Happy Friday!

We’ve got FIVE incredible co-hosts My First 5K and More, Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and me for another Fit Five Friday link-up!  

It’s no secret that I run in Brooks shoes.  They’re my favorite.  I’ve been running in them for many years.  I’ve also run in Asics, Nike, and Mizuno.  Right now my favorite Brooks shoes are the Launch and the Ghost.

When I started running I didn’t get fitted for shoes.  I bought a pair of shoes (and now cannot remember the brand, but it wasn’t any of the ones I mentioned above).  When I began training for the marathon, I went to Fleet Feet and was fitted for a pair of Asics.  It was either the Kayano or Cumulus.  When I was close to the end of my training, I bought another pair of Asics.  I was told to not run the marathon in the new shoes.  Did I listen?  No.  I was hurting a lot and almost quit.  But now I wonder if it was because of the shoes or because my body was hurting due to never have run more than 20 miles.  Who knows?

Because I run in the same shoes, I don’t look for things I am supposed to look for in running shoes (i.e. heel-to-toe drop, wide toe box, etc).  

However, I do look for specific things that work only for me.

• Color.  I like my shoes to be colorful.  

• Price.  Running shoes are expensive.  I’ve scored some great deals on Running Warehouse, Zappos, and Brooks Running.  There was a time when I loved the PureFlow and bought a few of them.  Each pair was $50 and in purple.  

Recently, I found a few pairs (Launch and Ghost) for $50 at Ross.

• Weight.  Though heavier shoes offer more cushion and durability, I prefer my shoes to not be heavy.  The Launch 10 weights 7.4 ounces and the Ghost 16 weighs 8.5 ounces.  They’re perfect for me.

• Comfort.  Comfortable shoes reduce fatigue, prevent injuries, and improve performance.  A pair of comfortable shoes also make my runs more enjoyable.  The first time I ran in the Launch 2, my feet hurt so I sent them back.  I cannot remember why I bought them again, but I am glad I did, because now I love them a lot.  Pretty colors too!

• Brand/Recommendations.  My favorite elite runner runs in Brooks.  If they are good enough for her, then they are also good enough for me.  I know Kara Goucher also runs in Brooks shoes.

The topic for next week – Five breathing techniques to improve your run.  Feel free to write about this or any fitness topic you’d like.  We hope you’ll link up with us!

Welcome to the April edition of the Ultimate Coffee Date hosted by Coco and Deborah.  It’s also time for another edition of Fit Five Friday hosted by My First 5K and More, Running with Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and me!  

Now, grab a mug of your favorite beverage, and let’s chat!

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you today is my last week of Spring Break.  I go back to work on Monday and then it will be 7 weeks left of school.  Pretty amazing.  This week is just what I needed to unwind and relax.  I watched TV, finished reading a book and started another one.  I also took care of a few things in the house.  I haven’t finished unpacking and that is OK.  Though sometimes I do get stressed when people come over and they see my mess.

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that I haven’t run since January when I made a big deal about starting the new year with a run and my goal of running/walking 2,025 miles.  I seriously lost my motivation afterwards.  The weather didn’t help.  I closed on my house in January and while I didn’t move right away, I bought some things for it and had a few things done before moving in.  The weather didn’t help as I didn’t want to run in the cold weather.  Then I moved and still no running.  Maybe tomorrow?

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that since I haven’t been running, I haven’t raced either.  Remember last year how excited I was about the races I signed up to run in various states?  Ugh!  I try not to think about it because that is money down the drain.  I did manage to defer the race in Myrtle Beach, but not the ones in New Mexico and Kansas.  I don’t think I will manage to run in Fargo, ND at the end of May.

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that now that I am a homeowner and have to make a mortgage payment, I cringe when I see how much money exactly goes towards the principal.  Unfortunately, I bought my house when the interest was high and hopefully I can refinance to lower my payment.  What I am doing is whatever extra money I make from my extracurricular activities at school, I send it to the bank towards the principal.  Any extra money will help.

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that I plan to be more consistent with posting on my blog.  Thanks to my blogging friends for continuing to post and keeping up with the linkups.

I hope April is a wonderful month for everyone!

The topic for next week’s Fit Fit Friday – 5 Things You Look Forward To In Your Favorite Running Shoe.  Feel free to write about this or any fitness topic you’d like.  We hope you’ll link up with us!

Welcome to the February edition of the Ultimate Coffee Date hosted by Coco and Deborah.  It’s also time for another edition of Fit Five Friday hosted by My First 5K and More, Running with Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and me!  

Now, grab a mug of your favorite beverage, and let’s chat!

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you (and I know that you know) that I FINALLY bought a house!  I don’t know when I will stop saying that so be patient with me.  I haven’t moved in yet but slowly have been moving some things there.  On Saturday I received the living room furniture and kitchen table.  The plan is to move in by the end of the month.

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that Menards is my new favorite store.  Move over Target.  I have been there twice and have walked out with over $100 in stuff.  All of it is for the home and I need it all.  I applied for their credit card and I can see myself going there even after I have moved in.

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that I received my corral for the Shamrock Shuffle next month.  I am in Corral D.  I know I have never been in A or B but cannot remember if I’ve been in C.  Am I ready?  Nope.  That is OK because I only want to finish and have fun.  I hope it isn’t too cold that day.

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you I don’t know if I will be ready for the first two half marathons I signed up for this year.  For sure not the one in Myrtle Beach on March 1st.  The next one is April 5th in Albuquerque.  Or maybe I will be ready for the one in Albuquerque?  I haven’t been running but can start….soon.  What do you think?

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you in my excitement when I bought my house, I didn’t take into consideration the height of the basement ceiling.  It isn’t high but not too low either.  I don’t know how I will be able to run on a treadmill without hitting my head.  I guess that is a job for the contractor to figure out, right?  Speaking of treadmills, I know I want a Peloton one but the Tread+ is $6,000 while the basic is $3000.  I don’t have to get the Tread+, and have heard that it is worth it, but it is so expensive.  I may need to check and compare both of them before I purchase one.

The topic for next week’s Fit Fit Friday – 5 Things You Love About How You Feel After Your Run/Workout.  Feel free to write about this or any fitness topic you’d like.  We hope you’ll link up with us!

Happy Friday!  We’ve got FIVE incredible co-hosts My First 5K and More, Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and me for another Fit Five Friday link-up!  

These are my favorite running-related books in no specific order.

• To The Gorge.  It was well written.  I felt like I was there with Emily.  I would love to meet her, give her a hug, and ask about her training.  

• The Longest Race.  I knew the issues with Nike, but wow, this book talks about so much more.  This made me like Kara Goucher even more.

• Choosing To Run.  She is my favorite elite runner.  I will always root for her.  

• Boston Bound.  It is an easy to read book that details Elizabeth Clor’s struggles as she attempts to get a BQ.  She tried for 7 years and finally qualified in October of 2014.  She ran the Boston Marathon on April 18, 2016.

• The Bright Side Running Club.  This was a book reviewed by Wendy.  It was heart-warming, sad, and funny too.

The topic for next week – Runfessions with Marcia.  We hope you’ll link up with us!