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The Great Viking Conquest Race and Hoka

The Great Viking Conquest Race and Hoka | Nevermore Lane #VikingConquest #YesFit #HOKA

I *think* I’ve been bitten by the running bug. I can’t be quite sure yet because I thought I had been bitten once before but I didn’t get as far as I am now. So, I am just going to run with it and see where it takes me 😉 

Many, many years ago I lost the weight and would run/walk almost 10 miles a day. Looking back, I often wonder how I made it that far; but I know I did it, so I MUST be able to do it again.

We shall see. Right now my goal is to just make it through an entire 5k without stopping. I had a great start with the Color Vibe, but I just couldn’t leave my bestie behind!

The Great Viking Conquest Race and Hoka | Nevermore Lane #VikingConquest #YesFit #HOKA #ColorVibe

On Labor Day J (aka book boy) and I had these big plans to head up north and do the Mackinac Bridge Walk which is 5 miles over the Great Lake. Given my fear of bridges, which I sort of broke on my Cedarville trip, I knew this was not going to be an easy walk for me. Having J walk it with me meant the world to me. He’s such an awesome friend and great supporter. Sadly, things did not work out as planned and we did not go up north. But, the day was not a total lost because we were able to find a sister walk in a town closer to him.

We got up early on Labor Day (while most of you were sleeping! LOL) and took the short drive to South Lyon for their annual “sister” bridge walk.  It was such a nice day for a walk. Met some really interesting people, too.

J and I made a pact that next year we’ll RUN the whole 5 miles for the Mackinac Bridge Walk. The runners get to start before the walkers and you cannot stop. You have to run the length of the bridge in its entirety.

#GoalsIHaveThem

As I continue to go through all of these great life changes this year, I’ve made some really cool, new friends on my journey and one of those amazing people has just started running as well. It’s nice to have people in your life who motivate you and help you push yourself a bit further.

You also get to learn about some cool stuff, like virtual races. 

Virtual races are not a new concept but they seem to be sprouting up by leaps and bounds these last few months. It could also be due to the fact I am noticing more running events lately 😉 Either way, I recently found Yes. Fit and their Viking Conquest virtual run. I landed on this one quite by accident because I was actually clicking through Facebook from their Edgar Allan Poe – The Raven race. The Viking Conquest is a 65.3 mile virtual run. What is really cool about it is that I can easily update the race because it is synced with MyFitnessPal app which is also in-sync with my Jawbone UP fitness tracker app. Easy peasy. Once it updates, Yes.Fit will send me my updated Google Map trail where I can see where I’ve gone and where I’ve been.

The Great Viking Conquest Race and Hoka | Nevermore Lane #VikingConquest #YesFit #HOKA

As of today, I am just over half-way there!

Once I finish, I get this pretty awesome medal!

The Great Viking Conquest Race and Hoka | Nevermore Lane #VikingConquest #YesFit #HOKA

Pretty cool. I am not really a collector of stuff and things. I prefer to live a much more minimal life these days. But, you know what? It is nice to have a reminder of my accomplishments. The Color Vibe did not give out completion medals, but I have my number bib hanging up on my wall.  I paid $20 for this race. Probably the best $20 I have spent in quite some time since it is forcing me to move and finish.

You have to do whatever works for you.

I do know one thing, I should have listened to J sooner when he was babbling on for months about how awesome his Hoka shoes were. Back in the day Puma was my favorite running shoe but I can’t seem to find a model these days that fit quite like the older styles. I do have a pair of Puma I wore a few years ago when the ex and I were walking/jogging, but those treads are worn completely down and offer no support for running. Other than that, they still look like brand new shoes so I do wear them from time to time as a general shoe. I tried some Nike trail runners, but not much luck with those. Eventually I settled on some New Balance running shoes after my Mizuno’s sprung a leak. I have a pair of Saucony and a few other random brand names that I never wear for workout. I call them my out-and-about shoes 😉

The New Balance hit their tread mark and were starting to hurt my feet. Oh, hello there runner’s toe. 

