Shopping for Running Shoes: What's a PR Girl To Do?

I now know more about the hip flexor than I ever cared to know. I didn't even know I had a hip flexor until 6 weeks ago. Now, after three weeks of resting due to a pulled hip flexor muscle, I have officially started my marathon training. And that means shopping for new running shoes!

Like any preppy girl, I can take on a retail shopping experience with ease. But when running shoes are on the shopping list, I have very little clue as to what I am doing or what I want - besides the requirement that my shoes look cute. A couple of months ago, I would have merely relied on Marathon Man to take me to Blue Mile and pick out the perfect marathon-training, forefoot-striking shoe for me. Alas, now I am left to search on my own and muddle through words like supination, pronation and stability.

My current New Balance shoes are a bit semi-minimalist, so I thought I would try to find a shoe with a bit more cushion in the front, since I am going to be doing a lot more mileage. My thinking is that this may lessen the stress on my hip muscles. So, after hours of online searching and a trip to DSW to try on some candidates, I selected the Saucony Guide 5 from RunOutlet for about $55 (full retail: $110).

Saucony Guide 5

Thoughts so far: 
First and foremost, Saucony is the antithesis of "Cute". I understand that they make good running shoes, but why, oh, why, can't they be nice to look at as well? I found cuter Saucony men's shoes than women's shoes. So unfortunate. But, I decided to sacrifice looks for functionality. This neon yellow shoes was the best I could do.

Over four runs and 11 miles, and I'm not yet in love. In fact, after run1 and run2, I thought I might have to go back to my NB's. Afterwards, my heel bone hurt (presumably from my walking cool downs since my heels don't touch the ground when running) and the balls of my feet burned from either all the friction or my thick SmartWool socks. I decided to stick it out, though. Run3 and run4 felt much better. The heel feels fine now, and I switched out my usually delightful SmartWools for some average compression sport socks.

No hip pain yet! Did the shoes make a difference for the hip? Probably not. Better stretching and icing probably have more to do with it. But I am curious enough to see if the Guide 5 will see me through a marathon.

So at your next spring marathon, look for a newbie, preppy girl laced up in some not-so-cute Saucony's. And if you feel up to it, give her a sign of encouragement. This PR Girl sure will need it.

I Dress Like Kate and I Didn't Even Know It

Bear with me. Yes, yes, I know it's not the exact dress and looks a bit different, but please, you must realize that this proves Kate and I do indeed share identical styles. Really, the only difference is that my entire yearly income equals her wardrobe allowance for a couple of months. No biggie. What's more, I did not even know that Kate had worn a dress similar to the one I now own. Does that not more than confirm that we are on the same fashion-wavelength?

The day before the Berlin Marathon, I was so excited to find a Zara near the hotel where we were staying around Wittenbergplatz Station. Sadly, Zara has yet to make it to the Fashion Mall in Indy. My experiences have been limited to 6th Avenue in New York. I bought the Straight Lace Dress in Navy (right) at the Zara in Berlin for around $60. By the way, is it so hard to find models who can stand straight with good posture?

  

   

Indy Dining Series: Adobo Grill

Sit-down Mexican restaurants usually bring to mind a strip-mall eatery with the words Mi, El, or La in its name that serves its drinks in over-sized plastic cups and its salsa from bulk-sized GFS containers. Every now and then, one of these restaurants will indeed seem to be more authentic than the rest, maybe even offering something made from scratch in the kitchen - that is highly doubtful, though.

For years, The PR Girl has been looking for a Mexican restaurant that is set apart from the suburban, strip-mall stereotype. A place that delivers authentic, fresh, modern cuisine with a cosmopolitan atmosphere. Where can such a place in downtown Indianapolis be found? 

If you say Acapulco Joe's, I will grant you grace for blindly following the erring trend of so many who have gone before you.

Mark this, for on March 1, 2012, The PR Girl's quest was fulfilled. She found what she was searching for at 110 W Washington Street. She found her answer at Adobo Grill.

1. Tableside Guacamole
There are some dishes that simply must be made fresh and eaten immediately. If not, flavor and quality are lost. Guacamole is one of those dishes. If you have ever been served a side of soupy guacamole with a greyish-brown tint to it, you understand what I mean. The PR Girl is obsessed with avocados and cilantro (after all, they are her favorite color), so of course, she adores when they are put together to make a delectable bowl of freshly-made guac.
If you order Adobo Grill's appetizer of guacamole, a server will bring a cart to your table with all of the fresh ingredients needed to make my favorite Mexican treat. This restaurant gets my patronage for that alone.

