Mizuno Enigma Review - Mezamashii

As you all know I was ridiculously excited to be chosen as a part of the Mizuno Running Mezamashii Project and feel very blessed that they allowed me to share the Mizuno brilliant run love run with a BackAtSquareZero reader/fellow runner.  

I have been running in my Mizuno Wave Creations for a bit over 6 months now (when I saw the light and switched to Mizuno) so I thought this would be the perfect time to try out one of Mizuno's many other shoe models.  I called and talked to their experts and explained I wanted to use my free shoe pick (thank you Mizuno!) to try something new, but that I loved the comfort and cushion the Wave Creations provided me one my long runs so I didn't want to get to far away from that.  His suggestion - the wave Enigma - Hello beautiful, come to momma!

He explained to me that just like my go to Creations the Wave Enigma were a great shoe for distance, that they had a similar heel to toe drop compared to what I was used to, and that the main difference would be the sole, actually the heel in particular.  

On the top are my brand new Wave Enigmas, the bottom are my most recent pair of Wave Creations. (Yes, I am going through a purple phase.)  That sales dude knew his stuff.  The only difference I can see and feel is in the heel of the shoe.  The new Enigmas have one fairly connected heel piece (top) where as on my Creations the shoe and sole section are almost separated.  After trying them both out I've gotta say Mizuno did it again, these are both amazing shoes that I feel completely comfortable running marathon style distances in and recommending to you all.  The Enigma (top) seemed to have more cushioning because of it's styling while the Creation (bottom) felt like it absorbed more of the shock from my (sometimes awkward) stride.  I personally am having a really hard time deciding, because I love them both.  However, I think I might go with the Enigma again next time because I am all about soft, cushiony running shoes that protect my feet.

Thanks Mizuno so glad for the opportunity to try something new.  Can't wait for many more brilliant runs.Side note: I had so much fun comparing shoes that I am almost tempted to buy the Mizuno Wave Riders my marathon training partner runs in just to see how they compare.  However, it is so hard when I love the Creation and Enigma so much.   

What shoes do you currently run in?

Have you ever tried Mizuno? 

If not would you be willing to consider them next time you buy shoes?  (You should!)

*Disclaimer - All thoughts expressed in this post are my own.  While I did receive a free pair of shoes from Mizuno that did not affect my review which is my own opinion.    

Don't Stop Believing

First, go check out my guest post on how to enjoy living healthy while saving money (hello, teacher budget here) it gives good ideas (yes, I am prejudiced to its awesomeness because I wrote it) on healthy and money saving alternatives for common everyday activities.  Thanks to Athena at Fitness & Feta for letting me run it.


Another fun fact about me because between learning about how I am easily excited by the little things in life and sing like a maniac (horribly) you just didn't have enough Abby info.
... I am the biggest glass half full type of girl.  This is never more evident than when I am injured.  When I am hurt and can't workout I do get a bit disappointed, but more than that I get so excited thinking about how amazing things will be when I am back to full strength.  Pretty much every crazy fitness bucket list idea I have - like wanting to hike the entire Grand Canyon (in one day) starts on a day when I was not able to run, but could only imagine what it would be like to be back in top shape (well my top shape).  Well this week was no different - I was sidelined with crazy back pain for three days (much better due to rest, pain relievers, a massage, and lots of stretching) and am still having some nagging hamstring issues so what better time than to sign up for another race?!?

I decided I will be healthy, will be running, and do not have enough races on my calendar. While there are tons I dream of doing - New Orleans Rock'n Roll Full, Disney Princess Half, Indy Mini Marathon - travel is not currently in the budget.  So I decided to return to my roots.  My first ever race, did I mention my crazy self ran a half before I ever ran anything else, no 5 or 10Ks to start off here (crazy), and my favorite distance - The Kiawah Island Half.  It is only about a 40 minute drive from me which means no travel or lodging expenses, I haven't run the course in years, and it will be great to see what it feels like when I am not miserable the whole time.  I hated that race and wanted to stop the whole time, now I love running half marathons and regularly run 12-14 miles myself on weekends just for fun.  Fulls, well those on the other hand, I have to push and challenge myself to do.  I am excited, but also feeling brave because I realize that I have never signed up to run a race on my own.  Every single 5K, 10K, half, or full I have done with someone and currently it is just me.  Again, won't be any problem at the race as I love this distance, but waiting at the start might get boring.  Oh well, here is to another race, don't stop believing (hold on to that feeling) you can do it.

