Taper taper bo baper, fee fi fo faper…..taaaaaaper!!!!!
I love that little jingle. 😀
It was a great week of training and now I’m in the home stretch–eeeep!!!!
I had the day off on Monday and I took advantage of it by going for a 5 miler. I’ve been limited to 4 miles during the week because of time/work/kid constraints (and husband work travels) and I would’ve liked to have done 6, but I was very happy for 5.
Almost a negative split run 🙂
I took the day off from running on Tuesday as my husband was leaving out of town for work and I wanted to hang out ❤
Wednesday I was solo parenting so I had to squeeze in a run after work and before kid pick-up. It was so hot, yet it wasn’t even in the triple digits. I struggled but got it done.
Thursday I was feeling all sorts of blah but then my brother texted me his run. I wrote about how much he’s been inspiring me here and after reading his text/stats, I put my running shoes and went for it. It was a much better run than I’d had in a while 🙂
Throughout this training, I’ve been rotating my Brooks Ravennas and Asics Kayanos, using my Asics for my long runs. As I approached my second 20 miler, I knew I needed to break in the shoes I’d be using for race day. I planned on racing in my Brooks.
BUT, when I went to Nordstrom Rack (where I’d bought my shoes on sale for $70!), they didn’t have any more. Crushed, I went to one of my local running stores prepared to try on and buy the newer model. Except they felt weird!!
My beloved Ravennas but the new model fit weird in the toe box 😦
I just couldn’t commit to the new model with them feeling the way they did, so I reluctantly bought the newest model of Kayanos and decided since that style has been a part of my rotation, I’d race in them.
They’re def easy on the eyes 🙂
I ran in them on my Wednesday and Thursday runs, but they just didn’t feel right either. I always felt they were heavier than my Ravennas but the newer model felt even boxier. It also could’ve been that I already was sad about my shoe issues, lol!
So on Friday, I returned them. I asked what was most comparable to the Ravennas and I was told the Saucony Guides. I was VERY apprehensive about trying a brand new brand/shoe so far into training, but when I slipped them on, they felt good. And even though they weren’t purple pretty, I decided to give them a shot.
And on Saturday I ran 20 miles in them. 🙂
It was another 3 a.m. start time and the first 10 miles went smoothly. Shoes felt good, I felt good.
With the exception of miles 1 and 8, I stayed within my 10-10:30 LSD range and I did not stop at all, fueling at mile 5 on the run.
I met up with my back 10 crew and I did have to stop my watch a good 15 minutes or so while I waited.
And it took me a few miles to get back on track …
but once I was warmed up again, the run just felt good. I even negative split the last 7 miles!!!!
I was so happy at the end, and my friends commented on how strong I looked–it didn’t seem like I’d just run 20 miles, lol! I really did feel good too; it was such confidence building run 😀
My and a buddy wearing our charity singlets–we’re ready for Chicago!! 🙂 #TeamFox #TeamRMHC
Overall, exactly what I would’ve hoped for going into taper time. So happy!!! 33.25 total miles
I hope everyone has a great week!! ❤ , helly
–Have you switched shoes mid-training?
–Are you brand loyal? Or do you go with what feels right?
–When’s the last time you had a stellar long run?
I practically had to slap myself when I saw your start time. YOU ARE A BEAST!
JAJA!!! I know, it’s insane.
What an AWESOME 20 miler!!! I am so excited for you! I will never ever complain about getting up early again – 3am. 3AM?!?!! DUDE. YOU ARE MY FREAKING HERO. I am a bit of a shoe whore. I love to try different shoes but I usually stick with my go to brands, Brooks or Newtons. I’m pretty set with my Brooks Pure Connects and my Newton Distance S. I am interested in trying the OnCloudrunner brand – they have a zero gravity shoe that I keep reading about! My last stellar long run was yesterday – it went well, though I was coming down with a cold so I was a little tired at the end!
