Insole Winner, 4-Miler & Lunch with Mel

I am a day late at announcing the winner for the Sorbothane® Ultra Work Sport™ Insoles...so sorry about that everyone (busy Saturday).

 Congrats to Stephanie at Girls Just Wanna Go Run!

Please send an e-mail with your shoe size and address to zoe@runzoerun.com.

Friday was a pretty decent day here weather-wise, and I was able to get off work early and go for a run!  I ended up going 4.2 miles and it felt pretty darn good. :)  There were two major hills that I decided to conquer, and I made it!  Only walked a little after the hills to catch my breath.  Checked on the pile of crap bags, and found that they were still there, plus another one or two. Grrrrr. I need to make that sign.

Not only did I get a nice run in on Friday, but I got to have lunch with MEL!  I haven't seen Mel in forever (please don't tell me it's been since the Mercer Half in March?!?!), and it was fun catching up.  Note: Mel is still very tall. ;)  By the way, she finished the Green River Marathon yesterday...and is on her way to Maniac Status!! Woot!

Short and sweet post.  There's a break in the rain...I'm going for a run.

The Magic Word: *Giveaway!*

Enticing much? :)

Alright there, peeps...don't forget to enter my RxSorbo insole giveaway!  I use these insoles in my walking shoes and they make my feet feel über good.  You have until tomorrow to enter, so check it out.

Since yesterday was National Running Day, of course I had to get in some miles.  The weather was once again, crappy, so the treadmill seemed like my best bet.  Running on the treadmill is harder for me lately because I get so freaking hot!  Instead of just running a full 3 miles, I broke it down into three 1 milers.  It gave me a chance to get my HR down and cool off before squeaking in the next mile.  Which reminds me that I need to use that treadmill lube on my poor Smooth Fitness...it's squeaking horribly.  I'm sure it didn't bother Travis as he tried to work on the computer.  Heh heh. *evil*

A little while back I was tagged as a Versatile Blogger by Tall Mom Mel & Khianna.  Thank you ladies!  

Here are 7 random facts about 'lil 'ol me:

1. I cannot put a bra on like everyone else.  You know, cups first then hook?  I have to hook it in the front, then swirl it around.
2. I walk on my tiptoes if I'm barefoot/sockfooted on linoleum or hardwood.  Always have, always will. 
3. One summer (I think it was back in 2002) while in Massachusetts, all 5 of us sisters weighed the same (115).  It was weird, we thought the scale was broken, but our Uncle tried it and it wasn't.  We are all different heights, so it was kind of awesome.  Yeah, that was random. 
4. Speaking of sisters, my big sister Karrie has a fashion blog and she was featured on Glamour.com a few weeks ago!  I brag!  I'm proud!
5. I met my hubby on College Facebook....Facebook before it became what it is.  :)
6. I'm an iPhone junkie.  I love it tons and it has changed my life!  (Really!) In fact, I now work for a small iPhone app company run by my bro-in-law. Plus, I don't run without my iPhone...it's my music source and my in-case-of-an-emergency access to a phone. [Shameless biz promotion...look up iCollect Movies or World Customs and Cultures in the iTunes app store]
7. Perhaps at least one of these should be about running?  Yeah. ;)  Ok, my running hero is my Uncle Doug (aka Coach Fish).  He's an amazing runner, and this year he's making a comeback into racing (starting with the Osterville Road Race in July!!  I'll be there!).  My goal for him is Boston. But, he could totally qualify in his sleep.  His goal for me is Boston too.  So we'll see how this pans out after Goober comes along!  Woot!

Now I must pass this on to 15 awesomely versatile bloggers!  Since this has been going around already, a few are dupes.  So consider yourselves even more versatile. :)

