This is going to be GREAT!

Hey there, my peeps!

Exciting news! This is the week I run in two 5ks back to back. Well, run in one and walk really fast in the other, ha ha. The first is a last minute decision to do the Cinderella Royal Family 5k. My running group "Racing The Dream" peer pressured me into it. God bless the Collective! But, seriously, what better race to get talked into than one at DISNEY?

The second race will be with my 75 year old Daddy! We are going to walk this one (no time limit) and we are going to look like a rainbow afterwards. It is his first 5k. Hopefully it won't be his last. I am just excited to be doing something I love with a person I love and treasure.

Best February EVER!

So, look for my report with fun pictures coming to a computer screen/portable device near you! I will also be posting pictures on Instagram via Twitter as the races happen. See you soon!

How To Have A Blast At A Disney Race! or What I did right for the Inaugural Minnie 10K 2014

Funnest race EVER!

I think that this race (the Inaugural Minnie 10k at Walt Disney World) was the most fun I have ever had. I did a ton of stuff I have wanted to do but was either too shy to do or didn't plan ahead. What exactly was it that changed for me you ask? I decided to step out of my comfort zone and let myself invite people and new experiences into my bubble. The following are things I learned to do to make the most of my runDisney weekend. Note that this write-up will not be in chronological order. 

• If staying at a Disney Resort give yourself at least one full day and night to enjoy it!

Every race I have done at Disney I have stayed at a resort for the transportation...and I love Disney. But I either didn't have time or I was too tired and sore to take advantage of what the property has to offer. THIS time I planned ahead and had two nights and a full day after the race to play at the resort and the parks. How did I take advantage of the resort this time?

Art of Animation and POP Century Resorts.
Mary Poppins courtesy of POP.

The day of the race (Friday) was a very long day. In the morning I ran, during the day I went to Magic Kingdom, and in the evening I attended a dinner with the greatest running group ever! When I got back to the hotel I really had nothing to do and I was sore. I had sent my parents off for a date night and I had the room to myself for awhile. But I was hungry for french fries, tie dye cheesecake, and a good outdoor movie. I know I had just eaten dinner but I had mostly talked and forgotten to eat as much as I should have.

Pop Century and AoA are connected by a bridge over a lake. So, if you have a hankerin' for comfort food (AoA mainly has fancy healthy food) or a different movie other than the one showing at your resort you only need to walk over that bridge. That is what I decided to do. AND to my surprise they were playing one of my all time favorite movies on an outdoor screen...Mary Poppins. Of course I plopped down in a pool chair and watched and sang along with my fellow Poppins peeps. Yes, we all sang "Let"s Go Fly A Kite" together. Hey, it's Disney! Anything goes! After the movie I bought my food and headed back to my hotel room with my treasures tucked under my arm.

The next day, I was able to convince a couple of my family members to go swimming with me. This was a first and I was excited...stiff and sore but excited! The main pool at AoA (Art of Animation) has music playing in the pool. As in you hear a song being played above the water but beneath the water is a completely different song! It was really neat! We also loved the fact that it was a zero entry pool. Instead of stairs or a ladder you just walked right in like you would if you were walking into the ocean at the beach. After having fun there we walked back to our Little Mermaid area swimming pool (much smaller and quieter) and played until it was too cold and our lips were blue. Now I no longer need to convince them to come swim with me! So, again, I highly recommend giving yourself time to enjoy the hotel. TIP! Swimming loosened my muscles up and the stiffness went away. I highly recommend taking a dip for recovery after a race.

• Take advantage of whatever free stuff they have at the expo if it will help your race!

The EXPO! This is where you pick up
your shirt and spend all of your money
on rD souveniers. Oh! And you can get
some free stuff too!

The week before the race I was getting wicked shin splints! I was a little worried but did a little online research and discovered that taping them might help. A plan was set in motion. If KT Tape was at the expo I was going to take advantage of their FREE service and get professionally taped. So, I picked up my bib in one building and headed on over to the EXPO building. 

SIDE NOTE: We tried to get the new runDisney/ New Balance shoes but greedy little eBay people had bought up the supply on DAY ONE. Please do not support these non-runners/racers who openly mock us about running these races and then double the prices on merchandise that is only sold at the EXPO. Thank you!

