Friday, November 30, 2012

If Hal Says It, It Must Be True

"We all have bad days and bad workouts, when running gets ugly, when split times seem slow, when you wonder why you started. It will pass."
-Hal Higdon
 
Just a reminder for when there's a shit-tastic run. Because there always will be. Just like there will always be an amazing run.
 
I mean... if Hal says it, it must be true, right? And, yes. Me and Hal are totally on a first name basis.

Anyway-- have a good weekend! And, if you happen to have a shit-tastic workout-- don't worry. A good one is right around the corner. So is another bad one, most likely. But, let's not focus on that.

I've got exciting plans this weekend starting tonight with a meeting with our financial planner (WOAH! That makes me feel/sound SO GROWN UP. Can't handle it.) and then PIZZA (What was that I was saying about being a grown up again?) with the Hubs and the in-laws. Saturday is a busy, busy day. Sunday I have exciting long run w/ a friend plans. Just an all around amazing weekend! Hope you enjoy yours!!

Thursday, November 29, 2012

84 Miles by the New Year?

While logging my morning spinning class on my DailyMile account I realized I have run 1916 miles thus far in 2012.
 

 
 
Am I the only one who thinks this is completely unacceptable? Not because of the actual distance... I mean... take 1916/365 and that averages out to just over FIVE MILES A DAY, everyday for the entire year. That's pretty crazy when you start thinking about it. Anyway-- I don't think it's bad because of the actual amount... it's more because of the number itself. See, I'm crazy. We've already established that, yes? OK. Well, since you know that this next part shouldn't be that much of a stretch.
 
I like nice, round, even numbers (or at least my definition of nice round, even numbers). I'm a little OCD about it. I have to end a run on increments of .25 (unless it's an intentional 5K or 10K, half, etc.). I have to keep the volume on the TV or on my computer in increments of 5 (15, 25, 50, etc.). I have to stop the gas pump on the dollar or $.50 (this one drives the Hubs crazy). Weirdly, I don't have to make a restaurant bill an even number when tipping... though that might just be because math would be involved. Anyway-- the list goes on. Alarm clock (usually... unless it really is just THAT important for ONE MORE MINUTE), timers, cooking times, number of reps in a set, number of sets... it goes on and on. I'm a freak.
 
Anyway-- so, that brings up back to the problem at hand. 1916?? No, no. I can't handle that. No, obviously that wouldn't be what it'd end at as I have no intention of not running the rest of the year... but, now that I see the number-- I have a GOAL. I mean-- look at it. It's SCREAMING at me to make it a nice, even 2000. Right?!?!? Or, should I say-- at LEAST 2000.  Wouldn't it be sweet to hit 2012 miles in 2012?? 2012 isn't the most even/round number... but, it's kinda a certain something since it matches the year. Either way-- the challenge has been set. Reach at least 2000 miles for 2012, leaving the window open for 2012 in 2012, if things go well.
 
I don't want to set myself up for getting hurt or anything, especially seeing as how I'm still far from 100% as it is. As the Hubs so kindly reminded me...
Ignore the "Im crossing my fingers for you." text. That was in response to that the University I work for had a power outage and I told the Hubs I might get to go home early. Oh, and that # has since changed because I ran last night... hence me asking him about 91 mile and not 84 miles. I'm so confusing! Sorry!!!
  
Can I run 84 (maybe even 96) by 11:59pm on December 31st? Sure. SHOULD I?? Well, while the Hubs isn't so sure-- I am! I totally think I can/should and can/should SAFELY. I won't push pace. I won't increase long runs by crazy amounts. I've been doing about 30-ish miles/week lately. That'll already get me to my goal. So, I just have to stick with it. Promise. And, if things hurt or something goes wrong, I'll listen to my body. Really. I will.

Oh, and for the record-- my reply to the Hubs was VERY loving.

I'm such a good wife.

So, there we have it. 2000 (maybe even 2012?!?!) miles by December 31st at 11:59pm. GOAL SETChallenge accepted. So, while all of you out there may be doing that little RunnersWorld challenge where you do something like run a marathon everyday from now til St. Patty's Day or something crazy like that... I'll be doing my own challenge. I heard a quote today: "Don't measure yourself my someone elses ruler." Seems fitting for me today.

T-minus 84 miles...  

