New Kicks - Experience

Yesterday was a first for me!
I don't do well with change and today that proved all to true, once again.
Yesterday Kelly & I went to Fleet Feet a local running store here in the South. It was my first time going and I have to tell you it was a great experience. From the moment we walked in the door till we were checking out and leaving. I got fitted for running shoes for the first time ever. After almost two years (it'll will be two year early March) of running and participating in countless races, this was my first time to be professionally fitted for a proper pair of running shoes. For the last year I've been running in Minimalist running shoes with no support what so ever. Although I haven't had any issues with them I knew it was time for a change. I have really bad ankles and I needed the extra support, even more so that I've started adding more and more miles on to my nightly runs. The whole process went very smoothly. I had never felt more comfortable in a shoes store then I did yesterday. The girl helping me started off by explaining the process of what they do and why and how it all works. From there she measured my feet both standing and sitting. Watched me walk around the store and run on a treadmill, gave me different socks to try on and even fully looked over my feet and explained what would be the proper shoe and why. From there I tried on about 4-5 different pairs of running shoes till we found the prefect one. The first pair I absolutely LOVED the coloring, they were hot pink, neon blue and black. They couldn't have said my name more clearly if I wanted them to. Sadly enough they weren't the proper shoe for my foot. But hey that's OK, that's what we came for right. I might have to put color and cuteness aside for a good pair of running kicks. "Might" is a strong word. Once she found what she believed to be the correct shoe for me, I ran a couple minutes on the treadmill again to make sure I was comfortable in them. I even put on one of my minimalist shoes on and one of my new one and ran on the treadmill to see how it was, I felt good in my new Asics. I also decided to go ahead and get a pair of Lock Laces and switch mine out. These aren't only great for quickly slipping on and off your shoes but it saves a lot on wear and tear of a shoe if you don't untie them when you take them off. I have always untied my shoes when I take them off because I have to retie them to put them on so I might as well untie them the first time right. With lock laces your still able to adjust the tightness of your laces and the best part is you never have to worry about the coming untied during your run.

Last Thursday when we went running I had to stop three times to tie my shoes. I seriously don't know what was going on because I normally never have issues with them. Now I really wont at all, so even better. My new asics are purple and gray, most definitely not a color I would have picked for myself (I asked if they had pink, but no such luck) but I have to say they are growing on me and I'm really liking them. I did get the Hot Pink Lock Laces to spice them up a bit and they look super cute. I might be a little biased though. I picked up a few more pairs of comfort fit running socks, I just love how soft and comfy they are. The experience as a whole was wonderful, the store even gives a 10% Military Discount....added bonus, yes in deed. And for whatever reason I'm not totally happy with my new kicks after trying them out on a few runs, I simply take them back and they will help fit me to a shoe of my liking and fitting till they find the right one that I'm comfortable running in. I will never go to a regular shoe store to get running shoes again. As long as we are in the South I will go to Fleet Feet to get fitted / purchase my running shoes and possibly other running accessories that I might need. You might pay a little extra but I'm willing to do so knowing I'm getting what is right for me, my body, the personal experience and the great customer service.

Have you ever been fit for proper pair of running shoes? What was your experience?

New Year....New Me

It's a New Year and I'm starting it off on the right foot. Literally!!!! February 2011 I got into running and have taken off with it since then. After moving to the South (fall 2011) it took me a while to get back in to a regular routine. With the move, getting settled and of course because of the climate and temperature change I kinda slacked. Once the winter months were behind us, I really didn't have any excuses. Plus the hubbs had given me a Nike GPS running Watch for Christmas that I had / wanted to put to use. I started out working my way back up to were I was before I left Hawaii and did so quite well. I've continued with it and stuck it out since then and feel so good about it. I never though I would enjoy running as much as I do, but I DO!!! It's such a great stress reliever and I feel so good about myself after I finish a run no matter how long it was. I'm determined to focus 100% on my running during the year 2013. I think believe by starting out strong and hard like I am, I will set myself up for success. Really it can only go up from here, there's not looking back or quitting, it's just not a option. 

Jan. 3rd, first run of the new year!!! 3.5

I've found the best running partner here in the South. She just so happens to be one of my moms in my class. We've become really good friends over the last 4 1/2 months. We make a good team to, we encourage and push each other along. Which I believe is key to getting any were in life. Everyone NEEDS encouragement and a little extra push and shove some times. I only wish we would have met sooner, better late than never right. 

Two things to do on my 30 b4 30 list are to run a half & full marathon. So during our run last night Kelly (my running partner) mentioned to me about a half marathon coming up in March to our area. We talked about doing it and debated it for about half a day and then decided to do it and commit 100%. So what does that mean you ask?!?!? Well I'll tell you......THIS GIRL signed up to run her first Half Marathon and It's only 2 "TWO" 2 months away. I've got some mega training to do but I'm super stoked and excited about it. Starting the New Year off STRONG. New Year New Me!!!! 

To help us build up to it and train we also signed up for a 10K that's at the end of January. WooHoo!!! 

LOOK OUT WORLD, there's nothing stopping me now!!!! 

I would definitely say that running has changed my life. I'm much more confident, it also helps me tell myself that I really can do anything as long as I put my mind and heart into it. I'm more motivated than I ever have been and I love that feeling. Not just in running but life its self and taking on what ever the day my bring.

Jan. 4th second run of the new year!!! short quick 2.5 ~ intervals 

 I'm planning on blogging more about my running and experience with it to help keep myself accountable and motivated. Any advice, tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. 

500 'n 2012

DAY 84

I've decided to join the 500 miles in 2012 club, a goal for myself to help keep me motivated and committed to my running. I'm really excited about this and looking forward to seeing how it pans out. Running 500 miles in a year seems simple enough right. That's about 42 miles a month, 10 miles a week and 2 miles a day if I run 5 days a week. Manageable right.....I think so, another goal for 2012 gosh its going to be a busy year. Although the more miles I run in one day the closer I am to completing 500 miles and that much better I will be at a marathon. I have to make my dream of running & completing a marathon before I'm 30 a reality. I think this will also be a good way to help me train up for it.

I really got into running last March after my hubbs came home for r&r, you could say he gave me a swift kick in the butt. No really I would come home from work in the evening and do a whole lot of nothing. We lived right next to a half mile track on post so I really had no reason why I couldn't get out there. I started off by just taking the pups for a walk every day after work, since they were inside all day One thing led to another and next thing you know I'm running laps around the track with both pups. After a good couple weeks I was board with counting laps and keeping up with how many times I had gone around so I decided to venture out and map out a route on post. We lived in a area that didn't get to much traffic and was not off the main roads so that was nice. Most of the areas I ran were covered by giant trees so when it was killer hot out I didn't feel like I was going to die.
Shortly after I ran in my first official race My First 5K and I had the best time. I was a little skeptical about it at first because I had never participated in a running event but I figured "hey how bad could it be." From there I was hooked and on a roll, the Spouse & I signed up for the 10K Pineapple Race in Wahiawa at the end of the month. I did great in both runs and couldn't have asked for a better friend to run them with. The only part that would have made it better is if my hubbs would have been there. He was however cheering my on from the online sideline via the sandbox.
Running has really changed my life and I have to thank my Spouse also for encouraging me along the way. It has also opened up many other doors for me as well as given me that boost I needed to further my working out options. I look forward to getting up on the weekend or after work and hitting the pavement. I feel so much better about myself afterwards, it's almost like I've just conquered the world again and again. On top of running through out the week I also have been attending Zumba & Spin classes here on post 4 days a week. I can't tell you how much better I feel about myself, it truly has been a life changing experience.

READ SET GO!