Hello Kayano

So, I'm totally a fan of supporting local Ma and Pop's... such as Eric's Running Unlimited store in Palatine Illinois.  But if you don't have a local running store where you can get the expertise you need, your best bet is to figure out your own gate, arch, pronation, etc... go at least a half a size bigger... and try to buy from a place with a good return policy since most the time it takes a run or two to figure out the shoe  is not the right fit!

If you've been reading my blog you know I bought my Newton's (which ended up being not so great) from Road Runner Sports.  http://www.roadrunnersports.com
I love their 90 day return policy and free shipping, (with VIP) both ways!

Course my procrastinating self took 96 days to return them... and I was a little nervous that they would send my shoes back saying sorry... but it wouldn't cost me anything to try... so I did!
With my credit I decided to order the Asic Gel Kayano 18's and some arch and ankle support dry fit socks.  A friend told me that the Kayano's are a lot like my Asic Gel 2160's that they no longer make, so I figured I'd give them a try.

Road Runner Sports didn't even hesitate!  They sent me the new shoes and socks with out even slapping my wrist for it being after the 90 days!  I'm seriously impressed and grateful for their exceptional customer service!

Here's the Kayano:

And here's my review on it:

OK, let's take a few things into consideration.
1.)  I sprained my ankle pretty bad about 5 weeks ago and went through a pretty bad 6 weeks of pregnancy followed by a miscarriage... so my training runs have been few and far between!

2.)  I just got back from two weeks of vacation in Las Vegas and California.  And even though I didn't gain a pound, continued juicing and eating well... let's be real, fitness and weight are related but not the same thing.  You can be skinny but not in shape.  At the moment, I am neither... but working on it! ;)

This all adds up to 5 to 6 weeks of setback which had me feeling heavy, sluggish and slow this morning when I got up early to get a run in.  Probably doesn't help that we've got 95 degrees with humidity making it like a 100+ degree sauna!  I am hacking up crap like I have pneumonia again!
There really is something to humidity verses 'dry heat' as they call it in Vegas... I had an easier time running in 105 dry heat in Vegas then I did in 95 with humidity here!

All this to say that it may not be the Kayano's fault entirely that I wasn't feel'n it!

I thought the Kayano, while better then some of the other shoes I've tried... was a bit heavy and flat.
I like a more rounded front toe.  And I had some pain in both feet/metatarsals and some pain under my left knee... that's new for me.  So I'm not 100% sold or unsold yet... it's the first run on the shoe, and the first real run in a while... so to be fair, I'll give a it a couple more before I judge.

But at this point, I'd rather run on my Asic Gel 2160's.  I only baught 3 extra pair since they no longer make them, and now I'm thinking I should have bought 5.
For me the saying goes "when the shoe fits, wear it and buy 5 more!"
The right running shoe and the perfect pair of jeans require more than one purchase, in my humble opinion!

So the race is in exactly one month.  I'm a little worried, but not too bad... mostly getting excited!
The humidity has me worried a bit so I'm praying the weather is freakishly cooler on race day, but we shall see!

Gotta tell you about this dream I had that I think was really cool!  My Birthday is the day after tomorrow... I had a dream recently that I saw my Grandma.  She's been passed away 5 years now.
In my dream, we were at a party... I asked her what we were celebrating?  She said her birthday... and mine too really!
I thought it was weird since my Grandma's Birthday is in July and mine is in June... I just shrugged it off as close enough, cool to see her!
But then I realized something... the race, is July 21st.  My Grandma's birthday, is July 21st.
This race is no doubt a rebirth for me... and now a perfect way to celebrate her life as well!
I feel she was letting me know she's still with me and witnessing my growth.
It was nice to see her again, even if it was just in a dream.

"If You Worried About Falling Off the Bike...

You'd Never Get On." - Lance Armstrong

This was posted on the wall of the YMCA in Las Vegas where I was visiting and had the honor of watching my nephew and his basketball team take 3rd overall for the season!  YAY Griffin!!  Good job buddy, and HaPpY BiRtHdAy!!!  We loved being there with you guys and swimming in your beautiful new pool!  

I thought I ought  to take a picture for the blog since worry is something I do all too often and all too well!  

I worry about injury, I worry about not being able to run... or finish this race! 

I worry about everything... running related or not!  And it's really a bad thing, I need to get a grip and do like Nike says "Just Do It!"  Or don't, whatever!  

The only thing worse than not reaching your goal is not having one!  

(Or worrying your hair 50 shades of Grey!)  ;)

So I just need to have the goal and stop worrying and fearing it... holding myself back!

SO anyhoooooo....  I just got back from a 2 week vaca out in Las Vegas and Southern California.

Visiting family and friends, and taking the kids to set foot in Disneyland and the Ocean for the first time!

I think we enjoyed the ocean more!  :)

I am very pleased with myself because even though I was on vacation and certainly allowed myself to cut loose a little bit on the 'eating right and training' thing... I didn't gain a single pound back!  

I also did my fair share of juicing and even made it out for a run or two!  

Albeit, one of the runs was on the beach trying to fly a kite with my 3 kiddos... but hey, it counts!  

Have you tried to run in sand?  Not so easy!

While in Vegas, I picked up this Ninja blender at Wal Mart for just under a hundred.  My mom's blender needed upgrading so I just got it for her and I got to use it while I was there!  I introduced her to the green monster (kale, coconut water, pineapple, ice) concoction that's supposed to cure all that ails you and she actually liked it!  Or at least she pretended to and sucked more than one down with me!  My 2 year old daughter loves them too, and she's my picky eater... so juicing is about the only way I can get her greens and veggies in!

As a review on the Ninja... I loved the multiple blades inside up and down, makes a lot of sense!  And love that they come out for easy more thorough cleansing!  It didn't create as smooth of a juice as my Vitamix does, but hey, at a quarter of the price... I'd say it's a pretty good investment!  I was impressed!

P.S. It made a real good frozen Margarita too! ;)

So the suitcases are already unpacked and the laundry already done, not bad for my first 24 hours home!
Usually the suitcase will sit there for weeks!  Tomorrow, I'm off to the grocery store to get my juicing produce and hope to squeeze in a good run before the hubs goes back to work!

It was a great, much needed trip!  But it's good to be in our own beds again, and we're looking forward to getting back into our routines!