What is your next race?  I'd love to know.
Heck- Want to do your first half, but scared?  If you can get to Kiawah I'll run with you (unless you're really fast, then I'll cheer from behind).

I'm Really Excited About...

Buying my first pair of compression socks from Pro Compression because I am persuaded by sales and they are currently 50% off with the code HEAT50

Finally jumping on the bandwagon and getting to try Nuun.
What's this?  First a foam roller, now compression socks and Nuun.
Am I actually taking care of my body this training cycle?
Yes, lesson learned.

I love chicken sausage cut up in my pasta or on top of my 100 calorie flat breads (like faux pizza).
Trader Joes has me really excited with spicy jalapeno at only 100 calories each.
Yes, please.

My 9 pounds of fruit on super sale from Costco.
Yes, I live alone and have 9 pounds of fruit, don't worry, it will get demolished.

What is one thing you are really excited about?
Let me know.

Confessions (The Embarrassing One)

So I wrote this blog to chronicle my quest to go from fat to fit.  It includes all my successes, slip ups, and face plants along the way to learning how to eat right, exercise correctly, and just live a healthier life.  I've asked you all to listen, comment, help me out, and even get involved in your own quest to live better, but the question is - Do you really know who I am?  Who is this that your reading about, cheering on, and maybe even trying to learn or gain motivation from?  So here it is kids - some of my craziest, most ridiculous confessions.  Hopefully this will help you feel like you know a bit more about me.  

I have a cat, but I really wanted a dog.

I'm just not home enough to be a good dog mommy.

So I rescued Harlee from the SPCA and made her as dog like as possible.  

She greets me at the door, can fetch, and (uurrrggghhh...) begs for food.

I've learned to love Harlee and am pretty much they crazy cat lady who thinks their cat is the best.  

Except when we are cuddling and the neighbors decide to start surprise 12th of July fireworks shows.  Ouch!

Being a rugby player a large percentage of my friends happen to be gay (rugby stereotype, but quite often true).  I believe that these fabulous kind, wonderful women and all the other people out there deserve equal rights.  I went to the Pride Parade with them today, some would say I was being supportive, or a straight ally, I say I'm hanging out with my friends.  

I think the word skinny is overrated.  

My goal has never been to be skinny, but rather to be healthy, fit, toned, or athletic.

Choose one of those words - they're all great.

I believe fit comes in all shapes and sizes.  

I wear a double digit size, have very curvy hips (which are probably being sucked in a bit a lot by the compression shorts), and a huge rib cage.

Ex-boyfriends have told me I was: big-boned, thick, curvy, and a good eater.  

They are exes for a reason - I date idiots.

Not because they said that, all that is true, and I am fine with it, heck even proud of my build, it did allow my to run a marathon.

They were idiots for about every other possible reason.  I must attract that.

And my biggest confession... I have never done karaoke or sang in public because I am super embarrassed by my voice, even my own mother told me at a very early age that singing was not the career choice for me.  Obviously she was right!

However, I still jam out in the car like a crazy person.   

My current hit, Call Me Maybe, and yes I'm 30 and singing a teeney bopper song.  

Try to act like it doesn't get stuck in your head too.

Now you know way more about me (Yikes!, Try getting that horrid performance out of your head without having nightmares) than you wanted to.  I hope that makes you feel a little more connected to me and to BackatSquareZero.

P.S.- I also snort if I laugh hard (really loudly)!

Okay guys be brave - What is one of your confessions?
Let me know.

