2015 Rock the Parkway Half Marathon Recap - 4/11/15

A few weeks ago was the first official race event for me of the 2015 season... Rock the Parkway Half Marathon in Kansas City, MO.

I posted my preview thoughts a few days before the race, and to recap, the race just kind of snuck up on me with life going on.  I'm to the point where completing the race wouldn't be an issue, but I was not really focused on improving performance, setting a PR or anything resembling being competitive with myself or anyone else.

Mostly I just like the event, been in it one form or another since inception and they have a nice early bird pricing deal.  ;)

OFF TO THE RACES...

So, decided I would brave the race myself and leave the fam behind so the Mrs and the kiddos wouldn't have to sit around to see me at the start and umpteen minutes later at the end.  Kind of anti-climatic at this point for spectators.

As I have dialed in my eating habits, which translate into eating smart and not being a pig, I allow myself a day of the week to pretty much stuff whatever I want into my face.  This was that day and I delighted in trail mix with extra Reece's pieces mixed in.  Delicious.  So there I was munching mutant mix on the way to the start, not really paying attention to the fact I ended up eating too much that close to a race.  I had an hour to let it settle, but I didn't pay attention and ended up with too much to digest that quick.

So, I cut off the food after parking and sipped some gatorade while milling about the pre-race port-a-potty routine.  Hydrate, dehydrate, re-hydrate with some #2 mixed in.  Glorious.

Too bad I ate too much and didn't time my last pee break good enough before the race.

AND WE'RE OFF

Mile 1, feeling good.

AND WE'RE NOT FEELING IT

Mile 2, had to pee and trail mix was giving me problems.

AND WE'RE STOPPING

Mile 3, pee break at the first aid station port-a-potties.  Break for the tummy as well to stop sloshing at 165bpm heart rate.

AND WE'RE RUNNING AGAIN

Break neck speeds and 165bpm, just holding on for as long as possible.  I actually did not stop running again for entire race, opting to jog and sip at pit stops for hydration.  That's pretty rare for me.

It was a balancing act of aggressive running and gurgling trail mix in the gut.  Around mile 11, on the final stretch, I let it all hang out and drove for the finish line.  I've been more taxed after an event than I was at RTP 2015, but I've never been more happy to stop running with a stomach of half digested food.  I didn't barf, either, so there's a winner right there.

AND WE'RE DONE

So, my PR at the half marathon distance was 1:35:53 last year at the same race, same course.

2015 results were : 1:35:34 - a 19 second PR.  Not bad for not really paying attention to a training plan and overeating before the race.  I'll take it.

In all seriousness, I do believe the more attention I have paid to eating a better diet and eating to live instead of living and working out to eat has helped in my running.  I've permanently dropped a few LBS and that's made me feel a little quicker and lighter on my feet.  My philosophy is the less weight I have on me, the less punishment my joints take with workouts in general over the years.  I'm going for longevity, not the short term.

So, if I can come out and consistently stay close to my PR's in races, I'm pretty satisfied.

Glorious.

ASICS 33-M Running Shoe from CitySports.com Review

There’s so many ways to go when runners and triathletes are looking for shoes. We’ve tested several makes and models for which many manufacturers produce to address every category dreamt up, and some that have never been thought of until the shoe was made. Not all shoes are the same across a genre, and not all athletes can use just any shoe. Many learn painful lessons that just because a shoe is the latest and greatest and has the highest price tag, it doesn’t mean that’s the magic shoe to end all foot pain and running issues.

CitySports.com reached out to us to review their latest “natural” ASICS running shoe, the 33-M. The 33-M is built for the natural running experience to lessen interference from the shoe to the body’s running form, assuming it’s a normal pronation and doesn’t need any work per say. With our test pair, we logged nearly 100 miles over six weeks and you can read on for our take from an everyday age grouper on how the 33-M stacks up in the real world.

SPECS

• The 33-M sports the following tech details:
• 4mm Platform / Drop
• Solyte Midsole with Amplifoam Layer
• Comfordry Sockliner
• Seamless Upper Construction
• Natural Running Experience / Under and Neutral Pronation
• Natural 33 - Heel Fit & Toe Box
• 10.9 oz
• Heel Height : 24 mm
• Forefoot Height : 20 mm
• Durasponge Outsole

 

 

APPEARANCE

At initial glance, the one stand out feature is the actual sole thickness at the rear supporting the 4mm platform drop. If you’re looking to squeeze in a few inches on your online dating profile, the 33-M is your shoe. You might feel as if the ground is a little further away with these bad boys, and you wouldn’t be far from the truth.

