Disclosure: JD Sports generously sent me a pair of running shoes to review, but the Asics GT-2000 were too narrow for my wide feet. The review is brief, but the opinions shared are my own, including the fact that I really, really wished the shoes fit.

In the marathon training sense, I found myself really struggling to get back into routine the week when the kids returned to school. Hubby and I managed to share the jobs related to the morning school routine and getting the kids off to school on time, but beyond that I didn’t know which end was up.

Honestly, I knew that was going to happen and I planned for it. I gave myself some slack and just focused on surviving the first week of school. After weeks of sleeping in and enjoying the lazy days of summer, I couldn’t face an alarm at 5:00 a.m. So I didn’t.

Some people would call that an excuse. For me, I see it more of redirecting my attention. It’s so hard to juggle training for a marathon, blogging and still trying to be there for my kids and husband. Something has to give. If you are a regular reader of Run DMT, you probably already know which was ignored.

Although I felt no guilt, I have been feeling a bit depressed over the past week which may be a direct link to my lack of workouts. The anxiety and depression could be hormonal but it might also be caused by a lack of endorphins from running less and spinning less and not weight-lifting. It also might be the “end of summer blues”. To overcome this sadness, I know I need to focus on eating right, avoiding sugars, reducing my alcohol consumption and commit to a regular workout routine. I also need to reconnect with my running partners and carve out some positive family time not related to a blogging job, a tech-time out so to speak.

With one school week under way and seven weeks left until the Chicago Marathon, I was ready (kind of, sort of) to face marathon training again and to shake off the anxiety and sadness I had been feeling. That’s not to say I jumped out of bed at 5:00 a.m. but more slumped out of bed around 6:00 a.m., as was the case this morning.

Yesterday, I missed my golden hour to run before my family wakes up but I wouldn’t allow myself to miss another run. So I decided to run around 9:00 after I dropped Little Lion Man off at preschool.

That was a bad move.

Like a bad prank, the morning seemed a tad bit cooler and I thought I would be fine running later in the morning. Unfortunately, my body temperature rose right along with the heat index. Even though I set up extra water for a water stop in my neighborhood, it wasn’t enough. Halfway into the run I changed my course and ran to my local Publix supermarket just for more water some A/C and a potty break.  I filled up my handheld Nathan and still barely made it back to my planned water stop.

I set out to run 8 miles but could only manage 6 miles in the heat and I was totally fine with that. At least I was committed to running regularly again. And you know what? Even though I felt as though I was going to die from a heat stroke, I felt remarkably better.

Wanting to avoid another heat stroke, I decided to run a tad earlier than the day before and attempted some speed work. Last time I ran intervals, I ran 4 x 800s and since I need to slowly build up to hit the magical Yasso 800s, I decided to shoot for 6 x 800s today. Not great, but I made good progress toward my marathon goal. Next week, I think I’ll aim for 6 x 800s again to hopefully show some improvement.

On a side note, I’m totally loving the MapMyRun app, which I discovered through my running partner, Daffodil. Although I was using the free version, I just purchased the upgraded app for $1. I find the MapMyRun to be a great little substitute while I pine over my dead Granny Garmin and decide which watch to purchase next. I just wish I could link the MapMyRun data and workouts to the Daily Mile.

In case you’re interested, today is the last day that the discount will be available, so don’t delay. Get yours today! The MapMyRun app is available in the iTunes store or Google Play store.

I recently received a pair of Asics GT-2000 from JD Sports which was perfect timing as I was due for a new pair of running shoes. Funny enough, my very first pair of running shoes was Asics and I find it amusing to come full circle in the running shoes sense.

This generation of the Asics GT-2000 is a really gorgeous shoes with Dynamic DuoMax® Support System offering lots of support and cushion in the heel (where I need it for my plantar fasciitis), however, no wide width was available and the shoe was a bit tight for me.  I felt a slight pinch on the inside of my foot. *insert sad face*

So off to my favorite running store for a new shoe fitting although I waited until tax-free day on August 1 to save a bit of money. As much as I loved the cushioning in the Brooks Ravenna, I feel like the shoes really did some damage to me. In longer runs, my toes would go numb and then, I grew a hideous and painful bunion on my right foot. Ok so, maybe it wasn’t the shoe but rather other factors involved (like my gait for one), but since it all occurred while wearing the Ravenna shoes, I had a mental block and wanted to try something new.

After a few trials, I chose the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 14 which is funny because I rejected a previous generation of the Brooks Adrenaline years ago. Rumor has it that Brooks added its famous Brooks DNA to the Adrenaline for added comfort and I would agree to that. My heels are happy and my bunions aren’t complaining either. And knock on wood, no numb toes!

Then, the other day, I wore my new Brooks Adrenaline to the Zoo Run Run and forgot to pack my favorite Speco recovery flip-flops. I made the mistake of wearing my shoes on the Gator Falls flume ride and my shoes got DRENCHED! UGH! I absolutely despise wet shoes but I hate walking around in wet running shoes even more. My feet felt like they would never dry out. As a result, I believed I developed a hot spot from it. For the past couple of days, I have this horrible sore in the center of my sole that feels like a blister but I can’t see it. It’s painful! According this, I think there may be a blister under the callous. OUCH!

How is your training going?

Have you ever developed a hot spot? How did you “fix” it?

Do you allow yourself a moment to recharge and refocus?

What shoes are you running in these days?