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

WIAW - 11/28/2012



Peas and Crayons
 

That's right!!!! Time for yet another exciting round of WIAW, courtesy of our host... So, without further ado, let's get to it and check out my Tuesday eats.
 
Breakfast:
 
Pineapple Greek yogurt is AMAZING. I really, really didn't think I'd like it and only got it the first time because it was the only flavor on sale (weird, right??), but OMG. I love it. Beyond love. Fully addicted. Add a few handfuls of Special K (as seen above) and it's a killer breakfast. So tasty! (Note: Also had a HUGE mug of unpictured coffee.)
 
 
Lunch:
Nothing exciting here. Turkey sandwich on low-fat wheat bun with spicy brown mustard (my favorite!!), carrots, apple, and a handful of sour cream and onion Pop Chips. Diet Cherry Coke on the side (still going strong on one a day... for the most part!). B-O-R-I-N-G.
 
 
Snack:
Caught. Red handed. Whatever. Candy's too good to give up. I had a snack size peanut m&m pack and have no shame!


Dinner:
Crockpot Mexican chicken. SO easy. Put 3-4 thawed, raw chicken breasts in bottom of crock pot. Add can of drained black beans and can of fire roasted tomatoes. Add 1/2 packet of taco seasoning. Add sprinkle of garlic or onion salt. Cook on low 6 hours. Shred chicken. Add back to crockpot and cook on low for 30-45 more minutes. Serve about a million different ways... I had mine on brown rice with a good squirt of Siracha on top. They Hubs had it in a tortilla as a soft taco. So, so good. Oh, and for the record-- I didn't have that diet pepsi in the picture! That's the Hubs drink. I had a flavored water. One diet soda a day-- going strong!!


Dessert:
We were gonna go for fro yo, but we're trying to limit the whole fro yo habit a bit, so we didn't go. These are a FAR CRY from fro yo, but they're still pretty good. And suprisingly big for just 110 calories.


Night Snack:
(Forgot to take a pic-- blogger fail) Big bowl of air-pop popcorn. I don't even buy the microwave bags anymore, unless it's to keep at the office. The air-popped kind is just so much better. Trust me. Buy an airpopper. It's a big, bulky appliance, but SO worth it.



______________________________________________________________

In other news, I did it! I got out yesterday during my "lunch hour" and did 6 miles!

 
I realize my Garmin says I only did 5.3 miles. I did 6, I promise. Stupid thing (I love you, Garmin) took .7 miles to find satelite! Crazy!! Anyway-- I did them! In about a 9:30 pace. Not bad!! The weather was perrrrrfect! 
 

I know it seems cold.... and it is... but, it's also my FAVORITE weather to run in. I love the cold nose, long sleeve, tights needed weather. Love it.

When I got home after work I even did another 3, to make my daily total 9 miles! Not too shabby for a random Tuesday! Longest I've done mid-week since marathon training. Post-run I did Jillian's 30-Day Shred (aka: MURDER! Girl is SO HARD CORE!!). Turned into a solid workout day. LOVE that.

After my quick run and quality Jillian time, I made a quick dinner and then watched Gilmore Girls reruns before making a trek for some FRO YO!!! They have ROASTED MARSHMALLOW flavor.
 
 
How's that for self control?? I posted that on MONDAY and didn't actually get to try it til TUESDAY. I'm a beacon of self-control. Anyway-- back to the FRO YO. So, so, soooo good. Delicious. I got mine with graham cracker dust (I think it'd be better as graham cracker chunks, but it was still good) and reese's. Even the Hubs tried and loved it, though he got his with chocolate chips instead of reese's. His looked darn good too. Might have to try that next time. Would tonight be too soon?? :)

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Elf for Health

 

I’m a elf!
 
 
nutritionella

 

In case you don't Twitter stalk me (and why not?? You know I'm stalking you!) you may not have heard anything about this. If you do, you've likely seen the #elf4health ALL over.
 
So, what is this whole crazy elf madness? Well, first thing to know is this girl and this girl created it. It really has become absolute madness, too. Over 600 bloggers and/or blog-stalkers are participating. Crazy!!
 
