NYCM Training week 6 & 7: Take 2

I can't believe how quickly the last two weeks have gone by.  I really meant to do a recap for week 6 but work started up and there went my time to do anything.  I can't get over how often some people blog?  Please give me hints on how you make the time?  By the time I get home it is time to run, shower, and go to bed!

I am going to make this post short because I am still hopeful the lightning and thunder will stop here and I can get my run in.  If not, at least I will have blogged and todays run will be moved to tomorrow! I am not going to lie, I do think my legs need an extra rest day but will get to that later.

I am linking up with Meghan and Kat this week for their Weekly Workout Roundup!

Week 6

Monday 8/5: 5.24 miles  1.5 in 18 minutes then 3.71 @ 11:19 pace and 

Tuesday: Rest

Wednesday 8/7 3.7 @ 11:41 pace Tempo run (Tempo at 11:57)

Thursday 8/8 planned for 7 but slept in :(

Friday Rest Day 

Saturday 8/10 Christa's Graduation run 14 miles of bridges. 12:17 pace- this was pretty good minus except for the terrible stomach ache and therefore had to walk more than I would have liked

My new Camelbak and my sweaty body

Christa's graduation with Christa, Coach Lyle, me, and Coach Teresa

Week 7:
monday 8/12: 4.06 miles @ 11:34 pace
Tuesday Rest day
Wednesday 8/14 7 @ 12:25 pace.  This run I am not sure how to describe.  Work started monday and I came home and took a 2 hour nap.  This was incredibly hard but I did not stop at all to walk.  The pace would just not GO!
Thursday 8/15 6 mile progression run 11:29 pace- felt good for the most part.  Used the last mile as a cool down and the first mile I just couldn't slow down.  I got the miles in :)
Saturday 8/17 16 miles @ 12:45 pace.  This run went pretty well.  We walked about a mile because who I was running with wanted to walk to I took the brake with them!Some felt great and some felt hard.

I have noticed this whole week my legs were so sore.  I went in Saturday with sore legs which is beneficial come race day but made running 16 pretty annoying.  I also don't have a working ipod.



Those were my last two weeks and tomorrow my students come!  I am really excited to enlighten a whole new bunch of students.  I am hoping to be as productive as possible during the school day so I can leave on time to run.  Waking up at 4:45 doesn't leave much time in the evenings to get everything done.  I am proud that I got all my runs in last week. I am thinking my body is so sore because it is actually following a training schedule!  

Oh, I also made this for my classroom!

This came in the mail for me to review so I am excited to try it out.  I did receive this from fitluential :)

For all you bloggers, how do you stick to a blogging schedule?

What did you do this week that made you proud of yourself?

What songs should I add to my hopefully new ipod ??

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Saucony Virrata: Product Review

These beautiful sneakers came to me in the mail the other week!  

The laces glow in the dark..or in my imagination

The Saucony Virrata sneakers were sent to my to try out and review.  I was so excited to see how bright and pretty they are.  I am not going to lie, I was obsessively checking my mailbox for about two weeks.    After all, don't we all want shoes that look nice.  Time and time again I have had to settle for shoes that were not all that aesthetically appealing but were the shoes that fit my feet.  

When I first put these shoes on I was in love.  They feel so comfortable and natural to just walk around in.  I run, sometimes a little and sometimes a lot.  

According to Saucony:

"Stripped down to strong. The Virrata is our lightest and most flexible training shoe and allows your foot to move naturally. We removed everything that isn’t helping your run improve. What remains is a feather-light, ultra flexible shoe with advanced cushioning that promotes a powerful stride and allows your foot to move the way it was meant to. Built on a 0mm offset, this shoe lets your feet do the work while providing plenty of protection from the road. The breathable mesh upper makes the shoe incredible lightweight and quick-drying to run in wet weather conditions. Weight: 6.0oz.

Sorry about my cankles

I am currently transitioning into a more minimalist shoe and am wearing a 4mm drop.  The Virrata's are a 0mm drop meaning there is no difference from the heal to the toe.  They are super light and it feels as if I am walking on clouds.  As a "Floridian", I say that with pride because I am also New York City girl, we do not wear sneakers out and about.  Now I can say I do.  I have put these on multiple times just to wear them.  I prance around the house, have gone to Target, race expos, and I may have taken a nap in them..shh..  My shoes are a size 7.5 and they are just a tad big.  The toe box is nice and big which I like so I should hopefully have no blisters that I am prone to. I have a narrow heel and they fit just perfect.  There are enough laces to make them as tight or as loose as you need.  I bring that up because I have issues with other laces because I may have custom orthotics in a pair which doesn't allow the laces to double knot.  I did not put the orthotics in the shoes because they are minimalist and would defeat the purpose.

I was able to take these babies out for two test rides and unfortunately they were not my best runs.  Were they the shoes or was it outside influences, I am not sure but since I started the new training cycle for the Irongirl Half Marathon in Clearwater, those were the two stinky runs I have had.  The first run just felt hard which is normal because of the new shoe and form.  The second one I had really bad knee pain in my right knee but that could also have been from running a 15k just two days before hand ( I PR'd).  

I will continue to run in these, testing out smaller distances and see if I still have any issues.  If I do, they are my new to go to walking shoes!  I always think about going to Disney in sneakers and these wold be amazing!  I normally walk around in Toms or flip flops but there is no support in them.  These just may be the ideal Disney sneakers.  I know that is not the intention, but whatever works..right?

Have you seen the pictures I have posted of them on instagram?


Do you run in a minimalist shoe?
Have you transitioned from a stability shoe like me?

*Disclaimer: I received these shoes for free to test and review as a FitFluential Ambassador. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Foam Roller App

Let me just start out by saying, the Foam Roller App may be the best invention or App ever!

I was given the opportunity to take a peak at this app by Fitfluential.  This could not have come at a better time.  I am battling and struggling with constant overuse injuries and I am not 100% proactive about it.  That is entirely my fault, but I simply forget.  

I was able to use this app the last few weeks and it is definitely helping me out!

The app is so detailed.  You choose which part of the body you want to roll out and it gives you a list of videos with moves for that designated are.  

I took screen shots of the above pictures.  You just clock on the area, and you roll away.  I have not tried all of them, but I have definitely tried the ones where I hurt.

It is so simple to you, I downloaded the app on my phone, ipad, and computer.  I simply put the "electronic device" in front of me and I roll away.  I just wish the videos were longer.  I wish they were the length that I think I should be rolling, instead they are about 30 seconds (the ones I have viewed).   I stop when the video stops, woops.  I also love how many ways there are to roll that different body part!

Enough with my rambling, ho out and get yourself this app, I will definitely be purchasing this once my subscription is up!

These views are my own and no one elses.  I was given a code to review this application through FitFluential to review, but I am not being paid for my opinion besides being given the product.