Going the Distance | Under Armour HOVR Sonic Review

Disclaimer: I received Under Armour HOVR Sonic running shoes in exchange for my review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador) and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!

When I find a good thing, I stick to it — that's true in both running and every day life — and I'm back to tell you about my experience with my latest running shoes!

As a BibRave Pro, I received Under Armour HOVR Sonic running shoes to review. If you have been following me for a while, you may remember that I reviewed HOVR Sonic shoes back in January, too. So what's the difference now?

HOVR Sonic in Graphite/Metallic Silver

These shoes are the "not connected" edition (meaning they do not pair with my smart phone), they are  in this fancy grey color that I love, and I have put mega miles on this same style of shoe over the past seven months.

I trained for and ran the Grandma's Marathon in my last pair of HOVR Sonic shoes and now I'm back for more in the HOVR Sonic as I train for my next race. After all that training time, I feel like I now know the "in's and out's" of this shoe.


These shoes have been through everything from speed work to long runs, treadmills to road running, stroller pushing and strength training. Through miles in the snow with Yaktrax strapped on this winter and now hot, humid miles on the road this summer, these shoes have been comfortable and gotten the job done.

As this pair of shoes not being connected to Under Armour's smart phone app, I haven't been disappointed as I found I rarely used the app with my earlier connected pair (my Garmin tracks all the data I need). The "not connected" edition is fine with me!


My Favorite Features of the HOVR Sonic:


Breathable Material

The soft knit upper dries fast and provides a breathable, compression-like fit that has kept me comfortable even on those extra hot, humid runs. I credit the breathability of this shoe as one of the reasons I had ZERO blisters or black toenails after the Grandma's Marathon in June! 26.2 miles and I walked away without even one hot spot or sore on either foot. Over ten marathons, that's a first for me.

Energy Return

The HOVR Sonic shoe weighs 8oz, which isn't the lightest shoe I have ran in, but the UA HOVR™ technology provides a ‘zero gravity feel’ to maintain energy return that helps eliminate impact step after step. The UA HOVR™ foam makes these shoes feel like a lightweight shoe.

Neutral Fit

These are a great fit for runners who need a balance of flexibility and cushioning. As a neutral runner, the HOVR Sonic's fit feels natural for me.

Color

Can I just say I love this Graphite and Metallic Silver color scheme? The "Static Blue" color scheme looks really sharp, too. (Check the color options out on the Under Armour website!)


The HOVR Sonic running shoes (not connected edition) are available for $100 on the Under Armour website. I liked these shoes the HOVR Sonic shoe the first time I tried them back in January and now I appreciate them even more after putting them through the marathon training paces.

Though I am reluctant to retire my old pair as they are hitting that "mileage retirement age", I look forward to covering the miles in these new HOVR Sonics.

I've found a good thing in these shoes and I'm sticking to it!


What is a "must" for you when it comes to running shoes?

GF Marathon Training W2

Follow my journey as a I train for the Grand Forks Marathon coming up at the end of September. This is my 11th marathon but first time using Hansons Marathon Method for training!


SUNDAY:

W2D1 Easy Run 5.04 mi, 00:47 @ 09:14 pace with double stroller and my husband pushing our oldest in the single. They stuck with us for a few miles and then headed home.

MONDAY: 

W2D2 Speedwork 6.02 mi, 00:43 @ 07:10 avg pace, with 5 x 1k with 400m recovery with interval goal of 4:00-4:06. My intervals ended up at 3:52, 3:58, 3:56, 4:09, 4:07. Undershot the first 3 intervals and felt it in the last 2. Overall it went well as this was an evening workout. The temp was a comfy 75°F but I still tend to lose my “zing” in the evening.

TUESDAY: 

W2D3 Off

WEDNESDAY: 

W2D4 Tempo with goal pace of 7:26... 5.01 mi, 00:38 @ 07:35 pace. I covered the miles but zero were done at goal pace! I struggled to find my groove for the first two miles, so they were too slow, then the last three were 7:12-14, which is too fast. If I were actually a Hansons runner, I would have been doing a lot of pushups for my pacing issues! Apparently that’s the consequence they used to encourage the runners to stay on pace (per the book). Makes sense!

THURSDAY

W2D5 Easy Run 5.11 mi, 00:45 @ 08:48 pace down the gravel near my parents' farm.

