I recently had to unwillingly buy new running shoes (first world problems?).

Here’s the backstory….

When I first switched to Hoka’s I ran in the Stinson model and loved them. So naturally, after about a month I bought a second pair and stuck them in my closet to be worn when the first pair were done. In the midst of marathon training for the Marine Corps Marathon, I acquired another pair during a sale. Since they were a different color, I started running in them with plans to use them for the marathon. Then there was that whole ‘my shoe broke’ crisis right before the race.

Luckily, we were able to glue to heel back on and the shoe held up for the race. Afterward, Hoka One One replaced the shoes, but with the newer model since they weren’t making that version anymore. So I started running in those last November, which was fine.

Due to lots of time on trails this spring, and not a lot of use of my road shoes, I didn’t need to replace them until recently. After two weeks of unexplained calf and Achilles pain I realized my shoes were probably worn out, and broke out the pair I had stashed in the closet.

They didn’t feel quite right, but I figured I just needed to break them in a bit. When they continued to feel funky, I put my old insoles in them, which seemed to help. But after about 40 miles I realized something was just off. They were giving me hot spots on the balls of my feet, and pinching my toes. I knew I needed to find some new shoes, with the Hokie Half looming in 2 weeks. So I hit up the nearby running specialty shop. (side note – after some research I found that the issue with these shoes was likely due to factory and/or material changes as the company grew)

The version of the Stinsons I love don’t exist anymore, so I tried on a few different Hoka models. I didn’t really want to range out of that brand since I’ve been happy with them for the past couple of years (fyi – I don’t have any sort of partnership with them, I just like their shoes). I ended up settling on the Bondi 4’s.

I wasn’t crazy about the color scheme, but I had to set that aside when they felt so good on my feet. I’m really happy with them so far. I guess I’ve found a new favorite shoe. The color has kind of grown on me, too, although I do miss my pink and purple ones! At least my trail shoes are still purple 🙂 The Hokie Half is this Sunday, and although my longest run in these shoes has only been six miles, I think they’ll be fine on race day!

Have you ever had a shoe not work for you anymore? I don’t know why these shoes, which were the same size and model as a previous pair that I loved, didn’t work for me. Must have been some kind of variation in this individual pair of shoes.
Do you ever get hung up on the color/appearance of running shoes?

Today is Wednesday Word link up day, hosted by Debbie over at Deb Runs. Each week Debbie provides a word prompt for us to write about. This week’s word is cautious. Click on the link up button below to see who else is joining in on this week’s link up.

I started exploring trail running after my first marathon, in an effort to branch out from roads. As someone who manages to trip on smooth, flat surfaces, trail running has been pretty precarious for me. I have to be cautious as I go, in an attempt to stay upright. More often that not, I fall. But nine times out of ten only my ego is bruised.

That one other time out of ten can lead to a bit of blood, but at least I haven’t needed stitches yet! This past spring I delved more heavily into trail races and signed up for the Roanoke Non-Ultra Trail series, which went from January through the end of May. I ran five of the six races, and ran in all types of weather conditions. We had frigid, single digit temperatures, 18 inches of snow, ankle deep mud, and humidity. But you know what the constant was? Rooty, rocky trails bent on taking me down.

As the spring went on, I got stronger and learned how better to stay on my feet. Naturally, that all went out the window during Ragnar Trail Appalachians. But those trails were more than muddy, they were a disaster.

Overall, trail running has taught me how to be a more cautious, careful, and able runner.

What experiences in life have taught you how to be cautious? What has taught you to be more cautious? Running, in general, has taught me to be more aware of my surroundings.

P.S. Happy Birthday to my dear husband, Barry!! He doesn’t like a lot of fanfare, so I don’t get to do a whole post for him. This is the most he will allow on social media 🙂

We headed up to the Shenandoah Valley area for a camping trip this past weekend. The main reason was for our annual trip to the summer rodeo. It’s held at the horse farm where my best friend rides, from May through September, and this weekend was the last one of the season.

