Let's go get some shoes

Hey there friends! It has been awhile since I last posted, but here I am. I am back at school and ready for a new semester. I can't believe that this is already the second semester of my junior year. What the heck? This semester will definitely be hard, but I actually have a really good feeling about it :)

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When it comes to running shoes, I am pretty much a Brooks girl.  I usually wear the Ghost model but I really like the PureProject shoes during the race season because they feel a lot lighter than most other running shoes. I have gone through 2 pairs of Brooks PureFlow shoes and absolutely love them, they are almost in between a regular trainer and a race flat. Part of the reason I switched to PureFlow from Ghost is because I wanted to start moving toward minimalist running. Some of you may know that I seem to be prone to stupid injuries [mostly due to muscle imbalances]. I dealt with shin splints throughout high school, some knee issues, suffered a femoral shaft stress fracture last year, and have iffy hips. I know that the idea of this "minimalist running" is a controversial subject; some people seem to believe it is the way to run, while others think that it causes injury.

The reason I bring this up is because I received an awesome pair of shoes in the mail a few days ago.

These shoes are from a company called SKORA Running. These are the Women's Base model. Now, I am not dumb enough to go out for a run in them because it takes time to transition to a truly minimalist type shoe. However, I have been wearing these shoes to the gym to lift and while running errands. I am pleasantly surprised by these shoes. They are super comfortable and light, almost like wearing a sock, but they are grippy! Holy cow, you know how your feet get kind of slippery when you do wall sits on hardwood floors, I did a one legged wall sit with no slippage. It was awesome. I also really love the straps. I think they would be great shoes to eventually race in. No lace tying and they slip on really easily. The other major difference I have found between this shoe and the running shoes I have worn in the past is that I haven't gotten any hot spots. Sometimes I get hot spots even while just walking around, not while I am running. I have not had any hot spots while walking around. And of course, I got the blue because ADPi's colors are blue and white :)

I would definitely recommend trying these shoes out if you are interested in making the switch (or if you already have)! Email me at cgirltri92@gmail.com and I will help you get all set up with these awesome shoes and company. The people at SKORA will definitely take care of you!

Focusing on the Bad

I am good at a lot of things. I'm pretty good at math, taking care of kids, baking, making milkshakes, scrambling eggs, brewing strong coffee, coloring inside the lines, and online shopping.

Honestly, I could come up with a list in my head of all the things that I *think* I am good at. But there are SO many things I am bad at, really bad at. Most of the time, I try to ignore these things because let's be honest, it doesn't make you feel great when you admit to yourself that you can't do something or you don't do it well. Despite these negative feelings, it is quite necessary to face them in order to grow. Now that I really can't run (okay fine it has only been a week and I will probably be running in another 2...), this has been a great time to focus on the things I am not so great at.

 In no particular order:

1. My pull is WEAK SAUCE in the pool. Like seriously. I have always been a kick dominant swimmer. After my freshman year in high school, my coach came up to my mom and says, "It's a good think Courtney has a great kick, otherwise she would go nowhere in the water." That is why she suggested I try rowing, so I could build up some of that arm and back strength. Wouldn't you know that after my first season of rowing, I made State is swimming the following season. Since it is the off season, I have been doing some strength exercises to help build up some of that muscle. But even more importantly, I have needed to fix my stroke in the pool, especially the "catch" and "finish". My elbow tends to drop before I pull and I take my arm out of the water super early, thus a very short stroke. Since I am trying not to irritate my hip flexor, I have been sticking straight to pulling with and without paddles and maintaining high elbows and finishing strong. I hope that if I do it enough, it will transfer back over to my swim when I start putting in hard efforts in the water come January/February.

2. I am not a good bike mechanic. At all. I know that and do my best to avoid anything that may require me to tinker with my bike. I am so afraid I am going to break it or do something wrong and then die.. okay that was a little dramatic. Now that I have these new wheels and plan to use them for races, I have to learn how to do simple things like replacing brake pads and switching the cassette between wheels. Very basic, I know. I have been shown how to do it multiple times, so I attempted last night. Things started a little shaky: I got the screw off of the left shoe easily, then I tried to pull the cartridge out. Could not figure out why on earth it wasn't budging. Turns out, I had switched positions and I was trying to force the right one out with the screw still on. *BOP should've had a V8.* After that mishap, everything was going well until I tried to remove the cassette... then this happened.... tragic.

BLOOD!

After the small injury, everything went smoothly. Until I tried to work on the rear brakes. I literally had every.size. Allen wrench, EXCEPT for the one I needed. I needed the teeniest, tiniest one they make. So now, my bike is laying on my garage floor, since ya know, I don't have a bike stand. But don't worry, I have it on an old comforter component side up. I think we will be okay. This morning I went to work and I FOUND A WHOLE ALLEN WRENCH SET WITH THE SIZE I NEED. So it is on my desk to take home. Score. This grease monkey (as my Dad calls me) will be back in Courtney's Garage Bike shop tonight. I think I will have the confidence with a little more practice!

3. Strengthening and stretching. I hate it. Usually when I get back from a workout, I am pretty strapped for time and need to get going, so I rarely take the time to get a good stretch in or do a core workout. Since I have been dealing with this hip thing, I realize that it is really important to take that time. I got this strain from my lacking glute and hamstring strength in addition to my tight hip flexors. All I need is 5 minutes for a quick stretch when I am strapped for time. As for core, I have a new goal, wake up 15-20 minutes earlier and do a small core workout: bridge, planks, pushups, whatever.

4. Buying good, creative [Christmas] presents. I think I overcame that issue yesterday though. I came up with some darn good ideas and ordered them! Thank goodness they will be here the 24th! Procrastination at its finest.

5. Reading the Bible. I really don't do this enough or as often as I should. I am working on it though. No worries.

And that is my "Top Five Things I Am Bad At" list.  Hopefully I can continue to improve and embrace my challenges to become the best athlete and Christian possible.

Plus this hilarious picture I saw on Twitter last night...

And this one which is a little more serious and less hilarious:

Matthew 24:35-45