Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Gear Report: Nathan Fuel Belt, Kayano 19, and Blog Recommendations

Before I even begin today's post, I need to thank you guys for keeping me accountable. Because I was so excited to use my new fuel belt and share a brief review, I had to get out of bed today to use it!

I'm glad I did, because I also caught glimpses of three shooting stars leftover from the Perseid meteor shower that was super bright Sunday and Monday.

I know it seems like I post photos of new shoes at least once a week, but I really mean it this time.
I can already feel the neon making me faster!
I went back to Fit2Run with my Adrenalines in hand. After giving them a shot since July, I just knew they weren't right for me. The employee who took my return was surprised I hadn't been fitted for the Trance, as they're really the equivelant of the Asics Kayano. Still, I told him at this point I just wanted what I knew worked for me.
The 19s are slightly more narrow in the toe, so I sized up to 8.5 rather than an 8.
I walked out fifteen minutes later (after an extremely awkward fitting during which I had to apologize for my I've-been-wearing-work-shoes-without-socks-all-day-smelly-feet) with a gorgeous pair of Kayano 19s. I am thrilled!

So preeeettyyyy.
This is it, guys. I know these are meant for me!

Anyway, this morning I woke up at 4:25, ate a few SportsBeans, and read some blogs until I was awake enough to get moving.
I ran with my new Nathan Speed 4R fuel belt. I only put in two bottles because my run was only going to be three miles. I definitely noticed a little sloshing, and I think one of the bottles was leaking a little because I didn't close the cap all the way.
I went for basic black, but there are pink and blue options, too.
I like that there's no closure on the nipple of the bottle; it has a one-way system built in and all you have to do is squeeze the bottle to get a perfect jet of water. The belt didn't wiggle; it definitely sat where I secured it. The pocket is the perfect size for my keys, and will be great for fuels on my longer runs.
Nothing like a fuzzy under-the-street-light shot to really provide a clear picture.
My arms never clipped the bottles and they were easy to remove from the belt while running. The extra weight will take awhile to get used to, and I definitely noticed it once I took the belt off, but during the run I didn't feel it affected my gait. (I was a little slower today, but that could be remnants from the long run Sunday...my hamstrings are still a little tired.) The water didn't stay super cold, but I guess that's to be expected.

I wore my new shoes, and felt absolutely awesome.

I kind of love that they look like rainbow sherbet.
Finally, I'm happy to mention that I've updated my What I'm Reading list to include the blogs I've been obsessed with lately! I just added the new ones to the top; the blogs aren't in any particular order. Believe me, they're all worth checking out!

Do you run with water/fuel?
Recommend a blog you're loving right now!
What are your thoughts on this new trend of super-bright running shoes?

ABK

27 comments:

  1. Great job on the run and glad that you are liking the fuel belt. It will become so natural. The shoes are quite pretty ;-).

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    1. Thanks! I'm looking forward to the belt becoming an extension of my body lol!

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  2. I love rainbow sherbet, so maybe I should consider those shoes ;)
    I never run with water or fuel, but I am running 9 miles on Saturday so I might need to change that :)

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    1. I did my first 3 half marathons without any fuel. I regret that! Learning how to fuel has really made my long runs stronger.

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  3. Glad you're finally back in comfortable shoes :)

    I don't really need a fuel belt, but I really want one because they remind me of the wireless microphone pack/belt Britney Spears used to wear when she performed live back in the late 90s:

    http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4ndh5nKwB1qmrg0io1_500.jpg

    *sigh* She was so cool.

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    1. LOL that's the best reason ever to want a fuel belt! She was so perfect...look how young she looks! Crazy!

      Anyway, I didn't fuel for my half marathons but I wish I had. I don't think I'll ever do another long run without something to eat!

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    2. I snack on Honeystingers sometimes but I have this little wrist pouch I bring me with. I am looking forward to graduating to the fuel belt someday! :)

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  4. I do run with water...but I just carry a water bottle in my hand...have not been happy with a belt yet...

