With pink! We already knew that, of course, but whohoo!!!
The pink Coach purse has disappeared from the racks at TJ Maxx, but that is okay. Jon got me a pink Kate Spade bag for Christmas instead that is perfect! It is bigger than what I will use for an everyday purse, but will still get plenty of use - it's pink after all (and one of the nicer non-triathlon related things I own, you know so I can pretend sometimes that I'm a normal girl and care about normal girly stuff).
Next, shoes. We all know I love my Newton Universal Racers - in pink! I'm on my second pair
and am trying to save them for just racing. In order to do that, I also bought Newton Lady Isaac Guidance Trainers to do most of my training miles in. They are heavier 
than the racers (which I would actually call the weight of most lightweight trainers), but still a bit lighter than the trainers I had been in forever. I would call them a good cross between the racer and a regular trainer. The lugs on the bottom are not as pronounced and the heel is more built up. I had originally walked out of Lu
ke's Locker with a pair of Newton Neutral Trainers, but before wearing them, I decided to swap them out for the Guidance trainers. They are ~$25 cheaper, a bit heavier, but seem to be a bit more versatile and seemed to make a little more sense, at least this time around. They also have a closed upper, which the racer and regular trainer do not. I love that open upper when running any where other than the park or any trail with little dirt and gravel, but honestly 90% of my runs these days are all or partly at the park (with the open mesh uppers, I end up with half the park in my shoes before my run is done).
and am trying to save them for just racing. In order to do that, I also bought Newton Lady Isaac Guidance Trainers to do most of my training miles in. They are heavier 
than the racers (which I would actually call the weight of most lightweight trainers), but still a bit lighter than the trainers I had been in forever. I would call them a good cross between the racer and a regular trainer. The lugs on the bottom are not as pronounced and the heel is more built up. I had originally walked out of Lu
ke's Locker with a pair of Newton Neutral Trainers, but before wearing them, I decided to swap them out for the Guidance trainers. They are ~$25 cheaper, a bit heavier, but seem to be a bit more versatile and seemed to make a little more sense, at least this time around. They also have a closed upper, which the racer and regular trainer do not. I love that open upper when running any where other than the park or any trail with little dirt and gravel, but honestly 90% of my runs these days are all or partly at the park (with the open mesh uppers, I end up with half the park in my shoes before my run is done).Now, to confuse things even more, I'd been reading rave reviews about the Nike Lunaracers, but did not really think they were something I'd need any time soon. I have read that many people who wear the Newtons regularly also love to race in the Lunaracers. They seem to all agree Nike did something right with these, after a recent history of not-so-great running shoes. They are crazy light - something else that made me think they were nothing I "needed." I had long assumed that lightweight shoes were only for fast people. The more I have read (and enjoyed my lighter Newton's), I am beginning to think that might not necessarily be the case. Running form, weight, etc, may play way more into the decision to wear a lighter weight shoe than speed alone. Jon raced in the Lunaracers all season and loved them (not to say he is slow or big...the opposite of both!).
Well, fast forward to one random weekend recently in Luke's - the Lunaracers are on sale for $75. Jon immediately buys another pair, fearing Nike will do what it is known best for, and change the next version for the worse. My interest is peaked. $75. Hmm... Not that expensive for a pair of shoes that if I like, will last a long long time because I'd only race in them, and I'm not racing long for a long time. Jon ended up getting them for me as a Christmas present and I was super excited.
The only issue now is the movement away from pink. Ugh. It is so very sad. I recently got my Shama Cycles race kit and what do you know? Not a stitch of pink on there. None. What's worse? RED. Everywhere! Red is the one color that you just cannot wear with pink. Gasp. BUT, I still had my pink newton shoes to race in - I could still have my bit of pink and be okay with it. But now? What if I fell in love with the Lunaracers? What was a girl who loves pink to do? I could put pink shoelaces in them, but that's about it. They are still pretty unpink (and quite manly looking, if you ask me):
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No fear...Nike has taken care of me:
Introducing the Nike Lunaracer+ 2. My awful life-altering decisions to be made about pink, shoes, etc, have all been taken care of. If I like the Nike's better than the Newton's for racing, no fear. I can now rest easy at night knowing I still have pink shoes to run in. I know you all were worried about what I was going to do without the ability to wear something shockingly pink at all times. I guess if I had to give up pink shoes I could have run carrying my new Kate Spade bag - it is certainly pink as well and would give me plenty of room to carry all the things I like to carry along when I'm racing.
Another good thing about the Lunaracer+ 2 is the men's color. Jon is moving towards bright green stuff, which is one of the colors of XCel Performance and Fitness. Nike took care of him too:
Comments
What did you get John???
peace.
steph