Running Shoes - One Way to Save Money

You know how you hear how inexpensive running is? Well the jokes on us runners right?! The only people who think it isn't expensive are those that don't run.

I'm not complaining really, because it's worth it to me, and I sort of believe that if you track the cost of gym membership over the years vs. running gear and entry fees that maybe those who run (and don't have a gym membership) are indeed saving money. I sort of believe that. ;-)

Anyway, I think it's safe to say one of, if not the, biggest cost is running shoes. Again, not complaining, because when you find the right pair that work perfectly for you, it's worth almost any price tag right?!

I kind of miss those shoes and the bright color! 

I've been very lucky to have a relationship with Fleet Feet Tacoma, and a Dad who supports my endeavors, so I rarely have to pay for my shoes. It's one of the reasons I have been able to keep running after losing my job and being a stay at home mom. Our single income would not support buying running shoes as often as I need them. 

But, there is a new site that is going to help everyone save money on running shoes! It's called ShoeKicker and I have to say I was pretty impressed with the service! 

I had the opportunity to test it out before it went live yesterday, and it was easy to use, and accurate! Check them out, fill out three fields, hit "Show Me The Best Price" and viola you have a list of options to purchase your go to running shoe at the best price possible! So easy, and even if you only save a few $$ every little bit helps. 

Of course this only works if you have been fitted and know what shoe to shop for in the first place. So, don't forget your local running store! Go get fitted, test run shoes if they let you, and check out the return policy. Most stores will let you wear them for a few days, some of them give you 30 days, to run in them and make sure they really work for you. 

I highly recommend buying your first pair of running shoes, or first pair of a new to you brand, at a local store. Returning them if needed is easier, they will be there hands on to direct you to a shoe that will work better for you if you do return a pair, and can offer advice on inserts or lacing that can make all the difference. 

But once you do that, and for sure know what works for you ShoeKicker is a great option for you, or for that person that gifts you your shoes, to help save money! 

I guess it's easy to see that adidas is my shoe for life! No discounts on them, but I don't care...they work so it's worth it! 

Run on, and save some money! 

adidas Ultra Boost = The Unicorn of Running Shoes!

I, along with the rest of the Tuesday Night run group, had the opportunity to test run the new adidas, Ultra Boost...before it was available for purchase! How cool is that?! We felt like VIP's for sure!

Behold the most amazing running shoe I've ever had on my feet period. Oh how I love these shoes! And, that's saying something given how much I love the adidas Energy Boost.

So, whats different you ask...well the Ultra Boost is 100% Boost material (Energy Boost is 80% I believe), it's a knight upper, and it's all one piece. The tongue of the shoe is at one with the rest of the upper, and while that may sound strange it's totally the most amazing thing ever!

Energy Boost on the Left, Ultra Boost on the Right. 

The bottom of the shoe is different as well. The Ultra Boost has more of a waffle pattern while the Energy Boost sort of follows the bone structure of your foot. The waffle pattern creates a feeling of connection with the ground that is more solid and stable, especially side to side. It felt like the spring of the Boost material was settling in a bit more rather than bouncing your foot off the pavement. That settling in feeling made for a more powerful push off like I was getting more power out of the spring/rebound of the boost material.

Maybe I'm just used to the Boost material since I've worn Energy Boost since they hit the market, but the Ultra feels less bouncy to me, more controlled, and a more even ride across the bottom of my foot, which felt a bit more natural as my foot rolled through my landing to push off.

This is the color I want so bad!

The other big change (it's a total game changer for me!) is the cut out for the achilles. There are two parts of most running shoes that make me crazy. One is the top of the shoes where the laces hit across the foot bend/toes. Thankfully both the Energy and Ultra Boost start the laces so far back on the foot that there is zero pressure on the part of my foot that usually gets irritated. Second is the back of the shoe and where it hits on the back of my heel/achilles. It's just a sensitive spot for me, especially during longer runs. The heel clip on the Ultra has a cut out for the achilles so there is zero discomfort, like absolutely no pressure on the achilles at all. 

There are of course a lot of other upgrades and improvements, but I can't hit all of them. These are the ones that I noticed and stood out while I was running. I'm not kidding...when I was testing these bad boys out I kept thinking, "this is what running should feel like, it should feel this good". 

