New Shoes and I'm in Love

First off let me just say that this is my own opinion and what works for me in shoes does not work for everyone.  With that totally random disclaimer there without further waiting my new shoes:

 They are the Books Pure Drift.  Oh, and apparently they are the old style.  I tried on a different pair in the regular aisle of DSW (I know my running style so I shop where I can, if you are unsure of your running needs then I highly recommend a running specialty store to get properly fitted) instead of the clearance section.  I found these in the clearance section and they definitely fit differently, in a good way for me.

 They are super light, flexible and very minimal.  I've found that I really love minimal shoes.  While this is a preference for me it is not the right type of shoe choice for everyone.

 Hey, those kind of remind me of another pair of shoes that you have?  That is because they are about as close to them as I can find since the Brooks Green Silence were discontinued.  Here they are side by side.

 Similar shape and asymmetrical lacing style.  Lots of fabric and not much else on the upper.  This makes for a very comfy shoe in my opinion that feels like a sock with a hard bottom.

 The treads on the shoes are different but both very flexible.  Lots of grooves allow for the shoe to flex and for my foot to go through its natural range of motion.   Lastly, the two shoes have a low profile (the heel isn't huge), which allows for me to land on my mid-foot and continue through my natural stride.  The Pure Drift does sit a little closer to the ground but the overall feel is very similar.  I love new shoes.

The smell of brand new sneakers fresh out of the box--can we make that into a car air freshener?

New to Me Sparkle

So I am part of a Sparkle Skirt Princess group and I was able to buy a used sparkle skirt.  The skirt sat there for almost 2 days and I finally posted SOLD!  Most skirts are barely on there a few seconds before they sell.  I suppose it was meant to be since it coordinates amazingly with all of my lime green shirts.

The other day it was kind of nice (we are talking 40 degrees) so I took the skirt out with some capris and my Dopey shirt (of course the shirt was covered by my lime windbreaker for the run).  So excited for the warmer weather that is on its way so that I can wear my pretties without leggings and get in my long runs with the amazing pockets carrying my candies and water bottle.

Wild Wednesday

Despite my little rant about winter it is important to keep this in mind:

 So true because the elliptical just isn't the same, even if it means that I can watch some cheesy movie or catch up on those tv shows.  Right now I am really loving the inspiration and motivation that come from watching the Olympics.  Is it just me or does watching other people compete at the highest level make you want to get out there and work a little harder to reach your potential?  This might be short lived but it's a start.

While sorting through photos the other day I came across this little gem:

Remember when we used to have to peel a sticker off the back of our bib and make it into a "D" loop on our shoes for timing?  Now the technology is such that the sticker thing just stays on the back of the bib.

When will it be spring?

 Although I have no desire to go back to running 8 laps to the mile on a cruise ship for a 10 miler  I do miss the nice weather.  I am ready for the extreme cold and snow to melt away into spring.  I will even settle for temperatures above 20 degrees for a few days and no wind.  The wearing 3 pairs of pants and 3 shirts plus a windbreaker is starting wearing on my patience.  But somewhere shortly after my toes went numb despite the wool socks I realized, hey there are only about 4 more weeks of this extreme frozen-ness and then we start to warm up.

Before we know it spring will be here and I can feel like Olaf from Frozen and be sooo happy since I will no longer be wearing yak tracks, layers and worried about frostbite.  I suppose that without the extreme cold that winter brings I would not appreciate the warmth and sunshine of spring as it fades into summer and crisp fall air with leaves crunching under my feet.  I can only think that getting out the door to run on these frigid days will make me mentally tougher.

Foam Roller

I got a brand new foam roller at the opening of the new Fleet Feet Sports store.  My hamstring has been kind of tight for a while and I just cannot quite massage it well enough with my stick and I tried a tennis ball but no luck.  I've read great things about these rollers--even though it hurts but in a sort of good way.  I can definitely say that my hamstring is loosening up and it is also great for my shoulders and other tough to reach to properly massage spaces on my lower back.

Motivation

 Yup, that button from the Disney expo is on my lunch bag.  It makes me smile and I have gotten many compliments on it when I go into schools to substitute teach.  We cannot control the weather but we can control out attitude.  This is something I am working on--being more positive and not getting so frustrated when everything isn't going great.  I've also got my training mapped out for the Flower City Half Marathon in a cute little Mickey planner my momma got me. Knowing what I need to run each day at a quick glance is very helpful for me.  After I run I record the miles and time if it was a workout.

My other planner binder with my everything schedule in it has fun stickers all over it.  Sparkle Happens (sparkle skirts), Save the Wrinkles--embrace what makes you unique, and some fun Girls on the Run stickers.   

Fleet Feet Store Opening

My Momma was gracious enough to pick me up and wait in line with me for the opening of the new Fleet Feet location in town.  The first 150 (then they had so many people the extended it to 200) were given a gift card valued at $5-$100.  While waiting some employees were pushing around a cart with donuts and coffee.

 The new location is closer to a park for running and has a lot more parking and space for their expanding learn to run and training groups.  The owners of this franchise location were celebrating their 11 year marriage anniversary by opening the new space.

 The store is significantly larger and very sleek/modern.  I enjoyed it and the location is easy peasy to get to--right off the expressway basically.  There is also a community room where they can put a bunch of chairs for events and gather before group runs.  I love the one wall how it is covered with bibs from all the races they have hosted since opening.  All of the bibs are "#1."

 As we were leaving the first group run was leaving from the store.  I ended up with a $10 gift card value and my mom ended up with a $15 value gift card--socks and a foam roller for me.