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    1. I've found the sloshing of the waterbottle in my hand is really distracting and makes me feel unbalanced on one side. I was definitely happy with how "balanced" I felt with the belt on.

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  5. Your new shoes are absolutely adorable! I am so excited to get new shoes sometime this week or next. Mine are DEFINITELY old. I've never fueled, and I don't know when would be a good time to start incorporating it in. I am so set in my ways and stubborn. :-) I'm glad to be back and can't wait to catch up on your blog!

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    1. I wish I'd fueled for my half marathons! Now that I know what it's about, and that it actually pays off, I can't believe I didn't try it sooner. But yeah, it definitely takes some trial and error!

      I hope you had a great vacation!!

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  6. I have bright blue shoes and I love them. neon will always be in for me! I looked at your blog list and it's weird how we only overlap on like, one blog! I feel like I follow so many but maybe I'll dig through your list and find new ones :)

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    1. I think now that I've had a taste of bright colors, I'll never turn back. Although one day maybe I'll just go for basic-black-badass-shoes lol.

      I mostly only follow running blogs! Maybe that's why there's a lack of overlap. There are so many out there, finding new ones to love is almost problematic haha

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  7. LOVE those new shoes. And I'm glad you posted about the belt. I need one in my life. I;m horrible at hydrating and I think it's not letting me recover enough before my next run.
    PS- Thank you for the shout out on your blog page... that is SUCH a sweet write up! You are equally inspiring to get people moving! Especially because they can buy sweet shoes like that to move them.

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    1. Even with the fuel belt, I can't bring myself to drink as much as I probably should. The idea of finishing even one bottle is kind of daunting! But I going to force myself to learn how to hydrate properly!

      You're very welcome! I agree; the #1 motivator for getting active is the adorable shoes haha!

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  8. I am in the market for a running belt!! I have finally discovered that I run better and feel better when I fuel DURING a run ((wow shocker, right?!))
    I will check out that fuel belt! Thanks for the review!

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    1. Haha, you're definitely not the only one late to the game...apparently there's really a reason behind all these gels and fuel options lol!

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  9. Glad to hear you love the fuel belt!
    I am a little eiffy to get one of these because I don't know if I would like the water around my waist...weird, right??
    I asked my mama if she would buy me an early Christmas present! I want a hydration back pack!!

    Glad to hear your running is going well!
    You rock girl!

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    1. Like you, I wasn't sure how I'd feel about it. I figured if I can run with a Spibelt, adding some water bottles wouldn't be much different. The I don't like the idea of running with a "backpack" because it seems like it'd be hot/sloshy, but I know LOTS of people who love their backpacks or vests. To each her own I guess!

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  10. I'm glad you found your shoes! I'm still on the hunt. I used to wear asics, but on the new ones, the toe box is too narrow and sizing up didn't help :(

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    1. It's a shame that they decided to narrow the toebox. One reason I love Asics is the width. I think Saucony are supposed to be pretty well known for having a nice wide toebox!

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  11. Hello! I nominated you for the sunshine award! Check out my blog at http://runlikeag.blogspot.com/2013/08/the-sunshine-award.html

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    1. Ah, you're too sweet! Thank you!

      Hopefully I have some spare time to actually participate! It's been super hard to even get a normal post written this week lol.

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  12. It took me forever to figure out which brand of running shoes were best for me and I finally fell head over heels in love with Asics. I get a new pair once every year or so and it's about that time--your new shoes might be the frontrunner for me too!

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    1. Asics are just pretty hard to beat! It's so frustrating to have to test a million different shoes to find the brand and style that works...but once you find it, it makes all the difference.

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  13. I read some of the same blogs you do. Also check out Twisted Running, she is awesome and funny. I have never tried a running belt, I just plan my route then go ahead of time and drop water out at different spots along the way then I pick up one bottle, carry and drink it until I get to the next bottle and so on.

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    1. I'll definitely check out Twisted Running!

      I used to just do water drops, but I hate carrying the bottle in my hand and I always ended up guzzling too much. With the belt, I can take small sips as I go, so I'm less likely to chug a bunch and then cramp up.

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