A little perspective for you...this was my first run after having been really sick and I was still dealing with sinus stuff and worn out legs, yet this run felt pretty darn great. Everything about the shoe is designed to let the runner use 100% of the energy they put into the run. Unlike other shoes that absorb energy, and offer less return on the effort. The Ultra Boost is a perfect supportive knit fit, but not tight at all. It's like the most perfect foot hug ever! 

The Ultra Boost is available now at Fleet Feet Tacoma, or at adidas for those that aren't local. Check out these videos from Hypebeast with behind the scenes looks at the Ultra Boost: The Making of The Ultra Boost -it actually shows how they are made and it's pretty cool! Ultra Boost promo video

I need a new pair of running shoes and these are going to be it. Yes the price is up there, but it's worth it to me to save my money for a shoe that feels like perfection and helps me stay injury and ache & pain free. Totally worth it! 

As a side note I'm still very happy with my Energy Boost, and they still feel great. I'll happily run in them until I can upgrade. It's just that the Ultra is pure perfection. 

P.S. This is not a sponsored post. I'm just super excited about the Ultra Boost and how amazing it felt!

   

adidas Energy Boost 2...In The House!

Ok, well not in my house, yet anyway.  But, I see a pair of these in my near future...all the long runs and races on the calendar are starting to add up!  

Remember the pub run from a few weeks ago...

I got to test out the Energy Boost 2 (EB2), and it was actually kind of perfect, because I ran in my Energy Boost shoes for 4 miles prior to switching to the EB2 for 4 miles.  So I got a first foot experience of the differences between the two shoes, and let me say every single change made (there weren't many) is perfect!

 adidas Energy Boost 2 in Vivid Berry...I LOVE this color!

The number one thing I noticed right off the bat was the thermoplastic polyurethane cage in the mid-foot (it's the part with the stripes on the side's of the foot).  The term cage makes it seem rigid and hard, but it's not.  While it's more firm than the original Energy Boost, it's not hard or rigid.  It really just hugs your foot, without squeezing it, for a more secure confident fit.  There is also a heel clip (the back of the shoe where you see "energy boost" printed) of the same material that allows for a better individual fit through the heel of the shoe.      

The second thing I noticed was the tongue of the shoe is a little more cushioned, which it really nice for me actually.  The veins on the top of my foot pop out and are like raging rivers, so the lightest pressure makes my toes and top of my foot numb.  I noticed the cushioned tongue took all the pressure off those veins.  Even though I lace my shoes so loose I may as well not have laces at all those darn veins still tend to bother me a bit, but not in the EB2.

 Elya and I in the Vivid Berry EB2 and Collin in the mens EB2.

It's also a wider fit through the part of the foot just past the top lace.  I love how snug the Energy Boost was, so wasn't sure I'd like having a little more room in the EB2, but I actually really loved the fit.  It's even more perfect than the Energy Boost, and I didn't think that was even possible!  

Elya, Tim with adidas, and apparently drinking and running makes me look sleepy!

Once us runners find a shoe we like it tends to give us a little heart burn when we find out changes are being made to our favorite shoe.  It took me 3 years of running to find a shoe that didn't cause horrendous blisters and leave my hips, knees, and and ankles hurting.  So, I was a little scared, and even contemplated buying all the original Energy Boost shoes I could find just in case I didn't love the new EB2.  

adidas did a great job of upgrading an already pretty amazing shoe while staying true to what we love about the shoe.  I have zero stress over making the switch to the new model when the time comes.  For more information about the Energy Boost line and more technical info about the changes to the Energy Boost 2 visit adidas 

Thank you Tim for hosting another fun Pub Run, and for bringing shoes for us to test out!  

Disclaimer - no one asked me to review or post about the EB2.  Not adidas, not Tim, not Fleet Feet.  As always I'm reviewing and sharing a product I love because I love it!  All opinions are 100% mine! 

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What's your go too running shoe?  

Any one else tried any of the shoes from adidas energy boost line?

 

Pub Run Friday!

Honestly I think every Friday should end with a pub run!  I'm so excited for some fun and beer tonight with adidas! 

