This post is sponsored by Mizuno Running and FitFluential. All reviews and opinions are my own.

I've been known to keep my running shoes FAR too long. Like - you can see the color of my socks through multiple holes in my shoes long.

But when you find a pair you love, it's hard to let them go!

Plus - in terms of sneakers in general, I've got "perfect" shoes for about a million different things. Like, a pair of black Nikes that I found at the outlet for $19 in 2009 (yeah, they are 8 years old) that are the only pair of sneakers that I feel are reasonable to wear with bootcut jeans. The soles are so worn out that they actually make for really good "sliders" when I do workouts on carpet.  Or the purple shoes to wear when I want to be all matchy matchy, or that pair of trail runners that I don't actually love, but should probably keep because I need a pair of trail shoes. I know, it's a problem. But if you're a runner, you probably understand. 

We need a lightweight pair, a pair for long runs, an old comfy pair, a snazzy new pair...amiright? 

I've been cycling through some REALLY old shoes lately, because

1. I love them and can't let them go.
2. I hate trying new shoes.
And 3. I really hate spending lots of money on shoes, especially if I'm not sure I'm going to love them. 

But alas, when my pinky toe actually popped out of my favorite shoe, I decided it was time to get on the hunt again. I've gone through Asics, Brooks and New Balance in the past several years, but haven't found an IT shoe that I can just count on for everything. And I guess that's ok, certain shoes are better for certain situations. Just like my mug collection. But that's a story for another day. 

I had been wanting to try Mizunos for quite some time and finally found a great deal online so I decided to give them a go. I was SO pleasantly surprised! It was my first try at a new brand/model and I loved them! The Wave Inspire has quickly became my go-to shoe. Lightweight, comfy and a perfect all around shoe. When Mizuno asked me to try out their very newest model, the #WaveSky, I couldn't wait to check it out! I already had a good feel for the brand, it was a big fan. 

When the new Mizuno Wave Sky arrived, I was so excited! I LOVE the vibrant colors, and was pumped that they were different than any of my other shoes. They also just happened to match the new running hat that I had just bought. #runninggearwin ! I assumed I would have to break them in for a while, so I was shocked when I felt right at home in them on my very first run! I've never really run in a "cushioned" shoe, so it's a real treat...it truly feels like running on clouds! I've always run in a neutral shoe, so I loved how extra plush this trainer felt! 

What I love about the #WaveSky:

• Awesome color options
• The stretchy, stay-put shoe laces! 
• The cushion from heel to toe - so comfy! 
• Pretty lightweight for a cushioned shoe
• No break-in period necessary

What I'm not loving:

• The toe box seems slightly narrower than my other Mizunos. I have a really wide toe box so this is a bigger deal for me. 
• My toes still go numb when I run in them. I don't believe that this is specific to the Wave Sky, because my toes have been going numb in ALL of my shoes. It's a problem I need to do further investigation into. However, if they DID help with the numbness, they would FOR SURE be my most favorite shoe ever. 

For all of you techy-shoe people - here are the stats on the Wave Sky:

The Wave Sky has an evolutionary lightweight midsole that delivers stress-free cushioned rides with high rebounds. features a redesigned Neutral Wave plate with cloudwave technology for softer cushioning and an enhanced responsive feel. Like they say, it's like you're taking your run to the clouds! 

Overall, I have to say I really, really like running in the new Mizuno Wave Sky. I'm finding it's more and more important to rotate my shoes, and these are the ones I plan to use on recovery runs when my feet need some extra love as well as long runs! They will be perfect to rotate with my Wave Inspires!

Plus, they are oh-so-comfy, I'm sure I'll be taking them on lots of long walks with my pup and girlies too! When you're pushing/pulling about 200lbs of kids/animals, why WOULDN'T you want to be walking on clouds?! 

What's the longest you've kept a pair of shoes? 
Have you ever tried cushioned running shoes? 

We hear this a lot these days - in a world of perfect Instagram pics, and only the highlights posted on Facebook...we KNOW it's not worth it to compare ourselves to others.

​BUT.

What I think is EVEN WORSE - is when I start comparing me to ME. 

Since "coming back" to running after having baby #2 I have really struggled, especially mentally. I knew I was being healthy, I was happy being active every day, I was teaching my fitness class, doing yoga and running occasionally. I would have days where I felt like all of these things were great. I felt good about myself. And then I would think back to where I was at that point post-pregnancy with my first baby and all those good feelings would go right down the drain. 

"Last time I had lost all of the weight by now"
"When M was this age I was the fastest I had ever been"
"Last time I had already placed in a 10K"
"At this point last time I PR'd a half a marathon"

All of these thoughts would flash through my head as I struggled with my 100lb load in the BOB stroller through our cul-de-sacs in the heat and humidity and I would just feel like crap. Like I wasn't doing enough. Like I should be waking up earlier, like I should be working harder. But then I would go and make myself feel better again by saying things like:

"It's hotter here"
"You have twice the load"
"You don't have help with the kids like you did last time"
"Every post-partum journey is different"

And that would help for a little while until the whole vicious cycle would start again.

