The amount of lactic acid felt illegal and what speed shoes I rate #1 for different types of runs.

(shirt, shoes, shorts, vest)

This first picture is an accurate representation of the end of yesterday’s workout.

If you ever want to be in a place where you have to tell yourself over and over again to help your panicking brain that you can’t actually die from legs that are beyond exhausted/screaming at you… try this workout or some variation of it.

I’m thankful for the restroom perfectly placed at the end of the w/u, where a heater blasts hot air down.

Workout prescribed:

3.5-mile WU, 3 miles @ 6:20-6:30, 5-minute rest, 2 x 800m @ 5:30-5:45 pace, 3-minute rest between, 5-minute rest, 3 miles @ 6:10-6:20

Here are my splits (recoveries were part standing/part jogging, and my watch was only going during the jogging):

The first three felt calm and controlled, and I got a little cocky about this easier-than-normal workout;). And then we did the 800s. The amount of lactic acid flowing through my legs in those final miles felt illegal. But I survived. And I’ll remember that I survived this workout during my next race.

That 1.1 anaerobic happened during the 800s.

Here are a few more thoughts from the workout:

*I used my brother’s tip from when I was in junior high to focus on pumping my arms when my legs want nothing more than to quit… pump your arms, and your legs are forced to follow.

*I’m finding on flat running that if I push my hips forward (sounds weird), my form improves, and so does my pace. It forces me to engage my glutes, which helps everything because my glutes love to shut down and let my legs do all of the work.

*I am thankful I had that crazy allergic reaction this last summer. It forced me to go to a doctor who tested me for asthma, along with what I am allergic to. The cold weather makes my asthma scary because I feel like my airways are going to close off completely, and my inhalers make it all so much better now.

I am doing a long run on Friday, and my legs were already so tired from the workout yesterday, so instead of weights, I did some bodyweight exercises and my PT work when I got home.

The star of the morning was Andrew going and grabbing Kneader’s french toast for us all. It was a rough night with nightmares for the girls. None of us slept, and I was so tired at one point I was sobbing. Not sleeping is actual torture.

After months of research on one human (me), I have concluded on speed shoes. I have tried speed shoes from Nike, Hoka, Saucony, Brooks, and Adidas.

My top 2 are the Vaporfly 3 and Adios Pro 3. But I have found they are both 1st place for very different runs.

Vaporfly 3 (I like the 3s better than the 2s) for flat-as-a-pancake running. They are perfect, but I don’t like them as much for uphill or downhill speed.

Adidas Adios Pro 3 for any runs/races, including uphill and downhill. They are also more comfortable and bouncy overall than the Vaporfly, and if I were one to suffer from foot injuries, I would always go for these.

I will be wearing the Vaporfly 3 for the Seville Marathon. It’s nice to have my shoe selection nailed down and not be using my starbursts to choose which shoe to wear;)

In the evening we joined my sis and her family for one of our favorite Christmas traditions in Salt Lake City.

They are growing up way too fast.

Hit the jackpot that my sister’s kids were all there.

Along with Hatch Family Chocolates because it’s our tradition.

Give me your ratings for the #1 speed shoe.

Does anyone else have asthma?  Does the cold air make it way worse for you too?

Strength training—> Do you always use weights or do bodyweight workouts too?

What’s something you are looking forward to today?