Mizuno Wave Rider 18 Running Shoes

Photos by OHventures

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

Every good runner knows that a good shoe is the key to a good run in which you will both perform well, and treat your body right.

Finding that perfect running shoe can be difficult, but with my recent experience with the ALL NEW Mizuno Wave Rider 18 running shoes (debuting October 2014), I can make a strong and confident recommendation to any new or experienced runner.

A shiny new pair of Mizuno Wave Rider 18 running shoes arrived at my doorstop, and I was anxious to put them to the test! I took them outside on both pavement and running trails, as well as inside on both an indoor track and a treadmill.

What I found were high quality running shoes that get the job done in all scenarios!

According to the manufacturers, the Mizuno Wave Rider 18 is the “best model yet, providing runners with a more resilient and responsive ride and a superb underfoot sensation, creating a more harmonious fit that works with the runner at every stride.”

So, if you are looking to tackle a zombie run, turkey trot, or simply a leisurely fall jog, you might want to consider the Mizuno Wave Rider 18.

Here’s the lowdown:

LOOK
Let’s be honest: us runners want a shoe that looks good (yeah, even us dude runners). We need all the help we can get, since we certainly aren’t winning any awards with our strained faces and sweat-drenched bodies. At least our feet can look nice! The Mizuno Wave Rider 18 shoes certainly accomplish that.

I am a huge fan of the ombre shading (in my case the shoes are black in the front fading to silver in the back), and the added splash of neon (every runner’s favorite adjective) on the bottom and on the laces. It’s a perfect amount of color (in my case, lime green) that helps the shoes pop without being obnoxiously bright. 

FIT
What’s more important than the aesthetics of the shoe is of course the fit. I was a bit nervous about this, given that 99% of the time, I try on a running shoe before deciding to purchase it. This was the first time I was receiving a pair of shoes via the internet, simply trusting the sizing through a computer screen.

Thankfully, the Mizuno Wave Rider 18 shoes fit like a glove – from the heel to the midfoot to the toe, everything was secure and compact. It was honestly a perfect fit, not too tight and not too roomy (even with the lovely bunion I have on my left foot). To me, this means Mizuno is a brand you can trust when ordering online. If you do not have access to a store that carries these shoes, rest easy in knowing that the Mizuno Wave Rider 18 shoes are true to size.

As a neutral shoe, I can wear them on a run AND at the gym!

FEEL
In all honesty, the Mizuno Wave Rider 18s are the most comfortable running shoes (or any other athletic shoe, for that matter) that I have ever worn. At 9.2 ounces, these are as light as a feather (literally I think my socks weigh more than these shoes) and cozier than any pair of sneakers – or fuzzy slippers – I’ve encountered.

It’s as if my shoes just disappear while I am running, that’s how light they are. What is this magical material they are made out of to allow them to feel so glorious?! Despite being so lightweight, there is ample cushioning and they feel sturdy and supportive.

FUNCTION
Putting these shoes to the test in a number of environments (thank you, crazy Ohio weather), I have been able to experience in many ways the technology that has been incorporated into the Mizuno Wave Rider 18. Wearing these new kicks really felt as if I had a spring in my stride and seemed to boost both my confidence and performance at the same time.

Running down the Towpath in downtown Akron, I encountered wet leaves and slick pavement, but the traction kept me vertical. The official website for the shoes states that the shoe provides “optimal shock attenuation, durability and a superior ride.” I would have to agree.

The Mizuno Wave Rider 18s will absolutely be my shoe of choice for the duration of my fall/winter training season and for my hefty 2015 goals of a half marathon and (first ever) marathon! I am certain they will help fly me to the finish line with ease!

About Mizuno
Mizuno USA, Inc.'s roots stem from its parent company Mizuno Corporation. Mizuno Corporation was established in Osaka, Japan in 1906 by Rihachi Mizuno. Today, Mizuno USA is located in Norcross, GA and continues to manufacture and distribute high quality golf, baseball, softball, running, track & field and volleyball equipment, apparel, and footwear.

Mizuno’s product development strategy is to create products with features that enhance athlete performance and are unique to only Mizuno. These technological advancements make Mizuno sporting equipment and apparel go the extra mile and keep you in tip top playing form no matter the sport or the conditions. Mizuno believes in making products that work in harmony with your body, helping you to be the best athlete you can be.

Fuel Up Your Adventures With NOW Foods

Photos by OHventures

The following post is sponsored by FitFluential LLC on behalf of NOW Foods.

In order to maximize an adventurous active lifestyle full of running, hiking, biking, canoeing, and rock climbing your way through Ohio and the world, it's essential that you fuel your body in the right ways to give you the energy and nutrients to keep chugging along. 

Thanks to a fantastic campaign opportunity as a Fitfluential ambassador, I had the chance to try some quality natural products from the NOW Foods "Sports" line. When my box arrived in the mail from NOW Foods, it was like Christmas morning! I opened up the package and discovered five exciting items from the NOW Sports Nutrition line in bright orange containers! Pictured above, the items I was given to sample were (from left to right):

1. L-Carnitine Liquid - 16 fl. oz.

2. Vanilla Toffee Pea Protein - 2 lbs.

3. Men's Extreme Sports Multivitamin - 90 softgels

4. Sprouted Brown Rice Protein - 2 lbs.

5. MCT Oil - 32 oz.

I was anxious to begin testing out the products, some of which I was completely unfamilar with. But that was about to change!

