4 Weeks In

Well, time has slipped away (or should I say 4 weeks have,lol)from me once again. So, let get you caught up real quick. I am current training for a Half Marathon (The Showdown Half). The race will be in Fairview, TX on October 10th. This is will be my 7th half and I still have no desire to do a full at this time,lol.

So, WEEK 1 

 I am just trying to fall back into a groove especially after my whole running shoe ordeal (You can read all about that Here). I have struggled a bit this first week and I feel like I'm starting out like a newbie runner again. I guess that's what happens when you don't keep up my maintenance runs for 3 months. So, since I feel like I am starting over again I thought it would be best to get back to basics with a beginner runner training plan ( with a goal to incorporate some cross training which is my weakness.). So, all and all it was a a pretty good week.

WEEK 2

 I have a bad habit of  talking negatively to myself and it gets the best of me on some of my runs.  For most  my runs this week "Mile 2" has been a road block for me and I just can't get myself to push past it. On the plus side I did get a group run in with some of my sole sisters having that added motivation always helps. Then,I finished up my week with a 6 mile run date with my hubby and I was so lucky to have him with me to give me that extra push I needed to hit 3 miles without stopping. Well, this week was real challenging at times but defiantly had some great moments too .

WEEK 3

My motivation was defiantly in short supply this week and the negative talk monster is still lurking in my shadows. I really had to tell myself that as long as I was getting out there and putting one foot in front of the other i'm making progress. I have really been getting down on myself when I struggle on  routes that I have ran effortlessly(or I just seen to remember them being so much easier) several times in the 3+ years I've been running. As a runner you are your greatest competition and you always strive to to be better then you have been and when you fall short of your personal best it can be very disheartening. This was a real tough week, ended with a few tears, and some much needed yoga.

WEEK 4(Finally!!!)

So, I started back to work this week which throws some extra weight on my already wobbly schedule, but I will find my balance. I went out this week determined to find my running groove. So, in order to do that I decided to unplug a bit. Running technology is awesome but I have become a addicted to it. So, I link up my GPS watch but turn the screen to the normal clock so I'm not stressing over what my numbers are. I'm listening to what my body is telling me and this has really helped me keep running.  Well, week 4 has been my best week so far and I'm looking forward to week 5.
(This is a pic of the gorgeous scenery from my long run)

Do you have a road block you're trying to conquer?
How is your running going? 


Thanks for stopping by and Happy Running!
Amanda :) 

The Best Shoe Forward

Wow, it has been almost a year since my last post {where does the time go?}. Well, a few things have changed since I last posted. I have started back to work and I just got the great news that I got a permanent position this year!! Although, I am thrilled to be working again I am still struggling with finding that perfect balance between family time, Running (me time), and working. If anyone has so suggestions I am all ears. Another thing new is I have ran 3 races since my last post (2 halves and a relay). I can officially mark a women only half (which was an awesome race by the way) and a relay (it was fun but I won't be doing one again any time soon.  I'm definitely a half marathon kind of girl) off my running bucket list.

So, now that I have caught you up a bit lets talk about what's going on now. I have just started a new  10 week training season for my 7th half marathon (The Showdown).  I have really slacked off  of running since May and it's been so tough for me to find my groove again. I started this new season putting my best foot forward by getting a new pair of shoes. Now the last few pairs I have ran in have been Mizuno's wave riders(which I have loved!). So, I went to the running store, asked for a pair of  Wave Riders, and out the door I went (with a super cute purple pair). Excited to take them for a run I  laced them up and hit the street with some of my sole sisters. Two miles into my run it felt like fabric was balled up under my forefoot (only one side) and by my third mile I was hurting (and a tad bet upset). So, I took them for another run just to make sure but no luck same happened again.

Well, back to the running shoe store I went with the super cute purple shoes in tow (sniff,sniff). I told the employee my issue and he assessed the shoe. He then told me the shoe I had was to big (WHAT, I always wear a 8 1/2! Are my feet shrinking?! He reassured me that sometimes shoes will run big. Phew, I was beginning to panic a bit.) and so he sent me off with a smaller pair of Wave Riders (an adorable teal pair). Now, I was optimistic and ready to pound some pavement with my new kicks. Well, my first mile was good and them the second mile hit and my worst fear happened that same balled up fabric feeling under both feet this time(grrrrr! REALLY!). Can this really be happening!! All I want to do is run and not have my feet hurt. So, I gave my shoes one last try but no luck.

 I really didn't want to go back to the running store. I have never had shoe issues before and reluctantly I took myself back to the store (with the help of my hubby reminding me that I can't start a training season with shoes that hurt my feet). So,I explained the situation to the girl helping me and she pulled out a few different brands of shoes out for me. I ended up skipping over my Mizunos (I will miss you so.) and decided to go with the Brook's Ravennas (one of the shoes I ran in before I fell in love with my Mizunos). Well, after a few runs in my Brooks with no major issues I am so happy to report that I think I found the right shoes for me. Now, it's time to get my run on :)

What's on your running bucket list?
Do you ever had a go to brand of shoe?
What shoe issues have you had?

When in doubt RUN it out!

Amanda :)