Aside from the robust soles, the ASICS 33-M’s we tested were the White / Flash Yellow / Navy style. There are other colors out there, however it appeared that City Sports carried this style in particular. The white is sharp and eye catching to say the least. We immediately got comments on how attractive and appealing the 33-M’s were. One drawback on the white is how fast they will attract dirt and smudges. Naturally if you run outside, you might run into some dirt, water or mud. With a white pair of shoes, it’s going to happen. If you are worried about keeping your shoe investments as pristine as possible, one option would be to limit usage to indoors on treadmills. Lets be honest, shoes are meant to run in and they will get dirty. Accept it. Even after 100 miles of street, track and treadmill running, our white 33-M’s were not any dirtier than other white running shoes.

The overall construction of the shoe is cohesive and doesn’t suffer when you enter the larger sizes. You big foots out there know what we mean when you order that awesome looking pair of shoes online only to get them and have them look distorted when in larger sizes than the nice pictures online. The 33-M’s don’t look odd in the larger sizes.

 

PERFORMANCE

If a running shoe doesn’t perform the function is was designed and purchased for, then that was a waste of money, right?

In our 100ish miles of testing, we ventured runs on streets, sidewalks, treadmills, long runs, tempo runs, easy runs, interval runs, brick runs and dog walking. We even ran in the rain with our 33-M’s and lived to tell the tale. We also stuffed the 33-M’s in duffle bags for travel and crammed them into airplane overhead bins. You know a shoe is resilient when it rebounds to it’s original shape after 10+ hours being in luggage.

Thoughts of note:

• Sole degradation was minimal. Wear and tear on the sole and stitching was not an issue as not one seam had popped or piece of rubber had peeled.
• Being designed for under or neutral pronators, the 33-M’s are aimed at a specific running segment, which means they aren’t for everyone. If you overpronate and roll your feet too much, the 33-M’s might hurt you in the long run. We have a tendency for overpronation and after long runs, we would experience hot spots on the balls of the big toe and in the arch area. No blisters came of it, but we could tell it would be an issue if this was our full time shoe. But, this could also offer a “cross training” opportunity for non-under or neutral pronators to use a shoe that works muscle groups left unaddressed by stability or motion control shoes. In moderation and under controlled usage, varying shoe types could potentially be used to promote strengthening of weaker muscle groups and ligaments similar to trail running and other variations of running. It’s not something to switch to 80% of the time, but may be a good option for one or two shorter runs a week to work on stabilizer muscles.
• We are guilty of nasty heel striking. It’s just there after years of running and various PT sessions. We’ve coped with finding the right shoe combination and training regime that allows us to stay injury and pain free. One item of concern was the return of heel pain after using a non-stability shoe like the 33-M. We were pleasantly surprised that no heel pain was present after runs and non-existent the mornings after long runs, which was the worst times for heel pain. Also keep in mind that we did not switch to exclusive use of the 33-M’s, but rotated them in with our other trusted shoes.
• The 33-M’s actually felt heavier than our trusted styles, but at 10.9 ounces, they were right on target or actually lighter than other styles we use on a consistent basis. For some reason it was deceiving while wearing the 33-M’s, and we don’t really have an explanation.

 

CITYSPORTS.COM EXPERIENCE

We would be remiss if we didn’t give some review love to the store that set us up with our test shoes. CitySports.com is an actual brick and mortar store in Boston that has developed into an online entity selling quality apparel. They shipped the ASICS 33-M’s free of charge (normally $6 for standard ground) and from order confirmation to shoes at our door, it was around 3 days to get our kicks. The box comes wrapped in plastic to protect is from the elements and comes with a printed receipt in the need of returning the shoes. They offer a 30 day refund policy for online buying as long as you meet their conditions for a return.

 

 

COST

The 33-M’s don’t come free. Depending on the source, the 33-M’s run from $125 to $139.99 before tax and shipping. That’s a nice chunk of change, but when you’re buying the latest and greatest in running tech, you’re paying for what you get.

