Test Driving the NEW VivoBarefoot Stealth II Winterproof Ladies Road Shoes

The Original Barefoot Shoe! How it did on the 5K Trail

Right now I'm less than two weeks away from doing my second Run 10 FEED 10, 10K race this year. I'm doing the Run Your Own 10K in my area this time so if you'd like to support me in providing meals for hungry local children please click HERE and make a donation. Running in NYC is great, don't get me wrong but the logistics of getting to the race line on time via mass transit is tricky! So I plan to simply use my training trail at the park which has mile and quarter mile markers in place.

New Kicks for the Race
These new running shoes just arrived in time for the cool weather. I chose these because this particular model of VivoBarefoot road shoe is a Winterproof version which comes with Thermal Insoles. They are also water resistant. I got to test both claims as it rained hard the day before and the temps were in the 50's for my maiden run.

5K for the Test Drive
I started out walking and immediately noticed being able to sense the trail beneath my feet due to the thinner soles. I also sensed how my toes were able to naturally move and splay inside the running shoes. Cool! I had on thin socks and after the first 1/2 mile thought it would be a good idea to place an adhesive bandage over the areas that were rubbing. This is common for new shoes so not a problem but otherwise they were comfortable for the entire 5K test run.

My first Run 10 FEED 10 in NYC - September 20th. PHOTO courtesy of Women's Health Mag.

Light Yet Right
The Vivobarefoot Stealth II Road Shoes are much lighter and more flexible than my uber cushy Hoka One One Bondi 4's.  The Hoka One Ones are also road shoes but have enough grip to allow them to run on a gravel packed trail as well. I found the Stealth II's to be equally as nimble on the same terrain. 

My Hoka One One Bondi 4's have an ultra thick sole.

The Transition
So I expected a BIG transition between running in the super thick soled Hoka's and the VivoBarefoot. I will admit that it did feel weird for the first 100 yards or so but in short order my great toe and ball of my foot began taking over as my body's natural anchor and stabilizer.
I was like the Energizer Bunny! Really impressed on how light these road shoes are and how long I could go without breaking into a walk.

2015 NYC Run 10 FEED 10  10K Race

A Road Shoe for the Run 10 FEED 10?
So the 5K + flew by and I didn't notice any additional stress on my knees or shins. In fact I was really able to open it up towards the end of my run. The VivoBarefoot Running Shoes and footwear in general do allow for maximum sensory feedback. That is due to their unique, puncture resistant soles. My feet didn't get wet even though I ran over patches of still soaked grass and felt completely warm and snug even with wind gusts up to 20 mph. These road shoes look similar to the thinner soled ones being worn by the lead runners in the NYC and big city Marathons. Now whether or not they perform like them is yet to be seen!

The shoe material is very breathable as my socks and feet were completely dry after my sprint. These road shoes come in European sizing and require hand-washing and line drying only. My model as shown here is in Orange/Navy Mesh. So will I wear these for my upcoming 10K? Well, they did great for my 5K today so I think they are a "shoe in" for the Run 10 FEED 10 race! See all the new fall/winter 2015 VivoBarefoot Shoe Styles at Vivobarefoot.com or only the ladies models HERE.

VivoBarefoot Stealth II Winterproof  Ladies Road Shoes in Orange/Navy Mesh

UPDATE
I wore the Stealth II's for the first half of the Run My Own 10k. I switched to my Hoka Vanquish Road Shoes at the 3.1 mile mark as my shins and knees were starting to fatigue in the Stealth II's.
As they are a barefoot shoe, they do not offer the same rebound and return of energy the way the thicker soled Hokas do. As a result, I was off about 10 minutes from my NYC 10k time. Now, I realize this was a gravel trail with hills and more difficult than a smooth city roadway. I also just did a 5k in the Stealth II's on Thanksgiving Day so that's a lot of miles in a short period of time. The strain was cumulative I'm sure.

So while I'm a little disappointed in the Vivobarefoot road shoes performance at this 10k event, they are very nimble and would do well for a shorter sprint where lightness counts. Definitely would work for running on the beach or grassy areas.

Finished the race in my Hokas!

NEW Recovery Drink
After the run I had a Coco Joy Coconut Milk Shake which packed easily in my gym tote. They come in Banana, Chocolate and Coffee are are really delicious. Coconut Water is also great as a rehydration and recovery drink. I have to say I wasn't as sore once I got home and slept quite well with no leg cramps. I also recommend taking about 500 mgs of calcium citrate before bedtime.

Coco Joy Pure Coconut Milk Shakes to go.

Road shoes c/o Vivobarefoot

Doing a Virtual Race - FlexItPink's Summer SoulMate Fun Run

5K down, 5 to go!