2. Pechuga Rellena de Huitlacoche

I only took two years of Spanish in high school, so naturally, I struggle with pronouncing items on the menu. Fortunately, I can say arroz con pollo, so I won't ever starve. I can't say the name of this dish, but it is what I usually order at Adobo. The sliced chicken breast is stuffed with mushrooms and cheese and covered in a poblano (mild chili pepper) sauce and pico de gallo. 

3. Live Mariachi band

Okay, so this is a little corny, but when you are out on the town and in a good mood, the mariachi band works. Be careful, though, if they come to your table and ask to play a song. Make sure you notice the Tips Please sign on the guitar before saying, "Sure. Why not." Marathon Man had to cough up a tip on our first date, because I thought it was all complimentary. I guess, Indy is more like New York than I thought. 

• Part of the building was at one time a bank. Down in the basement, there is a large vault, still with the giant, circular door hanging wide open. That's where Adobo stores its liquor. 
• Adobo has offered Groupons before. Keep your eye out!

Are you there, Abs? It's me, The PR Girl.

For the past two weeks, I have been hitting the gym like an Olympic hopeful. Now before you think this is merely to give me something to do for a couple of hours each night, I do have some motivation for this intense dedication. 

1) I have an audition in March.

My local community theatre is doing South Pacific, and I have always wanted to play the lead, Nellie. Well, that requires some skin being shown on stage to hundreds of people. Even though I would only be wearing a tasteful 1940's two-piece swimsuit, The PR Girl wouldn't want the audience to demand refunds at intermission.

2) I have a marathon in April. 

I need to look fit and trim for all of those photographers lining the course. My entire body will look haggard, blotchy, and probably worse than this guy. Hopefully, the cameras will focus on my soon-to-be rock-solid calves and quads.

3) I want to look good in a bikini by Memorial Day 2013. 

Now I know you're thinking, This vain, little PR Girl just wants to show off the hot body that she will have in six months' time. No, no, no, not so- well...it was a bit true back when Marathon Man was still around. In fact, I told him back in August that my goal was to look good in a bikini come Memorial Day. His face, of course, lit up like he had just won the Boston Marathon. My reason was two-fold: 1) so that my body would look healthy and 2) so that he could enjoy the view. So now, I will just stick with the former reason. I do want to look healthy and fit. But just because I may eventually feel good enough about myself to wear a bikini, does not mean that I would actually go out in public in one. Because the truth is, the only place I have worn a bikini is in my master suite. Growing up in a conservative family, one-pieces are all I have ever felt at ease wearing. In a bikini, I feel like I'm walking around in my underwear, and I don't know if I could ever wear one out in public. Even if I had gone through all the liposuction that there was to offer.

So come the end of May, if you are at your neighborhood pool and see a tall brunette in a black halter bikini covering her bare torso with her arms, you'll know that The PR Girl reached her goal. But she may be just a little embarrassed about it.


Here is my gym regimen that (with the help of Lars and bodybuilding.com) I put together. My upper body is in decent shape, so I'm really working on the areas that have been screaming for help for the past decade - Abs, Glutes, Quads, Hamstrings, Calves, and Lower Back.

Plank (4 sets at 1 min)

Crunches (4 sets of 30)

Oblique Crunches (4 sets of 30; each side)

Knee Raises on Parallel Bars (4 sets of 20)

Flutter Kicks (4 sets of 20)

Back Extensions (4 sets of 20 while holding a 10lb weight)

Bench Lunges (2 sets of 20)
My goal is 4 sets, but they burn so bad!

Leg Press (4 sets of 15)
Currently at 120lb weight

Calf Press (4 sets of 20)
Currently at 165 lb weight

My Running Wardrobe: When the Pearls and Polos come off

I love the warm weather. Summer is my favorite season. And that means putting together cute and bright outfits for running. Here are some of the things the PR Girl wears on those hot summer days.

 Old Navy Active GoDRY Tanks

Nike Tempo Track Shorts, 3.5"

SmartWool PhD Running Light Micro Socks

Be gone smelly feet! Summer or Winter, I am hooked on these. 

New Balance 750

Got them in August 2012 and have been happy. About time to start shoe shopping again.

And...CUE: December in Indiana. The weather hasn't been too cold yet - the coldest I've run in was about 30 degrees - but I have been able to put on my new cold weather gear a few times. I feel like a true runner in all my Climafit and UnderArmour glory as I run past the cows feeding on Hoosier farmland. Their stares seem to tell me they are envious.

