As Summer Is Coming To An End....

Well here is to the start of a new week, and it is going to go quickly since we are busy at the store with our Hell Of A Half Marathon, and I start coaching our middle school water polo teams this week! Then next week on Thursday I start school! This summer has gone by so fast, I am not ready for it to end, especially after this past weekend. For this post I am going to start with the most current events, and then recap the past week. Overall I had a good week, a lot of weight has been lifted off my shoulders since I have been able to get somethings off of my chest (thats a lot of body part references haha). It is nice to feel relieved and refreshed and ready to attack this next week!

Excuse the cheeks! but YEY, for handstands!

Sunday 8/10: Sunday was a beautiful day. I started my day just a tiny bit earlier so I could get out and get a run in on the beach. I wanted to be lazy, but at the same time I had to take advantage of nature, the sounds and smells of running on the beach. My run was slower than normal, I had a 10:26 pace, but it was a wonderful run. I saw dolphins swimming in the water, and a seal hangin' out on the beach, putting on a show for everyone walking by. By midday, the sun was shining, there was a breeze, and the water was so inviting. We knew we had to take advantage of it and head down to the beach to soak up some sun, boogie board/body surf,and working on hand stands! I was finally able to stick it for a little longer than a millisecond... haha. After a few hours, we headed into downtown Cayucos to try a restaurant called Duckie's Chowder House for lunch, which has wonderful clam chowder and melt in your mouth calamari and fries! We also went to Brown Butter Cookie Company to see what these bad boys were about, oh man were they delicious. We personally like the traditional style of cookies, they were so yummy! For the last half of the day we hung out at the house with the family, other than the hour or so that we took Russell down to the bach for a walk and to explore, he is so crazy! We ate a yummy crab dinner, then were on the road to head home. We were/are so sad to have left, but are so happy and thankful for the time at the coast with family. It is so nice to come home refreshed and relaxed, ready to take on the madness ahead.

Nice way to relax after a run.

takin a break

a seal, just hangin out!

All smiles on our beautiful beach day

I swear he says that he loves me.

Saturday 8/9: We started our day late on Saturday, and took the advantage of the vacation by sleeping in. For me since sleeping in is until 8 am, I was able to wake up, sit on the patio and read my book. It was wonderful! After Garrett woke up, and we got some food in us, we went for a walk on the beach with Russell, then we headed back to the house to get ready to head into Morro Bay to get some lunch. We tried out Giovanni's, which was a very popular place. The clam chowder, garlic fries, and fish and chips were delicious! We headed home with full tummies, rested, and chatted with family. We then headed out for dinner with the family, and had a wonderful time at a restaurant right off the marina, and golf course. When we came home, Garrett, Mark and I decided to tackle the 750 piece puzzle we found in the house until it was time for bed. Overall, it was a wonderfully relaxing day, and I wouldn't ask for anything more.

The view from my bedroom/patio

our beach date with Russell

An evening stroll/dip on the beach with my love

Birthday Collage :)

Friday 8/8: First- Happy 23rd Birthday Garrett! I was supposed to get up and run, but I "forgot" to set my alarm a didn't wake up early enough to get out in the morning for my run, and there is no way I was going to run in 90 degrees of central valley heat haha. Instead, I packed, and we headed for the coast! Garrett's Grandma and Grandpa Johnson rented a beach house in Cayucos, CA. We are so lucky that they rented a beach house for the family to come and enjoy, it was so perfect! We could not have asked for a better weekend to get away and be with family. Generally the weather in Morro Bay/ Cayucos is overcast and cold, or at least that is what it is like whenever I have been there. But this weekend was perfect, It was overcast and foggy in the morning, but it cleared up by noon and we had sunshine all day

Thursday 8/7: Thursday was also a pretty good day in the gym. I am excited,
I feel like I am getting more and more comfortable with the bar on my back, and getting out of the bottom of my squat. I was able to do 3x2 @ 90%  which ends up being 175 lbs for me. Although I felt a little off, being bloated and wearing a belt is not the business haha, I was really excited for how easy these lifts felt! On the other hand I gave the METCON just about everything that I had. We did a ".com" workout. It consisted of 10 rds, 1 min on, 2 min rest- 3 deadlifts ( I did them at 195), a 60 meter sprint, and then max burpees until the minute was up. I was able to get a total of 87 reps (reps where counted by the amount of burpees)... I was just glad to get through it haha.