We stayed at the same campground that we’ve been going to for the past three years. It’s always nice to be somewhere familiar. Saturday was very rainy during the day so we mostly just hung out in the camper, reading, napping, and playing a lot of Gin Rummy.

Luckily the rain moved out and we had really nice weather for the rodeo that evening. After my best friend was done with her drill team at the start (see first picture) she came and hung out with us for the rest of the night. As always, it was a good time.

Sunday was a much prettier day. We hit the road in the early evening to head home and Hank and Scout did what they always do when we travel…

One of the downsides of driving in the south west direction in the evening is that the sun is in your eyes for most of the way. But the upside is that once the sun does start to set, you get to see a really drawn out sunset. And last night’s was a gorgeous one. When we got home it was cool and crisp and it was so clear you could see about a thousand stars. Always important to stop and appreciate things like that!

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I also wanted to briefly recap my workout week, as part of the weekly wrap link up hosted by HoHo Runs and MissSippiPiddlin’.

Last week was week 10 of Hokie Half Marathon training. It’s now officially race week and the race is this Sunday! Here’s what I did as part of my taper for the race:

Monday – 3 mile run in the afternoon. It was 85 degrees and humid, and I was reminded of the importance to bring water on hot runs no matter the distance.

Tuesday – rest
Wednesday- 6 mile long run in the evening. I was pretty tired from a long work day, but I felt pretty good during my run. I got my long run in early since we would be traveling and I didn’t want to do my long run at that campground (this is why).
Thursday – 3 mile run in the evening after work
Friday – 3 mile run in the evening with Barry after we got to the campground.

Saturday – rest. Rodeo!!
Sunday – rest.

How was your weekend?
Have you ever been to a rodeo?
Do you have any end-of-summer traditions?

Fall is upon us and I’m excited because it’s my favorite season. One of the reasons it’s my favorite season is because of football. I love sports movies, especially when they are about football. My favorite five all center around high school and college football. In real life, I think those two levels have the players that try the hardest.

1. We Are Marshall – Tells the story of Marshall University rebuilding after a plane crash that killed nearly the entire football team in 1970. There is also actually a Virginia Tech connection to this story – Frank Loria, one of the coaches killed in the plane crash, played football for Tech.

2. Friday Night Lights – A small town obsessed with the high school football team. Although a lot of it is mostly more dramatic than real life, it really captures the excitement of Friday night football.

3. The Blind Side – Based on the true story of Michael Oher being taken in by the Tuohy family, and his eventual success in college football and the NFL.

4. Rudy – Inspirational story of Daniel ‘Rudy’ Ruettiger who never gave up on his dream to play for Notre Dame football. Great story, and I love all of the scenes of Notre Dame game day because they remind me of Tech.

5. Remember The Titans – True story of the football team coming together in newly-integrated T.C. Williams High School in Virginia in 1971. This one is my most favorite football movie. Plus it has one of the best soundtracks out of any sports movie I’ve seen.

Which of these football movies have you seen?
What are your favorite sports-themed movies?

It’s Wednesday and I’m linking up with Debbie for her Wednesday World linkup! Click the button below to join in and see who else is linking up today.

Each week, we are given a single word prompt to write about. This week’s word is carefree.

Although it’s not a requirement, I often end up using the weekly word prompt to write about something running-related. This is a running blog, after all. And I couldn’t help but think about running in conjunction with carefree this week. What comes to mind when I think of carefree running? Every kids race I’ve ever seen that takes place as part of a road race.

Kids truly exemplify carefree running when they run. It’s natural to them and they are running’s purest participants. Often there is no worry about pace, technical apparel, shoes, etc. They run for the sake of running.

I know you’ve seen those little ones who sprint for a short distance, then walk, then sprint again during a race. You may laugh about them (or with them – as they often giggle while they run). But you know what? They’re running without a care in the world, because running is still play for them. It doesn’t matter how long the race is. They’re going to run as fast as they can for as long as they can, and then they’re going to take a break and go again. They exemplify running at its most basic. At its most carefree. Their primary objective is just to have fun.

What does being carefree mean to you?