REI Powerflyte Beanie

Complete with the essential ponytail opening

North Face Denali Thermal Mitt

No chance of frostbite, here. They keep my fingers so warm that my hands have started sweating and I've had to take them off.

Nike Dri-FIT Legend Training Shirt

A long, tight-fitting baselayer that keeps me sweat-free. 

Columbia Omni-Heat Baselayer Shirt

My favorite part of this shirt is the underside (see 2nd pic). I feel like I am a dressing for an 80's Techno party or preparing for Space Camp.

Fila Breathe Running Jacket

I wore this in the Berlin Marathon. I think it must scream, "Preppy Running Girl", because I get so many compliments when I wear it.

Columbia Baselayer Omni-Heat Tight

For the really cold days.

New Balance Fitness Pant 

So comfortable, I even sleep in them. My new favorite clothing item. 

Bikini by Memorial Day? Oh, yeah.

Anytime - Downtown Indy

About six months into dating, Marathon Man convinced me to put a gym membership into my monthly budget...that is, if I had a monthly budget. I prefer to call it a mental monetary guideline. Anyway, he got me signed up at his gym, Anytime Fitness, for an acceptable monthly rate. It's probably looked down upon to say the exact amount, but if you're like me, you would want to know. Let's just say it's between $24-26/month. And I can use any of its locations in the country 24/7. Sounds good, right? Well, now, I really had no excuse not to go to the gym. I had played right into Marathon Man's hands, who had since become my free personal trainer. My trainer's name was Lars, a la the film Heavyweights, so that I could compartmentalize between the boyfriend and the trainer. Who really wants her boyfriend measuring her thighs or recording her weekly weigh-ins? So when we were in workout-mode, Lars went into action. He showed me what I could do with things called dumb bells, leg presses, knee raises, and the worst word in the English language...squats. Even though, I was sometimes the only female in the strength and conditioning area of the gym, I was beginning to feel my way around and get comfortable with some of those initially intimidating machines.

Anytime - Downtown Indy

Now that Lars isn't with me in the gym, I am actually going to the gym every evening that I am free, which is most. I also put together a revised workout based on the exercises Lars taught me and some which I found online. My target areas are Abs, Glutes, Hammstrings, Quads, Lower Back, and Calves. After about 6 times, I noticed that I was starting to have a defined abdominal. I couldn't believe it. Bikini by Memorial Day, here I come!

Anytime - Downtown Indy

The Best of Indy Series: Monument Circle

My first memory of downtown Indianapolis was going to Market Square Arena to see a Disney on Ice production when I was three or four. Since then, I have been downtown hundreds and hundreds of times. I love this city. It's not perfect, but it's a great place to live, work, or visit. Here's why:

 

Monument Circle

• Roundabouts are all the rage now, but don't blow this one off. It was probably the first in Indiana.  
• Drive around the Circle. A couple of times if you want. And put your windows down while you're at it. Listen to the sounds of the Hoosier city-life.
• Walk around the Circle at night. Preferably while holding hands with your guy or girl. Trust me. You'll get all warm inside. It really is romantic.
• Visit during different times of the day and in every season.
• The Circle has a different look and feel during the working hours versus the evening hours. In the spring, on the first moderately warm day, watch as people rush out of offices to eat their lunches on the steps of the Monument, basking in the warm sunshine that has been absent most of winter. During the summer, see the sidwalks transform as Starbucks and the South Bend Chocolate Company create inviting patio spaces for customers. In the fall, look up at as the Colts Blue Horseshoe lights up the windows of the Indianapolis Power and Light Building. And at Christmastime, button up your knee-length wool overcoat and Burberry scarf and enjoy the Christmas lights streaming down the Monument.
• The PR Girl's Tips
• There are actually two driving lanes on the Circle, although they aren't marked. The right lane is for turning right onto the upcoming street. The left lane is for bypassing the sometimes backed-up right turn lane.
• There are 1-2 police cars always parked at the south end of the Circle if you need assistance.
• There is an entire sub-culture of motorcycle riders who park in front of the South Bend Chocolate Company on any given evening, especially if the weather is nice. They will hang out on the sidewalk there for the entire night.
• There is free parking on the Circle. If you're lucky enough to find any.

 

My 1st Marathon Training Schedule

I have a confession. This is not my first marathon.
But it will be the first that I plan to finish. I actually ran in the Berlin Marathon back in September, because Marathon Man's father had an unused bib (see Running Lingo page). I decided to run the first 5 kilometers of the race and then pull out - just to get a bit of the experience of running in such a major race. And plus I wanted to spend time with Marathon Man. The run was actually tolerable and maybe even the tiniest bit enjoyable. Did I just write "run" and "enjoyable" in the same sentence? The energy and enthusiasm of the crowds and music was quite contagious, and also I was only doing a 10:40/min pace, so I had no stress on my cardio and lungs.