 

SUMMARY

Overall the 33-M’s appear to be a solid shoe. They are reliable and have been built to withstand some serious punishment.

They are geared to a specific market. The natural running experience is their target, and that may not work for everyone. It’s not to say the 33-M’s wouldn’t serve a purpose, but it’s a large price tag to add a part time runner to your closet. But, ASICS and CitySports.com have several options to address your needs. We just reviewed one of them.

Will we continue to run with our 33-M’s? Yes. They offer the ability to target weaker running muscles groups, therefore proving useful in the war on triathlon. They may not serve as everyday race flats, but they made the rotation.

Would we continue to buy more 33-M’s after our test pair gets retired? Probably not. It’s not a knock on the shoe, but a testament that needs of runners are very unique to the individuals and not just any shoe will fill that need.

We would definitely recommend checking out CitySports.com for future purchases. They have been very reactive to our questions and concerns and seem to care about online customers. They want you happy with what you buy from them. The order process is smooth and it’s not a fly by night operation that may go offline at any time.

For those that made it this far in the review, reward yourself with 20% off the ASICS 33-M with code “TRI20” at CitySports.com.

* Writer's note - City Sports provided the products for this review at no cost and did not influence this review.

Running the first race of 2015! Rock the Parkway Half Marathon!

Holy cow has the time flown by and very little time to write on the old blog...

Case in point : I'm racing my first 2015 half marathon tomorrow and I never even wrote a recap for Ironman Chattanooga!  Yes, I finished.  Does that count?

But a few fleeting thoughts before running tomorrow.

1. I'm not really all geeked up trying to PR for a half.  Traditionally this has been my target race to PR the half, but this year had been hectic and I'm just happy to be trained up enough to run it.  I don't even remember what my current PR is, and I'd rather be in bed relaxing asap than looking it up.  Maybe I'll check back post race.

2. My plan is to just run like hell and see what happens... and avoid injuries.  I really have no idea what I have in me and this year I'm driving in instead of riding my bike to and from.  I didn't really taper since workout time is hard to come by, so I kept my regular workout routine and did probably too much the day before a hard race.  Oh well.

3. It's odd how my goals have morphed.  I'm not razor sharp focused on race dates, being tapered and ready.  I'm just more focused on being fit and ready for what the weekend brings.  Ya, I'll pay more attention to Ironman Boulder, Legends 100, but other than that, I plan on keeping a strong baseline throughout the summer to handle Olympic triathlons, half marathons and maybe a marathon.  Oh ya, the Atlas OC Race in a few weeks as well.  Endurance, check.  Strength work, not so much.

4. What I am focused on is my trail mix!  I'm jonesing for it lately and tomorrow I'm letting loose!

Check back and maybe I'll write a recap before the next race... maybe.  ;)

ASICS Gel Lyte33 running shoe review from weekend Ironman Triathlon warrior

ASICS was kind enough to shoot over a pair of Gel Lyte33's that we tried out. After a couple of months on the road, paved trails and treadmills, here's a look from an every day triathlete.

Fashion / Appearance

The Lyte33’s are visually appealing. Some styles actually turn a little ugly in the larger sizes, but these were beauty's in size 12. The layout of the patterns meshed well together and avoided the appearance you might think with a Ford Mustang front end and a Ford Futura rear end; just wrong. Not the Lyte33.

They have style. We tested out the red traced with black that are comfy and stylish enough to wear out for casual outings aside from hill repeats or AT intervals. Asics offers a wide variety of colors to assure you have the right shoes for your personality or color requirements.

They do have that twist that comes with the lightweight running shoe line in appearance. It’s a combination of a casual shoe and running shoe that harkens to the crossover car market. It takes a little appreciation and acceptance from that diehard running shoe enthusiast.

Form / Construction

From ASICS.com, “The GEL-Lyte33 gets serious about weight reduction, dropping almost two ounces for a truly lightweight natural running experience. The GEL-Lyte33 is updated with a nearly Seamless Upper and Solyte® Midsole to maximize performance while minimizing weight. Built with FluidAxis designed for underpronators and neutral runners. Weight: 6.8 oz. Heel Height: 17mm. Forefoot Height: 11mm.”