At the expo they had free GU sampling so if you have never tried it you can discover if it is the stuff for you. They also had fun CIGNA pre-race photos you could take. But my mind was focused on the KT tape booth. Having one spot taped on your body is free but I have two legs. I bought some tape and had them fix me up. I am happy to report that race day I did NOT experience any shin splint action. TIP! Sample and try everything that is free at the EXPO. You never know what you may discover.

• Step out of your comfort zone. Let people pace you. Attend a running club meet-up.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

I am mostly a lone runner. Not because I don't like people (I do) or because I am shy (I am). It is because I am slow and still learning and this makes me self conscious. I feel like my lack of speed makes speedy runners annoyed even when they offer to pace me. So, I end up feeling bad for my wonderful helpful friends and can't enjoy the race. Therefore I train alone most of the time and I race alone most of the time. Well, this time I decided to let some great people, who truly understood how I felt, pace me. They knew I was coming back from an injury and that they could ditch me at any time if they saw the balloon ladies anywhere near us.

It was the most fun I have ever had running in any race...ever. They had me laughing. They told me when to run and when to walk. They analyzed my gait. One will forever be nicknamed "Fastpass" because she would run ahead, get into a character line, we would catch up, take a group picture, and then take off again. The other one (who will forever have the nickname "Coach Jenny") always encouraged me and understood when I needed to slow down. With their help I even had enough time to use a restroom! It was awesome. TIP! Get over it and let others help you if they fully understand what they are signing up for.

JAZZ HANDS!!
Racing The Dream 

If you are a member of an online running group and they have a meetup go for it. I am shy and although I could have done some in the past I just didn't. This time I sent my family off to their own adventure and had one for myself. Man, I love these people! It was so much fun! It is pretty cool to meet a group of strangers for dinner and finish dinner as a group of friends. TIP! Make your Facebook running friends into real life friends. You'll never regret it. Unless they end up stalking you but that only happens in Lifetime movies, right?

• Volunteers are awesome. Thank the volunteers at a race and have fun with them.

THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS!

Volunteers are and can be fun people. After all, that is why they are there! They love Disney just like you and me. The lady you see at the t-shirt pickup "ooooo-ed" and "aaaawwww-ed" with me over the design of the race shirt. She is the blond one sitting behind the table. The balloon ladies were once again at this race. I thanked them because they were really encouraging us broken down runners at the back of the pack at ToT. Last but not least, the ginger headed woman was willing to take her time putting the medal over my neck so we could get a good shot of "the moment of triumph"! TIP! Let the volunteers join in the fun with you and be as goofy as you are. Then thank them.

• Last but not least, schedule time to celebrate at the parks! And remember to love and thank your biggest fans.

"Minerva" (my 10k medal) and my family
celebrating the race!

I love my family and can't think of a better way to celebrate the finish of another race than to spend time with them at the parks. Look at how cute they are waiting for me at the finish line! We had to go spend time at the Magic Kingdom after the race!

So, wearing my medal, I headed on over to the most magical place in Florida. Now, this race was all about doing new things. So, I had my hair cut at the Harmony Barber Shop. Yes, they cut adult women's hair. TIP! If you would like to donate hair to Locks of Love they will put it in a bag for you. You just have to send it to the organization yourself.

After that we had ice cream and went back to the hotel to rest up for the night's activities (my meetup and their date night). The next evening (Saturday) we headed back over to Magic Kingdom. Do you know how crowded it is the evening before an early morning marathon? Not...at...all. Everyone goes to bed early. So, you practically walk onto the rides. AND for the first time we closed down the park. We even had a quasi private parade. It was so empty that when the Fairy Godmother passed by us she was able to see my medal, ask me if I had run, and then congratulate me on my accomplishment! I felt special. TIP! Early morning races make for early bed times. Hit the parks at night if you don't have a race the next morning. No one is there. The place is all yours! *insert evil laugh*

So, that is how I had the best race weekend ever! Heed my advice and tips and you too can fully enjoy what a Disney race has to offer. If you have your own tips please feel free to share in the comment section below. 

As always...Keep Moving Forward!

Cristina

Journey With Me To The Walt Disney World Inaugural Minnie 10K!

Hello everyone!

We are just days away from Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend where I will be running the Innaugural Minnie 10k! If you would like to cyber-journey with me and see all the fun things that happen at a Disney race make sure to follow me on Twitter (@LookAtMeRunning). I will be posting pictures and highlights throughout my three days there.