After that workout, I decided to do out competition workout again. I wanted to see what the workout would feel like after doing a ton of work before it. I am not sure if because it says WOD 1, that we will be doing it first or not so I want to be prepared. I was able to stay pretty close to my first try, I got a total of 115 reps, and that is positive, because Garrett counted for me. It was definitely tougher to do after another workout, once again that makes me nervous. I just don't want to show up looking like a fool at this thing.

Burpees

Deadlifts

Wednesday 8/6: Wednesday started with a run! This was my first "tempo" run, or running at race pace. I'm not quite at my actual race pace, but I got as close as I could without burning out. I did a half mile warm up, then focused on each lap which were at 9:20, 9:27,9:40, and then a quarter mile cool down. I obviously went out a little too fast for my first 2 miles, by the 3rd I did have to stop to walk to catch my breath a little, which slowed my overall pace, I am still proud of the work that I did! 

At the gym we worked building to a heavy snatch from position one (the hip), I tied my PR from the floor! This is pretty exciting, just because I know my strength is there, its obvious, I just have to work on getting under that bar. I haven't quite figured out how to drop into the bottom, ultimately what I think that it comes down to is that I just think about it to much. So, I'm gonna try to do less thinkin' this week ;) haha... At the gym we did a nasty combination of clean and jerks with pull ups, I was super stoked, I did the workout at RX'd weight, and I did all 50 pull up! Strength is there! Lawerence from the gym is pretty cool, he pushes me. The way he says things to me is almost like he is doubting me and it pushes me more, I like that. He really wants me to do a team event with him, and 2 others, buuuut idk about the whole team action haha.

getting through my last clean & jerk

Tuesday 8/5: Tuesday was an ehhhh day for me. I just didn't feel 100% for the workout. It was a tough one, a lot of running (a total of a mile), thrusters @ 45lbs and T2B. T2B, are really discouraging for me, I think that is why I didn't care for this workout so much.  I tried to do the workout as prescribed, but I probably only got 20/40 T2B, I got my legs u higher than normal, but I just can not find a rhythm for them, and it seems like my toes NEVER touch! I can't beat myself up to much about it, I am glad that I did what I could, and that was still an improvement. Gotta keep working to keep getting better!

Struggling through those toes2bar

Monday 8/4 : I started my day with my training for my half in October. Mondays will always be my favorite training day, simply because it is always an easy 3 mile run, just get out there and remind your body what you are going to be doing to it for the rest of the week. This particular run felt good, and I have been rather pleased with all my runs, I think I am getting better at pacing myself so I am not miserable through out a majority of my run. I was able to keep a 9:48 pace over all, and my goal for my half is to keep a 9-9:15 min mile, there is still work to do, but I am confident that I can get there

Monday night, I worked on training for the Central Valley Throwdown that I mentioned. They released their first workout! Us girls warmed up, worked our snatches, worked on our pull ups then went into the workout:

WOD 1:

2 min at each exercise-

Snatch-65lbs

C&J- 55lbs

Thruster: 45lbs

Hanging Knee Raise- on rig

Since this was out "main workout" for the day, it was tough, but I felt like I was able to move through it at a decent pace. I lost count, but roughly I think that I got 120 reps total- I made  this is my goal for everytime I attempt this workout, I do not want to get less than this amount.

Sarah, Adriana, Diane and I all doing a run through of the workout

Inspiration and Training

Hello again!
I am getting this post out a little late, I have been a little busy, and just didn't make time to reflect on the past week.
Over all I had a good week of training, and well living haha...