FRIDAY:

W2D6 Easy Run 6.01 mi, 00:53 @ 08:52 pace on the gravel at home.

SATURDAY:

W2D7 Long Run 10.01 mi, 01:19 @ 07:53 pace with goal pace of 8:00/mile but I forgot that part and started at tempo pace for the first couple miles. My in-laws from CA just arrived and my mind was focused on other things!

TOTAL MILEAGE: 37.20 miles


Let's Connect!



Linking up with Holly and Wendy's Weekly Wrap Up.

Need for Speed

This week has felt like a hurricane. Long days and late nights make for moody littles and a tired mama! Summer is so fun. Let me repeat. SO FUN.

In the northern Midwest, all things "fun" try to cram themselves into July. Swimming and ball and parades and vacation bible school and more parades and camping. So much fun, in fact, that July feels overwhelming.

The days have been long and nights have been ending after 10 pm, which has made waking up at 5:00 am not my favorite thing this week. I love quiet mornings to myself, as time to pray and enjoy the outdoors before life speeds up, but I need to get more disciplined with sleep.

What I'm LOVING about the Hansons Marathon Method so far: 
Weekly Speed & Tempo workouts.

What I'm NOT LOVING about the Hansons Marathon Method: 
Waking up early 6 days a week.



The speed work, tempo runs and specific goal paces in this training plan definitely keep the runs exciting and fun. Now the 6-days-a-week thing...

I used to run 6 days a week in my pre-marriage and pre-kids life, and I actually enjoy it, but I'm not sure this is maintainable right now. We'll see. I'm working on an earlier bedtime (9 pm) this weekend and I'll reassess in a week or two. Chalk that up as a #LIFEGOAL.

Until then, one day at a time, one workout at a time.

In other news, I went to my first chiropractic appointment in TWO YEARS! Oooh it was nice. I was way overdue for an adjustment and she did a mix of the Graston Technique and dry needling to my stiff left knee.

Baby was very fussy near the end. I made the mistake of releasing him from the carseat before the appointment. Once he tastes freedom, he is not happy to be buckled up again. Fussyness aside, I hope to go to the chiropractor once a month or at least every other month for adjustments - not the dry needling or Graston. Yet another #LIFEGOAL.

After the past two years of growing/birthing a baby, breastfeeding with subpar posture and running marathons, my body seemed to appreciate it and I count that as stewarding the body that God has blessed me with. I'm thankful to feel as great as I do - tired and all!


Thoughts on regular chiropractic care? Have you experienced "dry needling" before?

GF Marathon Training W2

Follow my journey as a I train for the Grand Forks Marathon coming up at the end of September. This is my 11th marathon but first time using Hansons Marathon Method for training!


SUNDAY:

W2D1 Easy Run 4.01 mi, 00:36 @ 08:58 pace with left knee feeling slightly stiff, possibly slightly swollen (feels "fluffy", the only word I can think of to describe). Pretty sure the tight calf/quad and IT band is to blame. I cut two miles off this run to recover extra from the wild week of camping and then will do Runner's Yoga tonight.

MONDAY: 

W2D2 Speedwork 6x800m with 400m recovery. 6.02 mi, 00:46 with interval goal pace at 3:15-3:20 min per 800. Getting out of bed this morning was a bugger! I have fallen out of practice for the 5:00 running... snoozed my alarm till 5:20 and got out there. The run went well and my knee didn't feel weird at all. Intervals were at a fine pace overall - 3:21, 3:20, 3:21, 3:17, 3:21, 3:21. Room for improvement, felt like a successful workout.

TUESDAY: 

W2D3 Off.

WEDNESDAY: 

W2D4 (Treadmill) Tempo Run 5 mi, 00:38 @ 07:32 pace because 5 am alarm went off and baby thought that meant nursing time. Ran inside instead this afternoon. Slower than 7:26 pace goal but I’m just glad this run got done today. Good enough.

THURSDAY

W2D5 Easy Run 5 mi, 00:46 @ 09:09 pace that I finally got outside for. Baby was up to nurse at 5 am but went back to sleep after. I feel tired and well baked... Three days of VBS done and baseball finished today. Summer life!

FRIDAY:

W2D6 Easy Run 6.01 mi, 00:55 @ 09:09 pace. Waking up early for this run felt HARD. I like mornings but a regular 5:00 am alarm (which I regularly snooze till 5:15) is wearing me out. I suppose the late nights aren't helping either... working towards a 9 pm bedtime tonight...

