I'm cheating on my Kinvara's with the A5's

After my long frustrating day yesterday, I needed something good- 

I needed to run and sweat....and break in my new shoes.

I have a confession. I'm cheating on my true love.

I bought a pair of shoes OTHER than another pair of +Saucony Kinvara's.

I know, I know...I'm just as shocked.

I'd like to introduce you to my lover: 

The Saucony Type A5 Racing Flat

I've said it a million times, I am addicted to my Saucony Kinvara's and always will be, 

but it was time to give myself something lighter for races. 

My Kinvara 4's are 6.7 oz where as my A5's weigh in at just 5.2 oz.

I'm really excited to get used to these neutral racing shoes.

I have been running in Kinvara's for a few years now so I am used to lightweight shoes, I had flats too for short races (Nike) but didn't love them. The A5's are just what I was looking for, lightweight and versatile being rated for short races all the way through to marathons.

- I have a feeling these are going to be a crucial part of my Sub-3:20 marathon plan at Wineglass this fall!

My Kinvara's are not going away, in fact pair 8 will be required within a few weeks I assume. When I got my 7th pair of Kinvara's I did a "Lucky 7's workout" 

[7 miles, in my 7th pair of Kinvaras at 7:07 pace].

Last night I wanted to break in my new shoes, but wasn't sure what to do for a workout. So I did 8 miles at 8 PM.  Took it nice and easy for the first 6, just getting a feel for the flats. It was different running in these than my normal shoes; not bad, just different. Slowly I could feel my feet adjusting to the support, and to lighter weight and my last 2 miles I decided to crank it up a little. 

Last 2 miles were below 7 minute pace. It felt good to have a little speed in me, 

I hadn't done speed since Airport 5k (19:17) a few weeks ago.

Definitely came home from my run MUCH happier than when I left, I love that running does that!

Originally my plan was to have these broken in and ready to wear for the half-marathon portion of this weekends half-ironman distance triathlon. They took a little longer than planned to come in, and I don't think I will feel ready for them Sunday. The thing is though, Sunday is not going to be my fastest half-marathon: after all I AM swimming 1.2 miles and biking 56 miles before it. So I would rather go with a shoe I am 100% comfortable with and know is broken in enough. So my Kinvara 4's will be making the trip with me :)  [Don't worry I will make sure they are properly secured just like that time Saucony shared my photo....] Next time around my A5's will be in tow though, a few more runs to get them ready and I'll be golden!

 There was that time I did a Gear Inventory and showed you my obsession with Kinvara's, I'll have to take a new "family photo" with my current shoe rotation (right now, a pair of Kinvara 3, Kinvara 4, and now my new A5 Flats). 

What are you addicted to?

When was your last therapeutic run?

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Good, Bad & Yummy 6/28-6/30 & June Favs

Business as usual here in my life: going a million miles an hour. This week is going to be super busy but it will be a good one for sure with lots of positive things happening.

Going to do a little mix here and some usual Good, Bad, and Yummy moments from the weekend as well as some highlights from the month of June (seriously, did this past month fly as fast for everyone else as it did for me?)

As for the weekend....
The Good:
John's sister had her baby Thursday night, adorable little Charlie John! Yay for another nephew!

Saturday I got my longest ride to date in...61 miles, I was really happy with it especially considering the elements were not in my favor for most of it!

I'm feeling really comfortable clipping in now, and am starting to utilize the power of it more (when clipped in you get power on the upstroke as well, which can make you more efficient of a rider). I do have to remind myself not to pull up too hard though, it can create lower back pain and tightness in the hip.

I managed to take off my shoes while still riding (thank goodness for fabulous Bontrager Triathlon Cycling Shoes). If I can practice this more, it will make me more efficient in T2 on race day, and get my running shoes on me quicker. BUT I won't do it race day unless I feel 100% ready (it could turn bad quickly).

Dress rehearsal run yesterday went great! I wore my +Saucony Triathlon top and shorts, as well as my Kinvara's (these are the only things that might NOT be with me on race day, I ordered Saucony Flats, but they are not in yet). I even started the run after 11 AM in the heat of the day because that is when I will be running on race day, gotta practice these things!

I was so hot after said long run in the heat, that I didn't even have to be forced into the ice bath. I jumped in without even thinking, and remained there for 25 minutes! My legs feel great today!

Got to spend a little time with John, his sister and her man and the baby last night:)

The Bad:
It was torrential downpour the first half of my long ride Saturday, but in all honesty it really wasn't all bad because it was good prep in case it rains on race day.

The new baby had some respiratory issues over the weekend and had to stay a few extra days giving us a worry(but all is good now, as I said they left hospital yesterday happy and healthy).

Friday night I was worked up about doing my long ride on Saturday. I was tired and cranky and letting the anxiousness of upcoming 70.3 get to me. A good long chat with my man definitely made me feel better.

My Garmin is definitely fading, and quickly. Battery power is lasting less and less and the strap (which partially broke last weekend) is getting even more worn now that it has added strain on one side. I really need to decide what I want to do. Looking at the Garmin 310XT, 910XT and the Timex run trainer 1.0 GPS watch....any thoughts?

The Yummy
After my long ride on Saturday I treated myself to my 2 favorite things from Panera.

All day Sunday John was cooking up a storm in the kitchen. We wanted to make food for his sister since she just had the baby and also has a 4 year old (she's gonna have her hands full!). He made a ton of super yummy (and healthy) recipes, the majority of which were vegan from Scott Jurek's Book Eat & Run. I wish I had taken photos of all of it, it was seriously fabulous and I couldn't even tell that most of them were Vegan!

My contribution was definitely NOT vegan, but it was what his sister wanted: my homemade baked raspberry cheesecake....I love making it, super yummy!

5 Things about the month of June
1. 413 miles between running/biking/swimming! Should actually be a little more but I am really happy with this. I've been consistently training smarter and that has made me able to do more.

2. I tackled my first triathlon this month, and feel really good about that!

3. Although I definitely had my days where it was a struggle to get out the door, I feel like my confidence and motivation is getting back to where I want and NEED it to be.

4. Favorite fitness related moment of the month: there are a few that stick out, but honestly I think it was 2 weeks ago I had a really good long swim where things just "clicked" and it seriously just gave me a big confidence booster.

5. Least favorite fitness related moment of the month: my 40 mile ride where I had a million meltdowns and just mentally felt down and defeated (this made this past weekends 60 miler that much sweeter though).

How was your weekend?

Have you read Eat & Run by Scott Jurek?

Garmin vs. Timex GPS watch thoughts?

What were your favorite/least favorite moments from June?