Posts Tagged ‘running gear’

Yesterday, I was good maid of honor and went to get my fingers & toes painted.  Whenever I get a pedicure, I am certain to tell the “stylist” (is that what they are called?) not to remove my calluses because trust me, those are there for a reason.  And not the reason of I have never gotten a pedicure  but more of a if I run on fresh feet I will be tender for days.  Yea.  Graphic, huh?

 

Anyways, immediately after work I stopped to get my toes done and thought I should get my nails done as well.  I have been experiencing some toe pain.  My left middle toe to be exact.  Painful to the touch.  Not as painful to run on, though I did just switch out my shoes.  More on that below.  Turns out, I am missing a toenail.  Well, about 75% of a toenail.  Go figure.  She just painted right over it which is kind of gross, but with my sisters wedding coming up, you all realize my bum toe will be in every photograph so I would have rather just hide it.

I also got my fingers a nice light lavender.  It is all the rage this year, you know?

 

So I switched out my shoes…

I am fitted for the Nike Air Pegasus, however decided that I would try a new shoe.  Note: I never pay $85 for my running shoes…

 

 

 

I thought I would give these bad boys a whirl.  The Nike Air Max Run Lite.  Wow oh wow.  I love the feel of new running shoes and these have not been disappointing.

 

Also, I know most runners out there rave about their Mizuno’s, New Balance, etc.., and I used to, too.  However, after being fitted for a neutral pronation and being told to look for a lighter shoe, I have not been happier with Nike.  Barefoot running is in my future?  Probably not!

The first race of the 2010 racing season was not bad…  I’d love to say that all the speed work I have been doing is making me wildly faster.  Let’s start from the beginning, though…

 

 

Not certain where exactly New Brighton was, I used my moms GPS (which she had left in my car from a few weekends ago) to guide me to the starting line.  It actually took me along the Ohio River Towns of Sewickley, Ambridge, Aliquippa.  Not a way I normally would have drove to get to this place (my parents are about 20 minutes north of here). 

 

When I arrived, I noticed one other runner parked to the side, so I knew it was going to be a small race.  I was fine with that, too, because I was excited to run through their business district. 

 

The race course kept things interesting.  We ran through their park along the river, over a bridge along the other side of the river, up a hill to the turnaround point, back across the bridge (fun!), and then through the business district.

 

I dropped my car keys twice (pre-race jitters).  The roads were horrible and need paved(!!) there was seriously a half mile stretch I slowed down so much  because I was scared of falling!  I think slowing down a bit that second mile (came in at 10:38) allowed me to run my last mile in less than 8:00.  My first mile was full of “getting my car keys and swearing at myself”.

 

I finished in 27:00 which is average for me… The rain held out which was nice as well.

 

 

Before all of the key dropping, though, we were heading to the starting line when a girl I immediately “knew” came up to me and said “I knew you ran races!!”.  It was a fellow LA Fitness member.  Our paths cross constantly in the early mornings at the gym.  She was very nice we started to talk about races, and the one’s she’ll be running, and the one’s I’ll be running.  She was super-speedy, though and finished way ahead of me. 

 

Similarly, I’ve had a few people find me through their standard Google search of “Pittsburgh Marathon” which is strange because I’m not running the Pgh Marathon.

 

Small world, eh??

I just had to go out and run yesterday, I had all of my “needed” gear, and I actually enjoyed freezing my ass off.  Crazy?  Yes.

 

It was Eight Degrees when I left yesterday.  I could feel all eight degrees.

 

There was no base layer-and-wind coat.  It was full on layers.  My first layer was the typical base layer.  My second was the warmest pants I could find.  Coupled with the warmest jacket I could find that had a hood.  Two layers of socks and gloves, YakTrax, headband with ear warmers, and my “Hotties” hand and foot warmers.  Crazy.  My fingers and toes were still cold.

 

What did I forget?  Tissue.  My nose started running and I had to use a glove.  Sorry, gross, I now.  Mid-point in my run I realized it was freezing as my eyes were watering and which I blinked, my eyelashes were frozen.  My only option was to turn around and get home. 

 

My nails are a disgrace.  That was on the agenda yesterday ha.  I came home, promptly showered and made brekkie for Jared and I.  Jared is making his way through the ham, slowly but surely. 

 

 

I made Oatmeal Pancakes using:

• 2 Cups Oats
• 1/2 cup flour
• Few dashes salt
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1 1/2 cup water
• Cinnamon
• Dash salt

I simply combined everything in a bowl, let the oats sit for a few minutes to “soak up” some of the liquid.  It made about 10 pancakes.  They were filling and delicious.  Easy, too.  You definitely need the cinnamon, otherwise, they will be bland.  I didn’t enjoy the PB too much, and was too lazy to unfreeze any berries.

Jared enjoyed all of the ham, eggs, and a few of the pancakes.  We have some leftover which I will nuke this morning at work…

 

I also made lentil soup last night!  It was just okay…

 

 

I added about 1.5 c chopped carrot, 2 onion, with 10 cups water, a hambone, bay leaves, and lentils.  It simmered for about 2 hours until the lentils were tender.  I was hoping it would taste like my favorite Progresso Lentil Soup, but it didn’t.  It was good, not great.  In fact, I wasn’t a fan of the hambone at all.  I added it to try to get Jared to eat it.  He didn’t finish his mug.

