Now that I have my next races on the calendar, a training schedule created. and goals to work towards, there was just one thing left to do to feel ready to train. NEW SHOES!
Way back when I trained for my first marathon in 2008, I went to a running store to get fitted for shoes and find the right type for my stride. I ended up in a neutral shoe – whatever version of Saucony had just come out that year. Ever since then, I have continued to just buy the latest versions of my same Sauconys each time I was up for new shoes.
I knew I was looooong over due for new shoes (3 marathons in this last pair – eeeek!), but instead of just order another pair online, I decided to head to Charlotte’s running store – Run for Your Life – to get fitted again. I was open to the idea of trying something new, but I went also went their specifically because I knew they carried the Saucony brand. Can you tell I have a hard time letting go? Why do I still have all these old pairs?
As it turned out, the newest pair of Sauconys had a weird foamy piece in the back that was driving me crazy, so my nice salesman suggested a pair of Mizunos – the brand most similar to the type of shoe I was used to. I ended up LOVING them! Meet my new shoes – the Mizuno Wave Rider 13!
Even though I did NOT feel like getting up early this morning, Kath convinced me to get out of bed and join her for a run. New shoes were just enough incentive to seal the deal!
A few belly rubs later, I was out the door at 5:15 and on my way to meet Kath in my new Mizunos. (Why do I feel like I am cheating on the Saucony brand?)
True friendship is being willing to drive 20 minutes across town to meet for a 5am run. :) And as always, I am SO glad that I did it – what a fun way to start the morning! It was also a nice change from running in the heat, although the humidity was still nice and dense. My shoes felt great!
Four miles and a quick car ride later, I was back home and diving into this bowl of homemade muesli with a gazillion berries.
It is finally BERRY season – love it! And since I can no longer buy strawberries without hearing the mantra of Ashley’s plea, I forked over the extra $$ for the organic, and felt good knowing that my berries were better for me.
I was going to post my training schedule here at the end of this, but I can’t figure out a good way to get it on here so that you guys can read it clearly. I currently have it saved in Excel and as a PDF. Any suggestions?
Off to the farm! :)
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Glad you had a good run! I love musli! Perfect for hot mornings. Have a great day!
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Does the farm you’re working on have any berries? Assuming your growing calendar is somewhat similar to ours in St. Louis (okay, NC is a bit south of here, so your season is probably farther along), I imagine strawberry season is past, but you might be in prime time for raspberries and blueberries. Enjoy!
For the training schedule, I would work with the PDF. If a direct upload doesn’t work, try Scibd. I’m not an expert, but that might work.
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Emily @ The Front Burner Blog Reply:
June 15th, 2010 at 10:43 am
They DO have berries, but I missed the strawberries by a week or two. :( BUT – the blueberry bushes should be ready in about two weeks. You better believe I’ve got my eye on them. :) I will try Scibd tonight – thanks!
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For a long time I only wore Brooks running shoes but then there came the day when they were no longer worked for me. I felt really sad when I found out that I would have to switch brands. And I totally felt like I was cheating on Brooks. I ended up with Sauconys lol.
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I have been running in the Mizuno Wave Runner for years. I love them and have NEVER had a problem (or injury).
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I’m a complete saucony freak! I have about three pairs and I buy them whenever I see them (do I have a problem? yes, yes I do)
I’ve actually always wanted to try a pair of mizunos – I just never see them aruond here
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Emily @ The Front Burner Blog Reply:
June 15th, 2010 at 10:41 am
My salesman said that Mizunos are most similar to Sauconys, so if you ever feel like switching that might be the way to go. I have like 10 old pairs of running shoes, and don’t know why I refuse to throw them away!
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‘Grats on the new shoes! I’m totally a sucker for brand loyalty too. Then I blame myself when we break up… “It’s not you – it’s me!” Re: posting your plan – I’d say, go PDF. It preserves all of your formatting, so if you want it to look for us exactly like it does for you, PDF is the way to go. Excel would make more sense if you were sharing it with the intention of the readers further editing it. Or, you could make the Excel version a public document on Google Docs – a very cool web app if you haven’t tried it yet! Great for sharing docs and spreadsheets. Though my vote is still for PDF :)
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I’d love to see your training schedule! Uploading the pdf or the Excel to Google Documents and then linking to it should let us see what you’re doing.
