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?

Moving Right Along

Another week has come and gone, time seems to be sailing right along. Which frankly is fine by me because I've got lots to look forward to in the coming weeks. Not to mention we are over half way through this cycle. It seems to be going by faster than the last one, which is always nice. (since I said that, the rest of it will prob. go slow lol) Work hasn't been to bad I suppose, I finally have a 2nd staff in the afternoons. Sadly though it doesn't help much because she can't be left by herself with the children so I'm still kinda stuck. This week I've had 4 kids out sick and that doesn't include the ones I have still coming that are sick. Seems as if everyone has the runny noes and cough going around. Maybe its due to the weather change here lately. Speaking of its been in the mid 80's ALL week and I'm loving it so much. If I could bottle this weather up and keep it around all the time we'd be doing great. Sadly I'm not holding my breath because I'm sure it wont last long. I have a feeling its going to be a awfully cold winter here in the South. I think I'm going to start stocking up on winter close now that way when the time comes I'm fully prepared. Speaking of clothes I did a bit of shoe shopping last Sunday. I replaced my broken long gone flip flops. They finally opened the Dick's Sporting Goods store here and they had a large selection to chose from. They aren't as comfy as my old ones yet but I'm sure that's just because I have to break them in some first. 

From here we went to Academy because the hubbs wanted to look at guns, HELLO nothing new there. I took this opportunity to get another new pair of shoes. (they didn't have any I liked at Dicks) Last week at zumba I wore my running shoes and I could tell a big difference from the week before when I wore my regular work out shoes. Sadly those have seen better days, I'm holding on to them though for a Mud Run I'm doing in a few weeks. Any how I found these babies below and they just so happen to be on sale. I wanted something funky and bright but of course something with good support. There were others that I liked but I couldn't bring myself to pay almost $150+ for zumba shoes. I'd rather put it towards running shoes. 

~DAY 331~

Monday after work I talked the hubbs in to going to test drive a car that we stopped and looked at the day before. (it didn't take much convincing him) Knowing good and well we weren't going to get it, it was kinda just for sh*ts and giggles. I really liked the way it drove, it reminded me a lot of the Mazda RX8 I had before the Challey. Although it would have been a major down grade because it lacked a lot of features that my Challey does have, it was a really clean, fun car. Small but fun. I would have been one of a thousand to own one, but it still wasn't enough for me to part with my baby. 
In case you were wondering it's a Toyota Scion FRS, its a car that Subaru and Toyota went in together and built. 

~DAY 332~

Its been a busy past week & a half for the hubbs, he's going through EIB training. This is the 2nd time for him and we I have been stressing about it. I hope to goodness he makes it. He seems to be completely confident about it but still doesn't mean I wont worry. He didn't pass in Hawaii when he took the test because his grader on his run messed up his time. It was a very bitter sweet day. I would hate to see him come this far again and not make it. The past 2 or 3 days have been day and night land nav. training. He HATES land nav. He doesn't have a problem doing it just not something he totally enjoys. They have to find 2 of the 3 markers in a certain amount of time, in both day and night. He didn't get home this evening till 11pm and was completely exhausted. This is a typical day he comes home strips his uniform and it all goes on the kitchen counter. Then up to bed we went. Next week is TESTING all week, there are different events each day. The last thing is a 12 mile road march on Friday morning followed by the ceremony. If your the praying type could you please say a extra pray for the hubbs and all the other soldiers that will be testing next week. Not only that they all pass but that no one gets injured, falls out and for their safety. (and that I can find a sub for Friday morning so that I can attend the ceremony.)

~DAY 333~

Skip ahead from Tuesday to Friday. Nothing overly exciting happened Wednesday or Thursday, the hubbs had night land nav training again Wed. night and Thursday night I babysat after work.  Friday we found our selves back at the dealership this time test driving a Toyota Taco. Its not a bad little truck I suppose but my first love for a truck will always be the 2010 Dodge 4*4 fully loaded Ram that we had in Hawaii. I opened the back of the Subaru to get something out of it when we were at the dealer and found this (below right picture). I asked the hubbs what the heck he was doing with it in his car and thats when he informed me it was fake and called a rubber ducky. I replied with no really why do you have it, still thinking it was real. Long conversation later, he's been using it during land nav. training. Now its in the back of my car, by that's going to be fun to explain if I get randomly selected at the gate for inspection. 

~DAY 336~

Its been a pretty good week for the most part, there's been a lot going on and I've been pretty busy. Hints the reason I'm a teeny tinny bit behind on my blogging but that's alright because its my blog and I can do that, right?! We've got a pretty chill weekend ahead of us, I'm not babysitting at all which I'm excited about and the hubbs only has to go in Saturday morning for compatives training with the privates. I'm going out there to take pictures for our families so keep a eye out for those. Some time tomorrow. (hopefully) 

I hope you all have a fabulous weekend, I'm looking forward to enjoying the wonderful weather we are suppose to have!!!!

Breaking in my kicks!!!!