Note that the Lyte33 is built for lightweight features, but contains the ability to be used for underpronators and neutral runners. We’re not sure about the rest of you, but very few triathletes and runners have perfect running form and when balancing work, life and training, few have time to correct bad form issues. It’s good to know that if you prefer lightweight shoes, you don’t have to give up functionality to assist with your running shortcomings.

On the outside, the overall construction looks solid. After over 200 miles of running on streets and treadmills, our tested Lyte33’s are still holding up, a testament to being designed to withstand the test of time and miles.

Fit / Function

Like we mentioned, we have tested out these Gel Lyte33’s for over 200 miles over a span of 6 months. They were used in a running shoe rotation from 3 mile easy runs to 16 mile long runs, pavement and treadmill runs. They were given the royal treatment and spared from no expense.

The soles showed minor wear, but held up overall over the pounding. A successful indicator of a well built shoe is the ability of the sole to stay adhered to the actual shoe. Nothing’s worse than that flopping toe deal after the shoe starts falling apart.

The insole stayed intact and another indicator of good construction is the printed images didn’t rub off after a few outings. The insole held its shape for a good duration of the 6 months of abuse. Towards the end, it probably could have used a refresh replacement.

We did notice a little less bounce back from the sole at the end of our trial. As with most running shoes, the recommendations are to replace the shoe near 6 months or a couple hundred miles of running, depending on make and model.

We have a notoriously bad running form, so to go to 100% lightweight shoe for running just isn’t a reality. We mixed in GT 1000’s and 2000’s with some other running shoes in a two shoe rotation to mix it up. More akin to the idea of running trails every now again to strengthen ankles and various other running muscles, using different styles of shoes in a controlled approach could theoretically yield strengthening in weak running areas.

There is a noticeable difference in weight going from a traditional running shoe or shoes meant for stability or to correct other run form issues. The Lyte33’s were, like the name implies, lighter. It was like wearing a neoprene swim bootie on your foot, but with a sole and laces. They are not rigid and very comfortable, even after a 16 mile run.

Cost

Shoe prices are getting out of hand, which is why it’s refreshing to see the Lyte33’s started at $90 and now run for $55. We suspect they might not have taken hold as hoped for, as color and sizes are limited these days.

But don’t let that dissuade you, the Lyte33 shoes are worthwhile as a solid option in your running shoe rotation. Similar to cross training to work often unused muscle groups beyond the basics swim, bike and runs muscles, they Lyte33’s can be used in moderation to work on muscles long forgotten thanks to shoes that almost run for you. They work great for strength training footwear and you don’t even need to change shoes if you run a couple miles after a lift for cool down. For $55, you can’t get much better quality for long lasting shoes.

Final thoughts

The Gel Lyte33’s are geared for lightweight running shoe enthusiasts. They have design characteristics that can carry them over into the mainstream running community, but with caution and controlled regimes.

The price has dropped since their initial release, which makes them a great deal for what is actually a solidly built shoe. If you have foot issues or bad run form (like 90% of us), don’t lose hope as the Lyte33’s were made with you in mind. It may not be an everyday option, but it is definitely a good shoe for shorter workouts and a savior and break for your long haul shoes.

Take a look.

Disclaimer

* Writer's note - Asics provided the products for this review at no cost and did not influence this review.

May 2014 Kansas City Running Races

Turkey Creek Festival 5K

Saturday, May 17 @ 8 am

Irene B. French Community Center, Merriam, KS

This fun 5K run/walk is part of the Merriam Turkey Creek Festival. The race starts at the Irene B. French Community Center. Participants will receive finisher's medals, a dri-fit shirt, and swag bag. The event benefits the Merriam Parks, Recreation & Community Center Foundation Youth Scholarship Fund. Learn more about the event and register here.

Girls on the Run 5K            Sunday, May 18 @ 8 am Corporate Woods, Overland Park, KS Participate in the Girls on the Run 5K in Corporate Woods to support Girls on the Run whose mission is to educate and prepare girls for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living. This positive youth development program inspires third through eighth grade girls to stay true to themselves and learn to boldly pursue their dreams. Learn more about the event and register here.

