Monday, July 18, 2016

Summer Running and a Shoe Update!

Summer running:
You know what's fun about summer running? That moment when you realize, halfway into the hottest month of the year, that you're finally acclimating! (Can you ever say, "I've acclimated" or is it an ongoing process with no definitive end?)

This weekend, I woke up Sunday at 6am and checked the weather: 79 degrees with 75% humidity. I contemplated skipping the run - 79F that early just seemed SO painful. But when I stepped outside, I was like, "Oh, this isn't so bad at all!"
Feeling strong and sweaty post-run!
And then I commenced to run at a fairly speedy pace without feeling like I was putting in too much effort or really huffing and puffing. I hardly felt I was sweating or working hard at all!
Sunday's splits.
Of course, after the run I realized I was completely soaked, but I felt totally great. I guess maybe I'm finally acclimated in a way I never have been before, because I've never experienced this level of comfort on outdoor runs in the height of summer.

Shoes:
I finally found them!
Soooo preeeeetty! They're a new color scheme for me, and I'm loving it!
Friday and Sunday's runs were both in my new shoes, and they are absolutely the ones I'm keeping. Some shoes I tried were automatic no's - like the Saucony Hurricane (which I wanted to love but knew the moment I put it on that it wasn't for me) - and some I vacillated between yes and no. But these Brooks Ravenna? Within minutes of my first run, I could tell a difference in the feel and feedback of the shoe, and yet it felt like they weren't even there.

They just felt like I didn't need to think about them at all. I could put them on and forget about them, which is exactly what I've been looking for.
Now, after months of stress and searching for new shoes, I'm almost glad for the changes in the Kayano because the Ravenna are so much more what I've been looking for - springier, less bulky, and lighter-feeling. (Although they're not light, they're 1.2oz lighter than the Kayano.) I may never have tried them out if not for the awful updates on the Kayano!
Remember this post? Oh, the drama!
I think going with the "energize" option (as opposed to "cushion") was also exactly right for where my running is these days. I ended up ordering both the Transcend and the Ravenna, but the Transcend felt clunky when I tried them; I never even took them on a run before returning them!

"Training":
My runs this week also gave me a little confidence boost! I've been worried about my speed work not paying off in longer distances (and by "longer" these days I mean the 10k), but the easy effort of my distance runs this week, paired with the paces of my repeats, have given me confidence for my 10k goal race in October.
Last week's runs via DailyMile.
I plan to add tempo runs more consistently into my training toward the end of the August, and I also plan to add a fourth weekly run into my schedule soon.

To be honest, I'm enjoying my working schedule, but I miss running, and I'd like to see higher weekly mileage, so I feel it's time to run more! Is it weird to miss something I'm doing consistently multiple times a week? I'm sure you guys know what I mean!

This post has been brought to you by the TOTR linkup!

Have you been acclimating well to the summer heat?
How many days a week do you like to run?
When you're not following a training plan, how do you make sure to get the most out of your speed work?

ABK

32 comments:

  1. I have been running in the Brooks Launch and love them NC they are lightweight. It is always nice to put on a shoe and feel like you don't need to break them in. Love the color of your shoes. Goodluck in your training!

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    1. I remember the first time I read that a good pair of running shoes doesn't require breaking in. I was like, "Wait, really?!" And now I truly believe that!

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  2. I had the Transcend too and hated how clunky they felt. Not good for running! I have two pairs of the Kayano 21s and was looking online at the 22s. but now I dont think I will blindly order them, I may have to go and try them out at a store first. Your new shoes are beautiful!

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    1. I definitely found the 22s to be very different; you'll see a variety of reviews that say the same. They're more tapered and narrow in the toe! For some people, I'm sure that feels fine, but it didn't work for me :( Definitely try them in the store first!

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  3. I tried the Ravenna's at my local running store last week. They felt really comfortable but I could feel a seam rubbing against the top of my foot. Maybe it was just that one pair? I might have to try them on again because I know lots of people who love them.

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    1. I can see how a seam might rub - if I don't put the tongue down exactly right, I can immediately feel a bit of a seam on the top of my foot, although it's minimal. It's a very easy fix, though, and once the tongue is in place it doesn't move. It might be worth trying again!

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  4. I have been running 5 days a week for this marathon training cycle, and I think that is perfect for me. It leaves one day for cross training and one complete rest day. I have tried running 6 days a week before, but that seems like too much, and with 4, I struggle to get the weekly mileage I'm shooting for.

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    1. I've gotten out of the habit of running two days in a row, but my sweet-spot used to be 5, too! Six always seems like overkill; I get so tired!

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  5. I always look forward to your posts or IG posts about working out! You have been inspiring! Thank you!!
    Congrats on finding your shoes! I know how that feels!

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    1. I'm glad my posts have been inspiring you :) I'm glad you're back to running!

      I know you have a shoe you really love and had some trouble finding it a couple years ago. Have you found a new one you like just as much?

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  6. LOVE LOVE the color of your new kicks! Great job on staying consistent girl!