To start this past week 7/25-7/27 were the Crossfit Games- 3 days of intenense workouts, watching amazing athletes fight for a spot on the podium naming them "the fittest on earth." In 2011, this was the start of my love for CrossFit, when I first saw the games on ESPN I knew that it was something that I would love, and something I needed to start doing. I always get butterflies watching the athletes compete, watching them hit new PR's, watching them push through plateaus, and of course the smiles, fist pumps and congratulations from all the athletes after each event. Kara Webb, an athlete that I have had my eyes on (mostly because this is Garrett's CrossFit girl friend haha, I have to keep an eye on the competition ;) ) was in first for the first couple of days, then she sadly has been dealing with some nerve issues, and one of the workouts just aggravated it more so, and she withdrew. UGH! I wanted her to win so bad! She was doing do good! I mean she hit a 250lb OH squat! Camille Leblanc Bazinett ended up taking the title of the fittest woman on earth. She is an amazing athlete, she has worked hard, and it is awesome to see that pay off. For the men, well we all thought Rich Froning was out of it, that he wouldn't take the games this year, but of course, he won, Mr. 4-peat. haha They say he isn't coming back but I hope he does, he is an amazing athlete. But, on the other hand I want to see some of the young guns, who showed they were not messing around this year, fight for that title against Rich, because otherwise, for a few years all that will be said is "oh, its because Rich want there."

"Fittest Man & Woman On Earth"
Photo courtesy of Box Life Magazine

Now back to reality of my not so hard week of training compared to these games athletes haha...
Monday (7/28) marked the start of my half marathon training, and uuuugggggghhhh! That's all I have to say haha! There are currently a few fires burning in our area, which makes breathing in the central valley harder, and even harder when running! Other than struggling to breath while running, I have been struggling to get up early enough so the air quality and heat wouldn't affect me as bad, it is just so hard. I get up early on Tues/Thurs for my spin/circuit class, so on the other days when I can sleep in, I like to! I did end up wearing my Garmin, haha. Mondays run was my first run, it was hot, the air was bad, and I was way to eager when I started my run. I went out way to hard, and wanted to die at the end of my 3 miles haha. Wednesday and Friday I made sure to pace myself a little better and was able to keep a consistent pace without killing myself. Sunday was supposed to be a long run of 4 miles, but I just wasn't feeling it and decided to skip it. I know, I know, I can't do that, so this week I am not going to skip it haha. For my first week of runs I am excited that I got out for 3/4 of my runs, and felt decent about them.

I also continued my CrossFit training throughout the week,but I decided to take Tuesday as a rest day.
Monday- was modification of a CrossFit games workout of the 21-15-9 complex, and it was killer. I was so pumped that I was able to do pull ups through out the workout, and every rep counted.
Wednesday- we did a nasty combination of 200m run, box jumps, and push press. Adriana, Diane, and I all went Rx'd at 75lbs. It was super tough, I didn't know if I was going to be able to hand with the weight but was glad I attempted, and completed it.

Clearly not enjoying the push press

runnnnnnnin

Jumpin on the box! 

Cheering on Adriana, she didn't want to go RX'd , but she did and she killed it! 

Thursday- this was such an awesome day! In my last post I did say that I wanted to attempt 225lbs for my deadlifts the following week, well I attempted and succeed! Over all I was really pleased with my strength exercises that day, I was strong with my back squats at 165lbs, and was able to keep my torso up and shoulders back, and I was able to hit 3x3 225# deadlifts!

Friday- I didn't do any strength, Diane, Sarah and I decided to work on movements that may be in the Central Valley Throw down. 

Garrett came up with the worst workout EVER.

10 wall balls -1 Rope climb

20 wall balls -2 Rope climb

30 wall balls -3 Rope climb

40 wall balls -4 Rope climb

50 wall balls -5 Rope climb

It was definitely challenging, it got into my head a little bit. I am nervous if we will have to, and how many rope climbs we will have to do, these were tough after working on all those wall balls. I am continuing to work on my weaknesses, so hopefully they are as strong as they can be for the CVT. 

Working On Getting Up That Rope

Saturday- I caught up on some strength that I missed through out the week. I was stoked that I was able to get some heavy front pause squats, the heaviest I have done through out this cycle, 3x2 @ 125lb with a 3 second pause. 

The workout for the gym was killer. It was HEAVY, like heavy. RX'd was 95lbs. 

9-7-5

power clean

STOH

2 min rest:

4rds

200m run

12 Front Squat

6 Bar Over Burpees

clearing enjoying these squats

I knew it was going to be tough, but it was a whole lot tougher than I thought that it would be...

I struggled, but was glad to complete a the weight prescribed. 