L-Carintine Liquid

For starters, L-Carnitine Liquid was certainly something I had never heard of before, but was intrigued by its description. According to the bottle, L-Carintine is a non-essential amino acid that helps to maintain overall good health by facilitating the transfer of fatty acid groups into the mitochondrial membrane for cellular energy production. You can find L-Carintine naturally in red meats, but for those who are vegetarian, or may not eat red meat every day (like most people, I hope), a supplement is helpful.

The recommended use is 1 tablespoon twice daily, preferably on an empty stomach. Easy enough. I started out by pouring the L-Carintine Liquid onto a tablespoon each morning before breakfast along with my other supplements and vitamins. Taking it by itself was not bad at all - the citrus flavor is bold and tasty. It is rather sweet, however, so sometimes I would add it to an 8 oz. glass of purified water to dilute the taste and transform it into an orange sports drink of sorts.

The L-Carintine is a refreshing addition to my morning line-up, and the bottle has an easy pouring spout that makes things quick and easy! I feel that the supplement helps wake me up and puts a spring in my step. 

Vanilla Toffee Pea Protein

I am a huge fan of protein powders. As any avid gym-goer would know, protein helps build muscle, and the magic formula I often hear if you are looking to build muscle mass is consuming 1 gram of protein for every pound of body weight. But regardless of whether or not you are looking to grow into a muscle man or woman, everyone needs protein in his or her diet. 

Unbeknownst to me, peas are a huge source of protein! Usually, one thinks of chicken, turkey, eggs, and cheese as high protein sources. But peas? Yes, peas! Give peas a chance! The beauty of protein derived from peas is that it is vegan, and according to NOW Foods, it is highly bioavailable and virtually allergen free. Another perk of this NOW Foods product? The added flavor! Vanilla toffee is a protein flavor I had never tried before, so I was pretty pumped!

It is suggested to use the pea protein as a pre-workout or post-workout supplement. I added it with ice and skim milk and blended it into a protein shake! It tasted pretty awesome, I must say. I applaud the flavor, consistency, AND the high amount of protein - 25 grams per scoop! 

One item of caution I must express is that this protein powder does contain the sugar substitute xylitol. Xylitol is actually a fantastic sugar subsitute for humans, but it is incredibly toxic for dogs. My dog once got a hold of a piece of gum containing Xylitol and nearly died. Therefore, I had to take a moment to advise all users of this product to keep it FAR out of reach of any dog! I will now get off of my soapbox! 

Men's Extreme Sports Multivitamin

Everyone should take a multivitamin. This package came just in time for me, as I just ran out of my multivitamins. Plus, the fact that these multis were marketed as being "extreme sports" multis made them right up my alley! Since I often participate in Extreme Thrills through OHventures, anything geared toward extreme sports is a perfect addition to my diet.

So what makes these multi vitamins so extreme? Let me count thy ways: the vitamin is chock full of minerals, free-form amino acids, ZMA®, tribulus, MCT Oil (more on that later), herbal extracts, and MORE! I think it's important to read up on all of the ingredients and to learn what each one of them does to benefit you. That's how you can discover what the best multivitamin is for you. The NOW Sports Men's Extreme Sports Multivitamin jives with me, and I wholeheartedly approve.

Sprouted Brown Rice Protein
More protein! Yay! But just like I had never heard of pea protein before, I had never heard of sprouted brown rice protein either. The people at NOW Foods keep proving they have really unique products, and I like that. Unfortunately, this protein wasn't quite my style - at first, that is.

As with the pea protein, I went with the same basic recipe of protein mix, ice, and skim milk. The taste was unbearable to me and I couldn't finish it. I discovered that this is because the sprouted brown rice protein has one single ingredient - sprouted brown rice. That's it! So, the taste is pretty bland, if not a bit earthy. The pea protein had an advantage in that it already had an added flavor of vanilla toffee. So, I thought I would spruce up the sprouted brown rice protein by adding additional ingredients to my smoothies. These varied, but included vanilla extract, almond milk, natural peanut butter, bananas, strawberries, and any combination of these and other ingredients. This boosted the flavor (or, rather, masked the flavor) but still gave me the added benefits of a natural, pure, non-GMO, soy-free, dairy-free, smooth, and easy-to-mix protein powder!

MCT Oil
Last but certainly not least was my good friend MCT Oil, yet another supplement introduced to me by NOW Foods! For those who are unfamiliar with MCT Oil, it is a weight management  amino acid derived from coconut oil and palm kernal oil that helps spare lean body tissue. MCT stands for Medium Chain Triglycerides, which are more easily and rapidly digested than other types of fats or oils.

I have to say that this is probaby my favorite of the products I received, mostly due to its versatility! Pictured above, you can see that I combined MCT oil with organic red wine vinegar to create a flavorful and healthy salad dressing! I also added the MCT oil to some of my other meals, including in a homemade spaghetti sauce and in a summertime pasta salad! I felt at ease knowing I was using an oil much more healthful and beneficial to my diet than anything else I had been using!

All in all, my stint with NOW Foods Sports products has been an exciting adventure that is helping fuel my body for all of the exploring and exercise I will be experiencing throughout the summer. I highly recommend you check out www.NOWfoods.com to read more about their products and to find a retailer near you!

About NOW Foods
NOW Foods, a family-owned company since 1968, is a leader in the nutritional supplements industry and dedicated to providing customers with a comprehensive approach to wellness by offering a variety of high-quality, natural and affordable products. Founded on the belief that natural is better, NOW Foods is proud to offer more than 1,400 natural products that are specifically formulated to help support optimal health through good nutrition. NOW Foods product offerings range from nutrient-rich foods and supplements to personal care and sports nutrition items.