The last couple of weeks haven’t been the greatest in the running sense.  My heels have been giving me grief and I decided I needed a few days of rest.  No speed work last Tuesday and no running on Wednesday, but on Thanksgiving morning I decided to join the Daily Mile’s Feed the Turkey Virtual Turkey Trot 5K to benefit the Hurricane Sandy victims.

I didn’t push myself and just enjoyed the run along the quiet roads in my ‘hood.  Running on Thanksgiving is always such a treat.  It feels good to burn calories before a feast and the tranquil roads rejuvenate me.  It lifts my spirit and I drift away.

3.1 miles (Garmin died at 2.74)
Time 26:01
Ave Pace 9:31
Max Pace 8:33

I so needed that run.  And even if my Garmin died just before the 5K, I still loved it.

A few days of rest did me a world of good, because I had a much better run on Saturday for my 14 miles.  For that long run, I tried to keep an easy pace.  Whenever I pushed it, I cussed out Chrissy, Marie and Larisa I felt it in my heels and my left knee.   So, I maintained a 10:00-11:00 pace and I felt great afterwards.

14 miles
Time 2:25:46
Ave Pace 10:26
Max Pace 8:04

On Small Business Saturday, I dropped a small fortune on new shoes for the whole family at Suncoast Running.  At least I saved 20% on it all!  Thanks to the discount, I finally could afford a new pair of Brooks Trance 11.  Although moving into a wide limits my color choices, at least I can enjoy a pretty turquoise shoe.  I know.  I know.  It’s not about the color.  Whatever.  It totally is about the color and to prove it, expect to see some Sweat Pink hot pink laces on my new kicks.

I also purchased some Feetures! compression sleeves specific for plantar fasciitis.  As soon as I slipped those bad boys on, I immediately felt a difference in my heels.  They ROCKED and you better believe I purchased two!  (They only come one per package.)  Hopefully, I’ll get another pair in my Christmas stocking instead of coal (hint…hint…Santa) because these gems are going to get worn.  Seriously, I need one pair for running and another just for sleeping.  New shoes and compression sleeves make my feet very happy.

4 miles
Time 38:48
Ave Pace 9:42
Max Pace 6:00

Interesting side note and a total selling point for me, the Suncoast Running Associate mentioned that his father wrote a short review for the Tampa Tribune praising the sleeve.

Pain free speedwork (Thanks to my new Feetures! PF sleeves.) defintiely has me doing a happy dance.

Happy feet.
I’ve got some happy feet.
Give me some Feetures! sleeves and they begin dancing.

Now, if only my new Feetures! sleeves could make my sprints a little faster.

1 mile
9:24
Lap 1 – 0.25
Time 1:45

Ave Pace 7:04
Lap 2 – 0.25
Time 1:54
Ave Pace 7:39

Lap 3 – 0.25
Time 1:53
Ave Pace 7:32

Lap 4 – 0.25
Time 1:5
Ave Pace 7:41

1.1 mile
Time 10:26
Ave Pace 9:23

Want to know what else has me doing a happy dance?  Verizon requested me to stay on a Verizon Wireless Ambassador!  Stayed tuned for more posts and tweets about my “Incredible” phone!

What has you doing a happy dance this week?  Did you have happy feet during while running, during your sprints and workouts?

I am excited to announce a new Track Tuesday co-host!  Meghan of runMeganrun will be joining me on the track for weekly speedwork.  The “rules” are still the same, so link up and play along with us.

To join our Track Tuesday linky party, do your speed work (at least 4 quarter mile sprints) on Tuesday or any day you that works best for you, blog about your times and remember to add our cool Track Tuesday button to your post.  Then, link up your post at either runMeganrun or Run DMT to share Track Tuesday Speed Work Sessions.  To show support for our other virtual running partners on the Track Tuesday Team, be sure to visit the other blogs listed in the linky party.  Give them a virtual high-five and leave some comment love too.

*Also linking up at*

Denise Mestanza-Taylor+