A couple weeks ago we started our official running clinic to train for the Scotia Bank half marathon. Even though we have not stopped running, it is nice to know that we are going to start following the clinic program again. There are some aspects of the training that you just do if you are doing a clinic. This is because it is hard and strenuous. Hill training and speed training is not fun but is always worth it. I am away for two weeks which means I can’t run with my people. It is hard to find time with in a trip to run and train. So far I have failed, and I know I won’t be able to fit a run until probably next weekend. Hopefully, next week I will be able to run more than three times to compensate for this week’s lack of running. Because of my trip, I won’t be able to post anything else until April first. When I get back, I will give you a complete update of my holidays as well as some very interesting animal lover notes. My animal lover note: I read this from http://www.idablog.org/u-s-vegan-population-doubles-in-only-two-years/ and www.PlantPoweredLiving.com I was very amazed and happy when I read that U.S vegan population has doubled in only two years, which means that, if this rate continues, vegans will be 10% of the U.S population in 2015 (just two years from now!!), 40% in 2019, and 80% in 2021. That is just amazing! How many animals are we going to be saving from death and suffering if this happens? Plus the vegan life style is going to be so popular that our options are going to be greatly expanded and we will feel more included in restaurant menus, clothing choices, among other things.

My Runners After trying a couple of brands and references, I decided that my favourite runners where the Nike Vomero. This is a neutral shoe that is known for its extra cushioning. Each year, Nike releases a new version of the Vomero. My first Vomero was the 4, then I got the 5 and last year I got the Vomero 6. Once you find a reference and brand that you like, you try to stick to them, since getting use to a different one can cause some headaches! So, a couple weeks ago it was time to get a new pair of runners. The old ones had already gone through three half marathons with their respective trainings, which makes way more than 1500k on them. Before buying, I always go online to read some reviews on the newest style. There are some great sites that will give you excellent feedback on this. According to a couple of sites, it seems that Nike decided, for the Vomero 7, to take away all the good things the shoes were known for. Knowing this was kind of disappointing because I really loved these shoes. So, I did some more research and found out that the Asics Gel 33 are also known for their extreme cushioning. I went to the store and tried both shoes on (Vomero 7 and Asics Gel 33) and I could definitely feel the difference. The Asics felt like my old Nikes, like home. I gave the leap of faith and changed brands. This is a huge deal for a runner, but in this case it was worth it. I love them! They feel soft and comfortable and old (in a good way). As you can see in the way my runners look, I run weird. I have lots of structural problems, like scoliosis (among others), that deeply affect my running. After visiting the chiropractor, we decided that the best thing I could do, to help my body learn to cope with running, was having orthotics for my shoes. These orthotics are custom made to fit your specific biomechanics. To use them, you have to remove the insoles of your shoes and place the orthotics instead. Some people find them uncomfortable, but I loved them since the first moment I used them. I was supposed to break them down for at least 3 weeks, by wearing them at home for a couple of hours each day, before going on a run with them. I do not have time to do this, plus I like being bare foot at home. The day I got them I went out for a 7k run with them and it felt really good! I can’t run without them now. By running with them I avoid back and knee pains, as well as some potential injuries due to my poor construction. My animal lover note: Humans are selfish. We mainly care about ourselves and those that are close to us. A few go beyond and start caring about strangers. And just a hand full, go even further and start caring about those beings that do not belong to our same species, animals. When you get to the point of seeing animals as equals, when you look into their eyes and see the same humanity you see in your human fellows, is when you cannot stand the thought of eating them. Here is when you become vegan.

Shoes are the main equipment of a runner. This is something we never doubt spending money on. No matter if you are a beginning runner or an experience one, you always need to buy the best shoe possible. Running shoes are very different from the regular trendy, training shoe. Chances are that a $50 athletic shoe is not specific designed for running. Running shoes that are best in terms of cushioning, support, fit and durability are usually those that are between $100 and $180. There are different kinds of running shoes to accommodate the different foot types (normal, flat or high arch) and biomechanics (over-pronator, neutral pronator and supinator). It is important to have this in mind before buying your new pair of runners. It is not just about going to the store and buying the coolest ones or the cheapest ones. It is about knowing what works best for you. Buying the right pair of shoes will guarantee a smooth training and will decrease the risk of certain injuries. Each brand uses different types of cushioning technology: air, gel, hydro flow, etc. This cushioning wears out after a year of use (around 900 miles), depending of the type of runner you are. So even though your shoes might still look good in the outside, it is time to change them. When I first started running I did not know about this. I started feeling this awful pain in my left knee after 4 kilometers into a run. I could not figure out what was going on because everything seemed good. An experience runner suggested, after knowing that my shoes were 2 years old, that I should try a new pair. She was right; a new pair of runners was the solution to the knee pain. The old ones were not providing the amount of cushioning needed, so my knee was not well protected. I recommend these sites to help you get an idea of the kind of shoes you need. www.runnersworld.com/ http://www.runningfree.com http://www.runningwarehouse.com My animal lover note: If you have Netflix or Apple TV I really, really recommend that you watch VEGUCATED.