• Morgan aka The Redhead:  She just moved away from sunny Florida to be with her hunny.  Commence the "schmoopy."
• Tall Mom Mel: So glad I met this mama last year at Fleet Feet!  She's so inspiring, and fun to run with.
• Laura at Jog for Joubert Syndrome:  She runs/blogs/lives for a very worthy cause! 
• Glenn:  I keep telling him to change his blog name from the Running Fat Guy to the Running PHAT Guy.  He's hardcore!
• Emily:  Um, what more can I say about the runner behind "Sweat Once a Day?"  I admire her so much!  She makes BQ'ing look like a walk in the park. 
• TMB: Completely jealous of her Running Skirt collection...and her race day style!  And I definitely look up to her when it comes to running while prego. 
• Erica at Run Mommy Run!:  She's hooked on running now!  Her little girls are adorable!  And she's always very encouraging in comments. 
• Karrie:  Um, Hello Pretty [Awesome].  Enough said. Love you sis. 
• Nikki:  Shout-out to the other prego running mama!  Woot!
• Liz:  Writing Mommy extraordinaire. Overall tough chick and cool sis-in-law. 
• Kerrie:  Following her running journey has been a trip!  She's got a couple half marathons under her belt and it hasn't even been a year yet!  Plus, her 'Bu has butt-warmer seats...ahhhhh. :)
• Katye:  Love this girl.  Who couldn't?  She's got personality and determination and some killer shoelaces!
• Penny:  I love Penny.  She's always smiling and has the coolest race day outfits!  Plus, her dog Velcro is the sweetest looking pup. 
• Billy:  He's a character.  Plus he's crazy insane when it comes to trail running.  I think he spells his name wrong though.  It should be Billë. Ha!
• Lindsay:  Chasing the Kenyans is right.  Hello speed racer!  Reading her race recaps makes me want to run fast with her.

15!  Wow!  I could go on...you all are pretty wicked awesome I think. :)

Crap Bag

Remember that Friends episode where Phoebe changed her name to Princess Consuela Bananahammock? And Mike's rebuttal was that he was going to change his name to Crap Bag? If not, here's the clip:

Well, the topic of today's post is Crap Bag. Literally and figuratively, of course.
(Special shout-out to the master of poo-talk: Beth!)

First, literally...

Remember how I mentioned a few months back that there's a dog owner in the neighborhood that picks up his/her dog's poo in a bag, but then leaves that bag on the sidewalk?  Well, it's still going on, and the crap bag pileup is getting ridiculous.  I mean, it's so ridiculous that I had to stop and take a picture.  Yes, I stopped my run to take a picture of poop.

I am going to make a sign and put it over the bags that says "Pick up your CRAP." Seriously.  It's disgusting and stupid.  

Moving on...

Second, figurative "crap"...

I know I'm pregnant and all, and that my body is doing something it's never done before, but MAN, it's still frustrating.  Is it wrong that I'm worried my legs/lungs/heart won't remember what it's like to run under an 8 minute mile or at a sprint at all?  My body is starting to hate me after 2 miles.  Especially on the treadmill!  And since the weather has been, well, crappy, I've been using the treadmill a lot more.  So, this makes me overheat a lot quicker and get even more frustrated that I have to walk more often.  But when I do run outside, I feel like I'm going at a snail's pace, and that my lungs are going to explode on the first hill.  Running right now is making me feel like crap. :(

(Skip this part if you don't want to hear the rantings of a prego chick)

Plus, I went from pretty much "marathon training" back in February to running 2 miles here and there.  I've seen all my running buddies get BQ's and awesome PR's and I'm so happy/proud/excited for them...but a part of me is bummed because I miss really racing and being able to run those longer distances.  It's hard to read about people moving forward with their goals when mine seem to be moving backward.  Sure, this is a new "chapter" in my running life, and I'm not supposed to know what happens, but I miss kicking ass instead of having my ass kicked.  I do need to look at the bright side more often: I'm going to be a MOM; I've ran 4 races so far since being pregnant; I can still lace up my shoes and run for a bit, walk for a bit, etc; my goals/dreams are simply on hold at the moment; I'm not the only one out there that feels this way.

Ok, ranting done.  I feel better.  

My Memorial weekend was very low-key.  In fact, I slept a lot.  Hung out with Travis and Murphy kitty too.  But, Murphy and I took a lot of naps together.  He's my sleeping buddy-in-crime.  Here's Murph in action:

This is after I got up from a nap.  Murph was using my pillow. :)

Got a couple of miles in over the weekend, and some really high incline power walks on the treadmill.  But, it was raining the entire weekend and of course I wanted to be outside.  The sun finally made its debut at around 5:30pm on Monday evening...thanks a lot for that, sun.  What a long-weekend slap in the face. :P  Oh well, I still enjoyed my lazy weekend!

Don't forget to enter the RxSorbo insole giveaway here!!