Wish me luck and Keep Moving Forward!
Cristina 

Just got real!



Things Can Only Get Better!

So true!

I had so many goals for the year 2013. None of which I was able to accomplish "as is". Unforeseen injuries will do that to a person. So what do you do when goals can not be completed because of circumstances beyond your control? You let those goals evolve into something new. And so my goals evolved into simply completing the races I had signed up for. But even that had to change to finishing the races that I ran in and not quitting. I can honestly say I did my best and finished those races I ran in. Does this make for a successful year or a year of failure?

I believe it was a year of success. Why? Because I learned some lessons that in the end will make me a better person and eventually a better runner. And just what lessons did you learn, Cristina? Well, I am glad you asked.

DISCLAIMER: Please be advised that what I tell you now is my own experience and should be taken as such. If you are injured by all means see a doctor!

Lesson #1 Get a second opinion!
At one point in our lives we will put in the training and then get injured. We will be told to either a) Hang up your running shoes forever (see another doctor) or b) Heal up and then start to slowly get back out there.

When I first got injured after the Walt Disney World Half Marathon my podiatrist told me to just quit running and then he slapped a boot on my foot. I quickly figured out that this man was not a runner and just didn't understand. But I did take his advice, I transferred my bib for a foam race to my niece, and then sought out some knowledge from the internet. I slowly got better. But I wasn't healed when I did the Expedition Everest Challenge in May and I paid for it with pain. Would I run again? I had to get some answers and some help! 

This time it was in the form of a sports medicine/chiropractor. It did help... a ton. He assured me that I didn't need to give up running and that we could get me back out there on the trail. Then he electrocuted me, used medieval torture devices, and basically helped me to begin to heal. Note: I have a high pain threshold so it isn't his fault that we didn't know I wasn't ready for the Tower of Terror Ten Miler. But I felt great! I didn't feel 100% but not many people do before a race, right? Someone is always battling some injury. I felt way better (although I had a little bit of pain still) and I thought if I toughed it out I could finish but I wouldn't be setting a new PR. Little did I know I would be setting a new PR in my pain threshold! Which leads to...

Lesson #2 Never give up...but be smart about it!
If you clicked on the Tower of Terror Ten Miler link then you know what happened. I pushed and did not quit the race! But the next month I was getting more treatments , not running, yet healing. I did make the decision to transfer my Thanksgiving day Run 4 the Pies Race bib to my niece again. You have to be smart about your injuries and like Kenny Rogers says in "The Gambler"..."know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em, know when to walk away, and know when to run.". During the race I knew I wasn't injuring myself any further and that I could push and so I did. However, I didn't want to go into a race knowing I may have to quit halfway in because I was permanently damaging myself.That is why I transferred my bib. I knew I had to heal and so I am. I had to re-evaluate what the causes could be and what to do to prevent that pain again. So, in my opinion, it is better to not start a race because you are being smart about what you know you are ready for rather than dropping out mid-race because you were an idiot and disregarded all of the warning signs that you shouldn't have run that race in the first place. Healing time is our friend. Which leads me to...

First run with no foot pain!
3 miles, baby!

Lesson #3 Time is both a friend and an enemy in a runner's life!
Why is time an enemy in a runner's life? Because it can both try your patience (when healing) and your nerves (when the balloon ladies are breathing down your neck). Right now I think time has been my friend. I have taken the time to do some physical therapy. It has helped me heal so much. I think at this point I am at 85% ready for my 10k in two weeks. My foot feels good...very good (knock on wood) but my lungs are bad...very bad. I have lost my endurance. But I kind of don't care about that. I know I will get it back. I am just jazzed about my feet. On Saturday I ran/walked 3 miles with no foot pain and no numbness. This is the first time that has happened in almost a year! If the only thing that bothers me during the 10k is lack of endurance and lung power then I am okay with that. I would rather have a tough race than a painful one.

So, in my opinion I have had a successful year of lessons learned. Yes, my original goals went down the proverbial crapper. Who cares about the original goals when the trials you endured give you new insight into yourself? I have a whole new year to make entirely new goals and have those goals evolve into something else. The point is I HAVE GOALS and I intend to always strive to accomplish them. Therefore, I will always be successful because I will never give up trying to become a better me. So was my year a failure or a success? I have indeed had a very successful year. Here's to the new one!

