RRCA Certified Running Coach. I run. I eat. I travel. German Shepherd Dog mom. I work in the fitness industry and I blog. Follow me through my training plus fitness tips, spin playlists, race reports, motivation & more.
Disclaimer: I was
recently sent a pair of OOFOS OOriginal Sport Sandals to review as part of
being a BibRave Pro.Learn more about
becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador) and check out BibRave.com to review find
and write race reviews!
Many people say that running is such a simple sport—all you
need is a pair of good sneakers—but most runners know this isn’t the case.Running is so much more complex with all the
gear, technology, training plans, strength training, stretching, foam rolling,
nutrition, recovery techniques and so on…It’s all the little things that make us stronger, faster and stay injury
free that can’t be ignored.
So after you take off you $100+ sneakers that you purchased
at a specialty running store fitted and selected especially for you, why put on
a cheap pair of flimsy flip flops with absolutely no support?
Enter OOFOS.
OOFOS is a recovery footwear company.They make sandals and clogs with its unique OOfoam,
designed to absorb 37% more shock than other materials.
·Reduces stress on sore feet, knees and lower
back.
·Cradles your arches.
·Biomechanically designed footbed allows natural
motion.
·Soft, conforming toe post eliminates toe
chafing.
Before I got injured I was wearing my OOFOS everywhere!Around the house, after a run, walking the
dog, running errands, to the nail salon—literally, everywhere!
Unfortunately for me sandals are not ideal for an Achilles
strain but I have continued to wear them on a limited basic lounging around as
I “rest.”Just don’t tell my PT
coworkers…
Other bonuses:
·Unbelievably comfortable.When I first put them on I kind of questioned
why I walked around in my favorite 2 for $5 flip flops for all these years.
·The arch support is so nice!I have a high arch so I don’t always feel
like I’m getting much support in my arches.
·The soles are thick and cushiony yet super lightweight
and non-bulky.
·Do you get blisters the first time putting on
flip flops in the spring like I do?Well
not with these guys!Score!
·So apparently these are machine washable?!I haven’t tried yet but they are really easy
to clean off with a hose—I’ve had to do it multiple times after playing around
with Georgie in my backyard desert oasis.
Cons:
·The “Sport” version is in fact sporty!Duh.Although
not terrible, I kind of like the bright, solid colored OOriginals over the 3
color choices available in the OOriginal Sport (White Cloud, Graphite and
Marsala). Just personal preference.
·Now that I’ve been wearing these all around, I almost
would prefer the slide version of OOFOS.After a run, I often like to keep my compression socks on for a while
and you can’t do that with the sandals.No
big deal.I’ll just have to buy a pair!
·Sizing is based off whole sizes.If you are usually a half size they suggest
going up a size for women but down a size for men.I am usually a 7 or a 7.5 and I ended up
ordering a 7.It seems like the right
choice for me but based on where the arch is located on the shoe, it almost
feels like I need my toes to be a little longer!
Have you had a chance to #FEELTHEOO yet?
Join us on Twitter for the OOFOS sponsored #BibChat on
August 30th at 9pm EST!
So I don’t have much to report the
last two weeks in terms of running or any type of physical activity.As I sit on injured reserve, I’ve been
spending a lot of time resting, icing, taking ibuprofen and watching the Olympics.Speaking of the Olympics—OH EM GEE!Those American distance runners!And Usain Bolt!Aaaaaa-mazing.
Back to a not so fun topic: my
injury!Just this week the pain has
gotten to the level that I can actually perform a heel raise so I’m starting to
work on some strengthening.(Eccentrics
per @capecodrehab!)I’m still taping and
it feels much better with the added support.I’ve also been staying away from walking around barefoot and in flip
flops—which is a total bummer because I’m supposed to be testing out Oofos Oorignial Sport Sandals as a BibRave Pro.
I also had to miss this year’s
Falmouth Road Race and had major FOMO!The weather was SO
MUCH BETTER then last year and I had a ton of friends running as usual.I still picked
up my number on Thursday night with a tiny bit of hope that my Achilles would
be back to normal but an attempt to run a half mile on Saturday morning didn’t
go so well.I was running slow and it was not
my normal stride.I totally felt it.That half mile confirmed that I was still
injured.
On another note, karma has caught
up with me and I’m wondering what I did to deserve it.Remember how I won my free entry
at the Falmouth Jingle Jog?
But anyways, Saturday night was
the Falmouth Mile.It was always my
favorite event of road race weekend and now it’s like a big reunion with my
road race family.I had to laugh when I
saw Abdi for the first time over the weekend and he was like, “Wait, you’re not
working AND you’re not running?You’re
not even going to go watch?What ARE you
doing this year?”
“Absolutely nothing, Abdi.Absolutely nothing.”
I actually thought about heading
down to the start to hang out with my friends and walk the course but then I
remembered I already walked 7 miles in a race this year and I definitely didn’t
want to do that again!
Instead I hung out
with Georgie on the couch Sunday morning and watched the men’s Olympic marathon while constantly
scrolling through the Twitter feeds to get live updates from both Rio and
Falmouth.
I had plans on Sunday night to
catch up with some of the old road race staff.We decided to crash the post-race VIP party(Thanks for the official invite Donna!) before heading with the crew to Anejo. It’s always a blast to see everyone… and drink wine!
