looks from people at the gym.  I predict Hokas will soon take over the world.  Go at least try them on!


I wasn't compensated or sponsored for writing this review.  I bought the Hoka Cliftons with my own hard earned money and the opinions contained herein are mine alone!

Who Will You Wear Them For? Skechers for Breast Cancer Awareness

As many of you know, October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Breast cancer is a disease that has probably touched or affected many of us in some way.  I personally have two very special aunts who were diagnosed, treated, and defeated the illness so this is a cause that is near to my heart. 

About 10 years ago, I also had a scare of my own.  I found a lump in my breast and admittedly waited awhile to tell my doctor.  Although he examined me and tried to aspirate the lump in the office, he was unable to determine what it was.  I therefore had to have surgery to have the entire lump removed and then biopsied, which thankfully came out benign.  Now, I'm left only with a scar on my left breast and the reminder of how lucky I was back then.  However, there is a fairly strong history of the disease on my mother's side, so I also had to have a baseline mammogram at the age of 30 (most women start screening at age 40), which also came out clean.  So now you know more about my boobs than you probably wanted to, BUT why am I sharing all of this with you?

Well, I was made aware that Skechers was supporting the American Cancer Society this month with limited edition pink shoes and apparel, and now I'm glad to be spreading the word about their Breast Cancer Awareness line with all of you.

A few years ago, Skechers started getting serious about designing sport-specific walking and running shoes and launched their Performance Division.  I think they really started gaining some notoriety in the running community recently when Meb Keflezighi became their sponsored athlete, and ultimately won this year's Boston Marathon in his Skechers GOrun shoes!

For this campaign, I was sent a pair of Skechers GOwalk 2 Flash Awareness shoes.  Here's a little more about these shoes, directly from Skechers:

Skechers GOwalk 2 Flash – Awareness ($69)

Designed with innovative Skechers Performance Division technologies and materials, it's built from top to bottom specifically for walking. Goga Mat Technology comfort insole. Breast Cancer Awareness edition.

• V-Stride technology features unique angled outsole that complements a natural walking gait and promotes fluid stride transitions
• Structured breathable mesh at front for cooling comfort
• Engineered Stability Mesh side panels provide lateral support
• Go sockless - Integrated OrthoLite® anti-microbial sockliner helps inhibit odor and prevent slippage
• Goga Mat Technology cushioned comfort insole
• Resalyte™ Midsole proprietary lightweight injection-molded compound with memory retention helps absorb impact
• Independent circular GOimpulse sensors offer flexibility and feedback for a more responsive walking experience
• A multi-directional traction motif helps enhance footing control

 

 

If you know me IRL, then you know I basically live in sneakers.  True story.  Since I'm a nanny and on my feet all day, my Monday to Friday attire is yoga pants and sneakers.  On the weekends, you can find me chilling in jeans and sneaks too.  It's just how I roll.  Give me a new pair of sneakers and I am like a kid in a candy store.  We all know I love running shoes, but for work and weekends, I need other types of sneakers, so I was super excited to try out the Skechers GOwalks!  So how did they fare?

I am happy to report they are SUPER comfy!  The yoga-mat like material in the insole is insanely cushioned and comfortable.  I often have a problem with sneakers being too narrow in the toe box and I'm happy to report, these have a very roomy, breathable toe box.  My toes were not cramped or crunched at all.  They are super light and flexible, and my feet just feel really good in them.  Plus, I think they look pretty cute with jeans :)

 

Comfort and style aside, it's really inspiring that Skechers designed a line of footwear to support the American Cancer Society.  Having seen several members of my immediate family battle breast cancer, I know what a horrible and rampant disease this is.  It's estimated that 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.  Anything that I can do to further research for better prevention, treatment and a cure is time and money well spent.  In fact, I actually ran in the Womens' 5K Classic back home this weekend with my sister, a race that supports and benefits breast and women's cancer initiatives (more on that race later).

You can check out the entire line of Skechers limited edition pink-ribboned shoes and apparel here.  The merchandise is available for purchase online or in Skechers retail stores this month and Skechers will be making a lump sum donation to the American Cancer Society this month from sales of these products. 


*Disclosure:  Today's post was sponsored by Skechers but all opinions are my own.


Have you ever run or walked in any of the new Skechers Performance Division shoes?

Has breast cancer affected your life, or the life of someone you love?

Still Searching for my Glass Slippers...

Or in this case, the perfect running shoes.