Tower of Terror Ten Miler 2013 "Going the Distance"

My latest ”Learning Moment” started with pain and a blessing. As many of you know I was training for a ten mile race at Disney Hollywood Studios. Three weeks before the big race my right foot hurt so bad that I knew I had developed Achilles tendonitis if not plantar fasciitis. Well, now I had a matching set! That is what I already had in my left foot (although I had gotten it under control after six months). I couldn’t walk on my right foot and began to think my race was done. So, I asked for a blessing.

I was promised that if I followed my doctors instructions that I would be able to finish the race. Great! Problem, I wasn’t seeing a doctor. So, I went to a chiropractor. He went to work on both feet. I got better but I wasn’t whole. I knew it was going to be a tough race. But I thought to myself if I have enough faith, follow the chiro’s instructions, and run carefully I might not get swept. Three weeks later I was off to the races.

The Hollywood Studios Tower of Terror Ten Miler race night was here! I got into my corral, walked the 1 mile stretch to the start line, and with an explosion of fireworks and techno music I was off! I felt good. I could do this! Pain. Pain. PAIN! Crud. My LEFT foot was saying “Howdy, I hate you.” Okay, more walking than I anticipated was about to happen. Mile 1 ½ and I was running with the sweeper balloon ladies. Those are the gals that tie balloons to themselves and set the concrete 16 minute mile pace you have to abide by. Mind you, they are the LAST to leave the start line. So you can imagine my panic.

Mile 2 and my entire left leg went numb with sharp needle pain. Towards mile three the balloon ladies were shouting “Stay with us, be in front of us, or you will be swept. This is a hard cut off!” I was behind them. The thought began to enter into my head “It would be okay to quit now. Everyone knows you are running injured.” But then I began to think about the blessing I had received. I was promised I would be able to finish this race. Not that it wouldn’t be difficult. I had followed the orders from my doc. Then my hand touched the Faith Bound Journey iron on logo I had placed on my sleeve. I thought of you guys. I knew that I had been in some prayers and thoughts. I then thought about the lesson I taught to my youth that there were blessings when you followed the commandments and had faith. My next thought echoed President Uchtdorf’s words (which I read later)…

“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters—my dear friends—please, first doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith. We must never allow doubt to hold us prisoner and keep us from the divine love, peace, and gifts that come through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.”

I dug down deep and pushed ahead of the balloon ladies to beat the hard 3 mile cut off. With my numb yet painful leg I pressed on while they passed me yet again. Mile 4 feelings came back to my leg which brought a burn in my heel. Up and over an overpass. I used gravity to once again push me past the balloon ladies. As I neared mile 5, and the medical tent, the same negative thoughts came to my head “No disgrace to quit. You made it half way. You could sit back with ice and a rootbeer and cheer for your family as they cross the finish line. No big deal!” But then the thought of faith and you guys, and never quitting came back to me. I touched the logo and pushed myself through the dark dirt road, past the balloon ladies again, and got a good lead.

Then Heavenly Father sent me a gift. Someone else to encourage so I could take my mind off of my own pain and worry. I never got her name but we fearfully ran from the B.L.s (balloon ladies) together for the next two miles. Have you ever watched Friday the 13th? You know how Jason only walks while the victims run for their lives? Yet somehow he always catches up and kills them? Yeah, that was the B.Ls without homicide. They were soon past me again while I struggled to keep up. Then they shouted something glorious “Mile 8 is another hard cut off. But we think if you make it past that and into the park you WILL NOT GET SWEPT!” Okay, I can do this. And yet at mile 7 ½ they were 50 feet ahead of me and pulling away.

I sprinted. I could not get swept now. Not after all I had been through. Not after the promise I was given. I actually asked myself if I wanted to give up or finish. I wanted to finish! I started running. I was passing people. I was 50 feet behind the B.L.s but I was running. See ya mile 8! I could see the park up ahead. Bikes were all around me (they are the official sweepers who will stop you) but I ignored them and went faster while gritting my teeth. Pain in both feet! Suddenly I entered Hollywood Studios and my mp3 player kicked up the song “I Can Go The Distance”. It was mile 9! I had made it! I would not get swept! I was grinning from ear to ear and fighting back the tears.

