Got some new kicks

Saucony-on-box

I was late on the receiving end of these bright kicks (Virratas by Saucony). I got them in the mail three weeks ago and they’re pretty wild and fun, I gotta say! First off, let me tell you that Saucony sent these Virattas to me, so I could review them as part of a FitFluential Campaign. As always, my reviews are honest and to the point. Let’s get to it shall we?

So now that that’s out of the way I thought it was due for a review of them. How’dya like’m on me?Me-wearing-Saucony

I was hesitant on parting with my beloved Nike Free’s for a few weeks while I tried out this minimalist shoe, but I was eager to try them out since they’re a 0mm heel drop, and I haven’t had much experience with barefoot type of shoes before. They’ve definitely caught my eye since more and more people seem to be wearing minimalist running shoes.

The barefoot running shoe like the Virrata is a natural and versatile way to run. But be careful… Saucony-Virrata-sole

If you’re not used to minimal shoes (and my Nike’s are pretty minimal but not quite as much as the Virratas) you may experience calf pain, or shin splints — especially if you’re a heel striker. Zero drop shoes encourages a midfoot strike, which luckily I already have and didn’t realize until I got a running coach. Hooray midfoot strikers!saucony

The fit of the Virrata is on the narrow side, but I don’t have a super wide/super narrow foot by any means so the overall feeling of the sneakers suit my 8.5 foot a bit narrower than I’m used to, but not uncomfortable.

My Boyfriend runs in the Kinvara’s (red one’s on bottom) that he just bought while down in the states training for his upcoming Ironman Triathlons this year. They’re a very similar shoe to the Virratas. Pretty colorful collection we’ve got going on, eh?sneakersWe’re a shoe-lovin’ fit fam. :)

I’m not a regular runner, I admit. But whenever the feeling strikes (ha!), I like to do my regular 6km run to test them out.Lace-up-SauconyI’ve worn them both outside running and to a number of CrossFit WODs. In fact, when I wore my Nike’s one day and switched immediately over to the Saucony’s, that’s when I noticed the most difference. The Saucony’s were incredibly lighter and airy feeling on my feet. Get this — I felt like I had cushiony socks on, minus the lacing up bit. But it felt pretty great.

Virrata features:

  • 0mm heel drop
  • Seamless fit which limits friction
  • Keeps your feet moving in a natural foot strike

Stretching

What I liked about the Saucony Virratas:

  • The weightless feeling on my feet
  • Didn’t receive any foot fatigue
  • Love the flexible platform
  • Ample cushioning on my feet
  • They run true to size

What I didn’t like:

  • The color scheme which is easily changed from swapping out the laces.

So far, they receive two thumbs up from me!Thanks Saucony, and FitFluential!Happy-Runner

What kind of miles do you put on your sneakers? 

Have you ever worn a minimalist shoe?

Continue Reading

CrossFit Journal Year 2 Week 6

This was my first week at CrossFit after going Paleo (for thirty days). Have you seen what I’ve been eating the past week, in yesterdays post?

Have I noticed a difference in my abilities? Well, no not quite yet but I think it’s too early to judge any of that at the moment.

The short:

Monday — CrossFit
Tuesday —  Climbing
Wednesday — CrossFit
Thursday —  Climbing
Friday — rest (I planned on going to XFit but the power was out there!)
Saturday — rest
Sunday — rest

The long:

______________________________________________


year 2, week 6, day one

SWOD:
3 x 10 Front Rack Lunges
What I completed: 55lbs – 60lbs – 65lbs
WOD: AMRAP 15
5 deadlifts
39 double unders
* 30 second rest
What I completed: I ended up doing Rx’ed!! I can’t believe I deadlifted 135lbs, that’s MORE than my body weight!! I also got double unders for the first time. It was Paleo Day 2, so that’s my reasoning behind it all. However I did manage to mangle my elbows in the process. I can’t get all fifty double unders in at once, so I trip over the skipping rope and this is what happens (they’re still bruised): double under wounds

______________________________________________

year 2, week 6, day two

Climbin’ with the ladies for 1.5 hoursdaines jinga75 and me

______________________________________________

year 2, week 6, day three

5 Rounds
3 Hang Power Snatch
6 Hang Power Clean
6 Alternating Split Jerk
What I completed: I used 55lbs for the entire WOD and completed it in 12:55

______________________________________________

year 2, week 6, day four

Climbing for 1.5 hours!


______________________________________________

 

Continue Reading

Paleo week 1: complete

Paleo week one started last Sunday, so I’m going to be doing weekly re-caps of what I ate throughout this 30 day challenge. Below is what I ate between Sunday April 7-Saturday April 13.

