Time to take it seriously + Novablast 2 Review!

(The seamless leggings I can’t get enough of, top, socks)

8.5 miles @ 8:56 pace to start my week.  It took all of the convincing on the planet to get myself out the door, and the trick that I was ‘only going to run for 10 minutes’ is what got me out.  Like usual, I was so happy I was out moving just a few minutes into the run.

When I run with my friends, I run in the low 8’s on my ‘easy’ days.  Some days that feels like an easyish pace but others, it does not.  I really want to start paying better attention to that again as I start adding more speed and truly run easy when I need to.  There are so many benefits (source for below image) to running easy.  When we let ourselves run easy when we need to, it just means we will run faster on the days (workouts/races) we want to run fast!  When I was my fastest in 2019, I took this so seriously and my easy days were slower than at any other time that I’ve been running (besides pregnancy).

When I was grabbing this ‘easy running’ image, it took me back to a post that had this picture.  Brookie used to sit there next to me and chat when I would run on my deck treadmill.  My neighbors all thought I was crazy, but I loved this little setup that I had so much.

Atozrunning posted this, and I had to share the progression… such amazing women.

I came home from my run, and Beck looked like a complete toddler to me!

Skye missed Brooke and Knox like crazy, but I think she also loved allllllll of the extra attention.

We went over to our neighbor’s hot chocolate stand and Beck just made himself right at home.

Skye waited by the window until…

Brookie was dropped off!  She had the best weekend just her and her dad.  I loved hearing all about it and it felt so good to be with her again.

Bruschetta Chicken for the win!

I made this ice cream layer cake and the kids loved it!

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Let’s chat about the Novablast 2!

These are the first pairs of Asics that I have worn in over a decade.  I went into my first run with them with a negative mindset that they would hurt my plantar (like every other pair besides Hokas have over the last few months) and that I would have to turn around to change my shoes.  I definitely didn’t have to change my shoes, and I had no idea I would love them as much as I do now.  They make my feet feel 100% healthy like the Cliftons, but they feel so much faster to me than the Clifton.  I could see myself racing a marathon or half-marathon in these.  I have done all of my interval workouts lately with them, when I need a bit of a bounce in my step and anytime I need to keep up with faster friends:)

There is an 8 mm drop from the heel to the forefront, which I think is what is golden for me to keep my plantar fasciitis away (because it puts less stress on my Achilles), along with the FF Blast Cushioning that makes each time my foot hits the road feel so cushioned.  The cushioning also doesn’t feel like you sink into the shoe with each step but instead provides a springy feel as your foot leaves the ground again.  They call it the ‘trampoline effect’ and I feel it!  They are a bit narrow compared to the Cliftons (comparing the two because they are the only other brand I am wearing right now), but I prefer that on the days I want to go faster or just need a little spring in my step.  The heel stabilizer in the Novablast 2 makes it so my stride feels more smooth and helps me to keep my foot lined up each time I hit the ground and push off.  I wear a size 10 in Brooks, Hokas, and Asics!  PS I would love to hear from anyone that has worn the first Novablast because they are on sale right now, and I would love to stock up on them if they are similar to the Novablast 2.

The only con that I can think of is that my toes get cold.  The mesh upper is perfect for average temperatures or hot days to keep your foot cool and dry, but they weren’t made to be running through the snow like I attempt some days.

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Any cons about the running shoes you wear a lot right now?

Do you wear the same size shoe in different brands of running shoes?

Tell me about how you have made it possible to run over the years… a certain setup (ie my treadmill on the deck), schedule change, running at weird times etc?

Give me your thoughts on easy runs… has it helped your overall speed to slow down on the easy days?  Is it hard for you to take it easy?