Neutral Running with the Mizuno #WaveRider18

Strong, supported feet are pretty essential in the world of running.

I shared about my experience running in very old shoes a few years ago (and the injuries that subsequently followed). I had just received a spot in the Philly 10-mile Broad Street Run day before my injuries, so I kept thinking the injuries would resolve itself and I'd be good to go. As the pain continued, I realized this was more than just "running aches." I took myself to an orthopedic doctor, who diagnosed a strained ligament in my left foot. The cure? No running for 8 weeks at minimum.

I was crushed.

My dreams of running Broad Street were dashed, so I gave up my ticket. Which was smart, as it ended up taking an extra 4 weeks after the initial 8 to get back on track (pun intended). 

Needless to say, I take my feet, and that which covers my feet, very seriously.

I had never considered neutral running before, as my #1 goal as a runner was to keep my feet supported. But one of my running buddies had recently bought a pair of neutral running shoes and during one of our runs we discussed the benefits. A neutral running shoe is a shoe halfway between barefoot running and a supportive running shoe. There are the benefits of cushioning but not being overly cushioned. I was always under the assumption that anything less than "supportive" would mean Injury City. But my friend explained that neutral shoes help build muscles in the feet that supportive shoes cannot. Case in point: she suffered for a while with painful plantar fascitis, and since running in her neutral shoe, she has had no symptoms.

After our talk, I decided that there might be benefit in having a neutral running shoe in my rotation. Having more than one pair of running shoes has been the advice of the owner of our local running store. Since every shoe offers different and varying support, swapping out shoes every couple runs also works different muscles, strengthening our feet and legs. 

My pick for a neutral shoe?

The Mizuno Wave Runner 18

I added this pair of neutral shoes on some of my shorter runs (3 miles or less), and I have been very surprised by the outcome. They are very comfortable, with the perfect amount of cushioning to not jolt my legs every time I pound the trail. Their U4ic midsole offers great shock absorption, which I immediately noticed on even the first run. 




I also love how light they are (30% lighter than other shoes in their category). Mizuno is known for their Wave Technology®, which provides runners with a stable ride throughout their run. The Wave Rider 18's feature the Double Fan Wave, which is offers the perfect blend of shock attenuation and flexibility. These shoes offer enough support for neutral and supportive runners alike, hitting the "sweet spot" for  a variety of runners!

Also?

They come in super cool colors.

(I know. I'm such a girl.)

Mizuno Wave Rider 18 retails at $119.99.


You can connect with Mizuno on their website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Are you a neutral/minimalist runner? 

What are YOUR tips for easing into this practice?

Disclosure:  I was provided a pair of the Mizuno Wave Rider 18 shoes through a campaign with FitFluential LLC and compensated for me time. All opinions in post are, as always, my own.

Healthy Breakfast On-The-Go: belVita Breakfast Biscuits + Dannon Oikos Greek Nonfat Yogurt #MorningWin

I have partnered with belVita and Dannon to help promote the belVita and Dannon partnership. I have been compensated for my time commitment to the program, which includes writing about the promotion and product. However, my opinions are entirely my own and I have not been paid to publish positive comments.

It's really tempting to skip breakfast sometimes. 

I'm just admitting the truth.

Waking up, dressing two wiggly little girls, getting them fed and to the bus stop on time sometimes take all of my pre-coffee functionality. Often, I'm under pressure to leave right from Chica's bus stop to drive the 30 minutes to take Bug to preschool.

Sure, I'd love to be the woman who wakes up with her hair perfectly styled, a rosy glow to her cheeks, donning a (matching) unwrinkled outfit. Of course I'd love to be the mom who juggles ingredients like a magician, throwing eggs, milk, flour and the like into various mixing bowls and pots and pans, completing a well-rounded hot breakfast (all with a smile on my face).

But this is reality, people.

Every morning is a time crunch.

So I'm all about breakfast on-the-go. Especially when they are healthy breakfasts on-the-go, like the perfect pairing of belVita Breakfast Biscuits and Dannon Oikos Greek Yogurt. With 12 grams of protein from the yogurt and a steady energy from all of the wholesome ingredients from the biscuits, it's not only a breakfast on-the-go: it's a smart choice every morning.

Also?

It's hard to remember this is BREAKFAST and not DESSERT...

Each come in yummy flavors. 

belVita biscuits come in Blueberry, Golden Oat, Cinnamon Brown Sugar, Chocolate and Apple Cinnamon. I'm a sucker for anything Cinnamon Brown Sugar, and it's hard to remember that the belVita biscuits are a healthy breakfast (and not a sinful treat!). 

Dannon Oikos Yogurt offers a variety of fruit flavors, such as peach, pineapple, blueberry and more. My favorite aspect of this pairing? The perfect juxtaposition of creamy and crunchy. It appeals to all of my senses!

Since I'm about the last person to tell you how to make your morning productive, I will take every tip I can get to make my mornings all that much easier. Laura Stack, The Productivity Pro, has joined the initiative to provide tips on how you can get the most out of your morning:

-The secret to a smooth, sane morning is doing as much as you can the night before. Leave as little preparation as possible until the last minute – you’ll thank yourself in the morning.

- Spend twenty minutes at the end of each day planning your to-do list. When you download the next day’s activities beforehand, you can devote your morning to enjoyment rather than stress.

- Be sure to start your morning with a delicious, balanced breakfast. Together, the nutritious steady energy of belVita and 12 grams of protein in Dannon Oikos Greek nonfat yogurt** along with a piece of fruit will help you get more out of your morning.

The perfect pair!

I know that starting my day with a solid breakfast is a great way to start the day (which is why I love the ease of belVita breakfast biscuits and Dannon Oikos Greek Nonfat Yogurt). But it never occurred to me to end my day planning for the next. I bet 20 minutes of quick planning each evening would seriously change my mornings! I'm trying it tomorrow!

Learn more about this winning breakfast combo by connecting online!  You can find Oikos on Twitter and Facebook, and beVita on Twitter and Facebook.

Greeting the morning sun is a little easier with these two.

How do you make sure to start the day right?