Is it the Shoes?

I haven't posted much on training since...well, since there has been a severe lack of training from bike accident (i.e. bruised ribs).  The bruised ribs took a bigger toll than I expected. I spent a lot of time at the gym trying to get back into strength/plyo training and slowly getting back into running and biking (okay so the biking has been on the trainer not outside).

I bought new shoes in the hopes that it would stir something up....it did...that day at Haddonfield Running Company, I decided I would....BREAK UP WITH MY ORTHODICS

Yes, I know, it was a hard thing to do, a little said but very liberating.   I have been having a struggle with whether these $500 orthodics really helped me, I mean I did this for years without them and I changed to Newtons and got plantar fascitiis and next thing I knew I was shelling out some cash for some fancy "super feet."  My past injuries spurred some research - I am thinking it is my lack of balance in my hips, my weak ankles, etc that are contributing to the foot issue.

I celebrated by buying 2 shoes (GASP).  I needed one pair for my quest to get my muscle/definition back that I have lost over the past five years in doing triathlons....I wanted a shoe that was flexible but still offers support for my shitty feet.  So I bought the Saucony ProGrid Mirage

These have been great, I went to some boot camp classes and my plyometric workout and they worked nice.  I also walked around Disney with the family - so suffice to say the shoes did their job and did not create many problems.

For running I bought the Brook's PureCadence

I LOVE THESE!  They have a wide toe box, there is a little elastic thing (I am sure there is some fancy word for it) that helps hug your feet so you don't need to overtighten the laces.  Brooks basically got rid of all the extra shit and made a lighter but still cushioned trainer.  This is a stability shoe but they have other models.  Also, by taking away some of the extra stuff in the heel it propels you forward.  I started out with 1 mile, then 2, then 3 for a while (changing into my other shoes) and just recently in the pleasant fall weather I went out to do 4 and ended up with 6miles.

I haven't experienced any plantar pain (knocking on my IKEA desk now) but I have been more religious on icing, rolling etc to take care of my feet :)

As for tri-racing, I haven't put everything together for my 2012 schedule but I am contemplating NOLA 70.3 and Mooseman 70.3.  I am tired of NOT training and want to get back into it ASAP! 

But in the meantime I got a couple runs planned - the Bridge Run (10K over the Ben Franklin) this weekend and I just signed up for another Rock-n-Roll 1/2 marathon in DC on St. Patty's Day!!!

Jeffrey Campbell Lita-Ex

Report Belzer Boot

Oh yeah, and ummmm, since I was on a shoe kick I kind of bought these cute booties and boots at the Nordstroms Semi-Annual Sale.....If this doesn't say FALL!!