It's kind of a crazy running day.  Elya and I need 11 miles for our long run this weekend, but I'm running a 5K in the morning.  So, we are meeting early before the pub run to get 4 miles in, then running 2 miles with the group to the pub(s), and then 2 miles back to the store.  Add on the 3 I'm doing in the morning, and 3 she will run on her own/with a friend, and we will piece together 11 miles in less than 24 hours.  Not the perfect training plan, but it's better than nothing.   

Normally I don't condone pub running the night before a race, but it's St. Paddy's Day weekend, and I'm taking it easy pace wise for all of it.  This weekend's running is about having fun, sporting the outfit I put together, and kicking off the running season with Elya and Michelle!   Plus, I don't plan on drinking more than a few sips at each pub, so I won't have any issues in the am.  Smart fun is the best fun!

I found this the other day on FB and Love it!     

It's a lifestyle!

It's the #1 reason you don't see me posting about dieting, watching what I eat etc on this blog.  My personal truth is diets don't work.  It's a temporary state of being that isn't sustainable over a lifetime.  I restate that is MY PERSONAL TRUTH.  Some people find success with diets/eating plans and that is great for them. 

I don't.  I would rather have a little bit of yummy than a lot of bland.  Thankfully I don't have a problem limiting my portions (using salad plates for dinner is great!), and while I don't give in to every little craving I also don't think deprivation is mentally healthy.  Let's say I'm craving a snickers I let it go for a few days, if after 2 or 3 days I still can't stop thinking about it, then you know what I have the snickers bar and I don't feel bad about it.

Everyone has to do what works for them, this works for me.  The fact I'm maintaining my weight/clothing size for 5+ years, even though I'm getting closer and closer to 40, makes me think I have a pretty good handle on my eating and training! 

Who's running a St. P Day race this weekend?

What's your favorite beer?

Planks Are Hard

Can I just say a 3 minute plank feels like torture...I have no idea how I'm going to do a 5 minute plank next week!  Yikes!!! 

I'll be honest...I start out in perfect plank form, but after 1:30 all bets are off.  I straighten my arms/go to my knees as needed.  I go back to proper form as I'm able, but I can't hold a proper plank for 3 minutes.  My core feels stronger though, and that was the whole point.

I'm going to feel that 3 minute plank during tonight's adidas sponsored run!        

Dinner last night was so good!!!!  I usually share recipes on Friday's, but this one can't wait.  Sky cleaned her plate twice, and Mark said it was even better as leftovers today! 

I got the recipe from my Bon Appetite magazine: Original link HERE

What mine looked like above, what it looks like in the magazine below.

 

 

INGREDIENTS

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2½ pounds skin-on, bone-in chicken legs and thighs
• Kosher salt
• 8 garlic cloves, peeled
• ⅓ cup (packed) light brown sugar
• ¼ cup (or more) unseasoned rice vinegar
• 2 slices ¼"-thick slices peeled ginger
• 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• ¼ cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
• 2 scallions, thinly sliced
• Cooked white rice (for serving)    

PREPERATION

Heat oil in a large wide heavy pot over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt and, working in 2 batches, cook until golden brown and crisp, 6–8 minutes per side; transfer to a plate. Add garlic to pot and cook, stirring often, until golden, about 2 minutes; transfer to plate with chicken. Pour off fat from pot.

 

Return pot to medium-high heat and add ½ cup water, scraping up browned bits. Add brown sugar; stir to dissolve, then cook, stirring, until mixture thickens and turns a deep amber color, about 4 minutes. Carefully add vinegar (it may bubble up; sugar will crystallize); stir to dissolve sugar.

 

Add ginger, broth, and soy sauce, then add chicken, skin side up, and garlic. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer gently until chicken is cooked through, 20–25 minutes. Transfer chicken to a plate.

 

Bring cooking liquid to a boil and cook until thick enough to coat a spoon, about 10 minutes. Return chicken to pot; turn to coat. Top with scallions and serve with rice.

 

 

Recipe by Chris Morocco
Photograph by Hirsheimer & Hamilton

 

What food magazines do you subscribe to?

Bon Appetite

Rachael Ray

Food & Wine

Cooks Illustrated