Ok-- so clearly I didn't exactly explain what it is... let's try this again. And, since the creator's can describe it WAY better than I can, let's steal one of their words:
 
Introducing the Elf for Health Holiday Challenge! This is a six week challenge that will run from the Monday after Thanksgiving thru the first week in January. There will be daily tasks, daily winners, prizes, weekly newsletters, and a Facebook group for support. As an Elf, you are expected to support your assigned buddy with their holiday health goals and the daily challenges. Elves & buddies will be reassigned every 2 weeks. (source)
 


newsletter header Elf for Health Holiday Challenge
(source)
 
So, basically it's a great way to get partnered up with a random person (who becomes your elf and you theirs) who also signed up who cares about healthy living and such. You complete a challenge a day and give (and take!) encouragement from your elf and others.
 
Below are the recent and upcoming challenges.
 
So, as you can see-- they range from healthy living centered goals to make-someone-else-feel-goal kinda goals to good-will/philanthropy kinda goals.
 
The challenge is split into 3 2-week sessions and for the first session I have totally lucked out with a BA elf. If you haven't read Martha's blog, you should. Now. Seriously. Stop reading this and click on over to her page. You won't be sorry. She's the bomb. I mean... girl owns a BAR and is a power lifter. How freaking cool is she?!?!? And, she's a pretty sweet elf, too! We've exchanged daily emails and even designed a quick workout for each other for Wednesday's challenge (which is "Try a new workout!"). Told you. She's the bomb.
 
Day 1's Challenge was Meatless Monday! This wasn't really all that challenging for me, as I frequently don't eat meat for days at a time. I had a veggie stir fry for dinner... which I have at least once a week regularly. Forgot to take a pic (blogger fail again), but here's an old one of the exact. same. meal. Even eaten off the same plate and on the same coffee table (nothing but class at my house!).
 
Day 2's (today!!) Challenge is send a handwritten card or note to a friend. Lucky for me, I actually do this semi-regularly. I loooove sending friends snail mail. So fun! I'm sending out 4 cards today!
 
 
So, so far-- I'm 2 for 2! 
 
Are you bummed you didn't sign up for this awesome challenge? It's not too late! You can join in for round 2 and/or round 3! Go here to get more info and you too can be an elf!
 
 

MOTIVATION NEEDED!


HELP!
 
I need help!
 
This morning my alarm went off at the usual 5am and I didn't even think about getting up. I immediately told myself "It's ok... you can work out later... 1 missed workout won't kill you. It's no big deal. Just go back to bed." So, a quick reset of the alarm later and I was back asleep. Dooooooh.
 
 
 
Ok, I get that this isn't THAT big of a deal. But, to me-- it kinda is. It's happening more and more frequently. About once a week, pretty regularly. I USED to never do this! I used to get up the moment my alarm started going off and never even THOUGHT about skipping the workout. My booty was out the door before I knew what was happening. Not anymore.
 
Lately, I'm DRAGGING.  It's just SO MUCH HARDER now that it's cold out! It's just so nice and toasty under the blankets and so, so, soooo cold out of them.
 
I'm finding it easier and easier to talk myself into not going in the morning. Excuses are becoming easier and easier to come by. NO GOOD.
 

I know, in my head, that I LOVE working out in the morning. I know that. I know I feel so much better all day when I get out there in the morning. I know I have more energy and just feel better all day. My brain knows that. Sadly, at 5am-- my brain just isn't working and it's just SO MUCH EASIER to roll over and go back to sleep.

 

So, here's my challenge to myself. Get up and get to the gym before work the rest of this week. 3 more days. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Just 3 more days. Then, next week-- get to the gym 4 of the 5 mornings. That's already giving myself 1 no-early-morning-workout day. Maybe KNOWING I have a day I can sleep in guilt-free will help with the other days. Kinda like a diet cheat day (though, for me-- every day's a diet cheat day. I mean-- let's be honest.) We'll see how this works. Worth a try, right?

Now, in the meantime-- if I skip the whole getting outta bed early to workout thing that does NOT mean I get to skip the whole working out thing period. There are many other hours of the day other than 5am and plenty of time to still get the workout in. No excuse. Or so I keep telling myself. it's (again, warning-- excuse coming) just so much easier to find SO MANY reasons not to workout after work. Headache, too tired from work, hungry, time with the Hubs, deserve to relax, upset tummy, and a million others.

TOO BAD, MEAGAN.

If I skip the morning workout, I hereby, publicly declare that I WILL still workout (beacuse if you say it pubically it's gotta happen, right??). Period. NO excuses.