How I’m feeling: The first day was pretty easy since I woke up late and just kept eating all day long, and prepping for the week ahead. The second day I had a small annoying eyeball headache all day, and it wasn’t enough to take a pill, but it was just there and noticiable. I also had a bit of a craving this day. That night I had a “nightmare” that I cheated on paleo and had a cadbury creme egg while I was DRIVING TO CROSSFIT… In my dream I was thinking “Oh NO, I have to record this in my book that I cheated on just the second day and this dumb egg doesn’t even taste that good“. So that’s that.

The rest of the week I’ve felt pretty mellow, yet alert and no cravings. Which I’m thankful for. Overall I feel pretty good. I don’t get full when I finish my meals, but I am more satisfied than heavy-feeling. Ie: no food babies after pasta. Hooray!

my paleo bookI’ve been recording everything I eat and drink (only water) in this book I made for myself, and including the times I’ve eaten. This will then be passed into my CrossFit coaches at the end of the 30 day Paleo Challenge  to evaluate. So far no changes in my body (that I can notice anyway). I don’t weigh myself because we don’t own one at home and I’m not about to whip out a measuring tape just yet.

I’ll be doing this re-cap weekly on my blog each Sunday. So let me know if you have any questions regarding it.

Paleo-Day-1

Sunday April 7
Breakfast: 2 ham veggie and egg “muffins”, 2 pieces of bacon, 1/2 avocado with tomatoes and 3 glasses of lime water.
Snack: Made a batch of kale chips, but pitched them in the garbage because they were too salty. Grabbed a tuna salad instead.
Lunch: Kale salad with chicken, cucumber, bell pepper, tomato, avocado and topped it with a homemade balsamic vinaigrette
Snack: berries
Supper: Chicken with roasted carrots, broccoli and asparagus
Water intake for the day: 96 ounces (six “beer glasses” full which is 16 oz each!)

_______________________________

paleo-day-2

Monday April 8
Breakfast: 2 ham veggie and egg “muffins”, 2 pieces of bacon
Snack: apple and almonds
Lunch: Leftover chicken with roasted carrots, broccoli and asparagus
Snack: tuna salad: tuna, pecans, yellow bell pepper, celery and carrots
Supper: stuffed peppers with ground beef and mushrooms, with a sweet potato
Water intake for the day: 72 ounces (nine 8oz of water)

_______________________________

paleo-day-3

Tuesday April 9
Breakfast: 1 ham veggie and egg “muffins”, 1 hard boiled egg, 2 pieces of bacon, with cucumber
Snack: mango & almonds
Lunch: stuffed peppers with ground beef and mushrooms, with a sweet potato
Snack: celery and almond butter
Supper: pork chop, cauliflower, broccoli & sweet potato
Snack: 8 pistachios
Water intake for the day: 56 ounces

_______________________________

paleo day 4

Wednesday April 10
Breakfast: 1 ham veggie and egg “muffins”, 1 hard boiled egg, blueberries, raw carrots, and cucumber
Snack: orange and almonds
Lunch: pork chop, cauliflower, broccoli & sweet potato
Snack: tuna + veg, then carrots dipped in almond butter (not the best idea I’ve ever had) lol
Supper: spaghetti squash with homemade tomato sauce/paste with ground beef & veg
Water intake for the day: 72 ounces

_______________________________

paleo day 5

Thursday April 11
Breakfast: 2 ham veggie and egg “muffins”, 4 pieces of bacon and cucumber
Snack: apple, almonds and water
Lunch: spaghetti squash with homemade tomato sauce/paste with ground beef & veg
Snack: N/A
Supper: Kale/spinach salad with chicken, tomatoes, carrots, bell peppers, cucumber, cranberries, pecans & sunflower seeds with balsamic vinaigrette
Water intake for the day: 48 ounces

_______________________________

paleo day 6

Friday April 12
Breakfast: 1 ham veggie and egg “muffins”, 4 pieces of bacon, cucumber and blueberries
Snack: almonds, tomatoes, 1tbsp almond butter, carrots
Lunch: Kale/spinach salad with chicken, tomatoes, carrots, bell peppers, cucumber, cranberries, pecans & sunflower seeds with balsamic vinaigrette
Snack: N/A
Supper: salmon, asparagus, sweet potato
Water intake for the day: 64 ounces

_______________________________

paleo day 7

Saturday April 13
Breakfast: 2 hard boiled eggs, 2 pieces of bacon, cucumber

Snack: almonds
Lunch: honey crisp apple, and chicken spinach salad with mushrooms, tomatoes, cranberries, sunflower seeds, bell pepper.
Snack: N/A
Supper: lemon pepper chicken stir fry (made with garlic, coconut oil, vinegar, tamari – a gluten-free soy sauce, and lemon pepper seasoning)
Water intake for the day: 40 ounces

Continue Reading