Kevin Gray Father's Day 5K   Saturday, June 14 @ 8 am Sporting Park, Kansas City, KS Celebrate Father's Day at the Kevin Gray 5K! This annual event celebrates the life of Kevin Gray, former President of the Greater Kansas City Sports Commission and Foundation. Kevin was a father, husband, son and leader! The 5K course will take you past the CommunityAmerica Ballpark, Sporting Park, and the Kansas Speedway. Learn more about the event and register here.

Midnight Run for Special Olympics Kansas   Saturday, June 20 @ 11 pm Leawood Justice Center, Leawood, KS Come out for a fun night run and support the Special Olympics Kansas which is dedicated to empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities to become physically fit, productive and respected members of society through sports competitions, health and nutrition programs and leadership development. The race starts at 11 pm and participants will be given glow bands, Zumba fun, and treats! Learn more about the event and register here.

Jazz in the Woods 5K   Saturday, June 21 @ 8 am Corporate Woods, Overland Park, KS As part of the Jazz in the Woods Festival, the Jazz in the Woods Run includes a 5K and kids' fun run. The event will run through Corporate Woods in Overland Park and your participation will help support four area children's charities - Sunflower House, Operation Breakthrough, Lee Ann Britain Infant Development Center, and Future of Hope - Overland Park South Rotary Club Foundation. Learn more about the event and register here.

Spirit Race 5K   Saturday, June 21 @ 8 am CommunityAmerica Ballpark, Kansas City, KS The SAF-K Spirit Race 5K is a benefit for the Student Athlete Foundation of Kansas (SAF-K), which provides athletic training and medical supervision services for high schools and community leagues and events. The run/walk starts and finishes at the CommunityAmerica Ballpark. Learn more about the event and register here.

Heroes for Hospice 5K   Sunday, June 22 @ 7:30 am REI, Overland Park, KS Join us at the Heroes for Hospice 5K which benefits Kansas City Hospice and Midland Care Hospice of Topeka and Lawrence. Participate to support this cause! Participants will receive an event shirt and awards will be given to the top 3 males and females in each age group. Learn more about the event and register here.

CASA SuperHero 5K   Sunday, June 29 @ 8 am Town Center Plaza, Leawood, KS With the combined efforts of Jackson County CASA and CASA of Johnson & Wyandotte Counties, the inaugural CASA SuperHero 5K will include the 5K run/walk, kids-caped fun run, family-friendly activities, vendors, costume contests and much more! The CASA SuperHero Run will support both Kansas City-area CASA programs. Learn more about the event and register here.