So, today at lunch I'll get out there for 4-5 miles. Then, after work, I've got a 3 miles and Jillian date on the books. No excuses.


Maybe, just maybe, if I keep saying that I'll actually do it. Stranger things have happened, right??

 

Monday, November 26, 2012

This Happened Today

So, this happened today.
 
 



Poor, Hubs.

To be fair, it was only ONE pair of shoes. And, they were on sale. And, I got free shipping. I mean-- they were $20.21 after the discount. That's not bad!
Womens Christian Siriano for PaylessWomen's Camile Bow Flat
 



And, c'mon... I needed them. Well, as much as anyone can NEED another pair of shoes. See, I have black flats, but they have a gold buckle on them. I need a plain pair of black flats so I can wear silver jewelery with them. I mean... duh. It's like-- science or something. Hubs (who is a chemical engineer)--I'm kidding!! I swear I know this isn't science!! Don't divorce me!!

Anyway, so I bought these today. I figure I did my Cyber Monday Shopping duty. It was only right.



(Mostly) Wordless Weekend Recap

I'm still suffering from too-much-turkey brain, so you'll have to settle for this (mostly) wordless weekend recap...


Tuesday:



Too much baking!! 3+ hours straight. Made 2 pumpkin pies, 3 different types of cookies, and puppy chow. SO GOOD.


Wednesday:
Nothing too exciting. Worked 8-5pm and then hit the road to Indy for Thanksgiving w/ the Hubs side. Got these 2 books from the library on the way.
 

Thursday:


Started the day off with a solo 3.1 mile run, then went with the Hubs and my FIL to the Bolt for the Heart 3.33 mile run. The Hubs ran the WHOLE thing!! So proud of him!! After the runs, there was SOOOO much cooking and eating. ALL DAY LONG. Delicious food. And wine. And beer. SO good. I didn't take a single pic. Too busy eating. And drinking. Duh.


Friday:

Slept in and then went "black Friday shopping" at about 7:30am. Does it count if you don't go at the butt crack of dawn? Either way-- lots of coffee was consumed and lots of Christmas shopping was done.

Saturday:

Started day off with coffee and left over cookies with a side of SNOW!


 Headed to gym for Spinning and some quality elliptical (aka: Gossip Girl on the iPad) time.
 
 

After the gym, the Hubs and I went to the cheap theater to see Looper followed by some more Christmas shopping and errands. Then, we stopped for Mexican for dinner using a Groupon that was about to expire. Win, win. For the record-- the movie was good. See it.


Sunday:
Day started with a half marathon. Boom.
 

Followed by an excruciating ice bath. HATE them. Love them. But, hate them more.

Followed by an EXTREMELY lazy Sunday... HOURS of Gilmore Girls on DVD, followed by a super, super easy dinner via the crock pot (Just throw a couple chicken breasts, a can of black beans, a can of fire roasted tomatoes, and a couple diced jalapenos in and let them cook on low for 6 hours. Shred chicken. Let cook for about 30-60 more minutes. Serve over rice or in a tortilla or over chips or whatever.). Lazy, lazy GREAT day. To be fair-- Sunday we also put the Christmas tree up. So, it wasn't THAT lazy of a day... right? 30 minutes spent putting ornaments on a tree TOTALLY negates five straight hours of Loralei and Rory. Right?!?!?



Sunday, November 25, 2012

Weekly Workout Recap (11/19-11/25)

Pinned Image
(site)


Weekly Workout Recap (11/19-11/25):
Monday, 11.19.12: 60 minute Spinning Class & 3 miles

Tuesday, 11.20.12: 60 minute Signature Strength Class & 4.2 miles
Wednesday, 11.21.12: 60 minute elliptical & 50 minute elliptical & 3 miles
Thursday, 11.22.12 (Thanksgiving!): 3.1 mile run & Bolt for the Heart 3.33 Mile Race
Friday, 11.23.12: Rest Day (unless you count SHOPPING as working out!)
Saturday, 11.24.12: 60 minute Spinning Class & 30 minute elliptical
Sunday, 11.25.12: 13.57 mile run


Totals for Week (11/19-11/25):
30.2 Miles Run
2 Spinning Classes
1 Signature Strength Classes

140 Minutes Elliptical

1 Rest Day

Overall felt pretty good this week. Less miles this week, but barely. The knee is holding up OK for the most part, but it still doesn't feel 100%. Felt good about not slacking on the workout front due to the holiday... definitely won't be the story over Christmas, so trying to keep at it while I can. Can't believe Christmas is exactly a month away today. Craaaazy.  