My little friend came up behind me and said “Remember me?”. We congratulated each other and walked the last ¾ mile together. The last ¼ mile I really couldn’t run. I pushed, grinning like an idiot, until I saw the finish line. I began a slow trot, looked for my family in the stands, saw them, fought back more tears, said a prayer of gratitude, crossed the line, and gave Goofy a huge hug. I DID IT! WE did it! My Father had kept His promise and had helped me along the way. You guys helped me along the way. My family helped me along the way.

It wasn’t until the next day when I saw the prophet’s words from conference…
“The difficulties which come to us present us with the real test of our ability to endure. A fundamental question remains to be answered by each of us: Shall I falter, or shall I finish?”

I chose to have faith in His promises and finish my race. I know with Him ALL things are possible. So, don’t give up my friends though the trials of life befall you. You can go the distance.

I'm Back and Ready For More Races! PART 1

Hi there! I can't believe it has been three months since my last post. It has been an adventure for me, folks! I have learned a ton about recovering from injuries and doing everything it takes to learn how to heal properly. I should have gone to another podiatrist but quite frankly I didn't have the money. Instead, I prayed a ton and searched the internet, and asked the advice of fellow injured runners. But I am pretty sure you do not want to hear that part of my adventures. So, we will start with the beginning of my adventure with The Expedition Everest Challenge at Animal Kingdom in Orlando, Florida  back in May.

My teammate and fellow Princess Leah plus
my great friend and her daughter. I am
the one hanging onto the back of the plane.

This was my most challenging race I have ever competed in. Not because I didn't have my head in the race but because I had no feeling in my entire left leg for a good portion of the race! Everything started out fine. In fact, it was a really cool beginning. That day was the unofficial Star Wars Day at Hollywood Studios. Way off in the distance we could see the fireworks for it as we stood in our corrals waiting for the anthem to be played. Then, as the trumpeter played, I started quietly singing the anthem to myself. I am sure I wasn't the only one because soon the people around me joined in and then everyone was singing. I have no idea how the trumpeter felt but it was an awesome moment for all of us. And then we were off.

God bless my sweet friend who was running with me. She had no idea what was happening towards the 1 1/2 mile mark in the race. I think she maybe thought I was tired. On the contrary! I was running great (for me) and was happy. But then my toes began to go numb. By the time we hit the hay bales my entire foot went numb. By the time we hit the entrance to Animal Kingdom my ENTIRE leg was numb...and a bit painful. I started walking and trying to stretch. I tried shaking my foot. I tried loosening my laces. I tried pushing through it and running. That part was painful. Have you ever tried running on a numb leg? Weirdest sensation because it hurts and it is numb at the same time. So, I finally started praying hard. "Please help me figure out what to do to relieve this, Father. Or take it away." Over and over again. 

Meanwhile, my poor teammate was encouraging me and telling me to run. I seriously just couldn't do it. By this time we were at the tire obstacle. Thank goodness there was a huge backup. First time I didn't mind a crowd in a race, ha-ha! I took that time to try to stretch again thinking perhaps it would un-pinch whatever pinched nerve was pinched (try saying that five times fast!). What did I feel? Nothing. Then it was my turn to go through. High knees! High knees! Suddenly, I felt the numbness begin to drain away. Like a cartoon it drained from the top of my leg and out of my toes. Sweet, sweet relief! That's when the thank you prayer began!

A hard earned medal!

From that point on I was able to kind of run. The earlier pain had exhausted me and the numbness kept trying to come back. Whenever I felt it starting again I started doing high knees. I know I looked like an idiot, but hey, it worked! The scavenger part was a little better. Overall the race was fun but disappointing at the same time. I was thankful that my prayer was heard, that the scavenger portion was fun, and that I got to stay and ride some rides until I was too frozen to continue. It was a really nice night temperature wise but the water from the rapids ride was like ice! We left to go back to the hotel shortly after.

And that is when my quest to figure out numbness avoidance began...

TO BE CONTINUED

Shoes, shoes, everywhere there's shoes...

Ow....then numbness. My left foot suddenly went completely numb on Saturday's night run. Completely and totally freaked me out. I had never experienced this before! I ended up shaking my foot, then stretching my calf, and then shaking my foot again. About ten minutes later I finally regained feeling. By now all I could think about was had I re-injured it? I actually had a great run and only felt a mild twinge or two until the numbness set in after 3 miles.