Normally I have to wait till later in the evening before I go on my run since its so hot here. This afternoon when I got off work it was only 80 something degrees out so I decided to go ahead and hit the road. I took the pups with me of course, a two for one they get their walk in and I get my run in. Then I don't feel guilty by being lazy with them the rest of the night. I always feel so bad when we aren't able to get them out for their walk. Of course I wore my new shoes that I got yesterday and absolutely loved them. (I wore them to work to kinda break them in) They are so light and made the impact when running so smooth. I don't think I will ever go back to my old ones again. I'm definitely sold, no wonder the hubby has like 3 pairs of these. 

Beatin the SC Heat!!!!

 I had a dinner date with the hubbs later tonight, HELLO CQ AGAIN. But I'm not complaining he has five days off starting tomorrow!!!!!  When I came home I didn't have anything to do. I was in bed by 9:30pm catching up on some cyber life!!! 

text to the hubbs: sleeping with out you is like tea with out sugar, it just sucks. I hate going to bed with out him. :(
But I think my lucky stars he's not deployed right now. 

I'm thinking and praying for all you lovely Milispouses out there with deployed loved ones. Praying for a quick and safe return!!!!  

~DAY 278~

Things are Multiplying

I seriously don't know how many pairs of Combat Boots the hubbs needs. I swear every other day or so I come home and its like they are multiplying. This evening I came home and there were five pair lined up in the laundry / pantry room. Props to him for keeping them together and put away neatly but really five pair downstairs. Is that really necessary at all, not to mention the loads of PT shoes he has. I bet if we were to count he would have more shoes than me. Now I'm not including my sandals and flip flops just closed toed shoes. Its freaking crazy, I'm always trying to get him to get rid of some because really who needs that many pair of boots.

But he just wont give, he says they may come in handy one day. umm we will see about that one. 

~DAY 138~

Gymin it UP!!!

DAY 77

I miss the sunsets :(

I miss the beautiful sunset Hawaii has to offer, thankfully we have some rather gorgeous ones here. Nothing at all like sight of it setting over the ocean but still beautiful. I snapped this one on my way to Spin class this evening, I just couldn't resist.

Getting in some extra lovins time with my love before we started on dinner. I finally found a super cute head band for when I work out to help keep my hair back & in place. The color matches perfect with my new Nike Plus GPS watch I got for Christmas.

On another note I got ANOTHER pair of TOMS today. I told you they are seriously addicting & I'm in love!!!! I've found 3 stores here local that sell them. They each carry most of the same styles & colors. Oh the plus side though they all have different ones as well. Soon enough I will have a pair for every day of the week, heck it may even be every day of the month if I keep going. But REALLY A GIRL CAN NEVER HAVE TO MANY SHOES.

We actually went yesterday & I picked a pair out. I didn't try them on seeing I knew my size. So today when we were getting ready to leave I put them on and they were WAY to small. I was caught off guard because they were the same size as the last ones I bought. Sure they stretch out some after being worn a bit but there was no way I could wear them this tight. We went back to were I got them from so I could exchange them. They didn't have any more of the style I picked so I came home with these below. Come to find out even each individual size varies in the TOM world. So not every 8 is going to fit the same :( bummer wish I would have figured that out sooner, it would have saved us a trip. It's ok It gave me time to ponder over my next pair.

New Shoes

DAY 44

Keeping My Toes Warm

I bought my first pair of TOMS today and I just LOVE them. They are so comfortable and cozy that I think I'm going to have to go back and buy a couple more pairs. I have been searching for a pairs of shoes that will go with just about everything and still be comfy and stylish at the same time. Keeping my toes warm was the most important part of course. These were my first choice a couple weeks ago but I didn't get them. I decided I would look around and see if there was anything else I liked better. I kept coming up empty handed always thinking about the beautiful black Toms and all the other fabulous color shemecs they had.

I was done looking and new which ones I wanted, Gabe so kind to put up with me during this never ending search. I knew he was happy when I told him I decided on the Toms, he even helped me pick them out. Such a lovely supportive hubbs he is!!!!!!!!!

Missing Shoe Box

DAY 15

What's a girl to do w/o her shoes?!?!?!?

This morning I was putting a few last minute things away when I almost had a moment. I got to thinking I was missing ALL of my shoes well other than the ones I packed in my suite case with me. I walked through the house making sure I didn't miss any boxes and nothing. There was one box in the office of Gabes things, I quickly rummaged through it but still came up empty handed. Really I though how is it that we have everything accounted for but a BOX OF SHOES and mine at that. When the hubbs came home from the gym I asked him about it and he had no clue were they would be. I was starting to panic, I mean don't get me wrong sure they are easy to replace but I didn't want to have to do that I loved the shoes I had.

While I did some work on~line this afternoon Gabe organized and straightened up the front outside storage shed. When he came in he said hey I found your shoes (& a few other little things) they were in the blue suite case we put in the shed. Seriously I was grateful that the movers did such a great job at packing our things but I guess I would have though they would have told us they packed some things in certain places. Such as in the microwave, dresser, nightstands and suite cases all which were empty prior to them coming. I mean yeah it makes sense and as stupid as it sounds I never would have though about it. I'm just glad that my missing shoe box was found.