COUNTING DOWN TO THE RUN 10 FEED 10 on September 20th.
On August 8th, I tried something new. My first virtual run was similar to the Rapha Women's 100 in that you choose the route in your area and do it with or without others. While I really love the "Girl Power" element of the organized races, sometimes getting to them can take longer than the run itself. So when I had the opportunity to run a 5K/10K in my own area, I jumped at the chance.

I'm blessed to live within cycling distance to a park which just put in a new fitness trail with mile markers. After first checking it out on my bicycle, I saw where to begin. I parked my bicycle so that I could run over to it for a quick drink of water. That way I didn't have to carry a bottle with me.

Oh so lucky 1313! Hoka One One Bondi 4 Road Shoes

I dressed really light but the day had low humidity in the mid 80's at 9 am. Perfect! This was my running outfit as can be seen above. A few pieces from my cycling wardrobe worked well for the ride over and the run itself. The Bondi 4 are Road Shoes with a bit of grip. This makes them just as nimble on a gravel trail. They performed amazingly. These are super cushioned so my ankles and knees felt fine after doing 10K + not including the 3.73 mileage I put on the bicycle getting to the race.

Start of the 5K Trail Head

Just to review a 5K is about 3.1 miles. So just double that by going around twice to get 6.2 miles for a 10K. The FlexitPink Summer SoulMate Fun Run was open for walking, running or cycling. The idea was to grab a partner and do the run together. Since I had never run this particular trail, I decided to do it alone but there were so many other people out there, I wasn't lonely! The mile markers really do help and I was enjoying being out with the other runners on the track.

3.73 miles on top of the 8 + miles logged today.

So I would highly recommend trying a virtual run this summer. It helped me find a new spot to train for the upcoming Women's Health Magazine's  Run10 Feed10 at Hudson River Park in NYC. This should help me to improve my time/speed prior to the NY race. Right now I am doing intervals of walking/ running and trying to lengthen out the sprints. I do think it's working as I've gotten much stronger since April's More Fitness Half Marathon.

My Finisher's Medal from this day's run.

So definitely check out  Run10Feed10.com to sign up for this race to run 10K to FEED 10 people here in the United States. I've followed and supported The FEED Projects for years and think they are a worthwhile organization. My elite XTreme XTraining readers will get $5 off the $55 registration fee by entering promo code: R10F10PR!

Race Ready: THINK Women's Fitness Apparel and Hoka One One Bondi 4

THINK - a Brooklyn based line of women's fitness apparel 

Coming up on the NBC TODAY Show's coverage of the More Women Half-Marathon on April 19th has given me the chance to try out some new running separates and road shoes. Spring is the perfect time to update your athletic wear as it will give you an instant mental boost and incentive to get out there. Here are a few of my top finds this season:

Doing my run with @HOKAONEONE! Only 10 days until the @morefitnesshalf #runfortoday @thinkALLways pic.twitter.com/YJUmEXfaWh
— Marie J. Miczak (@DoctorM) April 9, 2015

What Do You THINK?
A relatively new designer out of Brooklyn, is Mariel Heather of THINK fitness apparel. THINK's goal is to promote positive thinking, empowerment and a healthy lifestyle. Each month they donate 10 % of proceeds to various charities and nonprofits that align themselves with their cause.

THINK Love Hoodie in Pink

THINK Hoodies
These hoodies are available with various messages as offered in Black, Grey or Pink and are comfy cozy to wear, especially on chilly NYC mornings. Two hand pockets up front easily hold your cell and some cash. Made from cotton and French terry polyester, this full zip hoodie is one you'll reach for time and time again. It will inspire you to keep going and definitely encourage all who see you wearing it.

THINK Tank Tops

THINK Tank Tops
These aren't your boyfriend's tank taps. These are INCREDIBLY soft (made of viscose and polyester) and tailored for a woman's body. I love wearing this tank top as it layers so well under the THINK Hoodie and will not shrink. Really it's like wearing nothing at all. Comes in Pink, Grey and Black.

THINK Yoga Pants

THINK Yoga Pants
What I like, aside from the message is the quality of these clothing pieces. I'll be the first to admit that I'm not a true fan of yoga pants but I LIKE the ones designed by THINK. They are just the right thickness to give you a bit of support on your run. Made of slim fitting nylon and spandex they go with any workout ensemble. The waistband is also very comfortable with a written message on the back, "It's all in your mind." Yes it IS!
See the entire THINK ALL Ways collection online here: THINKALLways.com and you can also follow them on Instagram and Twitter @thinkALLways.

