Definitely an Asics Gal

I know after yesterday’s post lots of folks are curious about my new running shoes so I thought I’d mention them.  I’ve been wearing the popular Asics GT series for about 4 years now.  I loved the first pair I had but the second pair I never cared for.  They were comfy but somewhere along the way the design got bulkier and being a gal with size 10 feet I don’t need help with making my feet clunky.

When I went in to check out the newest version of the GT I was pleased to see that it does seem a little lighter and less bulky this time around.  I was not, however, stoked to see the $180 price tag and wouldn’t even try them on.  Instead  I put the sales guy to work explaining other shoes and lower priced options.

I tried three other brands, some were running shoes, some training shoes and a couple of them were the newer ‘barefoot’ technology.  But in the end I didn’t love any of them and ended up going with the very first pair I tried on…another pair of Asics.

This time I have opted for the lightweight Gel Neo-33…a new member of the Asics line with natural support and good stability.  The biggest difference for me is that these are neutral, as opposed to being designed to help with pronation.  Because I don’t run long distances and really don’t run outside I felt like these were the best alternative to my usual GTs.  The fact that they were $40 cheaper helped too.

I’ve worn them running on the treadmill twice, the ARC trainer once and so far so good.  I want one more test run before I fully commit but at this point I’m quite happy.  As long as my joints and feet agree, we’re all good.

A fun thing about them is that they actually came in a cool colour!  When he first showed me a black shoe I was a bit turned off but once I had them on I think they are super cute!  :)  And my feet don’t look like big white sleds!

SATC2

What better excuse for a girls' night out than a showing of          Sex and the City 2!  Break out the cute shoes and martinis ladies!!

My friend Missy sent out the invite months in advance.  :)  Tickets were bought online.  No line-ups or sold out shows for these girls!!

I had intended on buying hawt new shoes for this event, but honestly with all of the running around I've been doing lately I'm lucky I managed to get there at all!  Instead I was going to wear my cute green dress and white Guess peep toes but the weather was cold and wet so I switched to jeans and snake skin buckled peeps instead...

 

I did break out some curls for the event though.  :)

The movie was fabulous.  Completely campy and over the top, but in a good way.  More outrageous than the first one, and the storyline did come off a bit weak...but still fun and entertaining as all hell.  Some of the one-liners were absolutely hysterical.  I laughed out loud multiple times...and listening to the whole theatre every time there was a hot guy (there were many!), hot shoes (so many it was hard to keep up), or an amazing (or totally out there) outfit totally added to the fun of it all.

Definitely grab a couple of girlfriends and check it out.  Girly entertainment at it's finest!  (and I believe a lot of guys would actually find it pretty funny too....)

After the show we headed out for a lovely dinner at Nectar Social House in Dartmouth.  I've attempted to go here twice before but it didn't work out either time, so I was thrilled that this restaurant suggestion came up for our girls' night. 

The room was modern and gorgeous...and so was the food.  This is the kind of place I wish I could drag my good camera since point and shoot (and low lighting) definitely does no justice.

Drink of the evening...Nectarini.  Tasted like sunshine in a cocktail.

I wanted to try everything on the starter menu...it all sounded fabulous.  I tossed back and forth between the Lobster Spring Rolls and the Greek Style Ceviche Salad.  I eventually decided on the salad...

It was fresh and flavourful.  I love the inclusion of capers and the shrimp marinade was deeeeelish.  I was kind of jealous of the lobster rolls when someone else ordered them though...might be a reason to go back!

For my main I asked our server to help me decided between the Pineapple Lobster Pasta and the Chilli Pork Stuffed Ravioli.  Two completely different options! He talked me into the ravioli because it had...maple bacon cream sauce!!!  Lobster got bumped again!

It was rich and delicious.  The pork was spiced just right, the sauce was decadent but not overpowering and the fresh pasta just about melted in my mouth.  I really enjoyed the new twist on a menu favourite.

Come dessert time you would think I didn't have room but each course was just the right size and when the server mentioned this Lemon Tart I just had to order it. 

Two wedges, so enough to share with a few of the girls.  It was light and tart...like the base of a homemade Lemon Meringue Pie.  Worth every bite.

After dinner the bartender and one of the group's bf's were great sports and played photographer for us.  I think we had 6-8 cameras on the go!  Definitely a fun girlie night.  Would do it again tomorrow!  Thanks gals!!

Happy Feet!

…and knees…and hips…and lower back!

What’s the answer to achy joints and chronic creeks and groans?

New shoes!!  (OK, it’s one answer not THE answer…but still…yay!)

Lucky me received Running Room gift cards from my Mom and my Grandpa for my birthday way back in November.  I had originally intended on putting them towards a heart rate monitor, but then FH got me that so instead I was able to get new shoes.  I finally got in there last week to get them, but of course they had to order in my size…but just a week later I have happy feet!

Asics GT-2150s.  (random fact: Amy and I wear the same shoes)

I had always worn Nike or New Balance in the past but was NEVER happy or truly comfortable.  Having said that, it’s not like I ever did much in the way of running or sports before either.  I didn’t really focus on needing good footwear until we moved to Halifax two years ago and I decided to join a gym and try running, etc.  The sports I had tried before (yoga, rowing and kickboxing) didn’t require athletic shoes.

I tried on pair after pair at regular shoe stores and just could not find any that I was really comfortable in.  Arch supports always in the wrong place, or my heels would slip, or toes would pinch.  I wear a relatively large shoe for a woman (10) so finding my size was an issue too.  Finally, I sucked it up and went to RR.  The guy there worked with me for a solid half hour trying on several styles and brands of shoes…in the end I walked out with the first pair he recommended.  Asics 2130s.  Heaven I tell you! 

Admittedly I’ve been milking those shoes for two years which is a HUGE no-no.  No wonder my body aches.  Especially because the majority of my running is on the treadmill.  Those shoes may still look pretty much new, but trust me my friends they are NOT.  So, I didn’t even look for other brands this time…I just went in and asked for the new version of my shoes, et voila!  Made.for.me. I swear!

This morning I took them for their inaugural run at the gym.  Supah bright white! ha!  Especially because I also got new supah bright white socks!  But the feeling is night and day.  I’m sure within the week, my body will be thanking me profusely.  :)

Do you have a preferred running/training shoe?  What?  Why?

Gym time:

• Cruddy 20 minute treadmill run.  Just over 2km, but it was sucky.  I don’t know where my energy was, but certainly not with me.  Booo.  But better than a kick in the arse I suppose.
• Core work.  If I don’t cardio it up, I beat it up.  Beat up my abs.  3 sets of 12: hamstring curls on the ball, crunches, reverse crunches, side to sides with 2kg ball.  3 x 30 second plank.

On the way to the gym I munched on half of a Peanut Butter Cookie Larabar.

Once home I chowed down on some toast made with my favorite bread.  Sunflower Flax.  Yum!

One with peanut butter & banana…

And one with peanut butter & raspberry jam…

With, what else? Coffee!

Broke into another pack from my birthday loot box…Italian Roast.  Not as dark and rich as I expected, but yummy nonetheless.

Mucho work and such to get done.  FH and I are off to the Symphony with Lynn and her hubby tonight thanks to another wicked Twitter win.  :)  Time is crunched!