The Great Viking Conquest Race and Hoka | Nevermore Lane #VikingConquest #YesFit #HOKA

It was time to go shopping. I decided to get a pair of Hoka One One Bondi 4 (designed for running on hard, man-made surfaces and has just enough traction to play on light trails) shoe’s sort of like Js. Since he was in need of a new pair after putting so many miles on his Hoka Challengers, he opted for a Hoka running shoe so he could hit the pavement and unpaved roads out by the house. So much easier than driving to the trails all the time.

These shoes! I can’t even begin to sing all of their praises. First, I purchased them and that night J and I went for a walk. It was hard at first to get used to the super thick, air cushioned bottom. The shoe cradles you as you walk and it really is like walking on a cloud of air. I wore them for the Labor Day walk too. While my feet hurt a little both times, I can now say that I have no problems with these shoes AT ALL and I can now run a bit longer without any back or hip pain. To me, that’s worth the price of these shoes. Most expensive pair of running shoes I have bought, but I can’t imagine getting by without them now.

Guys I have to tell you – I am SO PROUD of him. We’ve both been on a life-changing journey this year and he has pushed forward by leaps and bounds since I have known him. He went from walking and sorta-running to hauling ass mile after mile!!!!!

Me? I’m still way back here. But that is okay. I’m a turtle and I’ll go at my own pace. 

Did you pick up any new activities over the summer?

 

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43 Comments

  1. I have just recently started running! My husband ran track in high school so he has always been a runner. He recently got me hooked – to the point where we are planning 5Ks. I am hoping to do the Disney Princess Run one year soon.

  2. That is great you “caught the running bug”! I love running but sadly just have not had time for it over the past few months.

  3. Hoka running shoes is a brand I have never heard of before but will have to check out for sure. They sounds amazingly comfy and that is something I look for in my shoes. I have picked up doing different types of exercise videos a few times a week this summer. Thanks for sharing these awesome running shoes.

  4. The bridge walk sounds like so much fun. I too have been trying to get in shape and move more. I haven’t tried jogging or running yet. Maybe one day, I can do it again.

    I need some new shoes. But I have to hold off at the moment.

    1. I believe you can do it again! It was hard for me to believe I could do it again. I am really slow and cant run a lot all at once, but I am making progress.

  5. This looks like a great running shoe. I have never heard of Viking Conquest Virtual Run, I will have to check it out. I didn’t pick up any new activities over the summer.

    1. Once upon a time, I hated it too! LOL Now I find it very freeing and a great way to clear my head and have some “me” time.

  6. Sounds like you definitely have been bitten by the running bug. I need to get some better shoes to exercise in, but I mostly walk.

  7. I can run for hours on a treadmill, but to run outside just doesn’t work for me. I think I like the concept of the virtual runs because I can do them on the treadmill a lot easier. Glad you found a fitness plan that is working for you. Best of luck on your future runs!

  8. I don’t have a regular exercise regimen, however, I do walk around a lot. I consider walking as my exercise. At work, I sometimes use the stairs when I only need to go up or down two floors. I wish I had more energy to try running. My cousin started running when she was in her 40s and now she looks like someone in her early 30s! I hope to draw inspiration from you and go from casual walking to running short distances for a start.

  9. Those look like one sweet pair of running shoes! I don’t know much about running but from all my running obsessed besties I can tell you the right shoe is very important

  10. I have tried to catch the running bug but have failed on my occasions. The idea of these virtual runs are really neat! I am definitely going to check it out. I also love the look of those shoes. I think they look really comfortable!

  11. It’s good that you picked up a new interest. Running is awesome, it’s going to do so much good to your body and you get to gain friends and see lovely sights too. I think it’s great that you’re making running goals, it’s nice to have them especially when you’re planning to switch to a healthier, more active lifestyle.

  12. I have always wanted to get into shape and be able to do a 5K run. I will have to challenge myself and see how far I can get.

    1. They have been amazing. Took a little bit to get used to them because I am used to super light running shoes. These have a great cloud heal, but it does add a little bit of weight.

  13. I just recently got more into running, but just for fun! Those sneakers look great though! I bet earning medals is a great way to motivate yourself!

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