Christmas Came Early - New Shoes!

I have recently been receiving the New Balance News via email - it's a nice read, some interesting information about New Balance products, events for the running community and sometimes the offer to review  kit.   One newsletter offered a pair of stability shoes - New Balance 1260 V2.

First impressions were good - they are a lovely colour (Lilac & Silver) and feel quite light ( the New Balance website tells me they weigh 13oz).  They look quite narrow which was a worry to start with as I have "fat feet" but when I tried them on they felt fine.  I wore them around the house that first evening instead of my slippers and my feet didn't feel hot at all.   I did manage a quick jog around the block as I'd had to park Mum's Taxi in a different street.  They felt quite airy, I think they will be good at keeping my feet cool during longer runs.

This is the third pair of New Balance I've run in - my first pair I bought from a ladies sports shop in Brighton which were properly fitted and I had my gait analysed for the first time.   They were a great shoe and they did a lot of miles, more in the gym than on the road.   My second pair I bought from a well known sports outlet, which doesn't have the benefit of trained staff to fit running shoes, and I had a terrible experience with the shoes, spending an absolute fortune on blister plasters.  Since then, as regular readers will know, I have been running in ASICS and a pair of Sauconys!

So back to the New Balance..............

I decided to wear the new shoes for my run on Friday morning.   I was a bit worried about how they were going to stay on my feet as the back felt very low, but having sorted out the lacing actually they stayed on well.  As you are running you can feel the air flowing through them from the toes which helped to keep my feet nice and cool.  5 miles later and there were no blisters, no soreness on the soles of my feet and more importantly post-run I haven't had any aches in my feet,or further up my legs, which means the stability must be correct.  

I am really pleased with these shoes and New Balance seem to have worked quite hard on getting the feel, look, design and mechanics of the shoe just right.  Definitely a thumbs up from me ...... and my feet!  

Toning & Running (in a Santa Suit)

I recently entered a competition to win some products from a new skincare company Nota Bene Skinkcare,

and am now the proud owner of a lovely bottle of May Chang & Camomile toner for combination skin, which arrived in a lovely gift bag with star confetti.




It feels lovely on my skin, and there is a lovely light scent from the ingredients, Neroli and Bergamot water.   All ingredients are natural, organic and ethically sourced.    It's not at all astringent, which I have found with many toners and prepares my skin for moisturiser without any problems.   I'm sure this product works best with it's partnering ranges but at present I'm using another cleanser and moisturiser without any problems.

I'm looking forward to trying the other products that go with the toner.   Nota Bene are currently offering a free trial sample of moisturisers, all you pay is the postage and packing.

Well done to Nota Bene for a lovely product


I'm now well into Half Marathon training plan, although the weekday runs and cross training have been few and far between.  I have, however, managed to increase my long run distance without too much problem and am now up to just under 8 miles. 

Today was the YMCA Reigate Santa 5k Run.  I ran this "fun run" last year  and so we (brother Steve, his girlfriend Jo & running twitter friend Alma) decided to give it a go this year.   

This year's race had a celebrity starter - Shane Richie off the telly.  My daughter's reward for getting up early on a cold Sunday morning was a pic with the cheeky chappie himself

The fab four head off

Steve comes into the finish

Santa Jo coming into the finish

Santas Alma & Lesley get ready for a sprint to the line & a high five from Mr Richie!

I was really looking forward to setting a "running 5k in a Santa Suit" PB as I'm hoping my running has improved in the last 12 months; I'm pleased to report that whilst it wasn't the fastest 5k (due to running 3 loops - which I absolutely detest - in a "one size fits all" santa suit) I did manage to knock over a minute off last year's time.   

I was also supposed to be doing a long run - training plan required 9 miles so was going to take the opportunity of adding a few miles on to the 5k and run from Reigate to my parents in Horley.   Unfortunately we hadn't reckoned on Mr B going down with a nasty stomach bug in the early hours of the morning so he was left at home and my long run abandoned due to it being a logistical nightmare.

I'm really hoping that I can get the motivation going in the next few weeks to train properly during the week.   I'm struggling with keeping my weight down too and am in the never ending circle of lose & gain, which is really frustrating.   

I've just spotted that Janathon entry is now up and running, not sure whether this will motivate me to get out and train again, or whether I'm running out of time and will be motivated to run anyway!  Will have to think about it for a few days.