Giveaway! A Week’s Worth (Six Pairs!) of New Balance with COOLMAX (R) Running/Cycling/Walking Socks

August 3, 2011 By 23 Comments

 

I was recently lucky enough to receive a pair of New Balance socks with COOLMAX (R) Fabric Technology to review.

First, let me say this: A good pair of running (or cycling or walking or bowling or, well, you get the picture!) socks can really make a difference when you head outside.

Socks that bunch up cause blisters. Too-thin socks don’t offer any comfort, and too-thick socks can make your shoes too tight, leading to black nails, numb toes, and blisters. And wearing a pair of thick cotton socks in the dead of summer leaves your feet open for all kinds of issues, since you really want something that will wick the moisture away (just as good running shirts and shorts will do) and keep you dry.

I use good socks for runs and rides, and these are perfect. Cushy but not too thick, they offered softness without causing my shoes to fit too tightly. The Cool Max technology kept my feet dry, which makes them perfect for running in the heat and humidity; this is desperately needed now, considering the temp has topped over 102 degrees this week! I also like the fit. My old socks slump too low on my feet; these fit well without sliding.

And the best news of all?

New Balance has graciously offered to give one lucky Mamamarathoner reader a week’s supply of socks! That’s six pairs of the New Balance with COOLMAX (R), because as you all know, I believe in rest days!

(If you can’t wait for the giveaway and need to order some now, New Balance socks with COOLMAX (R) Fabric Technology are available at Academy Sports and Outdoors retail locations. Check out the site www.academy.com for locations near you!)

How do you win? It’s easy!

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Filed Under: August 2011, Giveaways, Running Gear Tagged With: , , , , ,

Today I Completed My First Triathlon . . . Kind of!

July 31, 2008 By 2 Comments

Today I began the full three events-swim, bike and run-at the gym.

I started off with a 1,000 meter swim. Not bad, as I did it first and was glad that I did because the pool was open with only one other swimmer. The swim was a good one and I realized something funny during it: While I love swimming, I loathe biking, but only at the gym. I have a feeling if I were working out outside, swimming would be tough in the ocean or lakes because I’d be concerned about whatever was below the surface and biking would be great because I’d actually be going somewhere!

Swim: 1000 meters/40 laps; approx. 29 minutes. I stopped a few times to listen for the paging system, in case my youngest needed to leave childcare! I want to do this entire swim next week without stopping, and I’d like a better way to time myself. I know that I did the first 250 meters in about 5 1/2 minutes without stopping; after that, it’s a guess.

The transition was easy: I shed my suit, put on my running clothes and headed upstairs. I did a five mile bike ride. The other day when riding I stood up after and had a really sharp pain in my calf muscle. I made sure that night and the next day after my run that I stretched the hell out of it. It felt better today; no sharp pain. I took it easy on the levels though just in case. I have to do a 11 mile run on Saturday and don’t want any odd pains to stand in my way!

Bike Ride: 5 miles (like 5.2 or something) in 15 minutes.

I then stepped onto the treadmill, glad to see my legs held me up. This is only the second time I have biked and then run after. I’m sure when I get going a little farther on the bike, the run after will be more tough.

I did 2 miles and averaged just 9:30 min miles. I really wanted it to be closer to 9, and I did get down to 8:40 min miles a few times, but not enough.

The entire workout took about 65 minutes. I got done feeling great but really, really hungry! I had started off this morning with a cup of coffee, a hard boiled egg and a banana before the workout. I have a feeling if I go much longer than the sixty-five minutes I’m going to need to eat something during, or take one of my gel packs that I use on long runs.

I realized something about the bike: I need to practice. I don’t enjoy biking. I love to swim and run, so I want to do these two, and I don’t want to increase the bike because I don’t enjoy it. I think if I were outside, again, I would, but inside I just don’t.

So, with shower and all I was at the gym for about an hour and a half. The girls, of course, did fine in daycare, though I was feeling a bit guilty by the amount of time it took. And I know that when I get to doing some longer bikes and runs it will take even longer. However, I think I will cap myself at a certain point before this triathlon. I have to check and see again how long the distances are, but I think the run is only four miles, which isn’t too bad.

Completing all three of those today really made me feel great! I am feeling a bit more confident, like the triathlon won’t be unattainable, especially if I start small.

A question for all of my tri friends; How far are you going in training before a race? Do you try out the entire length first? Or, like a marathon, only go to a certain point in training and push it a bit farther on race day?

Filed Under: Biking/Cycling, January 2008, July 2008, Long Distance Running, March, October 2007, Racing, Reflections on Running, Running Gear, Swimming, Training for a Marathon, Triathlon Training Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Flip Flops Be Gone: Shedding the Flops, for My Knees’ Sake

July 20, 2008 By 2 Comments

I live in Southern California and I wear flip flops.

Sounds like the beginning of a Shoe Aholic Meeting, yeah? Believe me, if you live in So Cal, you own your share of flops, and you purchase them in every color at the beginning of summer since your feet don’t see another type of shoe for months on end.

In fact, in my parts it is common to wear them year around.

But my love of flip flops has come to an end. Now that my knee has begun to hurt, I believe one of the primary reasons could be my love for these sandal-like shoes.

I’ve worn them completely, totally and absolutely for the past several years. Unless I have on my running shoes, my feet are adorned in flip flops.

No sandals. No slip ons. Very rarely a pair of ballet flats. Flip flops it is.

This study shows, though, that the stride you take when wearing a pair of flip flops can harm your ankles, soles and feet. I believe, too, it has hurt my knee. I can feel it when I’m walking in one particular pair of my favorites, a brown Old Navy. They are simple yet cute and they get me everywhere.

Rather, they did.

Today I’m taking my daughter to the store and we are searching for a pair of good, comfy, probably potentially very dorky looking cushioned sandals. I have to save my knees. I have a marathon to run.

Bye bye, flip flops. It was fun while it lasted.

Filed Under: Equipment, Health and Running, July 2008, Long Distance Running, Reflections on Running, Running Gear, Training for a Marathon Tagged With: , , , ,