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    1. Thanks! Purple/light blue is definitely not neon but I really like them!

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  7. When I'm not training for anything, I almost never do speedwork (because it usually means I'm in an off season). I might do a few hill repeats, some strides, or maybe a little speedwork if I have a race coming up.

    Last summer, due to an IT flare up, I followed run faster, run less and mostly ran 3 x week. The downside was that you have to run harder, since it's only 3 x, and you also have to run longer, because if I'm training for something, I still need to hit a certain weekly mileage.

    So far this summer, knock on wood, I seem to be doing ok, and I'm running 4 x week, which I like -- those runs during the week can be a lot shorter. Sometimes it's hard, because there isn't much room to shuffle runs around if I need to, because I'm locked into saturday long runs even though I haven't been able to meet up with my group the last couple of weeks!

    When I'm not running with a group, I have a lot more flexibility and can run long either saturday or sunday, shuffle things around easier, sometimes will alternate 4 x week and 3 x week so I'm not running back to back days.

    Heat acclimated? Nope. I'm having to shuffle back and forth between indoor and outdoor runs, but I'm getting a bit closer to being able to go when I want to again. I think.

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    1. I've considered "run less run faster" for my next marathon. I'm interested to hear what you thought of it! Did you see results? Did you enjoy it?

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  8. I'm glad you found shoes and are acclimated to the weather! humidity makes running almost no fun! Do you run next to the beach? Do you take advantage of the showers by the beach?

    I'm on the search for new sneakers, mine are almost done for... and I'm in denial. Nike outlet... here I come!



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    1. I live about 20 minutes from my local beach so I don't run there ever! On this run, I ran on the highway along the beach because the tide was really high and I didn't want to get wet. Because my friend's beach house is literally ON the beach, I was able to just finish the run and shower there without having to use the beach showers.

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  9. Oh, I know exactly what you mean by missing something you're doing already. I've recently decided to move up to 5 runs a week (up from 4) for the same reason...

    Love the shoes!

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    1. Ah, I'm glad we're in the same boat and I'm not alone!

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  10. I still don't think I've acclimated to the heat, it seems that each week it keeps getting hotter and hotter! But I'm not giving up :). Awesome job on your running and the new shoes are cute!

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    1. It definitely does keep getting hotter. I know July is really the worst, though. By August some of the humidity down here seems to go away...Or maybe it's all in my head!

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  11. I think I have finally acclimated too! Today I did a strength workout and felt great- heat didn't bother me at all. You know me, I like 5 days a week of running. :)

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    1. I'm glad you're acclimate because it means good things for Via!

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  12. I feel like I've acclimated to the heat too. Defintely a great feeling! And hooray for finding your soul mate (ha--sorry, I couldn't resist)!

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  13. I personally love running in the summer but I know I'm in the minority. I just love being able to throw on a tank and shorts and not even think about all. the. layers.

    Looks like you had a great week!

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    1. I enjoy summer running when I'm visiting family up north but man, the humidity of the tropics just takes it out of me! It can be very energy-sapping. But it does make me feel stronger in the end!

      I never have to run in layers (or really anything more than a tank and shorts more than 3x a year)...But I'm not bragging! I'd actually like to be able to run in winter weather once in awhile.

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  14. I'm dealing pretty well with "normal" heat, but we are heading up into the high 90s this weekend and that is just going to completely suck.

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    1. Eek, I hope this weekend's temperatures don't broil you too harshly!

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  15. I'm so glad you found a pair of shoes that you love - and the color scheme is beautiful! Welcome to the Brooks family, haha :D

    Even though I complain about the weather every single day I think I am acclimating to it too. At the beginning of summer my intervals were barely hitting 10:30 pace and now I can hold 9:00ish pace if I want to max out for 60 second intervals (I'm barely moving in my recovery jogs, but at least the intervals are improving! haha). It's not as good as two winters ago when I could hold 8:00ish pace for 60 second intervals, but I'm happy with it for mid July!

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    1. I'm glad I finally found some Brooks I like! I've always wanted to like them haha!

      I'm glad you're acclimating, too! I mean, obviously it's still hot and we're still entitled to complain (haha!), but it's nice that it doesn't feel as oppressive as usual.

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  16. When I was a new runner, someone told me a good shoe will feel like nothing. I was like, how is that even possible?! But now I totally get it! The search is definitely exhausting and frustrating. I know Brooks is kind of known for changing up their shoes so I hope I don't revisit this debacle in another year!

    Oh gosh, fingers crossed that we're still feeling good in August!

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  17. I was thinking of you yesterday - went to my local running store and tried on shoes and found out that they're re-engineered the Brooks Ghost 9 so it's more like my tried-and-true Ghost 5! The manager said no distance runner had been happy about the changes to the Ghost and Brooks finally took it seriously. So now I have a spiffy new pair of Ghost 9 and another on order (my store didn't have all the colors) and will probably buy another two pairs later this year to hold me through next year.

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