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

I HATE RUNNING (even when I love running)

Sometimes, running is marvelous. The stars align. The temperature is perfect. There are rainbows and unicorns and glitter and cupcakes. A "quick" pace feels easy. Legs feel fresh. All is right with the world.

Sunday, I had one of these runs. Remember? 12 glorious miles. 12 makes-me-remember-why-I-love-to-run miles. Those runs are great. Perfect. Runner's high inducing.

Not every run is like that.

Some runs BLOW. Simple as that.

Yesterday was one of those runs.


I started the day with Signature Strength, which I already bitched about. What I didn't mention was that despite the TERRIBLY annoying instructor, I actually did get quite a workout in. We did a shit ton (a very scientific measurement, I know) of squats and lunges and TONS of inner and outer thigh work. GREAT for muscles. BAD for later running plans.

Anyway, I also mentioned that my shins were just SO sore after Sunday's glorious run. I haven't had sore shins in a while. I'd forgotten what they feel like. I've been so focused on my little whiny bitch of a right knee, my shins were the last of my concern. Whoops. Never underestimate the possibility that NUMEROUS of your body parts might be  little whiny bitches at the same time.

So, I skipped my normal post morning class 2 mile quick treadmill run because my legs were just trashed from class and my shins were still SO MAD.

I decided I'd be somehow magically healed and good as new by lunch.

I WAS WRONG.

Noon rolled around and I was giddy with excitement to get out there and run with my new shoes.


I laced em up, realized I didn't pack a sports bra (FAIL. BIG, big FAIL. Have you ever tried to run with a regular bra? I should've known it was going to be a disaster.), powered on the Garmin and hit the road. Less than 10 steps in and I was already counting down the distance. Making deals with myself about how far I had to go. Debating stopping right then. HATING the run. Hating RUNNING. My internal convo went a little like this:

-OMG, this sucks.
-How long have I been running?
-.4 miles???? That's it?!?!?! WTF??
-Right foot, left foot. Just focus on 1 step at a time. Ignore the pain.
-Ok, I know you wanted to go 5 miles. Let's just do 1, then turn around. 2 total. Max.
-THIS SUUUUUCKS.
-Why do my shins hurt SO bad?
-Right foot, left foot. Just focus on 1 step at a time. Ignore the pain.
-Does my knee hurt again?
-SHINS... HURT
-How far have I been now?
-Right foot, left foot. Just focus on 1 step at a time. Ignore the pain.
-OMG! AM I REALLY RUNNING A 10:30 MILE??
-And, it's only been .6 miles?!?!?! HOOOOOOW????
-Ok, just 1.5 miles out, then back. Come on. You can do it.
-THIS BLOWS.
-I HATE RUNNING.
-Right foot, left foot. Just focus on 1 step at a time. Ignore the pain.
-Turn around. Just turn around.
-No, don't turn around yet. You'll regret it. Stick it out.
-But, everything hurts!
-SO WHAT? It will make you a stronger runner.
-Ahhhhh!!!! THIS SUUUUUUCKS. Come on!!!
-Right foot, left foot. Just focus on 1 step at a time. Ignore the pain.
-ONLY 2 miles in???
-Ok, definitely turn around. You gave it a good effort.
-Right foot, left foot. Just focus on 1 step at a time. Ignore the pain.
-Deal. 2 miles out, 2 miles back in. 4 miles total. You tried.
-YOU SUCK FOR GIVING UP.
-How long now? Only 2.3 miles??? OMG.
-I HATE RUNNING.



I think you get the point, no?

I managed to BARELY squeeze 4.2 miles out.

4.2 of my slowest miles in a long time (not including the marathon, of course).

4.2 hard, shitty, painful miles. 4.2 miles where I HATED every step. Where running SUCKED and I just did not want to do it. 4.2 miles where NOTHING positive went through my mind. 4.2 miles where I legit counted down the seconds til I could be done.

But, I did do 4.2 miles.

Did I finish the 5 miles I set out to do? No.

Do I think I made a good choice "toughing it out"? NO. You know that whole "No one ever regrets a workout" phrase?