It was a goal this week to be able to complete as many workouts as possible with prescribed weight, to push as hard, and as fast as I could with each workout, and I am continuing with that push into this week. 

Over all I am pleased with this past week. I hit goal markers that I didn't know I could. I am so thankful with for the gym and the motivation from all of the members. Excited for another week of training! 

Workouts and My Newest Obsessions

Dead lifts (#185) during "Diane" -7/21

Workouts at Anvil, were just as challenging this week as ever. We did enough deadlifts and wall balls to last me at least a month! haha Last week, we did deadlifts as a part of our strength (like we will continue to do for the next couple of weeks) I was really excited that for 4x5 I was able to pull 205, this week I did 5x4 at 210! AHH, so excited, and I am no where near as sore as I was after last weeks! I am hoping to get 220 for this upcoming weeks lifts, fingers crossed I am feeling strong enough. I am hesitant just because we did A LOT of deadlifts this week. Monday (7/21) was Diane's birthday, so we did the "girl" Diane, I'm not sure it that is the best way to reference that, but I have deleted and retyped and nothing better is coming to mind haha.

HSPU- or more of my bun touched and I was good.. haha -7/21

(The Girls are a series of workouts that crossfit has created, and are named after women... ie: diane, grace, karen ect) Diane is originally 21-15-9 of Hand Stand Push Ups, and Deadlifts. At the gym we changed it up a little 15-12-9-6-3 of those exercises, except to be able to complete the workout, I did deadlifts at 185 lbs and  HSPU I did a rep scheme of 10-8-6-4-2.

Wednesday (7/23) we did a circuit style workout with wall balls, and basically what it comes down to is that I hate wall balls, I have gotten better at them, but I still hate them. After my workout I went up to Turlock to visit with my Grandma for a few hours. i love being able to spend time with her. I know I should do it more because I am only an hour and a half drive or train ride from her. 

7/23

7/23

I wasn't able to make it to CrossFit Valkommen, but an acquaintance through the gym/crossfit had a tragic event happen to her and her family. Her nephew, of only 5 months passed away from SIDS. Being that many don't prepare for funeral services at such a young age, the gym put on a free workout, where we could come together and raise funds for the family. If you would like, and are able to donate to the families funds, here is the link For Levi.

7/24

My double under were soooo good! 7/23

Thursday(7/24) we did more heavy deadlifts, thats when I hit 210 5x4! We also did a killer Ground to overhead workout. I tried to push through this workout, when I wanted to stop, I tried to keep moving, it was tough. I am glad I was able to the workout at the RX'd weight of 95#, especially after doing heavy DL.

Adriana & Diane finishing strong

This Weeks Training...

This week at Anvil was tough, like a sneaky tough! I mean it's not that the workouts look easy, I knew that with the combination of our strength and the METCON I was going to get a killer workout, but I didn't think I would be as sore or exhausted as I have been this week!

We started a new strength cycle, that is focusing on getting comfortable with our snatch positions, and getting under the bar. Garrett is in charge of putting the strength programs together, I swear I'm not being biased haha, but, I like what he has done, and how he has set them up. He has done such a good job. For those of that are consistently going to the gym, we have seen huge improvements with our over all strength and technique with all lifts (including gymnastic movements, that what the last 4 weeks were focused on).

I have been consistently going to the gym since the beginning of June, I definitely have my good and bad days, but it has been pretty awesome to see/notice them improvements that I have made. This week stringing 4 pull ups together was no problem, in a work out I have been able to string double unders for sets of 6 and that is a HUGE improvement for me haha, and on Thursday I was able to do 4 sets, of 5 Deadlifts @ 205lbs, when my last max was 225lbs. Since I signed up for the Central Valley Throwdown & Expo I have been trying to better all areas of my fitness. I know that I am strong, but there are a lot of gymnastic movements that I need to work on, like: double unders, push ups, and pull ups ( and maybe now, even, rope climbs!) I am getting better at them all, I just need to be at my best by the 23rd of August! What I noticed in workouts is that I know how to pace myself, I know when I can work, and when I need to rest. On the other hand, at times I sometimes feel like I don't have the mental drive to push through in the last few minutes, to go balls out, and get as many reps as I can. It's almost like I tell myself that I need to rest to keep going, that I wont be as efficient if I don't catch my breath, or I will have nothing left, but its at the end so I can rest after. I don't know, all I know is I need to work on it, that is one of my goals for this next week, to push harder, to drive and to string 5 pull ups in a row haha!

