The Heroes Half: Could there BE any more wind??

On the last Sunday in April, I ran the Heroes Half.  Last year I ran it with Erika and got a PR of 2:04.  I felt like this was the race that I could sub 2:00 this year.

Well, as you know if you've been reading lately (when I actually post), my training lately has been less than stellar.   However, since I had paid the entry fee, I decided to suck it up and run the race, focusing on the "joy" of racing and "forgetting about" the PR.

TriGuy came along to spectate, and once we got to the race venue I  stopped at the bathroom.

Tangent:  Why is it that no matter how many times I go before I leave the house, as soon as I see that starting line my bladder is suddenly full again??

I finally got through the line in the bathroom and when I came out TriGuy informed me that the race had already started.

See?

I nearly missed the starting mats because uh, because the uh, the starting area wasn't very well marked. Yeah, that's what it was.

Or maybe I just wasn't paying attention.  Moving on.

This race is a fundraiser to support the military through the USO.  Amongst the runners, walkers, dogs, strollers, and children (there really were children doing the half!) were also soldiers,

and lots of people wearing superhero shirts and costumes.

I was wearing my new TEAM TOUGH CHIK shirt!

Unfortunately, I did not feel tough.  My hip was really bothering me.

It hurt for the first 6 miles.  

I left my fuel belt at home, which meant I had to drink from the paper cups on the course while running.

It didn't work out so well.

I had put together my playlist so that once I got close to the turnaround I would have an extra musical boost. I may or may not have been singing and dancing a little when Ke$ha and Pitbull came on.

I'm pretty sure I was not actually singing out loud, which was probably even weirder.

On the return half of the run, I felt like I was not seeing many people, meaning the majority of people were ahead of me.  Despite my plan to let go of my PR hopes, I was still stubborn motivated to try for it.  I had my Garmin set to show my average pace, and knew that if I got it to 9:09 per mile I would cross the finish in 1:59:59.  I was edging the seconds off of my 10:45 pace, though the wind picked up, especially on the uphills.

I mean, there was a SERIOUS head wind.

For SIX AND A HALF miles.

When I looked at my watch and realized I would have to run the last 3 miles in 16 minutes, I knew it was time to let go of the PR dream.  Still, at the end, I decided to just give it all I had.  Through the beautifully scenic last mile:

I became focused on running as fast and smoothly as possible. I put my game face on.

And then promptly broke out of it to take a "good" picture when I saw the race photographer.

I seriously need a jazz-hands intervention.  

Once I got past the last turn, I immediately got back down to business, and ran past TriGuy and across the finish line.

After trying to convince TriGuy that I did not, in fact, need a piggyback ride to the car, I limped to the sidewalk and stretched while waiting for him to drive over to me.  

I finished the 2014 Heroes Half Marathon in 2:13:25 , a far cry from my 2:04 finish last year, and an even farther cry from the ever-elusive sub 2:00.

For now, I can be happy that:

A) I finished, even with a wonky hip
2)  I beat the average pace by 5 minutes (there were lots of walkers), and
C) I placed 29/66 in my age group

And at least it didn't rain...

Oh, look what I just did there:

Stay tuned.

UPCOMING POSTS: YOGA, SOMETHING MAYBE TO DO WITH RAIN, VISITING A RUNNING GURU

A Shoe Review! Women's New Balance W980 Fresh Foam

Disclaimer:  I was given a pair of New Balance Fresh Foam shoes in exchange for a blog post review for Online Shoes.  All opinions are my own.

Several months ago, I received an email from Heather at Online Shoes, asking if I would like to review a not-yet-on-the-market pair of New Balance Fresh Foam running shoes. And you all know what happened next, right?

There was no way I could turn down some new kicks, so I happily said YES PLEASE.

I could not have been more excited to receive these bad boys in the mail!

Online Shoes' description of the Fresh Foams:

Wearing the New Balance W980 Fresh Foam athletic shoe, you can feel the science of softness with Fresh Foam technology, a performance midsole compound that delivers soft, plush cushioning to runners seeking a lower, more natural underfoot feel. This women's trainer features a minimal, no-sew mesh and synthetic upper with a lightly padded collar for extra cushioning around the ankle. A blown rubber outsole provides durability and supportive cushioning to the New Balance 980 running shoe, ensuring an incredibly soft, incredibly stable ride for mile after mile.

• 4mm heel-to-toe drop
• Air mesh upper
• Blown rubber outsole
• Competitor Magazine "Best Ride" award
• Fresh Foam
• Lace entry

• Lightly padded collar and tongue
• No-sew material application
• REVlite®
• Running Network "Best Neutral Shoe" award
• Weight: 7.8 oz. / 206g

I took them for a 4 mile spin on the treadmill.

Halfway through, my left foot went numb.

So I reconfigured the laces in the hopes that things would run more smoothly.

I tried out a pattern that was supposed to help give my toes more space.

The verdict is still out as to whether or not this is helping.  I feel a bit ambivalent about these shoes, so I made a list to try and sort out my feelings.

• They have fun colours
• They are very lightweight
• They are shaped to provide a good toe-off
• The uppers are cushiony

• They are not as flexible as they claim to be, and after a few miles my feet feel like they are just slapping the ground
• The uppers push against my big toes, which gives me blisters

• The Fresh Foams are a bit more minimal than I need, and a bit too narrow and shallow for my feet.  I will spend more time in them when I am not training for a race, to see if I can make them work, perhaps for shorter distances. 
• Running shoes are such a personal thing.  As a klutzy, injury-prone runner, I think I do better with a little more support.
• I think if you like a minimal shoe, but prefer stiffer soles, you should give the New Balance Fresh Foams a shot.

Thank you so much to Online Shoes for giving me the opportunity to review these shoes!!

They are pretty snazzy, after all.

Questions: 

1. What drives your shoe decision?

2. Do you like minimal shoes or supportive shoes?