 

I made a grilled sandwich for me which included roasted red pepper and two slices of reduced fat Cabot cheese.  It was good and the addition of the pepper gave it some interest.  I finished my soup, and liked it by the end.  I saved the other soup in hopes of a future reheat.  We’ll see.

 

Oh Monday.  Why are you always here so soon!?

Work has been unbelievably stressful this week, so much so that I cannot even blog about it (maybe after Monday I will fill everyone in).  All I wanted to do yesterdat was wake up and go on a nice hilly run.  When I woke up, the coffee canister was empty.  It was cold outside, so I didn’t run drive up the street to Caribou Coffee to grab one.  So I did something I never do…  Poured the left over coffee into a mug and nuked it. 

It was horrible.  Not piping hot like I prefer it.  I continued on, though.  As I am getting excited, or trying to get excited, about my run, it dawned on me: I was out of Toe Warmers.   Oh no no no. 

Two of the worst things that could have happened to me early in the morning, the two things I feel like I need everyday to keep myself sane, the two things I wanted for my Saturday were  not panning out… 

I don’t need coffee to run, but in this weather, I definitely need the toe warmers to run.  Going to the gym was an option, but quite honestly, I didn’t want to smell see the woman from last week with the perfume, or the men on the weight machines grunting over their 300lb bench press.  I wanted to hit the pavement with warm coffee in my belly (and some pb toast) and the toe warmers on my feet.

 

So I settled for Jillian Michaels 30-Day Shred which was fine but not what I wanted to do.

 

Jared and I were also supposed to go to Boyce Park to go snow-tubing but I was simply not in the mood…  Maybe tomorrow.  I really don’t enjoy going outside in this mess! 

 

Instead, I met my mom at Beaver Valley Mall.  It’s about halfway between my parents & us.  Maybe a little more.  I found the last known Boscov’s and used a gift card that I have had for awhile to purchase sheets.  We went out to lunch at a cute little Italian place called Rainaldi’s.  I got the veggie wrap which was okay.  Sometimes restaurants make the veggie wrap so greasy that it’s almost better to get a salad or another item.  Mine wasn’t dripping in grease, which was nice.  My mom and I chatted about different things and it was nice to catch-up.  I think we are going to go Mother-Of-The Bride Dress shopping next weekend, which I am very excited about. 

 

We stopped at Marshalls and I was thrilled to find a “Big Pack” of my Grabber Warmers for $8!  I usually buy one pack for $2, so I hopped on that deal.  The toe ones have adhesive, Marshalls only had the ones for hands.  That’s fine by me, I will use the hands for my feet .

Jared also has got to be the best guy ever.  He we out and got coffee for me last night after I was “done for the evening”.

 

So I’ guess, now, I’ve got everything I need to have in order to enjoy my run…  Except the temperature is frigid…

But I am going to go anyway.  I made such a stink (mentally) yesterday that if I don’t go today, it’s just an excuse.  I’ll just have to enjoy a second cup of my coffee to be extra-warm. =)

Here are some great gifts for your favorite runner…

 

I still love the Brooks HVAC Seamless LS ($98, Brooks running).  I still covet this shirt.  All I want for Christmas is enough cash to defray the purchase of this shirt.  Let’s hope it works!

 

Though, this long sleeved running hoodie ($45, sale, Nike) seems to fit the bill. 

 

Balega running socks have to be my all-time favorite sock.  I own three pairs.  The one pictured above is the “Lady Ventilator” and I own the All Out Trail for cold weather runs, and I also own the “Enduro Lo-Cut” which is medium weight and perfect for when either my summer or winter pair are dirty.  Perfect stocking stuffer (haha, and a pun!)

 

Too cute!  This Pearl iZumi Ancestor Tee ($20, Pearl iZumi) tee is perfect for casual days that you want to sport your running pride, or for the days your speedster status is elevated.

 

Since these “Fun Clicks” are not necessarily my wants, but just ideas in general, I would highly recommend the coveted Garmin Forerunner 305 ($200 Garmin).  I have had this since summer and have not thought twice about the price tag.  I used it all through my 1/2 marathon training, and continue to use it every time I run or workout.  Use it indoors during spin to get your heart rate, use it on new runs on new terrain.  Buy the fancy bike pod and get your mileage when biking.  Bar none, a great investment for a runner.

 

Do you have a Fleet Feet near you?  I hope so, at least, for the runner in your life.  What a great gift.  Tell them to bring in their last pair of running shoes, the awesome giftcard you got them, and enjoy knowing you gave someone the gift of health for the holidays. 

 

Okay, I realize some people would rather die than not make their running fashion statement, but let’s be honest here.  I am not so certain that I could think of any excuses not to run in the winter especially with the YakTrax ($30, YakTrax).   Then again, my biggest excuse right now is not hearing my alarm