One thing we can all agree on is that injuries suck.In a sport like running they are bound to
happen even when we do all the little things right.
When an Elite gets injured…
They immediately seek medical attention.The faster they find out what wrong and begin
a treatment plan, the faster they return to the roads or the track.
When an amateur or “Average Joe” runner gets injured…
Stage 1: Denial
“Let’s just push
through and finish this run.”
Stage 2: Crazy
“I can’t even walk but maybe I will try to run…”
Stage 3: Realization
“Something’s not right. I guess should take a day off.”
Stage 4: Google
Next you turn to you’re good friend, Google.
Stage 5: Self-Pity
“Oh em gee I can’t run! Where's the ice cream?”
Stage 6: Defeat
You give
in and seek a medical professional.
Stage 7: Motivation
When you realize it’s not the end of the world and all you
need is a little kick in the butt to get on that foam roll and work on those PT
exercises… Let’s go!
So why are these scenarios so different?
For an Elite, running is their job.Sure, some have part or even full time jobs
and sponsors to support their career but racing is a big part of how they make
their money.Elites are very in tuned to
their bodies and know when something just isn’t right.They also know if they get injured and/or
start to under-perform, contracts may be at stake and the less opportunities to
get invited to races.
For the non-Elite, running may not be their source of income
but it’s a big part of who they are.One
thing I’ve learned through coaching is that runners are pretty hard core!Most runners have Type A personalities and always
want to run MORE miles and run FASTER every workout.When they are injured, they tend to ignore it
and push through, looking for every little tip or suggestion that might help
them out when they really should be calling their doctor.
So if it doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t!There is a big difference between pain and a
discomfort.When adding on mileage and
speed work, you are bound to feel a little soreness and discomfort due to the demands placed on your body. (What’s up,
DOMS?) On the other hand, you should always see a doctor if your pain lingers
more than a day or two and if it’s affecting other activities of daily
living.
Does your pain wake you up at
night?Are you limping or compensating
by changing your stride?Is there
swelling or other red flags like numbness or tingling sensations?
Recovering from an injury takes time and patience is a hard
trait to master.All the time spent
looking for quick solutions, an injured runner could have been resting and
receiving treatment.Instead they are
just prolonging the healing process.
So why do we, the non-Elites, feel it’s ok to self-diagnose
our injuries and continue to push to run even when we are hurt?
Disclaimer: I was
recently sent a pair or XX2i Australia1 Sunglasses to review as part of being a
BibRave Pro.Learn more about becoming a
BibRave Pro (ambassador) and check out BibRave.com to review find and write
race reviews!
Have you ever tried XX2i sunglasses?
The Australia1 my third pair of sunglasses by XX2i to review
as a BibRave Pro!The first pair was the USA1 and they
were my go to pair of running sunglasses until the Australia1 came around.While there are different qualities I like
about the USA1 and Australia1, I am pumped to have two pairs of sunglasses in
rotation that fit great and I love for running.
If you were wondering… The other pair of sunglasses I own
are the Bermuda1, which is part of XX2i’s casual line.You’ve probably seen them on me.I literally wear them for all non-running
outdoor activities.
A Cool Company with Great Products
I love XX2i’s description on their website of why they
exist:
“We support people
that make a difference every day. People who are committed to a healthy,
athletic lifestyle and being good citizens. People who appreciate quality,
innovation and no BS marketing. We are committed to producing the best possible
eyewear for outdoor enthusiasts and stand behind each product we product with
integrity and pride to insure your completely satisfied no matter what.”
What’s so special about the Australia1?
·Interchangeable temple arms and strap system for
intense activities.
·Removable padded insert for extra protection
against the elements.
·Lightweight and durable frames with a unique
wraparound style for enhanced peripheral vision.
·Polarized lenses with 8K optical technology.
So when do I wear my Australia1 sunglasses?
Running! Duh.
Other bonuses:
·Polarized lenses that are so clear and colors
are so vivid.
·My USA1 sunglasses are white and my Bermuda1
sunglasses are tortoise so I was excited to receive my Australia1 sunglasses in
matte black with polarized grey lenses!YEAH!Black sunglasses are
definitely more my style.Black not your
thing?They also make the Australia1 in
matte tortoise and matte white/black with both grey and brown lense options.
·They sit comfortably on my nose and I like that
there is no adjustable nosepiece like the USA1.I haven’t had any trouble with bouncing or sliding around while outside
running around in them.
·The Australia1 also has a little bigger frame
then the USA1. I love big frames and I cannot lie…
·It’s super easy to remove the temple arms and
add the accessories.
·All XX2i sunglasses come in a hard, protective
case.They also come with a soft case
that doubles as a cleaning cloth.
Cons:
·On numerous hot and humid runs, the lenses have
fogged up.The Australia1 does not have
a “venting system” like the USA1.
·I personally have no need for the straps and
extra padding.I’m sure they would be
great if I was out on a mountain bike or participated in any extreme sports!
·The frames don’t seem as sturdy as the USA1
which I think could be because you can take off the temple arms - BUT XX2i has
a lifetime frame and lense warranty if anything happens to them!
Check out the XX2i website.They offer lots of frame colors and options for lenses.Worried that they won’t fit you?XX2i gives you 265 days to return their
product.
Join us on Twitter for the XX2i sponsored #BibChat on August
16th at 9pm EST!
And don’t forget to use code XX2iRocks for 50% off your
order!
