Pumped up kicks...

While I hope never to have to outrun a homicidal teens, "better run, better run" is the way to reach my goal of 1000 miles this year. How better to do that than a new pair of shoes to launch into the last 84% of my goal? I'm pretty sure the old Asics (bless their worn down soles) were well past their prime. Thank goodness I got a great gift certificate to Fleet Feet for

Christmas. That gift certifcate helped me get a rockin' new pair of New Balance to take me through to fall...ish. Awesome!

So, I took my rockin' new shoes for a test spin out at Quiet Waters Park...with Jay in tow. While I originally wanted to do a long run today, our early afternoon tasting session at Harford Vineyard & Winery, combined with the new shoes made that a less than desirable situation. With that in mind we set out on a single loop of Quiet Waters, plus the boat ramp loop. We were having a good run until Jay's allergies kicked. I had to leave my tough Marine at mile 2.75...wheezing. I continued on and had a great time winding through the woods, passing all the dogs with their humans in tow and checking out the new shoes. I've also got new inserts, which change the way my foot strikes, that

will take a little time, but I have no complaints. My pumped up kicks are lighter, have a good toe box and so much more fun and colorful than the old Asics. Don't you agree?

One loop around Quiet Waters, plus the boat ramp loop but minus the compost loop comes to 4.65 miles. Not bad for the first day in new shoes. I'll just have to lay down a few more tomorrow. Happy trails!

Stats -
Miles: 4.65
Time: 40:05 (average pace of 8:37 per mile)
Location: Quiet Waters Park
Feeling: A little tight in the sole, but should get better. Great day!

Catching up...

Well, travel last week DID slow me down on my path to reaching my goal. Late arrivals at bases, exhaustion and early starts are not my friend. But I'm getting it together and working on playing catch-up for the rest of the month (I'm roughly 14 miles behind where I want to be). I can do this, I just need to show a little determination and lay down a few extra miles here and there. Okay, easier said than done because my husband just returned home from a one year deployment. Well, time to test my will power.

I did run yesterday. It was a late run because of a late arrival at Camp Lejeune. That also means it was a treadmill run. I've forgotten how smelly a Marine Corps gym with a gazillion sweaty marines running in close proximity can smell like. It was a good run though. Hopefully I can get in a bit of a longer run today to start eating away at my backlog.

Stats -
Miles: 3.5 (plus .25 in a cool down walk)
Time: 29:12 (average pace 8:20 per mile)
Location: Area 2 Fitness Center, Camp Lejeune, 3rd treadmill from the end
Feeling: Good leg stretch