Bad Boy

Some Random Mommy thoughts for today:

• What is up with my son calling me and everyone else "Bad Boy"? Everything and everyone is Bad Boy these days. All you have to do is look at him funny and you, my friend, are a "BAD BOY". Now, I know what you're thinking. "Hmmm, he must get that from somewhere. That's not nice to call your son bad boy." No, I do NOT call my son bad boy. In fact, I have always tried hard to never refer to my children as bad or good but rather to only refer to their choices as poor or good. I have his oldest sister to blame for the Bad Boy thing.
• Not only is this little man into calling everyone Bad, he doesn't think twice about smacking his sisters in the head, grabbing their hair, and throwing his toys across the room while he grunts and hits his chest.  Okay, so no grunting or chest pumps but he might as well.  His morning consisted of at least 3-5 time outs in his crib.  "Bad Boy Chillin' in the Crib" would be the title of his movie if he had a movie made after him.  
• Little man Runninghood really is a great kid.  He has a lot to compete with to get our attention and I bet it is hard being 20 months when you can't quite express yourself in fluent sentences.  I'd probably throw, grunt, and express my power and control in little ways throughout the day too.  

Oh, how I love this little man anyway!

• Why do my daughters insist on fighting over almost identical unicorn jewelry boxes that have been forgotten about for the past year? Each one so fired up and insistent that THEIRS is the one with the Unicorn with the bigger horn or something. Good grief. Both of the boxes are mine now. I will find a use for them. 

•  Why did I think it might be a good idea to take my exhausted and feisty 20 month old and 3 year old into Portland Running Company to find the perfect shoe for me? What was I thinking? And I will never again argue with people that tell me that having a boy is an entirely different ball game! I BELIEVE YOU NOW!!! Thank God that the retired professional bad ass runner dude who was watching me run and fitting me with the perfect shoe had kids of his own. He seemed to understand. Yet one more reason why I LOVE the Portland Running Company and now feel even more guilty about being a cheating running shoe whore and shopping at RunningWarehouse online. After today, I will never cheat again. Unless Running Warehouse has an awesome sale. 

Shoes Shoes Shoes and More Shoes

• Didn't Amanda just buy a crap load of shoes online?! Why oh why is she shopping for shoes AGAIN?! 
• Yes, yes, Yes, I did. But. I'm not sold on them. I've run 1-2 times on the treadmill with the Mizuno Inspires and I tried out the Wave Riders briefly...just not working for me. 
• I'm returning my shoes from Running Warehouse. 
• I'm determined to find "MY SHOE" 
• I ran for the super awesome runner dude at Portland Running Company in a variety of shoes. He told me that I'm not really overpronating much at all. He suggested a neutral shoe with mild support. 
• He fit me in an Asics Gel Cumulous 12. A neutral Shoe with some support. 
• Why are some Asics shoes named after clouds? 
• I also bought a pair of Brooks Launch shoes for my speed/tempo days and for racing in. 
• I will try both of these shoes out this week on the treadmill and then return them if they don't work. The Portland Running Company is cool like that. 
• I'm excited if the Brooks Launch shoes work for me because then I can be just like Jenn. No, really, I've heard they are a great shoe and I'd love them to be great for me too. 
• Still can't believe that I've been running for so many years and don't really have "MY Shoe" yet. Having kids took me out for awhile (my choice) and then this hamstring injury changed the way running feels to me. 

Random Running Thoughts

• I'm trying to stay positive and dream big 
• The past few days there has been a tiny voice in the back of my head saying things like "What if you don't have it in you to run like you want to now?" "What if you will never run fast? You really are dreaming too big. Who do you think you are? There are so many people better than you so what are you joking yourself for? Why are you taking this so seriously when you really don't matter in the big picture of good runners?" I'm trying to silence this voice and keep on keeping on. I'm trying to remind myself that it is about being the best runner that I can be...pushing myself to MY limits...not somebody else's limits. 

• This is important to me. I don't plan on being this obsessed about running forever. Once I prove to myself that I can still do it and that I can be better than I ever was ready for before, then I think I will probably go back to enjoying running for fitness and fun. 
• Something irritating about my husband calling himself a "non runner" but then texting me that he just ran our 5k race course that we are running in a couple weeks and just casually noting that he ran it in 19:17 (not racing). So easy for him and his nonrunner self. Grrr. At least he is going to pace me when we run it. 
• Excited for my increased mileage and workouts this week!

Amanda

Chiropractic Care, Shoes and Bras For Booby-lacking Me!

Good grief, I know my last few posts have been kind of in the whining "Debbie Downer" category.  I've snapped out of it and am ready to return to my positive self.  I'm going to blame it on injury and  an old acquaintance name P.M.S.  On to better things.  


The Handful Bra
Check it!  I found the perfect running bra for me!  I went into Portland Running Company yesterday before my chiropractic appointment and I'm so glad I took a peek at the bras they had.  Usually I just figure that I don't need anything fancy since I don't really have much in the boob department but then I saw it.  The perfect bra for me!  It is padded but it fits like a perfect sports bra.  It fits great, covers up any nipped out nipples, and makes me look and feel good about my rack.  It isn't just a bra for people like me who are lacking in the boob blessings.  It is a great bra even for the ladies with some boobs but maybe want a little extra padding or don't want to flatten their boobs like a pancake or boob tube.  Check it out...The Handful Bra.  I love mine so much that I think I will order one in each color...this is BIG for me because I am not a big shopper and I'm not one that feels that I need all the latest gizmos, trendy running clothes and accessories but this bra is a MUST-HAVE!  I can't believe it took me this long to find it.  

