Running
The following Mizuno Wave Rider 18 review is sponsored by Mizuno Running on behalf of FitFluential, LLC. Word.
If I have too much of anything in my closet, it’s shoes. Not heels and boots and sandals, but sneakers. Loads and loads of sneakers. Running shoes. Walking shoes. Gym shoes. Lifting shoes. Dance shoes. Whatever the event, I’ve got the shoe.
Yet I always want to try more, especially when it comes to running. While running is supposed to the sport you don’t need any equipment for, if you’re a runner you know it isn’t true. Your shoe of choice can literally make or break you. And trust me, I’ve been broken.
I was always vigilant about making sure I was in the right shoe, but since injuring my knee a couple years ago I’ve been pretty much insane about it. I don’t dare let them my shoes get worn out or too much mileage and I would occasionally beg my physical therapist to watch me run in a new pair before I hit the pavement with them.
Lately I’ve been running in the the Mizuno Wave Rider 18 {which they sent me}. I used to be a huge Inspire-aholic until I figured out post-injury that I actually did better in a neutral sure. Enter the Wave Rider. I was equally nervous and eager to try out the 18s because the 17s failed me – they were super comfy to walk around in but way too cushy and supportive for me as a running shoe.
The 18 got it right. Comfortable without being overly padded. Structured without being restrictive. True to fit. And NOT pink. 
{Though there is a pink version. and blue.}
They ride low on the ankle {something I’m super picky about} and don’t push arch in weird ways. {Super descriptive, I know.} The rise of the heel is a little bit more built up than I tend to like, but it hasn’t been giving me any problems thus far and I’m almost starting to get used to it.
Official details:
- Women’s shoe is 7.8oz with 12mm ramp // Men’s is 9.2oz with 12mm ramp
- MSRP: $119.99 // Released Oct. 2, 2014
- The aim of this shoe is to balance fit & performance – it’s a neutral shoe with enough support for a range of runners. Lightweight, responsive,
#realizethepowerwithin #waverider18
Do you have a go-to running shoe? Are you loyal to one brand or do you brand-hop based on the shoe?
Review
This morning has been one of those days where a ton of tiny stupid things go wrong and make you appreciate that at that moment the biggest problem in your life is something so insignificant you just have to laugh about it.
{And how do you not laugh when you have this little dude to look at everyday?} –>
Like the fresh loaf of lemon blueberry zucchini bread that was waiting for me to make that early morning wake up call just a little bit more palatable. Only I trudged into the kitchen, eyes half-closed, to discover that it had traded the fresh-baked, citrus-y scent for one of unmistakable fermentation. I guess “slightly underbaked” + lack of salt speeds up the rotting process?
Like the fact that I can’t figure out how to change the white balance on my point and shoot to save my life. Yes, I’ve read the manual. The buttons don’t exist.
Like this giant empty coffee mug.
Minutes ago it was filled with warm, delicious half-caf coffee. And my phone.
Yeah. It recently survived a quick shower in beer, and now it’s decided to take a full-fledged dunk in coffee. It doesn’t seem to be faring well so far. Let’s hope rice has the magical powers everyone claims it does. {Does wild rice count? That’s all I had.}
Of course I had actually knocked out a blog post on the too-hard-to-type-accurately-keyboard on my phone, a once in a blue moon occurrence. {Did you know there really is a blue moon this week? Tomorrow!}
Said well-thought-out blog post is gone. So you get this instead.
It’s actually the perfect opportunity for me to review an awesome assortment of fitness gear I received from New Balance at the beginning of the summer and keep failing to write about. I saw the collection on sale on Zulilly this morning before my phone took it’s potentially fatal swim, which reminded me how long this has been on my to do list.
I contemplated giving you a video review of one of the items because that’d really be the best way to get it all out there, but that’s just fueled my passion for procrastination. {Have to shoot video, have to figure out how to shoot video of myself, have to learn how to edit video, have to talk on camera? Hmm. Yeah, you get the point.}
So without further rambling, here’s a look at my summer fitness wear, from New Balance’s “Lace Up For the Cure” line, which supports Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. They’re a key sponsor in this year’s 3-Day Komen walk events. You all know I love a good charity, so I love that the purchase of this gear helps support a good cause.
Some of my favorites, in no particular order:
Women’s Walking SuperLight/SuperFresh 895.
The minimalist-meets-walking shoe.
A little odd feeling to walk in at first, but I’ve quickly grown to love these shoes. They’re potentially lighter than my Vibrams {don’t quote me on that… I just picked them up to compare. I think they’re lighter. Either way, they’re LIGHT.} which is perfect for my daily summer strolls around the neighborhood with the little stinker bug.
The HRT Monitor
I love a love-hate relationship with this watch.
Loves:
– It’s all-around tiny. Tiny faceplate, tiny wrist strap. I have tiny wrists and love how perfectly this fits.
– It’s pink & black.
– Calorie counts!
– You don’t have to wear a heart strap.
– You don’t have to wear a heart strap. No, that’s not a mistake, I wrote it twice.
Hates:
– No heart strap. Again, not a mistake. This heart rate monitor uses a touch bezel to take on-demand heart rate readings. In theory, this is awesome. In practice, I can rarely get it to work since you need to be still. I’m never still when I’m out of breath trying to see what my heart rate is.
– Ok, that’s the only hate.
Magenta Stride Hooded Track Jacket
This light-weight, mesh zip up hoodie is perfect for summer, when walking into an air-conditioned room makes me freeze, but it’s too hot for a jacket.
Black Komen Capri Pants
I’ve pretty much been living in these and my lulu crops. Better for crawling around after a little munchkin than shorts; cool enough to wear during the summer.
Ok time to stop typing and go check on that phone. And make more coffee. Hopefully phone-free coffee. Maybe full caf is in order…
<—Kind of how I’m feeling this am.
Have any fitgear faves this summer?
