Running Chick

My latest obsession, besides my new running shoes (hi shoes, love ya!), is sushi.

We stayed overnight in Madison on our trip back home last week and went to the best sushi bar ever. It was called Sushi Muramoto and it was totally awesome.

Here's a shot of the bar.




Our first round was the chef's choice 9-piece nagiri sushi meal. I forget which types of fish there were, but among others there was salmon, two types of tuna, red snapper and shrimp. We also got a seaweed roll (maki sushi). Mmmm, yummy. I had nice glass of chardonnay and Josh had a Sapporo (Japanese beer).




Next, we had a plate of tuna and avocado California rolls and scallion and yelllow tail tuna maki sushi rolls. The difference between the two types of rolls is that the California rolls have the rice on the outside, maki sushi has the ride inside the roll.




The rolls were surprisingly filling so we decided not to get dessert.

We headed back to the hotel and then to the Irish Pub next to the hotel. I thought we were going to get a traditional dessert, but we ended up getting fried calamari instead. I was amused by the baby calamari - all those legs! so cute! - and almost felt guilty eating them. Until I had one, then they were done for. They were way too tasty to feel guilty about.




After that, I had my first ever Black and Tan. Holy love. The picture does not do it justice.




I liked my B&T so much that I had at least four of them. That I remember, anyway. All I know is that our bar tab was over $50. Whoops! Oh well, we were on vacation!

We had nice greasy breakfast at McDonald's the next morning (the best hangover cure ever) and we bade Madison, sushi and B&Ts farewell.

I still haven't gone running in my lovely new shoes. I'm afraid to get them dirty! I think I'm insane.

My affair with Mizuno Wave Creation 8 neutral running shoes is over. *sniff*

I've suspected for a few months that my running gait had changed and my beloved Mizunos were causing my lower leg issues rather than helping them. When I found out there was a specialty running store near Waterloo that offered video gait analysis, I knew that it was now or never. So, off we went to the Runner's Flat in Cedar Falls.

The result? I've developed a nice, little over-pronation issue. That means my ankles roll inward. Excessive ankle roll = lower leg pain.

Behold the Asics Gel-Kayano 14.




It's a stability shoe and it cost me a boat-load of money. But, it works. I witnessed it, thanks to video gait analysis.

Old shoes: ankles roll inward badly.
New shoes: no ankle roll at all.

No ankle roll = no lower leg pain.

When the shoe dude showed me the two videos side-by-side, my response was...."Oh wow. I'll take them."

Did I mention they were expensive? They cost me just about as much as the whole-house humidifier I bought last week.

So, good bye, my dear, sweet Mizunos.  You were the first shoe I ever got professionally fitted for.  You helped me go from 13 minute miles to 9:30 miles.  You carried me through all my personal records and running firsts, my first half marathon and my first winter running season.  But, as my title says.......