This week I started to keep track of my workouts, in an actual notebook. I love the idea of how handy our phones are, I have Evernote, my notepad, and a ton of other apps, but there is something about physically writing down what I did for the day, and being able to flip through the pages to see all of the improvements that I have made while filling the notebook.

I hope that this will be a tool that can help me see progress and to stay motivated, rather than putting myself down. There are more days then not, that I doubt myself, and really slam my progress and body image. I have a hard time being happy with all that I have done, who I am and how I look ( I know, getting deep haha) but this is a constant struggle. I feel like no matter how hard I work, my body wont cooperate, in all areas like, strength, size, ability. I think working at S2S has a alot to do with it. I feel like many of my co workers dont take me seriously because I dont look like the average marathoner, or because I dont really run in general. Ugh, if any of you reading have any tips or advice on how to deal with kind of stuff please, help a girl out! haha. This wears me down, and I know that I need to stop stressing like I do or I will never believe or see and improvement that I make.

Here are a few pics from this week!

7/19/14- Saturday Morning Workout-
I cant tell if I am smiling or am in pain in this picture haha.

Garrett got more pictures of me not working out that he did of me actually working out.

Gotta chalk up!

Clearly this workout killed us all!

7/17/14- American KB Swings and Box Jumps are killer!

Day Trip to NorCal

Yesterday, Garrett and I decided to make a day trip up North, to get a little R&R.
Currently our schedules don't mesh very well, when I have my days off garrett is working, and when he isn't working I have hours up at the store. I initially had plans for Sunday, but since they fell threw, and we both have been wanting to get out of town, we decided to take advantage of the day.

We headed out to Santa Cruz, it started out as a overcast and misty day, but after a wonderful breakfast at the Seabreeze Cafe, there was quite a wait (we waited 40 minutes!), but it was SO worth it, saying that my breakfast was delicious is an understatement!

my amazing Castro Valley Omlette

I got the Castro Valley omelet! Ahhh! I am a sucker for artichoke hearts! The omlete plates where priced at about $11.00, but clearly, based off of my photo they give you plenty of food, so it is totally worth it!
Served with potatoes and toast, this baby held me over ALL day! I am hoping to try some of their homemade muffins or cinnamon rolls the next time that we are in Santa Cruz!

After we ate, we made our way back towards the beach, with the sun finally making its appearance, we headed towards the water. The idea of just laying out on our towels and an occasional dip in the water is what we had been dreaming of!
There were quite a few people out on the boardwalk, and on the beach, so after a few hours we decided to make our way to a sweet get away, up the highway called Panther Beach.




 I don't think that Panther Beach is a secret, but is most definitely a hidden gem. To get there you pull off to a dirt parking area off of highway one, and make your way down a path that has been created to get to the beach. I was so disappointed walking up to the entrance, there was so much trash. I just do not understand the thought process of some people; if they want to continue to enjoy and love a place, they need to help maintain it. By simply picking up and disposing of their trash (in an actual trash can, not at the top of the hill) they are doing their part in not only maintaing the area, but making the world a cleaner place. Well there is my little rant for the day haha.

After climbing around on some rocks, clearly you can see with my hair,
the wind was EPIC.

 There weren't many people at Panther Beach, but there is enough space that even if there were I don't think you could really tell. I found the beach on Pinterest, and the link did say that it is a pretty sweet surf spot, and I totally believe it! The waves that were just crashing onto the shore were HUGE!
We did some hiking around on the rocks around the coast, then decided to put our things down to attempt to jump into the water.

Garrett jumping into the crazy waves hitting the shore

Long story short, IT WAS CRAZY! I don't think that we got more than waist deep, I was taken out (legitimately, knocked off my feet) multiple times. It was fun, but we definitely would have fought to get further out into the water before we could enjoy it. Garrett and I had a great time, the views, the salt, sand and sun on our skin was all we needed.

Hey, look! I can do that too!