Barre Class Review

So as you all know by now my workout of choice is a long (pretty slow) run - nothing fast and for sure nothing hilly.  However, I have come to the realization that I am not going to grow and improve as a runner if I always do the exact same thing.  Besides I kind of have in the back of my mind to make this the year I am in the best shape of my life.  You know make 30 better than 25, 21, or even 18 so that goal always stays in my head (haunting me).  


So when a Groupon for 4 Barre classes went on sale for a decent price I jumped on it like a kid an Abby on a candy bar.  Barre seemed like a great thing for me to try - strengthening moves using you body weight and stretching (which is probably what I am worst at - seriously I somehow forget to stretch after EVERY run).


I drove the 30 minutes (across two bridges - that's how we tell drive time in Charleston) to Mt. Pleasant.  Since the studio was only about a mile from the Cooper River Bridge I decided I'd kill 2 birds with one stone (try something new and do something I hate, but need to work on) by getting some hill work in. However, I happened to forget while not working out (I guess you call that resting) for days and popping anti-inflammatories like candy for my back that I had pulled my hamstring about 2 weeks ago.  When I walk and take it easy it isn't too bad, but after numerous days off my hamstring was surprised when I ran last night and decided to show its outrage by rebelling this morning.  I took a couple running steps and it hurt bad.  Old version Abby would have run through the pain, but I am trying to be smarter about this, know I have a marathon coming up, and didn't want to injure it more so instead I decided to take a relaxing walk in hopes of not aggravating it.  I happened to see a trail opening in a back corner of the parking lot so instead of making my way to the bridge, which would tempt me to run, I check it out.  Nice little 2 mile walk.

Then it was off to Barre class.  I was really nervous because I tried yoga once, but as I have no balance (or coordination, or grace, and am instead a clumsy, awkward hot mess) I kept tipping over, falling down, and basically crashing out of the poses.  The instructor loved me.  HA.  They were praying I never came back.  So while I was excited and knew it would be good to try something new I was also super worried about not being able to do it or embarrassing myself in front of everyone.  I put a Twitter plea out asking for luck and well wishes (@BackatSquare0) and was flooded with support which really psyched me up to go in.  Thanks guys:)

The place itself (BarreEvolution in Mt. Pleasant) was gorgeous!  Like what I envision some fancy New Your or LA ballet or yoga studio looking like, not like the sweaty spin rooms which have been my most common form of cross training.  The ladies were really nice too.  They signed me in, introduced themselves, showed me where to put my bag/shoes, and then introduced me to the instructor.  Luckily I had gotten there about 10-15 minutes early which gave her time to explain the equipment to me and help relieve my worry a bit.  

The class is split into four section: arms, legs, butt, and abs.  The goal is to work each muscle group until it is totally fatigued and then to stretch it out (supposedly to make me look long & lean like a dancer - here's to hoping - I've got the long, come on lean!) before moving on to the next muscle group.  The class was done using weights, bands, balls, and mats.  I never lift (another goal I am trying to work on) so they suggested I use the 2 pounds weights and by the end I could still really feel it.  The leg section was the most intense though.  As a runner I have pretty strong, very bulky legs which I take great pride in, they let me run 26.2 miles, so they are by far the favorite body part.  I was really surprised because I thought that would be the easiest part for me, but at one point my legs were quivering so much I could see them shake and I had to stop for a second, put them flat on the floor, shake them out, and then try to get going again.  Wow!  I am really excited that I have 3 more classes I get to go back for.  (I already booked two for next week.)  After the Groupon is over I am not sure if I'll be able to continue as it gets pretty expensive (over $20) for each class.  However, I think doing this on my cross training day once a week would be a great way to get some extra strength training and stretching in during marathon training.  Ideally I'd love to do it twice a week, if I could figure out a way to fit it into the marathon training schedule, or maybe go more when I am not currently in full training mood (and if I was rich so the expense wasn't an issue).  

Want to try barre at home?  Here is a tip from the studio I went to today.  

Have you ever tried a barre class?  What type of fitness classes do you enjoy taking?

Finally, If you could try one new type of workout or workout class what would it be?