It is a grass root revolution! Pearl Izumi Shoes

Many people have seen Pearl Izumi clothing. You may have even seen their shoes, be it cycling or cross trainers. If you are a cyclist than you certainly have seen their jerseys, bike shorts, and various styles of arm, leg, knee, and shoe warmers. However, they are pretty new to the running shoe scene, only really getting into the market about 5 years ago.

Pearl Izumi is not big on advertising, yet you see their brand on everything from base layers, clothes, warmers, biking shoes... you name it that distinctive little PI logo sticks out.

PI has embraced grass roots marketing. As such they have contacted runners all over who have blogs and/or are active in the running community and have sent us free shoes for us to test out and report back to the community about.

Grass Roots baby. Can you dig it?

I will be posting my reviews and thoughts about the shoes here peridoically! I am really excited about this opportunity!

My first impressions of the Women's Synchroinfinity shoe.

LOVE the color.

If you know me, then you know that I love colors and the look of something. Unfortunately I am the person who sees first then goes with what is best for me. I have been known to get disappointed that my preferred running shoe only comes in blue, when I would much rather it be in some absurd color like.. oh I don't know... acid green.

Second impression: they fit WONDERFULLY! I take an 8 to an 8.5 US women's dress shoe, and a 9 to 10 in my running shoes.

My current Mizuno's are a size 10 - a full 2 sizes larger than my dress shoes. They fit well and leave plenty of room in the front for foot shifting. Not a blister or bruise since I got them.

I ordered blindly a size 10 in the PI figuring that a lot of shoe makers do not have half sizes on hand, so a 9 may be too small, a 10 may be too large. Better to be too large than small I say!

Well the 10 fits me perfectly! I full thumb and a half width from toe to end of toe box, and the shoes feel AMAZING on my feet. I cannot wait to get out for a run tomorrow and try them out!

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I am pretty excited to be able to help out PI and get some free shoes in the process. Everything happens for a reason, and this has helped keep me motivated and I am so grateful that I have this opportunity!

Keep on running!

})i({ Runnergirl

A mini-reverse brick for Wednesday.

Today ws a scheduled 7 miles Tempo Run (1 each warm up and cool down, 5 at tempo).

LMAO... *clears throught*... errrr... sorry about the hysterical laughter there. It is tough to see what is scheduled now just 8 weeks out from Detroit knowing that I have no shoes, so any serious running is out of the picture until Friday.

In lieu of 7 miles Tempo, I did the next best thing. I ran 1.5 miles on the dreadmill, followed by spinning class (FREAKING EH!), then a nice back/bicep workout ending with a nice stretch. I love stretching at the end of 1.5 hour multi-sport/activity workout.

Now it is storming like crazy out, and I feel wonderful knowing that I burned some major calories tonight. I did not do 7 miles at tempo, but I did kick some butt. My own.

It is a celebration because just a few short hours ago I was at work, sitting at my desk thinking about heading home and nixing today's workout. I got into my car when it was quitting time, and all of a sudden I find myself at Bally's. Apparently my body knew that not working out was not an option. So for that I am greatful. For my feet, I am not. OUCH. Only 48 hours until I have my new kicks.

I am so like a kid when it comes to equipment. Even for just shoes or socks I get excited. I am anxiouly awaiting the day when I replace my stolen bike. I may actually pee myself that day out of pure excitement. *giggles* But it is cool to pee your pants, so I'll be aiiiight.

It is all downhill to the weekend... my first 10 miler since 8/12, new kicks, and a bachelorette party.

Somedays I love life!

~})i({~ Runner Girl

Random Thoughts for Tuesday, DWD Volunteer update, and shoe porn!

Every Tuesday I post the random thoughts I have as they pertain to running, training, nutrition, and whatever else pops into my head. Hence the title, Random Thoughts. I am quite, in case you have not realized, random. But I get the job done!

Continuing on with my trend of random thoughts:

• I really need to start being more serious. Nutrition. Training. Selfconfidence. The whole enchilada. I love running. I like being active. So why is it that I give up so easily? That is a personal growth thing. I need to start with realizing that I may just have the power and talent to do well at this thing I have chosen to do. I am still assuming that I will be last in all of my tris next year. I am going into this knowing that I have a LONG way to go on the swim and biking portions, but who is to say that I will not rock at them both? I mean come on... I have power in these legs. Maybe I will be a biking superstar! I am still thinking that I am going to pull a 3-hour half at Detroit. My goal is 2:40. My goals are pretty reasonable, and I know that I can do it. I have done it before. Many times. I used to be able to pull out a hilly 2:39 at a half with little effort or traianing. Why am I "settling" for slacking? Grr. MAJOR frustration point here. I need to start reaffirming myself. If I set a goal at 2:40 and finish in say 2:45 or 2:50, will anyone laugh at me? Not at all. They would cheer my victory of finishing. Period. So why am I afraid to succeed STILL. At least I have realized tht I have this fear still, and that my goal for the rest of the year is to get the heck over it already. I can succeed at things. I WILL succeed at this.

• Want to know why my runs as of late have sucked? It is not my commitment to the event. It is not my motivation or mental withdrawal. It is in fact my shoes. EVERY pair is shot. I have been trying to get a few meger miles out of my old Asics, but alas - RIP. We all know that I laid to rest my Mizuno Wave Rider 9's a few weeks ago. So for the rest of this week I am stuck with my 5K only NB's (a little to small for long runs, but fine for 4 miles and under) until I got to the store Friday and pick up my shiny new shoes. Shoe porn to follow.

• The Dances With Dirt Hell, MI crew (which I am now a very proud member of!) is the CRAZIEST event group I have ever had the previledge of meeting. I cannot even begin to tell you the fun we are going to have come 9/8. Mouse, who is running it again this year, watch out girlie. Good times await you!

• Sour cream angel food cake rocks. FYI.

• And here is my shoe porn for you all. Plese refrain from drooling directly on the uppers. I prefer dry feet.

I hope tht you all are having a good start to your week. Tomorrow is humpday, so we are that much closer to the weeked. AKA our long runs!

})i({ Runner Girl