When I got home I took a hot shower, stretched using my Foot Rocker, foam rolled my completely charlie horsing like crazy calf, iced that puppy, downed an Ibuprofen, and then put on my night splint. I of course then checked the internet to see what could have caused it. Number one reason was pinched nerve due to bad shoes. Then I began to think about it. I bought my Brooks Ghost 5s in November. Developed plantar fasciitis by January. And now that I started to run again my foot goes numb. I never had this problem in my Brooks Glycerin 9s. The Ghost 5s also felt a little tight in the toe box area. I knew I needed some expert advice and of course went straight to my running groups on Facebook.

ADVICE PLEASE! 

I absolutely LOVED my Brooks Glycerin 9 shoes. But I knew they were ready to be park shoes when my knees began to hurt. So I purchased a pair of Ghost 5 and liked the weight. Didn't have knee pain. Trained in them for my half and the balls of my feet would hurt. I thought it just may be because of my weight. Ran the half in them. After the half I was sidelined for awhile with PF. Now I am running again. For the first time ever I went numb in my injured foot last night. Scariest thing when you have no idea what and why it was doing that. Looked it up. More than likely shoe related.

I looked up the new Glycerin 10 and can't see a visible difference between it and the Ghost 5.

Long story short, I may be shoe shopping tomorrow and perhaps selling some Ghost 5s, haha! Does anyone know of a brand that makes a shoe comparable or better than the Brooks Glycerin 9? Thanks!

Between my friends, Team 262, RacingTheDream@runDisney, For The Love Of Disney Running, and Team VICTORIOUS it looked like it really was my shoes. Other people had experienced the exact same symptoms. But just because that happens to you doesn't mean the shoe is bad. I think it just means that shoe is not for you. People were also very helpful with shoe suggestions and lacing suggestions. So many shoe suggestions! Which to choose? Today I tried on all of the brands they suggested and ran around the store to see which was best for me. I did do a little research first. One person suggested trying Mizuno's shoe finder. Brilliant! It was a great starting point. Check it out.

Mizuno vs Brooks

I strolled into Fit2Run wearing my work boots. I figured the best time to go was right after work when my feet were slightly swollen. Grabbed a pair of Feetures socks and a store clerk. I asked him for the Brooks Glycerin 10 and Mizuno Wave Creation 14. First, I tried on the Glycerin 10s. Felt like coming home. Very soft on my injured foot and felt good. Then I tried on the Mizuno (the version the fit site suggested I try). He did warn me it would feel stiff and it did. Felt like I was running on pavement with flip flops though. Not a bad feeling but not a comforting one either. 

Asics Nimbus 15 vs Brooks Glycerin 10

Then I tried on some Asics Nimbus 15. These were so soft. Like running on fluffy clouds! I thought I had found my new shoe...until my heel started to hurt. CRUD! They were pretty too. Sigh. Back to the bench I walked. I then asked him what other shoes he had that were comparable to the Glycerins. Down came the New Balance 1080V3 and the Saucony Women's Ride 5.

 The Saucony felt pretty good but my heal slipped up and down a ton. The shoe guy showed me how to fix that by lacing them differently. Really neat technique. So off I ran! Shins! Shins! Oh my gosh! My shins were on fire! That would be a no to the really pretty Saucony shoes. Sigh.I came walking back and he asked if I liked them. I told him my feet did but my shins did not. He replied that these were definitely not the shoe for me. So we opened the New Balance 1080V3 shoe.

New Balance vs Brooks

Oooooooooooooo. Fun shoe! Really light! Good grip on the track and was soft on my feet. But I wasn't really sure. So I tried the Brooks on again. All of the aches I now had from the other shoes started to quickly fade away. Back to the bench to try on the NB and Brooks at the same time. The NBs were lower and didn't feel as cushioned as the Brooks. But they didn't feel bad. So I went with my gut feeling and chose the Brooks. Deciding factor? The pain quickly began to fade with the Brooks but did not lessen with the New Balance.

My other deciding factor was that if I didn't like the shoes I could return them within 30 days and get a different pair of shoes no questions asked. So if these puppies fail me on the road I will try the New Balance. If those fail I will try a different style. I WILL find my shoes. Thanks again for all of your help my friends.

See you on the road or at the race!
Cristina