Product Review: RxSorbo Insoles

A while ago I was contacted by RxSorbo insoles regarding trying out their product.  Since my feet are troublesome, I didn't hesitate to accept.  Of course, I do have my own custom orthotics made by my podiatrist, but it wouldn't hurt to try other forms of foot comfort.  *Plus, read on for a giveaway...*

*Note: My feet are very strange and particular to certain shoes/insoles, etc.  In fact, ALL feet are different, so what might work/not work for me may work for someone else.  Use whatever feels right for you.

Product Description:

Sorbothane®, a one-of-a-kind visco-elastic polymer, was first introduced in 1982.  Primary applications included the development of shock absorbing insoles for the athletic and orthopedic markets.  Since its introduction Sorbothane® has been used in many varied energy absorbing product categories.  Sorbothane® Inc. engineers supplied the NASA design team with a unique Sorbothane® isolator to protect shuttle cameras during launch.  The Liberty Bell was successfully moved using specially designed Sorbothane® isolators.  When Wilson® Sporting Goods needed a superior shock absorber for their new line of high-tech baseball gloves, they turned to Sorbothane®.  Most recently, engineers have devised a series of colossal "ball-in-box" Sorbothane® dampers designed to dissipate wind energy in the new Air Force memorial. 

Sorbothane® is the only insoles material that absorbs up to 94.7% of impact shock; and unlike standard insoles, which can bottom out and lose effectiveness, Sorbothane® Insoles retain their support and comfort, month after month.  Lightweight and durable, they also breathe, which makes for a much cooler insole.

Sorbothane® Ultra Work Sport™ Insole

"A performance replacement insole featuring a cupped heal and molded arch for stability along with Sorbothane® inserts for foot-strike protection.  The Ultra Work Sport™insole works well in athletic shoes, work shoes and boots."














Sorbothane® SorboAir® Insole

"Designed for the fitness minded, SorboAir® insoles are 100% air-infused Sorbothane® from heel-to-toe.  Contoured, lightweight support and superior Sorbothane® comfort and protection."














My initial thoughts:

* Oooo, they're squishy!

* They seem really sturdy, compared to other gel insoles. 

* They actually fit in my shoes!

Now for the running test...

The first thing I noticed once I slipped these insoles in my Brooks shoes was that they are a little thicker than my normal insoles.  My feet felt more cramped and I had to loosen the laces quite a bit.  No biggie, I thought.  During the run, I couldn't really notice a difference comfort-wise, however, towards the end of three miles I did notice that my feet were getting a little numb.  Are my shoes still too tight?  I loosened the laces some more and kept going, but my feet didn't feel any better.  Very strange.  

The next night I tried the Ultra Work Sport™insoles and had that exact same problem: numb feet.  

So I decided to just try these insoles in my regular walking shoes and guess what? No numb feet!  In fact, my feet feel amazing using these insoles for walking or standing for long periods of time.  The cushion is just right and my feet don't feel as fatigued as they do with the normal insoles shoes come with.  Now, I regularly use the Ultra Work Sport™insoles in my walking shoes because they are a tad bit thinner/lighter than the normal SorboAir® insoles.  

Pros:

Excellent for walking shoes

The material is extremely sturdy & flexible

Insoles do not have a funky smell 

Catered sizes means the perfect fit

Feet (and shins) feel less fatigued

The material bounces back: enhanced durability

Cons:

Insoles are a little "heavy"

Insoles are rather thick and shoes must be loosened a bit

(For me: numb feet while running)

I've tried other insoles for my walking shoes (i.e. Dr. Scholl's) but after a while, the material goes flat and it doesn't support my foot anymore.  The RxSorbo insoles have been holding up a lot better and I can see them being a great investment for long-term wear.

Here's a chance to score your own pair of Sorbothane® Ultra Work Sport™ Insoles! A giveaway!  One person (male or female) will get to try out these insoles courtesy of RxSorbo.

Here's the scoop on how to win:

(1 comment = 1 entry) 

"Required" entry:  
Visit the RxSorbo site and tell me what product tickles your fancy (1 entry)

Additional entries: 

•  Become a follower and let me know in a comment (1 entry)
• Link this giveaway on your blog, Twitter (include @RunZoeRun), or Facebook.  Let me know in a comment (1 entry each, 3 possible)
• Become a Facebook fan of RxSorbo Insoles on Facebook (1 entry)

That's a total of 6 possible entries... 
The giveaway will end Friday 6/4, winners announced on Saturday the 5th.  RxSorbo will ship the merchandise directly to the winner. Simple as pie!