So the picture to the left is of me doing a pistol squat. in 2012, I made an amazing group of friends! Tyler (Garrett's older bother), Hidi, Crystal, Garrett and I all worked for a weight loss company called Wellspring. We basically liked to talk about how we would change the world with our ideas on fitness and health. We called our group SmackWorkXF. We decided that anytime we went somewhere cool, we would take an awesome picture doing a pistol squat. It was pretty awesome because during the summer of 2012 Garrett and I drove across the country and well garrett got good shots, because I suck and couldn't, still can't really do them haha. But here we are 2 ish years later, we are still keeping our tradition alive. From CA, to PA, to NC, we are all doing our own thing, but I can never forget the friends that I have made, and the pistol squat pictures that keep us together :)

I was so excited for this

We spent a couple hours at PB then decided to head into the city (San Francisco) for dinner! I love the city, it is my favorite place to be.
My mom and I have raved to Garrett about a place called Grubstake, that serves real Portuguese food, and being that we like our Portuguese background, obviously this place is one of our favs! not to mention that the food is bomb(dot) com. So that is where we decided to head for dinner! We started with the linguica and french bread appetizer- seriously, like Garrett said, " I wish linguini were healthier for you." Because serially I would eat it ALLLLLL the time!

Pork Chop Dinner at Grustake

For our meals, I got the sautéed shrimp and garlic plate, and garrett got their famous pork chop dinner. Our plates where clean at the end of our meals, so safe to say we enjoyed them! You can not leave this place without trying their Piri Piri sauce, or their chili verde sauce, as it is now called. It is jam packed with flavor and a great punch! SO GOOD!








For dessert, we made our way to Ghiradelli Square to get a sunday and some hot chocolate, there isn't much to say, because our pictures say it all. we were excited for what was about to happen! haha

Clearly Garrett was excited

whatttttt up!

All in all, we had an AMAZING day! Nothing makes me happier, than some sun, sand, the ocean, and my man. 

Just an FYI- to help my skin and hair recover from all that fun I love to use:ENJOY Hair Mask, and LUSH Ro's Argan Body Conditioner. Both are life savers to help moisturize and replenish the skin and hair after a brutal day in the sun, and ocean. 

Thanks!

xoxo

Tori

Finding A New Running Shoe

Well I am officially signed up for my first race since October of 2012, and I am already psyching myself out! I signed up for the Nike Womens Half Marathon in October of this year. I decided that I needed redemption from my full that I did 2 years ago on that course. My goal is to train smarter, and harder so I am able to reach my goal of running a 1:50 half (or less works ;) )
I have also been contemplating doing the Big Sur Half Marathon with my co-worker Tara at the end of September, but before I sign up I want to get my mileage back where I want it. 
This is where my injury saga continues, haha.  About mid-May, after a 7 mile run, I had a nagging pain behind my knee that wouldn't go away, which in a few days turned into me limping, and then non weight barring. I took a couple days off and went to the doctor, she thought it may have been a bakers-cyst, so she ordered x rays, and an ultra sound. Results came in stating that everything was healthy, but I took my doctors advice and took another couple weeks off to make sure that all had healed. A part of me thinks that I really strained my calf, but I am not sure whats going on. I have been going to the gym consistently for the past 4 weeks, and everything seems to be feeling okay, so I am going to try to start putting running back into my routine.
Since I am picking up my running again, I decided that it is time for new shoes, but in my mind, its always time for new running shoes haha. I have decided that I want to stick with a more minimalist style of shoe, as tad more cushion then I am used to, and I am also interested in getting a trail shoe! 
I have narrowed it down to two brands, Altra and Pearl Izumi.
I personally have only run in PI N1 Road shoes, and that is the only personal experience I have with the brand. If any of you readers have comments or reviews about any of the shoes listed below please let me know, I am hoping to order my shoes by the end of the first week of July!