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Hi Emily. I have a running question for you. Like you (were)I am pretty loyal to my brand & model sneaker. I find the sneaker works for me. However I am having problems lately with blisters on long runs. One spot on each foot, continually returns each weekend. And they hurt. I don’t use those blister free socks, but thinking I should. Have you ever? I’m going to try the body slick stuff this weekend on my feet. Do you think it is all in the shoe? I don’t know if I’m ready to give up my shoe. Besides they have to last longer than this, I just bought my current ones 2 months ago. Any advice you have on blisters would help. Thanks and love your blog.
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Emily @ The Front Burner Blog Reply:
June 15th, 2010 at 7:37 pm
I’ve actually never had blister trouble because I’ve been lucky with my shoes! The only time I’ve gotten blisters is when my feet have been wet from the rain. Do your feet sweat a lot? Gross, I know, but necessary. If your feet are extra sweaty, that could be the problem. I actually run in cheap Old Navy sport socks. I would think the problem is more in the socks than the shoes – perhaps try something thicker? I hope that helps!
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I love Mizuno Wive Riders. I’m going on my 4th pair (and the new red color that just came out :)
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Those are the exact same Mizuno’s I have! Ever since I was fitted with them 7 years ago, I’ve just kept buying the same Wave Riders, but updated style every year. I love them! I’ve tried pairs of Brooks, Saucony, Asics, and Nike for a change of pace and none of them have fit me as well as these. Hope you continue to like them!
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I’m a Saucony girl as well so I can feel your pain! I need to get a new pair in the next couple of weeks as well actually. And nothing makes me more motivated to run than new gear!
I agree with the other poster, Google Documents will let other people see your training plan and all you have to do is upload! Easy peasy!
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I’ve worn Mizunos for years. They’re great shoes! I’m cuurently wearing wave riders, too.
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You sound just like me when it comes to running shoes. I have 5 old pairs of Asics Keyanos in my closet (but they all still get worn for certain things). I was an Asics diehard until this year. I decided I needed to just go try shoes on and not pay attention to the brand or color and focus on the fit and feel. I ended up with a pair of Mizuno Nirvanas and I’m loving them so far!
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Emily @ The Front Burner Blog Reply:
June 15th, 2010 at 7:34 pm
I tried not to be sad when I was handed my 4th pair of blue and white shoes. So many pretty colors – why no diversity in running shoes? Sigh…
:)
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Mmmm. I could eat pounds of berries all day long I’m the summertime!
New shoes is definitely a great incentive for an early morning run. Do you always buy a size up in your running shoes?
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Dorry Reply:
June 15th, 2010 at 1:34 pm
What I meant to say is that buying new shoes is definitely a great incentive to run! :)
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Emily @ The Front Burner Blog Reply:
June 15th, 2010 at 7:32 pm
Dorry – yes! I wear a size 8, but these are 9′s – always seems weird, but also seems to work!
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Hmmm. What I meant to type is that buying new shoes is definitely a good incentive to run. :)
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What I MEANT to type is that buying new shoes is definitely a great incentive to run. :)
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I’ve done the same thing, ordering the same running shoe online when it’s time for a new pair. Maybe I should get fitted again too, it’s been awhile!
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I just switched to Mizunos last December and love them!!!! :)
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I have those shoes, love ‘em! You know, new shoes make you run faster :-)
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Emily @ The Front Burner Blog Reply:
June 15th, 2010 at 7:32 pm
that’s the hope! :)
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YAY, I love my mizunos, they are so very light and comfy :) Let me know what you think of them!
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I switched to Mizunos in January. Love em!!
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Just got a new pair of shoes too! I’m definitely a fan of Saucony and haven’t strayed yet. I’ve only done 1/2 marathons and am thinking of a full this autumn…Columbus is on my list of possibilities. As you post your training schedule, (RW has a new training schedule in their latest issue), would you give us an idea of your nutrition schedule as well? I know Little bit about mileage but not alot on the best diet for vegan marathoners. Love your blog and your new look!
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Emily @ The Front Burner Blog Reply:
June 15th, 2010 at 7:31 pm
I will try to do a separate post about marathon fueling as a vegetarian/vegan – I didn’t want to be too overwhelming in one post! Thanks for the suggestion! :)
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If you go to a Trader Joes, their organic berries are the same price as their conventional berries.
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Oh my gosh! I just got the same shoes. They are heavenly!! I hope you love yours as much as I love mine.
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I love mizunos. I actually have the exact same shoe, and I had the model before it, and the model before that, and the model before that… You get the idea.
They are so comfortable, feel like slippers, and I swear they make me run faster.
My various pairs of mizunos have taken me through two 10ks, a summer of trail runs, 2 half marathons, and now hopefully marathon training.
I hope you love them as much as I do.
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Purdy shoes. Purdy brex : )
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