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The Mizuno Wave Sayonara

The following post is sponsored by Fitfluential LLC on behalf of Mizuno.

Since mid November, I’ve been running in my beloved hot pink Mizuno Wave Rider 16s which I’ve absolutely loved. In fact, before discovering these shoes I had never found a lighter weight shoe that also provided me the support I needed. In fact, they even protected my feet as I scaled, hiked and ran up the Saleve in February during my Geneva visit.

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When I had the opportunity, through my partnership with Fitfluential, to try the new Mizuno Wave Sayonara, I was ecstatic.

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A new shoe in the Mizuno line up, the Sayonara replaces both the Mizuno Wave Precision and the Wave Elixir as it marries the best features of both into one super light weight shoe! Here are the stats for your reference:

  • 7.1 oz weight
  • Heal to toe drop of 10mm
  • Performance neautral
  • $119.99

I’ve worn these shoes for multiple different workouts over the past few weeks including a long run along the Hudson with friends, a few shorter runs in Central Park, Barry’s Bootcamp classes, an Uplift Strength class, and finally today along the Highline and Hudson River.

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The verdict is that I am truly a fan of the Wave Sayonara. The love didn’t begin immediately though. My first run in them was a Central Park 6 mile loop and my legs were a bit sore afterwards. However, after a few runs today they felt wonderful! I think the key to these shoes is gradually increasing the mileage since they fit differently than my other running shoes and they have a bit more drop. But, give them a week and you’ll love how responsive they are and how light and stable you feel in both running and bootcamp class alike!

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If you’re looking to try a new pair of shoes I couldn’t recommend these enough! Head to your local running store or Mizuno Running Store to order a pair! Your running will thank you! How can you not feel speedy in such bright, light shoes?

So, since these Mizuno Wave Sayonaras are heading to Geneva with me and will quickly get used to running hills, I figured sharing a hill workout with you all is quite fitting! Hill training isn’t always fun but it definitely makes you strong and you notice results within just a few workouts! This one is short enough that you can do it even if you’re just starting out with hill training and since it is geared towards a treadmill, you can do it either at your gym or on the road at a hotel gym!

hill training workout

Hill workouts – love them or hate them?

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La Esquina NYC and A Giveaway

Good morning! Waking up this morning was quite difficult as last night we had a wonderful date night with Frank and Melissa. They made reservations at one of their favorite restaurants, La Esquina! Bo and I have talked about enjoying one last Mexican meal before we leave as we think finding delicious Mexican will be quite difficult in London and Geneva. La Esquina Brasserie definitely delivered! Even though the restaurant is 8 years old, based on their packed house on a Monday night they are clearly doing something right still.

La Esquina

I couldn’t resist ordering their classic margarita, El Macizo Margarita! It was the perfect mix of salty and sweet due to the orange juice!

La Esquina Margarita

We ordered a number of small plates to share during the course of the night including their street corn, ensalada mixta, ceviche, rice & beans,  and pescada taquitos! We avoided the more expensive main course items which worked perfectly.  We left the restaurant 2 hours later happily full and didn’t break the bank.

La Esquina Dinner

Now, in other fun, as promised with my Instagram followers, I want to share a fun giveaway with you all! I love workout DVD and know that I will start using them even more in Geneva, however when packing this weekend I found that I have a few duplicates! I wanted to share the collection with one lucky reader who will be able to use these and enjoy inside workouts this summer during the hottest of days or this winter during the snowy, icy days!

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One lucky randomly selected  reader will win all 8 DVDs including 4 Physique 57 and 1 Exhale Core Fusion DVD!

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED! 

To enter, leave a comment on this post about your favorite workout DVD or online workout you have done previously.

For 3 additional optional entries you an do the following!

  • Like A Healthy, Happier Bear on Facebook
  • Follow me on Twitter and leave a comment here stating that you are now following.
  • Tweet about the giveaway making sure you use @healthyhappier in the Tweet and then leave a comment on here letting me know.

A winner will be chosen on Thursday July 11th at noon! Good luck! Also, this giveaway is open only to U.S. residents. 

 

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ashleyd /

Thankful

Over a year ago, one of my co-workers convinced me to alter my normal morning run schedule and instead enjoy evening runs after work with a few of my co-workers. Originally, I had plenty of excuses not to join.

They are too fast.

They’ve been running together for a while already.

I don’t have time.

People will judge me for leaving my desk at 5:15pm.

After a great deal of persuasion, I laced up my shoes and put my computer away one afternoon at 5pm, even though I knew most nights I’d return to my desk for some sweaty work after the run.  I fell in love immediately not just with the group camaraderie which I always love during run clubs. But, running with co-workers gives you a time to talk about the days events in a safe environment and brainstorm together.

I never looked back and since then have run with the group at least once per week, sometimes 2-3. While we tend to run the lower loop more than any other path due to time we’ve had some adventures along the way including getting lost on the back paths, hill repeats, loops along the reservoir, and even a few weekend long runs during marathon training. photo (9)

Tonight was my last run club and tears definitely fell as I ran towards Central Park, surrounded by co-workers who came out in the July heat and humidity after a long weekend for a run together.  IMG_0076  IMG_0080 IMG_0075 

These people are a perfect example of why I love running. It doesn’t always have to be about the speed or the distance. Some evenings it’s just about getting out of the office and burning off some stress together.

I look forward to finding a similar group in Geneva beginning next week but until then, I’m so thankful for these amazing friends and co-workers!

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