**Note:  All reviews are based on my own personal experience with the specific product that I was provided with.  I received these products free of charge from RxSorbo and was not compensated for my review. Product in giveaway provided courtesy of RxSorbo Insoles.**

Beat the Bridge 8K Recap

First, let me just say that this was is kind of my "redemption" race.  Two years ago at the Beat the Bridge '08, I totally bombed it.  Trav and I did not beat the bridge, we walked tons, and basically freaking died at the end.  That is when I realized that I was not in fighting shape anymore (like I said in my last post), and I seriously started training.  My "first" race back in the game was supposed to be the Jingle Bell Dash in Dec. 2008...but due to a crazy snow storm, I couldn't get my car up my neighborhood's hill and had to miss the race (I hate hate hate missing races).  So, next up was the March 2009 St. Paddy's Day Dash...and I had fun!  But of course, it snowed DURING that race, and I was a popsicle at the end....and thus, I became a runner/racer again...and I haven't looked back since. :)

Back to this year's Beat the Bridge.
I get super excited about this race because 1) it's for a cause that's dear to me, 2) it's sponsored by my beloved Nordstrom peeps and 3) it's on my college campus.  Going into this race this time around, I just wanted to beat the bridge (duh) and enjoy everything else.  Mission complete.

The first two miles (until the bridge) I gave it all I could (8:42 and 8:37 pace).  After crossing the bridge (and trying not to get my awesome Lunars stuck in the metal grating), I walked a little to get my heart rate back down.  I felt great!  Perhaps I was imagining Goober "running" too.  There were a couple of runner dad's with their infants in jogging strollers on the sidelines, probably cheering for Momma.  I thought to myself..."that's Trav and little Goob next year!"

The last three miles were at a decent pace, and I wasn't really out of breath.  However, I found the dude-I-want-to-chick-at-the-end because he totally turned around for the out-and-back before the actual cone.  Good going, "guy in the Misfits shirt," you've been targeted.  He seriously didn't look like he was doing well, and of course, about a quarter mile before the finish I caught up to him and he actually started to walk!  Heh heh.  That's what you get...

Finishing strong!

I picked up the pace a little more for the last mile, and I tried my best at my finish line kick.  Crossed the line and saw Trav smiling at me.  Yay! 

Side Note: Trav was an awesome race photographer for me, and I hope he knows that it means a lot when he attends my races!

After this race, Trav and I like to walk around campus and reminisce a little.  It was gorgeous out, and the campus was amazing.  My old Biz School has a new building going up, and it's so awesome!  The architecture is right up Trav's alley and we were admiring it for a while (it opens in the Fall and I can't wait to visit!).  These walks make us both miss school.  A little.  Maybe more?  A heck, I want to get my Masters....

So there you have it!  Goober's 4th race!  :)  Bring on the next!

Final Stats:

Mileage - 4.97

Time - 45:11

Overall - 2330 out of  5427
Division Place - 234 out of 731 (F25-29)
Sex Place - 903 out of 2973
Pace - 9:06

I'm Going to BEAT That Bridge!

That Bridge has NOTHIN' on me!  

This will be my third year in a row running this awesome race to benefit JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation), sponsored by Nordstrom.  Diabetes sucks, period.

Actually, two years ago at my first Beat the Bridge is where I realized that I was not in the same "running shape" as I used to be.  This race really hit me hard and I started to run/train again.  And, unfortunately, that first year I didn't beat the bridge...in fact, I got to the bridge and the stupid bridge arms went down with red lights flashing....THAT close.  Pooey.

Last year, though, I dominated that bridge. :)

And even at 14.5 weeks along with Goober, I'm going to dominate that bridge again tomorrow. ;)  (Or should I say "we?")

At a Softball Game...

Trav's playing with his team, the ACME Ball Squad. I'm sitting on the
bleechers waiting for the game to start. It is sunny and gorgeous and
the sound of the bat hitting the softball is a great sound. All I need
now is my running gear and Gus II. That will be later, I hope.
Last night was Run #3 with Jeff: 2.73 miles! He's doing well! I ran
the extra .27 miles to make it an even three for me. Here's what the
sunset looked like the other day...