Let's Talk About Shoes: The Inov-8 F-Lite 230

Finding a shoe that I can run and lift in has made a huge difference in my CrossFitting.It's official: love is blind.  When I first got my Inov-8 F-Lite 230's last year, I called them my ugly blue shoes.  I don't know what I was thinking.  These shoes are adorable.  I just bought a second pair in black (and will likely buy any color I find in my size).

Technically, the 230's are a mountain racing flat.  Their design also makes them perfect for CrossFit.  The tops are light and meshy making them super comfortable, and easy to throw in a bag or suitcase.  The soles are thin but sticky.  I feel very grounded in them, which is great for lifting. 

My only complaint is that if I don't double-knot the laces, they untie easily.  Otherwise, the 230's are perfect.  Inov-8's can be hard to track down.  I recommend stalking AgainFaster (particularly for limited edition colors), The Shoe Mart and Zappos.

-Gym Belle-

Let's Talk About Shoes: Nike Zoom Structure

Check out all that structure!It has been a shoe-filled week.  I have three new pairs!  On the right are my first Nikes.  I purchased these at the Running Company after spending 45 minutes trying on and testing out different sneakers on their treadmill.

First, they video-taped me running in a "neutral" shoe.  I wasn't surprised to see that I totally overpronante, but I was definitely disturbed.  The angle at which my right ankle turns in as I push off seems almost unnatural. 

Despite this, I was hesitant to go for the type of structured shoe my salesperson recommended.  You may recall that I tried that the last time I bought new running shoes, and I wound up getting crazy blisters and returning the shoes in favor of my trusty Asics.

In the end, I found the video compelling, so I'm giving structure another shot.  These Nikes were the shoes that stabilized me best without being uncomfortable.  I took them for a three mile test run this morning and all went well.  I'm not 100% sure I'll keep them, but it's worth another run.

While I was at the Running Company, I also tried on the new Newton Gravitas.  I'm attracted to the minimalist shoe concept and I love the funky orange.  Those would take a long time to get used to, though.  Maybe next time.  Right now, I need something for the 15K that's coming up and the half marathon that's now only a month away! 

By the time I get home tonight, Zappos will have delivered another contender: the Inov-8 Road-X 238.  I'm obsessed with Inov-8 in general, and very excited to try these out.  I'll keep you posted.

-Gym Belle-

Pictures of Jerks!

I am busy, so you get pictures of jerks.  No, not that kind.  This kind:

This is me jerking 65 lbs.  The workout on Monday consisted of five sets of three reps.  I made it up to 80 lbs.  PR!  (And then failed at 85 lbs.)

Yesterday's workout involved double unders (argh) and ground-to-overheads at 55 lbs.  I'm not proficient at snatching (which would be the most efficient way to do that) so I cleaned and jerked instead.   I quickly found myself doing split jerks.  In the picture above, I'm standing up from the split stance.

More soon

-Gym Belle-