May 2014 Running Races around Kansas City

May 3 @ 8 am Independence Park Trot 5K Waterfall Park, Independence, MO Participate in the free third annual Independence Park Trot. The free Park Trot is brought to you by the City of Independence Health Department and the Centerpoint Medical Center to promote increased use and access of the city's parks and trails. Event t-shirts can be purchased online. May 3 @ 8:30 am Purple Stride 5K Theis Park, Kansas City, MO The Purple Stride 5K benefits the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network - a nationwide network of people dedicated to working together to advance research, support patients and create hope for those affected by pancreatic cancer. The 5K race starts and finishes in Theis Park and in addition to the race there will be music, refreshments, and children's activities. May 4 @ 8 am LAKC Run for Justice 5K Theis Park, Kansas City, MO The 10th annual LAKC Run for Justice 5K starts in Theis Park and runs along Brush Creek toward the Plaza. The 5K will be followed by a free kids run. Awards will be given to top overall finishers, top three in each age group, the largest team including participants and volunteers, and best team costumes. Proceeds from the Run/Walk benefit Legal Aid of Western Missouri. May 4 @ 8 am Outpacing Melanoma 5K Corporate Woods, Overland Park, KS Outpacing Melanoma is a non-profit organization dedicated to funding research and increasing public awareness of melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer. Participate in the event to help this cause. The run/walk will take you through Corporate Woods in Overland Park and is followed by a kids fun run. May 4 @ 8 am Triumph Over Tragedy 5K Garmin World Headquarters, Olathe, KS The KLL Memorial Foundation offers scholarships to young adults who have lost a parent to cancer. These scholarships are primarily funded by proceeds from the Triumph Over Tragedy 5K. Participants will receive an event shirt and can enjoy post-race food and beverages. May 9 @ 6 pm Neon Rush 5K Oakhill Day School, Gladstone, MO As a participant of the Neon Rush 5K, you will receive an event shirt, a large finishers medal, age group finisher awards and overall gender finisher trophies, fun giveaways at each of our three Neon Zones along the course, and post race food and beverages. All Fun Dash participants will receive t-shirt, goodie bag and a neon ribbon. Each participant will be entered in a drawing to win a Garmin Forerunner 210! May 10 @ 7:30 am, 8 am Running with the Cows Half Marathon, 5K Queen of the Holy Rosary School, Bucyrus, KS Enjoy the rural scenery at Running with the Cows half marathon and 5K. The race benefits the Holy Rosary School and Catholic Relief Services. Half marathon participants will receive a tech shirt, cowbell, and finisher's medal; 5K participants, a cotton event shirt and commemorative cowbell. Plenty of refreshments will be provided after the race. May 17 @ 9 am Leopard 5K Lucy Franklin Elementary, Blue Springs, MO The inaugural Leopard 5K Run/Walk will take place at Lucy Franklin Elementary. The race will be chip-timed and participants will receive an event shirt. Proceeds from the event will be used to upgrade technology at Lucy Franklin Elementary. Bring your family, friends and neighbors out to support the community. May 17 @ 8 am Turkey Creek Festival 5K Irene B. French Community Center, Merriam, KS This fun 5K run/walk is part of the Merriam Turkey Creek Festival. The race starts at the Irene B. French Community Center. Participants will receive finisher's medals, a dri-fit shirt, and swag bag. The event benefits the Merriam Parks, Recreation & Community Center Foundation Youth Scholarship Fund. May 18 @ 8 am Girls on the Run 5K Corporate Woods, Overland Park, KS Participate in the Girls on the Run 5K in Corporate Woods to support Girls on the Run whose mission is to educate and prepare girls for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living. This positive youth development program inspires third through eighth grade girls to stay true to themselves and learn to boldly pursue their dreams. May 26 @ 8 am Amy Thompson Run 8K, 5K Loose Park, Kansas City, MO The Amy Thompson Run is celebrating its 27th annual event! Offering an 8K, 5K, a one-mile walk, and kid's run, the Amy Thompson Run is a great event for participants of all levels of physical activity. The course starts and finishes in Loose Park and will take you along Ward Parkway. The event benefits the Brain Injury Association of Kansas and Greater Kansas City. May 31 @ 8:30 am Heart & Stroke 5K Run/Walk Theis Park, Kansas City, MO As the signature fund-raising event for the American Heart Association since 1995, the Heart Walk promotes physical activity and heart-healthy living in a fun family environment. The Heart Walk is an opportunity for people to improve their health and simultaneously raise funds to help fight cardiovascular disease and stroke. The event starts and finishes in Theis Park near the Country Club Plaza. May 31 @ 8 am Miles Against Melanoma 5K Blue Springs South High School, Blue Springs, MO The Miles Against Melanoma 5K will raise money to support melanoma research, education and advocacy. The organization also assists families who are in financial need of help. Participate to help raise funds for research and awareness of Melanoma and other forms of skin cancer. The race starts and finishes at Blue Springs South High School.

April 2014 Kansas City area running events

Garmin Marathon in the Land of Oz - April 26

Lace up your slippers for the Garmin Marathon on Saturday, April 26!  The Garmin Marathon, Half Marathon, 6K or Team Relay is ready for you to follow the yellow brick road to our finish line! Learn more here.

"Finish on the 50" Chiefs 5K - May 10

Join the Chiefs on May 10 at 9 A.M. for their 2nd annual Chiefs 5K at Arrowhead Stadium featuring a one-of-a-kind finish on the 50 yard line. Feel the rush of excitement as you run out of the Chiefs tunnel and onto the field.  Experience Arrowhead like the pros on game day. Register here.

APRIL EVENTS
4/5-5/10	Catholic Challenge Sports-Kickball	5	The Strip Run 2014
11	KC Sports Commission Awards Banquet	19	ABA All Star Game
21-23	2014 MIAA Golf Championship	26	2014 MDA Superhero 5K
26	KCSC Youth Golf Clinic powered by KCP&L	26	Garmin Marathon in the Land of Oz