So even though, this is not my first marathon, this is my first time training for a marathon. For the next 4 months, I hope I have the focus and dedication it takes for 26.2 miles. My training schedule is taken from http://www.halhigdon.com/. I think Marathon Man used this for me when I trained for the 10k we ran back in June 2012. Since this is my first marathon, I am doing the "Novice 1" schedule. No need to kill myself. We'll wait until the actual race for that.

Marathon Training Schedule: Novice 1

WEEK	MON	TUE	WED	THU	FRI	SAT	SUN
1	Rest	3 m run	3 m run	3 m run	Rest	6	Cross
2	Rest	3 m run	3 m run	3 m run	Rest	7	Cross
3	Rest	3 m run	4 m run	3 m run	Rest	5	Cross
4	Rest	3 m run	4 m run	3 m run	Rest	9	Cross
5	Rest	3 m run	5 m run	3 m run	Rest	10	Cross
6	Rest	3 m run	5 m run	3 m run	Rest	7	Cross
7	Rest	3 m run	6 m run	3 m run	Rest	12	Cross
8	Rest	3 m run	6 m run	3 m run	Rest	Rest	Half Marathon
9	Rest	3 m run	7 m run	4 m run	Rest	10	Cross
10	Rest	3 m run	7 m run	4 m run	Rest	15	Cross
11	Rest	4 m run	8 m run	4 m run	Rest	16	Cross
12	Rest	4 m run	8 m run	5 m run	Rest	12	Cross
13	Rest	4 m run	9 m run	5 m run	Rest	18	Cross
14	Rest	5 m run	9 m run	5 m run	Rest	14	Cross
15	Rest	5 m run	10 m run	5 m run	Rest	20	Cross
16	Rest	5 m run	8 m run	4 m run	Rest	12	Cross
17	Rest	4 m run	6 m run	3 m run	Rest	8	Cross
18	Rest	3 m run	4 m run	2 m run	Rest	Rest	Marathon

I'm actually supposed to start training today. Oops. I think I strained my hip flexor muscle (don't worry, I had to Google what it was too), and so I haven't been running for the past week. Not fun. Especially, since running means I get to eat more. So, I am going to the massage therapist tonight to see if she can tell if anything is horribly wrong. I have no pain right now in my hip, but I'm scared that once I start running, it will come back. I'm wondering if I will have to take a long time to heal. I hope not.

So if all goes well, tomorrow, I will give the 3 miles a shot and see how the hip feels afterward.

Marathon, here I come.

This morning I did something that I thought I would never do.

No, I did not run a marathon. No, I didn't go for a 4 a.m. run through snow covered trails (I probably just lost any running fanatics who may have been reading this). Actually, there was no running involved at all. However, it was something just as monumental and astonishing. 

The PR Girl registered for her very first marathon. 

Perhaps I must chalk up this morning's decision to the emotional devastation of the past month due to the departure of Marathon Man, but I think that there is more to it than that. Granted, suddenly, my evenings and weekends are free, and I am looking for activities to keep my mind diverted from missing such a good man and my best friend. So what do I do? Thankfully, I found the answer: it keeps me busy, helps me cope, and provides mental, physical, and emotional therapy. Yep, I put on my SmartWool socks and New Balance shoes and run on the quiet Indiana farm roads near my house. Or I drive to the gym and start working on my glutes or abs. I workout. I run. That's what we did together, and I'm still doing it. Is it now a habit? A sub-conscious way of irrationally seeking his approval? Maybe a little of both. I do know, though, that the results are starting to come in, and I like what I see. Wish he would've stuck around to see them.  "Sculpted" is a word that my abdominals are beginning to comprehend. They could really get used to enjoying that word. 

But back to the marathon. 

On April 7, 2013, The PR Girl will run 26.2 miles. And for some crazy reason, I am not dreading it. I'm actually looking forward to it. I must be crazy. 

Even through the sadness for what has been lost, I have much in which to thank Marathon Man. He gave me the best eight months of my life. He made me want to be closer to my Lord. He showed me that a cute, tall, preppy, six-pack guy who looks like a better version of Prince William could actually care about me. 
And I never thought I would say this...but, he made me want to run. This elite marathoner would be so happy to hear that. The sad thing is, I'll never get to tell him.