To start, I have been interested in Altra Running shoes for quite sometime. I love the idea of their technology, to allow runners get back to basics with their zero drop technology.
For everyday running, I am interested in the Torin 1.5.
These are the tech specs from the site:

• Ideal Uses: Running, Ultramarathons, Long Distance Walking
• Platform: Fully-Cushioned Zero Drop™ Platform, Foot-Shaped Toe Box
• Last: PFS–W
• Stack Height: 27mm
• Midsole: Dual Layer: EVA Blend with A-Bound™ Top Layer
• Outsole: FootPod™ Outsole
• Insole: 5 mm Contour Footbed
• Upper: Quick-Dry Air Mesh
• Other Features: Female-Specific Design, Great Slip-On Feel, NRS™ Natural Ride System

For trail running, I am interested in the Lone Peak 1.5, from what is sounds like these shoe will offer the minimal feel that I am after, but still offering a moderate amount of cushion. 

Lone Peak 1.5

• Ideal Uses: Trail Running, Hiking, Fastpacking, Ultra Marathons
• Platform: Zero Drop™ Platform, Female-Specific Foot-Shaped Design, NRS – Natural Ride System™
• Stack Height: 22 mm
• Midsole: Two-Layer EVA / AltraBound™
• Outsole: Sticky Rubber TrailClaw™
• Insole: Mountain Footbed
• Upper: Quick-Dry, Abrasion-Resistant Mesh with Minimal Seams
• Lacing Structure: Asymmetrical
• Other Features: StoneGuard™ Sandwiched Rock Protection, TrailRudder™, Gusseted Tongue, Vegan Friendly, Natural Ride System

Second, since I have had a general experince with Peal Izumi, and a few of my co-workers run in both the N1 road and trail shoes they sell, I decided that they would be worth trying out. I like that the shoes offer a lower heel drop (4mm w/ the N2), the only downside is they don't seem to have very much cushion, and since I have been previously injured, I am not sure if this will be good for my training. 

The Road N2 is comparable to what I have currently been running in which is the Saucony Cortana 3 (weighs 7.9 oz, at a 4mm heel drop)

• The Road N2 has a low 4mm drop and a combination of shock absorbing and energy return foams
• The Road N2 is neutral and has a cushioned level 2 midsole
•  At 9 ounces, it is both light-weight and cushioned enough for high-mileage running

And for trails I am looking into the Trail N2- these are tech specs from the site. 

• The Trail N2 is part of the Project E:Motion series, which has been engineered to provide the smoothest running experience
• The Trail N2 has a low 4mm drop, and a combination of shock absorbing and energy return foams
• The Trail N2 is neutral and has our nimble, yet cushioned, level 2 midsole 
• At 9 ounces, it is both light-weight and protective enough for the most technical and rocky trails
• Trail Runner Gear of the Year, 2013 Trail Shoe of the Year

Please! If you have used any of these shoes, please share your experiences or concerns with the shoes! I think I know which brand I am leaning towards (Altras), but I want to make sure that I have done my home work! 

Thanks again, and until next time,

xoxo,

Tori

p.s. all pictures are from the linked sites, and listed shoes are linked to the retailers site :)

Current Spin/Circuit Class Playlist & Current Fav Running Music

This is the playlist used in my Spin/Circuit class for the months of May and June. 

I try to change the playlist at least every couple of months, if time doesn't get the best of me. 

Because I only do 30 minutes of Spinning I try to get the most out of the songs that I choose, that is why you see a majority being hills, then sprints, and last a jumping/push up song.

1. All Night - Icona Pop | Warm Up
2. Neon Lights- Demi Lovato | Jumps and Push Ups
3. This Is What It Feels Like- Armin Van Buuren Feat Trevor Guthrie |  Hills
4. Legendary Lovers- Katy Perry | Hills
5. Adore You (Cedric Gervais Remix)- Miley Cyrus | Sprint
6. Bad Blood- Bastille | Hill
7. Stronger- Kelly Clarkson | Sprint

I have a set playlist for running most of the time, or I will just continue adding songs to my "Running" playlist- currently my music preference has changed, (I hope no one is offended by the name of this list) I have been listening a lot to my "White Boy Rappers & Kid Cudi " playlist. 

It consists of: Chiddy Bang, Mac Miller, Hoodie Allen, G-Eazy, Cam Meekins,Shwayze and well Kid Cudi. 

They have melodies, along with some pretty intesne lyrics, the laid back, chill style of the music has made it easy for me to run to. 

Thanks for reading, 

till next time.

-Tori