The Nike Studio Wrap Impresses

I know I just recently posted a photo of these shoes on my blog, but I recently found this video, and it is amazing! I have always known the importance of having individualized shoes for a sport. In high school I had different shoes for basketball, volleyball and tennis and they all served different purposes. Volleyball shoes keep you low to the ground, support side to side movement and have a sturdy sole. Basketball shoes support your ankles while allowing all around motion, and running shoes are created to stabilize the forward motion of your stride. Each shoe serves a different purpose and is as important to your training as performing drills over and over again. Check out Nike Master Trainer, Marie Purvis, post on the importance of sport specific shoes over at her blog.

Now, thanks to Nike, yoga has a shoe of its own. This shoe is sure to impress. It allows stability, freedom of motion, grip and it is visually appealing. It can also be worn straight from the street to the gym, with the handy two in one design.

This video is absolutely amazing! I really think that every girl needs these shoes. Yoga class is essential to keeping me limber, agile and more pain free. The Nike Studio Wrap shown in this film will really revolutionize my yoga practice. I, for one, am always sliding around my mat, and not only are these shoes cute, they are so useful!

I know what I will be saving for in February when these shoes come out! I'll be sure to let you know what I think when I actually get to put these babies on my feet and test them out during an NTC yoga workout. Thanks Nike Women for taking my yoga practice to the next level. You truly have the best designers and talented individuals working to improve sport performance everyday.

Yes, I'm Obsessed with Nike, I Admit It

I can't think of anything that I would rather be doing on my birthday then running the Nike Women's  Half-Marathon in Washington DC! Seriously, I want to run this race so badly. So yes, that is a poem I wrote about my obsession with Nike and my desire to run this race, and all Nike races in the future! Why do I want to run this race? Here are my top 10 reasons to run DC:

10. I have never been to Washington DC and can't think of a better way to experience it.

9. Nike races are my favorite events and the atmosphere is amazing.

8. Tiffany's Necklace (yes, I love the two I have from SF and I want more!)

7. My desire to do a year of blog posts on my Nike race experiences (Yes, more Nike posts, I'm excited to share them with you).

6. To get a PR and sub 1:45 hour half-marathon

5. Experience Nike around the US.

4. I'm addicted to running and training and I always seem to train better for Nike races.

3. To meet more amazing women on race weekend and make new #SistersInNike

2. To meet the girls of the Nike Sportswear SF and Runway Crew

1. This race is on my birthday and there is no better present!

So yes, I know it's bordering on obsessive, but this event looks amazing and I want to be a part of it in the worst way. I was not accepted into the lottery with my wonderful team of ladies, but I refuse to give up and am hoping that I can run this race. I will find a way. Training for this race starts now. 

Unstoppable

Unstoppable is a powerful word. It can be defined by refusing to give up, never quitting, repeatedly working everyday towards a goal. Being unstoppable means empowering others to join you and work with you towards your goal. It's taking something in your life and making it your focus.

Elite athletes are unstoppable. Successful people are unstoppable. They have mastered the art of being loyal to their dreams and their desires. Being unstoppable means that you must make tough decisions every day. You must decide how your decisions will define your future and build a better life for you.

I want to become unstoppable in my quest to become a personal trainer and to share my love of fitness with others. I want to be unstoppable with the minutes, hours, and days that I put in working out with my Nike Training Club app. I want to succeed in all aspects of my fitness journey.

I have big dreams and big goals. It's no secret that Nike is a huge inspiration for me. I want to embody what I feel Nike has brought to the fitness world. I want to be everything that I can be, to run faster, reach higher, and push further than I every thought possible.

I'm making myself Unstoppable. What are you doing to reach your dreams? 

Nike Fuel Band

Tracking for every move I make and seamless integration with my iPhone to count my calories burned, steps taken and activity for the day is just what I need. Nike never ceases to create a product that I hope to use to enhance my training! This past Thursday they introduced the Nike Fuel Band, when worn on your wrist throughout the day it tracks your calories burned, steps taken and allows you to set goals for the day and then to #makeitcount. I would love to have one.

This year I am training for so many races and working to improve my strength. The fuel band would be beneficial to be able to see my calorie burn every day and track my progress easily online. It may just be a dream for me for a while, but perhaps at some point I will get one and see if it is as great as it looks. I will be sure to keep you posted when I do.

At the Nike launch in New York employees got to test out the band all over town. They even tested it by playing a tennis match in Grand Central station. Tennis in Grand Central station, really? What I wouldn't do to be able to do that.

Only time will tell how effective and accurate the fuel band is, but I have faith and will continue to keep it at the top of my wish list.

2012-Year of Inspiration

The summer Olympics are coming up in a few short months and I am so excited. The top athletes in the world will come together and battle to be given the ultimate prize, a gold medal and bragging rights for the next 4 years.

This past weekend my favorite runner, Kara Goucher battled for a chance to compete for the USA in the Olympic marathon. She ran an amazing race and is now a member of the 2012 Olympic team. I know that I will be following her training and road to the Olympics from here on out. Not only is she an incredible athlete, but she is a very inspiring person. She spoke at my first marathon - the Nike Women's Marathon in San Francisco - this past year and inspired me to perform at my very best in everything I do.

All the athletes at the games have the ability to inspire and amaze me every time that they compete. Their passion, drive and determination are unmatched. I only hope that I can apply a similar amount of determination into everything I take on in my life, whether it be fitness, work or my relationships. In 2012 I am going to put all my energy into making every moment count.