Chiropractic Care

I'm convinced that regular chiropractic care is essential for me to stay healthy and ready to perform my best when it comes to running.  I believe this is true for not only athletes but as far as my running is concerned, I hope to make it priority to at least get an adjustment once or twice a month.  Luckily, I have an amazing sports chiropractor.  If you live in the Portland area, it is well worth the drive for a visit to Dr. Ted Forcum at Back In Motion Sports Injuries Clinic if you have any sports related injury.  I'm hoping that my visits will eventually just end up being a quick adjustment rather than needing the painful Graston Technique therapy he has been doing on my hamstring since August.  It is painful but I believe in what he does!  


Yesterday's visit was well worth my time.  He watched me run in my Saucony Kinvaras and told me that I over pronate and these shoes are no good for me and probably what is causing my issues right now.  So back to just running in the Mizuno Inspires (which I've been thinking were the wave riders).  I'd love to try out some Brooks shoes because I hear so many good things about them but part of me just thinks I should stick with what works.  I want to try the Brooks Launch shoes but like the Kinvaras, they are a neutral shoe and I am not so sure I will have luck with them if I'm having issues with the Kinvaras.  


If you're in the Kansas City Area and want a good Chiropractor for regular care and adjustments, check out Whole Life Chiropractic.  


Running
This week I've been continuing to tell myself my new mantra of "It has to get harder before it gets easier."  An excerpt from my running journal today:
"  Originally this was my mantra during a hard workout where I was adjusting to a faster pace for a longer stretch of time.  But I'm realizing that this is a mantra I can also tell myself today as I'm feeling injured and trying to find the best shoes, supplements, diet, etc.  in order to be the best I can be as an athlete.  These are just bumps in the road but once I figure them out, I will find things getting easier again.  This is part of growth and improvement!"  


After my rest and my therapy with Dr. Forcum, I'm feeling better today and tonight I will get out there for some sort of run depending on what my body tells me when I start.  I'm excited to know it isn't something that should be too bad or keep me from running!  Big smiles!  

This is the page in my journal that I've been going to a lot this week in my reflections and time off from running.  

Thank you so much for the loving and supportive comments you've given me the past few days!  I am so very thankful for this blog and all of YOU!  I've learned SO MUCH!  And I never would have imagined what genuine connections, encouragement and support that I'd get!  


1. Do you have a chiropractor or do you get regular Chiropractic care?


2.  Good luck to all of you who are racing this weekend.  I know there are quite a few.  I'll have to come back and mention you specifically when I have time to read some blogs tonight or this weekend.  


3. Inspiring running material today?  Janae from Hungry Runner Girl ran 26.2 in 3:18 just as a training run this morning!  And Beth from SUAR ran 15 miles this week...this is HUGE and her determination and focus to heal is inspiring!  I know neither one of these Rockin blogger runners need a shout out from me...you've probably already read their blog today way before mine but I felt like mentioning them anyway!  


Happy Friday,
Amanda

Kinvaras, Mizunos, and Calf Compression Sleeves. What's Your Take?

Yesterday, I decided that it was the day to get my Secret Santa gift for my "person" so after seeing the movie Tangled with my sweet girls, we headed over to one of my favorite local running stores, The Portland Running Company.  They were having an awesome sale on everything, including up to 50% on 2010 shoe models.  I went with the intention of just buying something fun for the blog gift exchange but  in the back of my mind I knew that I wanted to sneak a peak at these Saucony Kinvara shoes that everyone is talking about.  I didn't think I would end up buying them but I did and I don't regret it a bit!  I'm so excited to slowly work my way into them.  The owner of the Portland Running Company advised me to start with wearing them one day a week and slowly work my way up into wearing them during speed workouts and racing in them.  They feel amazing!  And they just look gorgeous.  Forget the iPhone that I had on my Christmas list...if I've gone this long without an Internet phone, I can go longer.  But these...way better than any phone.   Maybe Santa will bring me the phone too.  What do you say Santa?!

Aren't they lovely?!  Not the best picture, I know.  

I also decided to try a new brand of shoe.  I have never run in Mizuno before so I would love to hear your thoughts if you have personal experience.  I found these Wave Inspire 6 Mizunos for 50% off so I only paid $50.  What an awesome deal.  I also got my husband a new pair of shoes for 50% off!   

So, these babies are what I really need advice about.  I was convinced that these calf compression sleeves are all the rage and that they are only a good thing in the running world.  Unfortunately, I didn't pay attention to the size so I will have to go back and exchange my XS for a S or M even.  Does anyone know if these RecoFit sleeves are a good brand?  What about your experience with compression sleeves or socks?  What would you recommend as far as brands, style, etc?

Also, how often do you use your compression sleeves/socks?  Do you use them for every workout (before, during, after) or racing?  Any information you can provide is greatly appreciated.

Of course, I got a few things for my secret person but  I'm not going to include those photos. ;)  I hope they like their gift!  I'll be sending it out this week.  Thanks again to Jill for organizing this gift exchange!

Recap:

1.  If you own a pair of Saucony Kinvara shoes, please share your experience with them.  How often to you wear them?  Do you love, like, dislike them?  


2.  Compression Calf Sleeves/socks.  What kinds do you recommend?  How often do you use them? 


Amanda


p.s.  After my post yesterday about Baby Legs As Running Sleeves, I had a few of you suggest I do a Baby Legs Giveaway, so be on the lookout.  Seriously, all you running mamas out there, baby legs are awesome for your kids and they work great as running sleeves for you when you need them.  They also make great gifts.  Check them out on facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/babylegs