Harvest Hustle 10K - Oct 2013 - 47:14 - 1st Female

I ran this 5K race last year, and it was wicked cold.  Today was gorgeous!  It was about 40 degrees and sunny, but the wind was starting to pick up.  This course is just stupid hilly.  Hill, after hill, after windy hill.  But I knew the course, knew what I was in for, and laced up anyway.  I finished first place female in the 5K last year, and had every intention of doing so this year in the 10K.

To save the suspense, I did.  I finished first female, second overall.  This was a SMALL race.  My time wasn't stellar, but given the hills and the wind, I was ok with it.  I need to find a flat 10K sometime to maybe bust out a killer PR :)

The race was at 9AM so my morning started with some toast, PB2, and half a banana.  My usual Advocare routine, which makes me feel AMAZING.  2 O2 Gold about 8:15, and my Spark/Arginine Extreme combo in the car on the way (about 20 minutes til race time)

 

Gotta love the awkward mirror selfie.  (I almost ALWAYS take these pre-race selfies before I put my hair up, it makes me feel better)  Gear was an Under Armour long sleeved shirt, Lincoln Mile t-shirt (I didn't run this race, but have a shirt.  Go figure) My lucky 10K Nike Tempo shorts, and black Pro Compression.  They were having some random contests at the race, like best outfit, best socks, etc like in a Halloween sense.  The girl at registration told me I could sign in for the sock part.  Uh no, my Pro Compression is not for decoration, it's medically necessary.  Thanks for asking. ;)

Splits : 7:05, 7:35, 7:52, 7:41, 7:19, 7:57, and some change for the last .2

YEAH positive splits... I don't think I've ever ran a race with negative splits.  Dang adrenaline from the get go shoots me in the foot every time.

First place female finish got me a SWEET gold medal AND a $25 gift certificate to Mocha Tan! AWESOME!

This was a small, local race, and it was great to support their cause.  I will probably always keep it on my fall schedule. I headed home to run 4 easy cool down miles (32 min) to make 10.2 miles for the day.

 

I LOVE the Mary Decker quote!! I saw it on Instagram right after the race, and it gave me goosebumps!  I related to Mary after my hip issue, and her dramatic fall.  But it's all about getting back up and simply loving to run!

"I think you have too many shoes"… SHUT UP

If I’m ever having a bad day, I watch “Shoes” or one of the other ridiculous videos, I’m laughing immediately. (The muffins one is stupid funny too, if you care.) 

Kelly and SHOES popped into my head this weekend when a fresh box of Mizuno Wave Rider 16s were on my doorstep. (I order all of my shoes from Amazon, I always get free shipping, and they usually have the best prices)

Max mileage per pair really varies on the individual. For me, 300 miles seems to be max. I have one completely maxed out pair of blue 16s this year, and two pairs that are hovering around the 200 mile mark. I felt a fourth pair was necessary to have on hand for at home treadmill running. (I WILL NOT run on my treadmill with dirty shoes! I am an anal Annie about “no shoes in the house”, so clean shoes only, just in case I have to walk off my tread and go to the bathroom or get water) 

(From Mizunousa.com) Product Features

The Wave Rider delivers a harmonious balance of lightweight feel, sculpted fit and exquisitely smooth ride. By maximizing the responsive action of Mizuno's innovative Wave plate technology, the Wave Rider continues to define and create the brilliant run experience. 

• The pure manifestation of our Just Enough ethos–everything you need, nothing you don’t–in a Moderate Neutral package.
• Internal forefoot overlays provide superior hold and embrace at toe-off
• Updated heel counter provides a natural fit and embrace at a reduced weight.
• New mesh materials throughout the upper create a natural fit that allows the shoe to work in harmony with the foot.

I was never professionally fitted for running shoes, but if you are able to have this done, I’m sure it’s a good idea. I stumbled upon Mizunos last spring when I was training for my first half marathon. I almost pulled the plug on it completely because I had horrible shin splints. I was running in an old pair of Nikes that I wore for EVERYTHING. I did some research on Mizunos, and knew they worked well for me in high school volleyball. Luckily, the small shoe store in the mall had a pair of ruby 15s in my size! (10s are sometimes not always there, I call it big foot discrimination) 

They fit like a glove. I was amazed my first run in them, and almost immediately my shins improved! 

 

Tips from the shoe pro: (just kidding) 
- Get professionally fitted if you can. 
- If you can’t, do your research. Do you over or under pronate? Are you a heel striker? Do you need a lot of arch support, or do you need lighter more minimalistic shoes? Set up a camera behind your treadmill, or have someone else tape you running so you observe your foot strike. 
- Once you know the type of shoe you need, do some Googling for brands and styles, or head in to your local sporting goods store and tell them what you need. 
- Looks aren’t everything. OK, I know, the bright fun shoes are the coolest, but if you are serious about running performance, you might have to get shoes that don’t always look the coolest. 
- Save your running shoes for RUNNING! Get a separate pair for cross and strength training. It will save your running shoes. 
- Keep track of your miles. This way you will have an idea when it’s time to retire and get a new pair. Don’t wait until you have shin splints or some other major issue stemming from worn out shoes. 

MY Mizunos! :)

Someone else's Mizunos...

 It's cool to make a heart out of your shoes to express your love for them... try it!

Running Wish List

After reading Janae’s post this morning about winning a Boston Marathon treadmill!... I got to thinking about what would be on my ultimate running bucket/wish list.  If money (or real life aka work…) was no object, what would I want most…

Dream treadmill – Woodway.  If the amazing Emz can run on one for 22+ hours, I think I could handle a long run or two on one!  A close second in the dream tread category would be the Boston treadmill.  How cool would that be.

 

Dream races – If I had all the $$ and time in the world to be gone from work, I would for sure do one of the runDisney races.  Probably the Tinkerbell half marathon!  
A Rock N Roll Series race is on my “real world” bucket list.  I hope to get one of these in within the next year or two.  I love country music, but I hear Nashville is on the hilly side?  

Gear – I shell out plenty of dollaz on my gear, but I would have an endless drawer of Pro Compression socks and sleeves and now their new arm sleeves! As Nebraska winter approaches, I will need to stock up on lots of cold weather gear to do as much outdoor running as possible.  I would have an endless supply of Nike Tempo shorts as well.  Some days I think I already do though…

Compex and 110% Play harder capris.  I am all about my recovery tools. These are just a little bit out of the price range I can justify, but they sure would rock!