Yes, on August 26th for that moment, I became an expensive runner! I actually got rid of 4 pairs of shoes, all at once and knew that I had a 5th pair (Asics Gel Nimbus 14) that would need to go as soon as I could get the others replaced. A huge blessing.....I had a pair of shoes still in the box up in my closet! I had received a ticker from my shoe supplier that my favorites were on the endangered list and they were on sale. I bought them knowing that I would need them at some point in time and golly gee I was so happy that I had done that!!! They are the Mizzuno's Wave Elixir 7 (purple) in the original picture. I also had a pair of Asics Gel 3030 to replace a pair of my Asics.
When I knew that I was going to be serious about running and especially finding out that I was loving being a distance runner, I began switching my shoes from one run to the next. I'm not really sure what distance qualifies you as a distance runner but I'm thinking anything that was a 10k and farther! Most runners seem to hold with the 5k, 3.1 miles whether it be for racing or a normal out the door, "I'm going for a run honey and I'll be back in 30-35 minutes" type of runner. I said most....not all. You see, some of us prefer that as a shakeout run, or an extremely easy run. Our minds begin to zone out and our bodies zone in about the time those 3 miles are over and really feel awesome about anything over 6 miles. But this doesn't hold true for the majority of the runners that are just starting out, or really have a love/hate relationship with running and use it more as a cross train for being a swimmer, cyclist or even a weight trainer. There is absolutely, 100% nothing wrong with that, and you will never hear me discriminate or look down my nose for any distance of running. It is hard....but it will get easier with consistency and determination.
So now my new purchases have come and I've worn each of them. I already have a favorite out of these three pairs! All three are more of a new style and fit for me. I wear a particular pair for racing and speed work, a pair for my runs of 8-20 miles and the others are more for just regular runs.
Left to right: Mizzuno Wave Rider 16, Brooks Ravana 4, Mizzuno Wave Elixir 8
This summer I've asked the gals that I run with for training from time to time, if any of them were interested in running a 50k with me in 2014. Every one of them thought I was crazy!! I think probably one has to be crazy to put their toes in the sand so to speak and try ultra running. But that is me, a tad crazy, pushing the limit, seeing what I'm capable of and if anyone is willing to get on board with me, alrighty then! I do well with goals and plans, and yes, I am a driven type of person. You guessed it, not a one of them. I so respect them for that!! There is nothing in the world wrong with knowing where your boundaries are and reaching those goals, they have all done an amazing job with their running and are so out of the box!! They can kick my butt on any given day. ;-)
This left me still yearning and so one day at the end of my weight training I made a comment to another class mate about wanting to do a 50k in 2014 and would he possibly be interested in it. I think it went something like "not only no, but heck no!". A few hours later Jason sent me a message and said, "Your ON!" He said what got him to thinking was here are these great runners and no one is taking the challenge and he loves a good challenge. Next thing we knew there were 4 of us on board and our numbers continue to grow little by little. This past Saturday my training plan called for 13 miles, Jason was hoping for 7 and Kari was happy with 5. We met and took off just as the sun was beginning to come up,! We threw in 4 miles of hills and they were ecstatic when we finished as we ran 8 miles together. They were hard miles for them and they did a super job! It was a great way for me to warm up with some easy miles as well as some hills due to my current running regime. I left them stretching and I finished up with another 5 on my own, dialing in and pushing myself on semi-tired legs. It was an awesome first training run with my 50k'ers. (by the way, Karen, Stacey, Sherrie, Lori, Kelley, Tina.....I'm not through with you, I look forward to running any and all kinds of miles with you, spring, summer, fall and winter!) If your interested in this distance here in SW KS, please let me know because if there is enough interest we will hold an actual event.
Our first training run was the last day of summer and it was Kari's birthday as well!! How awesome is that?? It was fun getting to know one another more and realizing that just because we age doesn't mean we stop growing and challenging ourselves. That we do have dreams and bucket lists!! And with just a spark of encouragement......they can be attainable! Thank you 50k'ers for saying yes to a crazy Lady with her own dream and vision....to see if I have it in me to go the distance.
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