Hytail Ponytail Hat

Hytail Ponytail Hat
These sports caps are so cool...literally! I first featured them at XTreme XTraining about two years ago HERE. Hytail Ponytail Hats are a must for us girls with long hair. Simply pop your hair through the opening in the back and BOOM, you're ready to run. Alleviates the need for pony tail clips or elastics as it keeps your hair off your neck. You and your hair will stay cooler and drier. See all the new styles at Hytail Ponytail Hats

Hoka One One Bondi 4 Road Shoes

Hoka One One Bondi 4
This is the fourth installment in the Bondi series and new for 2015. I've been training in these uber cushioned road shoes as I am sometimes running on concrete which is perhaps the worse thing you can do for your joints. I'm happy to report that these road shoes have been more than up to the task and I feel great wearing them. In fact, I'm able to go quite a bit longer in comfort because of their specially designed Ortholite Insole which came packed separately in the box. I did my first few runs without the foot bed insert and then put them in. I definitely noticed a difference.

HokaOneOne Bondi 4 in Corsican Blue

The Bondi 4 have just enough grip that you could also use them to run trails. I tried them on dirt and grass without any slippage at all. I've run with them in the rain, over melting snow and ice, mud, really everything you could imagine with the crazy weather we've been having. Nothing but grip, comfort and control. Look for them on air on NBC at the race which kicks off at 8:00 am, Sunday morning, April 19th and visit them online at HokaOneOne.com

Special Thanks: Hoka One One is an Official Race Sponsor for the More Women's Half Marathon and I want to thank them, THINK Women's Fitness Apparel, Lole Women, Hytail Ponytail Hats and Garden Of Life Organic Nutritional Supplements for supporting me at this upcoming race event.

NBC's TODAY Show Hosts More, Fitness, Shape Magazine Women's Half Marathon

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

NY, NY  NATALIE MORALES AND ERICA HILL OF NBC’S TODAY SHOW TO HOST 2015 MORE/FITNESS/SHAPE WOMEN’S HALF-MARATHON on Sunday April 19th Starting at 8:00 am! Be sure to tune in for full race coverage.

Not only will Natalie and Erica be hosting the half-marathon, they will be running in it. XTreme XTraining has received confirmation as invited and credentialed press for this monumental women's fitness event. My plan? To film sections of the race course and half-marathoners as an embedded journalist. I'm now in training to keep up with the other runners and I've got the road shoes to prove it!

My Hoka One One Bondi4's

More Magazine
I actually appeared in More Magazine for "The Gift I Gave Myself" and the CBS News segment  "Reaching for More" where I discussed the joys and challenges of learning a new athletic skill which at the time was Ice Skating.  More is VERY proactive in empowering women to strive and achieve so they are the perfect partner for this half-marathon event. If you want to sign up for this 13.1 mile women's-only race through Central Park, do so quickly. In my past experience with this event, the 10,000 cap fills up quickly. Details and links are below.

Here's the Official Press Release:

NEW YORK, N.Y., (February 20, 2015) – MORE, FITNESS and SHAPE magazines announced today that Natalie Morales, TODAY show News Anchor and Third-Hour Co-Host, and Erica Hill, Weekend TODAY Co-Host, will host the 2015 MORE/FITNESS/SHAPE Women’s Half-Marathon, and kick off one of the largest women’s-only half-marathons in the country. This year’s race will be held on Sunday, April 19, 2015 in New York City’s Central Park, and 10,000 runners from around the world are expected to participate.

MORE, FITNESS and SHAPE magazines are co-hosting the event in conjunction with New York Road Runners (NYRR) and expect to welcome thousands of race participants and spectators to Central Park, including Natalie and Erica, who plan to run the 13.1-mile race.

NBC’s TODAY will also serve as the Media Partner. Healthfull® by Arnold/Brownberry/Oroweat®, Hoka One One, MorningStar Farms and Natalie’s Orchid Island Juice Co. are Product Sponsors. CARE, a leading humanitarian organization that empowers women and girls around the world, is the Charity Partner. The MORE/FITNESS/SHAPE Women’s Half-Marathon has also teamed up with Athletes for a Fit Planet to enhance our efforts to produce an environmentally responsible event by taking their Pledge of Sustainability.

“We’re so excited to have TODAY as the Media Partner for our 12th annual race,” says Lesley Jane Seymour, Editor-in-Chief of MORE. “Natalie and Erica are the perfect hosts, and, as runners as well, they will only add to the girl power of this fun and inspirational event.”

The race is open to women runners and walkers of all ages. Registration is accepted online at www.morefitnesshalf.nyrr.org. To enhance the race-day experience, the size of the event will be capped at 10,000 runners, so participants are encouraged to register early.

For more information about the race, please visit www.morefitnesshalf.com.

(UPDATE: This race is nearing its 10K capacity! The entry fee is under $100.00 so sign up quickly!)  

Jump Start Your New Year's Fitness Resolutions

Jump Start your New Year's Fitness Resolutions with these "Game Changers"!