I even actually believed myself for a few weeks when I said "I really don't care how much I'm running these days".

LIES.

​I did want to run. I DO want to run. This horrible comparison game was taking away all of the joy I ever found in running. 

When I decided to organize a 5K for my Moms in Motion class in April I was really excited to finally have a running goal in sight. I'm always much more motivated when I have a race ahead of me, so this was perfect. Until the comparisons started again. 

"H is 8 months old. When M was 8 months old you were running a half marathon"
"You did a 5K 3 months post-partum last time. This shouldn't be that big of a deal"
"You shouldn't have to train for this as hard as you are" 
"Can you SERIOUSLY still only run 2 miles?" 

Instead of being excited about a really fun event with my friends, I was shaming myself for not being better. It wasn't until a few days before our 5K that I decided my mindset had to change.

I decided to GET EXCITED for the 5K.

I decided to own my own race. 

​I decided to bring the JOY back to running. 

And guess what guys, it worked. The mind is a POWERFUL tool. I showed up to that race and I didn't think about my last race. I thought about the one ahead of me. I smiled with my friends and ran to the best of my ability. We had a blast! And here is the funny thing that happened. Not only did I have the most fun running than I have had in a long time - I was FIRED UP afterwards. 

I came home that day with a whole new outlook. I felt strong. I was ready to run longer. I was ready to quit listening to the voices in my head. I actually felt like a runner again. I felt like ME again,

​ I'm excited to see where the rest of this year takes me. I have a 10K at the end of May and a half marathon in the fall. Who knows if I'll do anything else in between but here's what I do know - I'm not going to let myself tell me that I'm not good enough. 

If you can relate to ANY of this, here is my message to you:  Don't compare yourself. Not to me, not to your neighbor, not to that girl you follow on Instagram and definitely not to your old self. Be YOU now. And be a really awesome version of her. And...sign up for a race. Even if it's way shorter than you think should should be doing. Just do it. Get yourself in the game again. The endorphins will fly and hopefully a little piece of that JOY you once found in running will return. 

Have you ever heard of a virtual race? 

I hadn't either until recently. As it turns out - virtual races are AWESOME! I'm totally obsessed! 

Here's what they are. You find a virtual racing website (there are a bunch). Find a race that you like the theme/distance/dates. They typically set a date range that you can/should run your virtual race. You sign up online, just like you would register for a real life race. They'll send you your race packet with a shirt, a medal and a bib number. Then, on the date specified (or whenever works for you) - you run the distance! 

When I first heard of this I didn't really grasp WHY you would want to do this. Why would I pay to do a "fake" race? Well, I just did my first and now I know!!! 

• You get a great shirt and awesome bling. No more dinky race medals or ugly white tees. 
• Part of your registration fee goes to charity. 
• You have committed to something - so you're more likely to work towards it and actually do the distance. 
• The dates are flexible so you can run your race when you want to! 
• There is an amazing virtual community cheering you on.
• You can run with whoever you want. Bring your kids, bring your dogs - no rules! 
• It's the PERFECT way to organize your own mini race without all of the hassle!

While I'm pumped about ALL of the benefits of virtual racing, that last one was the real kicker for me. You see, I teach a "Moms in Motion" fitness class where moms and their kiddos come to play and workout together every week. I always thought it would be fun to do a 5K together, but there aren't many races in our area very often. When there are, they often aren't stroller friendly which is kind of a must-have for our #strollersquad. I thought it would be fun to organize one just for us, but didn't want to deal with the logistics of signing up, designing and ordering shirts, getting race bibs...etc. 

In comes virtual racing.

Here's what we did:

I found an awesome virtual run through Flex It Pink. The theme was "Girls Run The World". They had a great shirt design (perfect for strong mamas like us) and the charity they partnered with was Dress a Girl Around the World. 

I picked a date and a location to run and invited my class members to join me and sign up. Each of us signed up on our own, and got our race packages shipped to our homes. On race day, we all met up with our shirts, medals in hand and of course, our kids! ​

I have to say, it's one of the funnest (is that a word?!) races I've run! We did a kids dash first (to wear them out...duh), warmed up with a Freeze Dance and got to spend a beautiful morning running and walking together with our kids!

Add a homemade photo booth for post-race pictures and we had it all! It was so fun getting to do an "event" that we were able to tailor for ourselves! Lots of running strollers (what would we do with out our BOB's??), snacks and even Disney music at the finish line. 

If you've never thought about trying a virtual race - I encourage you to check it out!

​Find some friends and make it a party! 

PS - Super Kudos to this mama - who came and pushed her Double BOB while 39 weeks pregnant! She earned her tiara medal for sure!!!!