Horseshit. I regret that workout. My shins are STILL screaming. Louder than they have in a LOOOONG time. For what? For 4.2 stupid miles? I honestly, honestly think I would have been better off listening to my body and just giving it the break it was asking for.

Moral of the incredibly long, boring story?
1. Some runs just SUCK. Not every run can be great. The shitty runs make us grateful for the amazing runs. Gotta take the good with the bad. One bad run is not indicative of your entire running "career", nor is it a sign you SUCK or anything in between. Breathe. Bad runs happen to everyone, just like good runs do.
 
2. If your body and mind is SCREAMING "NOOOOOO!!!!" (& assuming you're not doing this all the time and that it's not a key training session to a major race)-- LISTEN. No one is superman. Sometimes, just LISTEN to yourself. It knows best. YOU know best. Stop being a pig headed egomaniac and just REST if everything is telling you to. The world will be OK. YOU will be OK.
 
3. It's ok to hate running sometimes. It doesn't mean you REALLY hate running. I LOVE running and yet there are days and runs that make me HATE running. It's ok. The I LOVE RUNNING days will return and they outnumber the RUNNING SUCKS days. Promise.


So, yesterday I hated running. Yesterday running SUCKED and I couldn't wait for the stupid run to be over. The day before I loved running and couldn't stop smiling. Win some, lose some. Something tells me tomorrow will be another sunshine and sprinkles and "I LOVE RUNNING" kinda days. And, I say-- bring it on!

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Goat Cheese and JGL... oh, and some running talk


If you know me, you know that when I get into something, I GET INTO IT. 100% obsession.

So, here's a few things I am obsessed with right now...

Goat Cheese and Artichoke Dip:

I've only had this dip once, but I've been CRAVING it since. And, it's been months. Note to self: MUST MAKE THIS AGAIN!


Joseph Gordon-Levitt:
(Lost the site, found on Pinterst. I suck, sorry.)

I mean... come on! He's my newest celebrity crush. Move over, Jason Mraz. JGL is just so cute. And a good actor. And all indie-cool. I just love him. Sorry, hubs.
 

Baking:
No pic for you... yet! I'm scheduled to bake up a storm tonight for Thanksgiving. Cookies, pies, puppy chow (not technically baking, I know). Oh my! I love baking. I don't tend to eat a ton of what I bake... but, I love the process. And, seeing as how it's cookies and pumpkin pie-- I'm sure this time there will be plenty of eating involved too!


That's it. A full list of 3 whole things. My mind's just not working today.

In other news, I ran last night after work. I'm really into the quick post-work runs. Nothing crazy. Just a quick jaunt. I was back home by 6pm. Perfect! Though, I do think the whole working out at night thing is giving me MORE night-time energy which doesn't make for the easiest time trying to fall asleep at 9pm to give me energy to get up for the 5am gym classes. Hopefully this'll sort itself out.
Anyway, the run was kinda rough... my legs were clearly still very fatigued from Sunday's "long run." I tried not to focus on pace and ended up with a solid 9:15ish average pace. It felt good to shake them out a bit. My shins were SUPER tight and sore... guess the legs just aren't used to double digits anymore. LAME. The knee felt OK... felt like it was JUUUUST about to start screaming the whole time, but never quite did. Didn't feel 100%... but, definitely didn't hurt either. Guess that's a win?

This morning I went to Signature Strength. It was lame. And it was early. Too early.
Blurry locker room self-pic FTW!
 
I'm so over this teacher. She's just so damn chipper and up and energetic and ANNOYING. It's 5:30am. Take it down a notch. And, NO-- I do NOT want to do a "short tabata drill" in the middle of my STRENGTH class. Argh. Not a happy camper with this class.
 
I skipped my normal post-class TM run because my shins are still SCREAMING post-long run (which is so odd... it was outside! My shins never hurt after running outside! Boo!!!) and running on the TM makes them hurt even more. Plus, I'm HOPING to run at lunch today. And, I'm super pumped about said lunch run because I get to test out these suckers!
I won a free pair of Mizuno shoes from FasterBunny! I finally got them in the mail yesterday. I decided to go with the Wave Creations. I haven't tried them yet and I'm SO EXCITED to test them out today. They're not the cutest shoes in the world, which is definitely a big bummer... but, if they work-- I'll take em!
 
So, now I'm just waiting for lunch and for the rain to hold off so I can get a few miles in with the new shoes. Hurry up, "lunch" time!!