Lol, yeah, 3 a.m.!!! It gets so freaking hot so fast here, I gotta get it in before I die, ja!
I’ve tried Newtons and like them but would want to ease into them during off season. I feel like all the fast runners I know run in the shoes you mentioned, lol!!
Definitely don’t use Newtons until the off season – you have to break them in slowly! I think they changed my stride and I got faster when I began using them. Might sound weird, but it’s true!
Most def. I’ve heard and read you need to adjust to that thing on the bottom, lol! But yeah, I’ve heard it forces you to change the way you run (for the better–more forefoot strike?). I’m looking forward to trying them
WOOO hoo!!! You’ve got this! Bring on Chicago!
Thank you so much Michelle!! xoxo!!
Xoxo
Nice run! I’m as Asics girl and love the Kayanos. Ugh, so expensive. And I hate when they alter a model. Major bummer.
Yeah my kayanos have been good time–have worn them since the 17s. I’m thinking this new model just needs more breaking in.
Yay for a STRONG 20 miler! Now you can go into your taper super confident. 🙂
Yes!! I’m feeling good and that super excites me 🙂
Ahhhh I hate it when they switch up the shoe models like that! I run in Asics Nimbus and have been doing so for yeeears. They funkified them one year and it sucked but then they went back to the regular fit soon after, thank goodness. GREAT WEEK, HELLY!!!
Yeah, the Ravennas have been good the past two models but this one just didn’t feel right. Like the first time I slipped them on for the earlier versions, it was instant awesomeness. This time, not so much 😦
Thank you for you support!! ❤
Nice work on that 20 miler! I’m so excited for you to run this marathon!
Thank you!! xxoxo
boo! I’ve recently had shoe issues. I’m an Asics loyalist but did wear Brooks Ghost for a bit (better for short runs, couldn’t long run in them) and then tried Saucony Ride 7’s but they ended up hurting my shins. Back to Asics I went!
Asics Kayanos have been good to me and I think these new ones needed a little longer to break–but I don’t have time for that, lol!!
Taper is so magical! I hope you have a great week and I cannot wait to see how Chicago goes for you!
Thank you so much!!!
3am? Amazing! That is an awesome 20 miler. I just ran into the same issues with my shoes! I’ve been training in Mizuno Wave Rider 17s and needed a new pair before Chicago, but the newer version felt awful. I was able to hunt down a pair of 17s and they still need some breaking in. I wore Mizuno Wave Riders all through my last marathon training & race and was so dissapointed that this version didn’t work for me. My last stellar long run was my first 20 miler for the Chicago Marathon a few weeks back. It felt like I could run forever! My 20 miler this past weekend . . . not so much 😉
What is it with these new versions?? Lol!! Good luck in Chicago! We’re almost there! 🙂
I don’t know how you do it – the insane early starts, the temperatures . . . Seriously you deserve an award for what you do for the love of running. Believe me, if I had to do what you do, I’d pick another hobby.
Right now, I’m pretty brand loyal to Saucony. I used to be an ASICS girl, but increased mileage changed what I needed in a shoe. What matters most is that you’re comfortable and happy while running in those shoes. Nothing, and I mean nothing (nada) matters other than that. And because I’m a scientist, here’s more science: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/08/05/choosing-the-right-running-shoes/?_r=0
Wow, thank you so much! Your words mean a lot as you’re someone I’ve followed and admired (and respect) for a while.
I def agree with you–I felt good slipping on the Saucony’s and heck with it, went for it.
I’ve become brand loyal to Asics but only in the last year. I do have a few other pairs but I love my Asics! Great job with your training.
Thank you!! I’ve also been a loyal Asics fan and then I mixed in Brooks so it’s scary to venture out, lol!
YEAH!!!! Way to go! Such a strong 20-miler!
Can’t wait to see you next month 🙂
Me toooooo!!!! We need to start thinking of a meet up spot!