SATURDAY:

W2D7 Long Run 10 mi, 01:20 @ 07:58 pace with goal pace 8:00/Mile. Went well! I was able to beat the heat and we had so much fun making a 5k aid station with friends after!


TOTAL MILEAGE: 36.04 miles


Let's Connect!



Linking up with Holly and Wendy's Weekly Wrap Up.

Camping with Three

We're back home after a wild week of life and camping — our first camping trip with three kids! This time away was such a blessing. I love being with family, spending time outside in God's creation and Itasca State Park is my favorite place to camp.

On camping with the three kids... our 3-year-old and 5-year-old boys are a dream to camp with aside from occasional attitude probs. That's #reallife for ya. They are both crazy about s'mores, fishing, biking and Grandma & Grandpa's RV.

Mr. 8-month-old enjoyed his first ever camping trip but he was much harder. Being such a busy crawler (he has been since 6 months!), he took any opportunity to eat rocks, sticks and anything else within reach. He spent most of his time in the stroller, packed along in the baby carrier or being just plain old carried by someone (mostly me).

Four days of camping was amazing but by the end I was pretty well exhausted. Being back home has been nice, especially since the baby can crawl on the floor freely here. Note to self: Bring the baby walker on camping trips with crawlers present.

Just a few of my favorite memories from the trip:


After a two week break from running, I started back at it this week and am easing into training for a fall marathon with the Hansons Marathon Method. This will be my 11th marathon but my first time using a Hansons plan. When I get a chance, I'm reading through the nuts and bolts of their approach and it's helped me to gain confidence in the plan and ramping up to running 6 days a week again (it's been a while).


My main focus for this first week back has been to hit the goal training paces. Especially running slow enough on easy days. Those "easy days" will be vital as active recovery through this plan. With the camping trip mixed into training, the "easy" runs were a bit more challenging than usual with the hills and double stroller added in. The coming week should be much more normal. Whatever normal is.

It was a great week and I'm enjoying trying something new. I'll be sharing more on Hansons Marathon Method and race goals in later posts :)

That's a wrap for now!



How did you celebrate Independence Day?

GF Marathon Training W1

Follow my journey as a I train for the Grand Forks Marathon coming up at the end of September. This is my 11th marathon but first time using Hansons Marathon Method for training!


SUNDAY:

W1D1 Easy 4.01 mi, 00:36 @ 09:05 pace to kick off training for my Fall marathon! I’m using the Hansons Marathon Method for the first time ever, so this training cycle will be a whole lotta newness for me. Goal this week: hit the training paces, especially on easy runs!

MONDAY: 

W1D2 “Easy” 4 mi, 00:43 @ 10:50 pace with the double stroller and E on this bike at the county park. We made the journey around the lake (and then some). When he needed a break, I ran intervals on the hills to keep moving. I am so proud he biked that far! Personally, I’m wiped and not feeling the greatest. Cold or allergies, not sure which?

TUESDAY: 

W1D3 Off.  In between packing, groceries, and what not, I fit in some foam rolling and stretching on my tight calves (especially left side) and hips.

WEDNESDAY: 

W1D4 Happy Independence Day! Tempo Run 5.01 mi, 00:37 @ 07:25 pace that was actually on pace! I want sure what to expect coming back after my break. Feeling recovered and ready to work on speed.

THURSDAY

W1D5 Easy Run 4.91 mi, 00:49 @ 09:58 pace with double jogging stroller to the Mississippi Headwaters and back to our camp site at Itasca State Park. Those hills really worked me over!

FRIDAY:

W1D6 Easy Run 6 mi, 00:57 @ 9:29 pace with my sister-in-law Danielle on the route to Douglas Lodge, out 4 miles and back.

SATURDAY:

W1D7 Easy Run 5.29 mi, 00:56 @ 10:31 pace with double jogging stroller to Headwaters and back again, this time with E riding his bike. We took some walk and water breaks but he made it the whole way! I was very proud of his first trip there on those hills and in the heat! This run was supposed to be my 8 mile "long run" but I cut it short. Those hot, hilly miles with the stroller were enough for me.

TOTAL MILEAGE: 29.22 miles


Let's Connect!



Linking up with Holly and Wendy's Weekly Wrap Up.