I'm sure you were all stoked about stepping up your fitness routine for 2015 on January 1st, right?Now the reality of not enough hours in the day, cold-wet-snowy weather and the general "blahs" from dark, gray skies is setting in.

Don't despair! There are a few things you can do to re-fire your desire to get fit in 2015. Here are some sure fire tips to do NOW to help turn things around:

Go Shopping for New Running Shoes
Even if it's really snowy/rainy outside now, there will be some winter days when the skies will open up and the pavement will be dry. A pair of new running shoes is just the thing you need to take a run in the park or even the treadmill at the gym. Look for the most up-to-date releases in funky bright colors to chase away the winter blues. Check out this new pair of Hoka One One 2015 Bondi 4 Women's Road Shoes in Corsican Blue and Neon Cora!  See more colors of the
Hoka One Bondi Women's Road Shoe


UPDATE: I took my first run in the Bondi 4 the other day and they are amazing! Even without the extra Ortholite Performance Insoles in place, they gave me a stable, well cushioned ride on the road. They also have enough grip for trail use as I tested them off road. Full review will follow.

Getting a new pair of running shoes can motivate you to run more.

Amp Up Your Nutrition -Try Some New Energy Bars
If you've been hitting it pretty hard at the gym, you may not be getting enough protein calories to fuel your workout. I usually drink about half of my protein shake before lifting weights and then the other half when I'm done. That's fine for the home gym workout but you may want protein to go in the form of an energy bar. These NuGo Bars are lower in sugar, rice / whey based and deliciously easy to pack along. My favorite? I'd have to say I'm partial to the Carrot Cake and Caramel Pretzel!

This Caramel Pretzel Stronger NuGo bar offer 25 grams of packable protein.

And Some New Performance Supplements
Just like the NuGo Stronger Protein Bars, you'll want to keep portability in mind as you may have to relocate your workout to the gym during inclement weather. These Ultra Woman Packets from Vitamin World contain a day's worth of supplements for the active woman. I love taking these along when I travel too as most hotels have a workout room with a water cooler. Easy to swallow tablets and each 30 Day supply comes with a cool Zumba Workout DVD! Now how's THAT for motivation?

Ultra Woman Fitness Supplements from Vitamin World travel easy.

Get A Grip: Buy Some New Weight Lifting Gloves
This is an issue for me because my hands are small and gripping the lat and chest press bars can be uncomfortable.  These G-Loves are flashy and brighten up your workout while helping you handle the bar with confidence. 100% Neoprene and made in the USA, they need a bit of breaking in before they conform completely to your hands. Check out all of the designs at G-Loves.com

G-Loves Fashionable Workout Gloves

Take A Class
One of my favorite outdoor fitness educators is REI. They often have all sorts of classes at their stores or on location. Now's the time you might want to brush up on your bicycle maintenance skills such as the class I attended at The Woman's Story in Crystal Springs Resort. Even if you may be done for the season as far as riding, learning some new skills at a Bicycle Clinic can make you eager and ready to hit it once the opportunity arises. If you do ride in the winter, these skills can help keep your bicycle in top working condition despite the cold and snow.

Justin from REI teaching a Bicycle Maintenance Clinic

Can't Beat Them? Join Them!
You might want to get out a pair of good thermal, waterproof hiking boots in case cabin fever is just too much. While I understand not everyone is a Snow Bunny (like me), working out in cold temperatures actually burns MORE fat than going at it in a heated room. So ditch the gym a few days a week and take a walk in the cold or snow. If it's really slick add some Micro-Spikes or mini crampons. You will feel so much better even if it's a quick walk due to the cold. Layer up and get out there! 
Skiing or snowboarding? Check out my review of Lole's 2015 Thermal Sidonie Ski Bibs!

My answer to being Snowbound-Ahnu Montara Tall Hiking Boots

Try on Some New Workout Clothes
I really enjoy looking at the Spring and Summer fitness collections as I can begin dreaming about springtime even in the midst of high winds and snowstorms. Grab a few catalogs and see what's new for SS2015 and what pieces you might want to add to help round out your fitness wardrobe. You can also pick out some new cold weather pieces for now to help deal with the elements...in style. Here below is one of my favorites this season: Baker Bike Jacket by Novara ( REI Label).

Something Bright and Toasty for the cold weather.

Just thinking about springtime can lift your spirits with visions of warmer days and working out, outdoors. One of my favorites finds is cycle-wear that looks like street-wear. Giro's New Road Collection is both fashionable and practical on and off the bike. This makes your pieces do double duty, affording more wear per garment. A bike commuter's panacea. Check out GiroSportDesign online.

Giro Sport Design: Spring Cycle-wear that looks like street-wear