It has been a week since the Arizona marathon, so I bet you are wondering what is up next? Well, I’m not one to rest for too long before I’m running another marathon (perhaps to a fault), but I’m excited to announce this next race for a few reasons. The first is that I have been asked to be a part of the 2014 ASICS Marathon Blogger Challenge team. Sounds fancy, right? Basically, ASICS is helping me get ready for their LA Marathon on March 9 and helping me train to do my best. I’m part of a blogger team (more on that in a future post) and they are providing us with 12-week program, ASICS gear, and access to Coach Andrew Kastor (last name sound familiar?).
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Due to my running a marathon in the middle of my 12-week marathon training program, it had to be slightly altered, but I’m ready to go. One thing about having a goal and missing it, is that it fires you back up. The course will be a bit more challenging than the flat AZ course, but you know what I’m going to be chasing right? That’s right. I’m throwing it right back out there a week after missing my mark: I’m training for a sub-3:30.
18 out of 20
Do you know that I have run 18 out of my 20 marathons in the ASICS Kayano? Yep. It has been my marathon shoe since my very first 26.2. The two times I was not in an ASICS Kayano shoe were my last two marathons in 2013 (Las Vegas and CIM). For those two races, I didn’t have a pair ready to go. I can typically throw on a pair of Kayanos and run a marathon, but that isn’t always the best idea when they have not been road tested on a long run or two. For the SA2LV challenge, running in a new pair wouldn’t have been smart. For CIM, I just didn’t have a pair ready. But I was in the process of breaking in a new pair and rocked an all white pair of Kayano 19’s last weekend in AZ and am stoked to be able to try the latest version, 20. Thinking the blue would be proper for LA.
5 weeks until race day and 1 unfinished goal.
I’ll be posting more about how my training is going and sharing details on who else is on the team and what we’ll be doing that weekend, but trust me, the blogger line-up is loaded and I’m really looking forward to hanging out with some amazing runners and doing this race for the first time.
Do you change your shoes based on the distance?
Very cool! Asics are my favorite running shoes, too.
I used to run in Kayanos, but then one version fit me weird and I played around. Currently, I’m on my 8th pair of Asics GT2000. Just stocked up a bunch of clearance! I’ve tried other shoes, but always come back to Asics. They just fit my foot and I’m happy with how well they wear.
I have several pairs of shoes I alternate between depending on what kind of run I am doing. If I am going long, going faster, or if it is just a recovery run. It seems to work best that way and then I don’t end up switching my shoes out quite as often!
I start rotating in a new pair of shoes every ~250 miles. Have been running in Nike Pegasus pretty much all my runner’s life, but are actually looking to try the Mizuno Wave Rider 17 as my next shoe. The Asics that I tried at my local Sports Authority never felt right and I have not tried on a pair in a local runner store.
This is really amazing! Rob and I would love to be there to support you. We can supply you with your food, hydration and moral support. My hubs is tactical genius when it comes to being along the course of a marathon. You CAN do this!!! SO excited for you.
You can definitely do this! I’m excited to hear about you CRUSHING it!!
Coach Kastor and the entire Asics group are fabulous! I’m so glad you will get to enjoy this with them!
Ohhh…this is very exciting!!! Of course I can’t wait to follow along. :D I change my shoes depending on distance for sure. Wave Riders for longer distance, Wave Sayonaras or Zoot Ultras for shorter distance.
Good luck! So bummed that I wont be there to volunteer because I have another race that day but LA is going to be great!
Good luck! I’m so amazed y uo distance runners. My friend just ran an ultra in AZ this weekend!
Cool. Look forward to reading the updates.
ahh sweet! you got this! it’s all about the shoes. I switch mine for distances, for sure. Love the mizuno wave rider 17 for longer
Good luck!!! You got this! Nice shoes!!
I try to stick to my Mizuno’s Wave rider for shorter runs and tackle the longer runs in my Brooks Gylcerin. I ran in asics for my first year of running and then somehow switched to brooks. though I am somewhat eyeballing new balance since they opened a store near my work. :)
Asics used to be my go to shoe! And I’ve run 6 out of 7 marathons in Asics. I’ve since switched to Saucony and have had a pleasant experience. I do switch up my shoes for different distances, but keep them all pretty light weight: Kinvara for tempo and mid-distance, Fastwitch for long and the Shay XC flat for track. I think it’s good for muscle development in the foot/ankle/shin to switch things up…but don’t quote me on that one:) Haha!
This is so awesome. I’m so excited for you and what a great team to be a part of! Asics has always been my go-to shoe. I’ve tried a couple of other brands but I always come back to Asics. Can’t wait for you to go sub-3:30!!
I used to run in Aciscs but now am fully devoted to Brooks PureConnect and PureFlow. Love, love those shoes.
Good luck at the LA Marathon! Can’t wait to hear about it and your 3:30 finish time. :-)
I do actually change my shoes around. I wear my lighter Sayonaras for short stuff and speed work and my Riders for mid and long distances. I’m a Mizuno girl!
Congrats Pavey! Asics are a great brand and I love that they are connecting with people like you. Good luck on your training. I know you’ve got your eye on the prize. I can’t wait to see you give it another go! I have all the faith in the world in you!
Yay! I’ll see you on the course! I have actually heard the course is mostly downhill except for around mile 4 and 22.
Amazing!!! I LOVE Asics! They are my favorite running shoes. I’ve switched to other brands and always end up getting injured. Asics are the only shoes that never fail me!
I usually tell people at the running store I work for, Big Peach Running Company, that having at least two pairs of shoes is a good way to stagger the mileage on each. A shoe for long runs and one for the track or tempo runs is a good second option. Also, different shoes will work muscles differently as using the same one can lead to a plateau in running. I understand that a budget will not always allow for multiple pairs of shoes, but having more than one can be helpful in providing variety to workouts.