When we left off, my old Nike Vomero's had waaaaaaaaay too many miles on them and I was on the hunt for a new pair.  I went into the running store (Charm City Run) a few weeks ago with the intention of checking out the newly released Vomero 9's but also wanted to compare them with a few other cushioned/neutral shoes from other manufacturers. 

I've worn and loved Nikes forever - its really the only brand of running shoe I've worn with consistency.  I love everything about them, except no matter what, I still get shin splints.  This causes me to take a few weeks off a year.  What happens is I can run or train for a number of weeks or months but eventually they come back and then I am forced to take some time off until they calm down a little.  This cycle goes on an on.  I also have to pretty much always run in compression socks or sleeves to keep them at bay.  No one knows why.  I even went through PT for months two years ago but he couldn't diagnose the cause of the problem.  All he did was treat the scar tissue and inflammation and gave me strengthening exercises to do, which of course all worked for a time, but didn't solve the problem.  They eventually returned.

So I left the running store a couple weeks ago with Brooks Glycerin 11.  These shoes felt amazing on.  They were less bulky than my Vomero's and when I ran on the treadmill with them the transition after each step felt really smooth.  But after running in them several times at home, I developed pain in the ball of each foot and my forefeet.  I have no idea why.  The cushioning in the Brooks shoes felt a lot harder and stiffer than the foam/air cushioning I was used to so maybe that was it.  But I've never had tingling/numbness in that area before so I knew they probably weren't the shoes for me.

This week I went back to the store to try again.  When I explained my history to the nice gentleman who was fitting me, he said he could put me in a different cushioned shoe, or we could try to solve the underlying issue.  I was all for that!  He gave me a pair of cushioned shoes but fitted them with Superfeet insoles.  He said a lot of people use these insoles for shin issues.  He also suggested a more radical approach.  He brought out a pair of Newtons.  Now I've heard about Newtons and the theory behind them - they are built to encourage a mid foot strike - but I don't actually know anyone who wears them.  I put them on and they felt really good.  So light and so comfortable, but also surprisingly cushioned and springy feeling.  Plus don't they just look fast?!  I took them out for a spin at the store, twice, and really enjoyed the completely different feeling from my usual bulky, heavy, cushioned shoes.  I thought what the heck, let's DO THIS.

The man who was helping me thought switching my bio mechanics to a mid foot strike (which would definitely take time, work and practice) could alleviate my shin splints instead of just masking them as cushioning does.  This is the theory behind barefoot running, minimalist running, mid foot striking, chi running, zero drop and others in this category.  The Newtons are not zero drop but they are minimal (only 3mm differential between the heel and forefoot as opposed to the typical 10-13mm in regular running shoes).  They also have their trademark 5 'lugs' on the forefoot of each sole (which feel really weird initially!), to encourage you to pick up your feet faster. 

All of this requires that you change the way you run (theoretically, back to the way early humans ran before we started wearing shoes).  You need to shorten your stride (think baby steps), lean forward, land on the middle of your foot (as opposed to your heel) and up your cadence so that you are lifting your feet much faster than you are used to and taking many more steps per minute than you do when over striding.  My shoe guy demonstrated all of this for me as he runs in Newtons and also told me to stretch out my calves a lot before beginning.  I was also instructed to take them out for very short runs initially - no more than a mile or two.

So how'd it go?  Well, I got the shoes Tuesday night and have gone on two 2.5 miles runs so far in them.  I feel like I am learning to walk all over again.  Do you know how hard it is to change the way you've run your whole life?!  Lean forward, tiny steps, quick turnover, don't heel strike.  The runs feel restrictive to say the least!  Also my arches are on fire.  I believe this is an effect of the lower drop.  I also have been having a bit of pain everywhere, including my knees and inside my lower shins, and even in my buttocks (!).  No bueno.  The only place I haven't been sore is my calves, which is where you're SUPPOSED to be sore when adjusting to minimalist shoes and changing your stride.  So I'm pretty sure as much as I was trying to land in the middle of my foot, I was still probably landing on my heel. 

I'm going to give these bad boys a few more runs but I'm really not sure if my body is ready, or will ever be ready, to change the way it runs!  Wish me luck.  We may be back to square one again next week.  Who knows, maybe I'll just live with my Vomero's and gimpy shins forever!


Are you a running shoe brand loyalist or do you switch often?

Ever tried Newtons?

Are you a heel striker, mid foot striker or forefoot striker?