** Disclaimer- I was in no way compensated or received free product for this review**
I am a self-proclaimed 'cheap runner'. I always buy shoes on discount, wear non-tech fabrics (unless it's a shirt from a race or a gift), I have a pre-used GPS watch that was passed down from a friend, and my nutritionals are laughable for the most part. It's not that I am not willing to throw down some cash for a race, however, I all but pride myself on my purest views of running. And I also get really excited about saving money on stuff because I tend to be a serial shopper and a full believer in retail therapy.
One thing I have fought tooth and nail with myself about is buying good running socks. I have read the testimonials, seen the technology, and even oogled at the pretty colors, but I have never EVER purchased a high tech pair of socks. I never really had an issue with the good old packs of 8 pairs of cotton socks from Marshall's and if it ain't broke, why try to fix it? Well, I am a changed woman.
A few weeks ago, I was working on a blog post for my job and taking some pictures at a local running store. As I interviewed the manager about new products he let me know about a store discount that we receive as a participating event. As to not look like a jerk, I knew the best thing was to make a purchase that day. At the moment, there was not too much else I needed in the way of running gear, and the holidays were quickly approaching so I didn't want to buy something I had already requested as a gift. I grabbed a pair of Swiftwick Aspire no-show socks that would match my race kit and off I went. A few days later I hopped on my treadmill and banged out a 10 mile run and couldn't believe how amazing something as simple as a pair of socks changed my run. No longer were my shoes soaked with sweat and the two toenails that had bitten the dust at my last marathon a few weeks prior didn't even hurt or bleed. It wasn't like I was prepared to be a foot model or anything, but the results were amazing. The little bit of compression in the arch of my foot also made a huge difference and even helped to ward off some of the impending arch pain that I typically experience after long dates with the 'mill.
It's a bad bet to say 'never' for anything, but there's a pretty good chance that I am a convert. My closing message to Swiftwick is this....shut up and take my money.
Thursday, January 19, 2017
Sunday, January 1, 2017
Bean town 2017
Marathons are a different little animal from anything else. There's the initial joy when you click the 'register' button, pain when the fee comes out of your bank account, self actualization when you realize how bad long runs can suck, and then the WTF feeling when you cross the finish line and get handed a medal. Most of my marathon training has been a combination of relying on others for advice, reading articles, long runs, short runs, and eating. A lot of eating.
In November of 2015 I ran my marathon PR of 3:12 (I tend to call it 3:10 since the course was more of 26.45 than 26.2) with just the basics of training. At that time, I was doing long runs with some friends and other than that just running during the week on a treadmill. No real plan other than the long runs, but still running decently long distances. With a finishing time of 3:12, it seemed to work out fairly well, but this year, I have decided to actually do a full training plan (Hal Higdon's advanced marathon plan), up my nutritional game, and (gasp!!!) weight train. I know that sounds like crazy talk, but it's time to break things up.
As of today, January 1, 2017, there are 106 days until the Boston Marathon. 3 and a half months. Hot Damn.
After my last marathon in early December, the first thing I did during my week off was to write out my plans for each run on a variety of calendars- the huge desk calendar, my day planner, and calendar at home. This way, at any given moment I can obsess about where my training is at. Nothing is really all that crazy as far as training is concerned, but there is a purpose to each workout.
My training plan also requires that I scale back on some running during the week, which I am totally cool with since I mostly have to squeeze it in on the treadmill between washing dishes and washing children. Weekends are going to be a little hectic with long runs on Sunday with pace runs on Saturday, but still totally do-able.
Nutritionally, I am well aware of what I need to accomplish. A little less sugar and carbs and a little more planning for fuel and performance. I am not a sweet eater for the most part, but bagels and other bread-ish foods are my total down fall. A little better planning, a little more water, a little more veggies and I should be good to go here.
The puzzle pieces are all flipped over and the corners in place, now let's just hope everything starts to come together. Here's to 2017...cheers :)
In November of 2015 I ran my marathon PR of 3:12 (I tend to call it 3:10 since the course was more of 26.45 than 26.2) with just the basics of training. At that time, I was doing long runs with some friends and other than that just running during the week on a treadmill. No real plan other than the long runs, but still running decently long distances. With a finishing time of 3:12, it seemed to work out fairly well, but this year, I have decided to actually do a full training plan (Hal Higdon's advanced marathon plan), up my nutritional game, and (gasp!!!) weight train. I know that sounds like crazy talk, but it's time to break things up.
As of today, January 1, 2017, there are 106 days until the Boston Marathon. 3 and a half months. Hot Damn.
After my last marathon in early December, the first thing I did during my week off was to write out my plans for each run on a variety of calendars- the huge desk calendar, my day planner, and calendar at home. This way, at any given moment I can obsess about where my training is at. Nothing is really all that crazy as far as training is concerned, but there is a purpose to each workout.
My training plan also requires that I scale back on some running during the week, which I am totally cool with since I mostly have to squeeze it in on the treadmill between washing dishes and washing children. Weekends are going to be a little hectic with long runs on Sunday with pace runs on Saturday, but still totally do-able.
Nutritionally, I am well aware of what I need to accomplish. A little less sugar and carbs and a little more planning for fuel and performance. I am not a sweet eater for the most part, but bagels and other bread-ish foods are my total down fall. A little better planning, a little more water, a little more veggies and I should be good to go here.
The puzzle pieces are all flipped over and the corners in place, now let's just hope everything starts to come together. Here's to 2017...cheers :)
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