One of my favorite things to write about is my training for a specific race. I took you through 15 weeks of training for the 2013 NYC Marathon, then kept you up to speed on my quest for a (very) specific half marathon PR. (That PR Quest is to be continued!). Then a couple of weeks ago when I volunteered at a NYRR race, I told you how much I enjoyed talking running with fellow runners. It made me realize that sometimes on the blog I just want to rabbit on about run stuff, but I’ve always tried to keep it contained by making it part of a training log, or turning it into an installment of my Running Tips series.
Hence, The Run Report. Hopefully this will be a fairly regular feature on Fine Fit Day, wherein I just spill all my current running thoughts. 🙂
Today’s topics: shoes, races, favorite places.
LET’S TALK SHOES:
I wish I could find the magical just-for-me running shoe that will feel amazing no matter what. I want to be loyal!! But, I’m still looking for ‘the one’. I thought I’d found it with Mizuno’s Wave Rider. I went through about 3 pairs back to back and loved them. Then, I was introduced to Saucony’s Kinvara 4, which I actually preferred in terms of feel to the Wave Rider. The only problem is the toe box is a little too narrow for me, I think, because it wears out at the pinky toe first and I tend to get between-the-toes blisters when I run longer than 10 miles in them. Since I want to be loyal and Mizuno was my first love, I’ve also tried the Wave Inspire and the Sayonara. Inspire = not so much, and Sayonara felt fine, but a little stiff.
I’m yet to order my next pairs (I buy two pairs at once to rotate), but I’m wondering if I should try the Mizuno Wave Rider again, or maybe switch to New Balance, which I understand has a wide toe box.
Thoughts? Recommendations? Opinions? Give them to me! 🙂
LET’S TALK RACES:
So, I’m steadily clocking up the NYRR races so I can complete the 9+1 requirements to get guaranteed entry to the 2015 NYC Marathon. If you’re an NYRR member and you run 9 of their races and volunteer at 1 during a calendar year, you’re automatically accepted into the following year’s marathon. You still have to pay, of course, you just don’t have to suffer through seeing everyone’s excited tweets that they’ve been accepted in the lottery as it slowly dawns on you that you didn’t make it. I’ve run 3 down, with 6 to go. I just signed up for the following:
Fifth Avenue Mile (my one and only time running this I was about 20 weeks pregnant, so my speed was not blazing).
Staten Island Half Marathon (the PR Quest continues!)
Bronx 10 Mile (I’ve never run this distance before – should be interesting pacing)
Jingle Bell Jog 4 mile (in Brooklyn, yay! and I will be running more races before this December one, they just haven’t opened registration for all of them yet).
Any local runners signed up for these? Any 10 mile veterans want to give me tips on racing that distance?
LET’S TALK FAVORITE PLACES:
It’s no secret one of my favorite races is the Covered Bridges Half Marathon in Vermont. (In fact, my love for it is shared today on Erica’s blog, Life as a Running Mom!) I haven’t run many races outside of my local area (I did run the City to Surf in Sydney one year, which was AMAZING), and running some more destination races is definitely on my running bucket list. I keep threatening to sign up for the Paris Marathon, which Fran thinks is the craziest idea in the world – in his opinion I’d miss out on at least 4 hours of wine, cheese and art. He might have a point.
This past weekend, when I ran with my cousin Doug over the Hudson River walkway, I realized how lovely it is to enjoy new scenery when you’re out on your run. Much as I love Prospect Park, I know I zone out a lot when I’m running there, because it’s so familiar to me.
What’s your favorite place to run? Familiar route, or new scenery?
PS: a big thank you to the lovely Nellie of Brooklyn Active Mama, for her shout out for my post on walk breaks! She is training for a 10K this Fall and I’m excited to follow along with her training adventures! 🙂
You know I am loving this series! I want to do the jingle ball 4m but I am scared of running in the cold as I have never done that before!! Maybe you can post on that in the fall? I have a 4m coming up this Saturday. Now that I have a nyrr membership I have to get the most out of it! 🙂
Nellie @ Brooklyn Active Mama recently posted…Fitbloggin 14 Savannah Part 1: Paula Deen, Wet Willies and Endless Hugs
I love Running-Nellie!! 🙂 We have to get together to run – I’ll run at your pace! I actually love running in the cold, it is always a million times better than you think it’s going to be when you first step outside. The Jingle Bell run is a lot of fun and it helps that it’s in Prospect Park for a change!
Sounds like you have a great list of races there! I wish I could be that structured with my racing plan, but with a sub 2:40 goal for Chicago, it is tough for me to know when and where I can race without pushing myself too far, or being in the wrong stage of my cycle. I am vowing to race more this time around though, no matter how ready I am. I am sorry to Kinvara didn’t work for you, those are my absolute favorite shoes ever. However, I did also like the Puma Faas series, they are nice and soft, and should be a little looser in the toes. Ugly shoes, but I love them!
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I loved the Kinvaras, they felt great and I liked how light they were, but they’re the only shoe that’s ever given me blisters so I know I have to part with them. I will check out the Faas, but I am superficial enough that if they’re really ugly, I will probably pass.
And yes, you focus on your sub 2:40, lady!! 🙂 I’m planning ahead only so I can get that spot in the NYCM.
Fun idea!
I’ve been in Mizuno Wave Inspires for probably 10 pairs, and I love them. I saw my sports dr/chiropractor last week though, and he suggested going down from a stability shoe to a neutral shoe (like the wave riders), so I might switch to your shoe!
I’ve only done one 10 mile race ever, but it might have been my favorite distance. For pacing, I’d just find a happy medium between your 10k & half pace.
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I do love the wave riders, I think I will probably go back to them now. The Inspires are okay, but they did feel a little clunky/heavy to me. I think you’ll LOVE the Wave Riders.
That’s a good idea on pace – I will try to hit that pace for a few training runs to get used to it.
What a super fun idea for a series!!!
I’ve been a Mizuno fan for years now – I like the Wave Riders best!!! However, I also have several other shoes that I like a lot, too – I like to mix it up pretty often!!
Looks like you have some fun races coming up this year. Very cool about earning entry into the New York Marathon!!!
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I’m going to check out a few reviews of other styles and see what’s on sale, but I think I’ll get Mizunos for one of my pairs. They really do work for me. 🙂
Hmmm….shoes. At least you get to try them! I don’t have “adult” sized feet so I have to shop from the kids area which leaves me with little choices. Be thankful for your shoes!
You have quite a bit of races coming up. I may need to tap you for a guest post (or maybe you can just answer it here) regarding a question that I have. It’s been weighing on my mind and I’m not sure where to find the answer. You may have it. Was I vague enough for you?
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That is really tough – it must be next to impossible for you to find shoes!! 🙁 And yes, of course I’m intrigued!! Email me, I’d love to guest post for you (assuming I can answer your mysterious question, that is!)