The seasonal switch in my running wardrobe has not only meant that I can close the drawers but it's been out with the old and in with the "oh, I forgot I have that!" In a way, it's like getting a shopping spree to my favorite running store but not getting the bill.
In a small, teeny-tiny, itsy-bitsy, not so much way.
But with that said, here are the things I'm loving right now and some items pulling a close second.
Head: Saucony Space-Dye Skull Cap (similar HERE). I am pretty sure I first saw this hat on Sarah, and I had to have it. I waited long enough last year to snag it on clearance but sad I waited so long as it quickly became a favorite. The hat is light but warm, and it's big enough that it comes down over my ears.
Runner-up: Athleta cap. I coveted this hat all last winter as one of the run clubbers wore it on nearly every blustery run. I noticed that it was on sale at Athleta for $10.99 and with an Old Navy reward, I couldn't pass it up. I bought the XS/S, and the flaps cover my ears and the cap fits snugly — but not too tight. The selling point was the brim as it should keep falling snow out of my eyelashes, improving my vision.
Torso: Another Mother Runner 26.2 sweat shirt. You have likely seen me wear this sweat shirt approximately 9,345,202 times because I love it ... that much. The cut is cute and comfortable, and I love the colors. I told myself that I would buy the 13.1 version if I PR'd the half at Fort4Fitness but I did come up short — barely and pregnant to boot. I will probably work into the gear budget soon enough for the sake of variety.
Runners-up: Fila Mars Running Hoodie in Peach Frenzy and the Tek Gear Fleece Hoodie in Coral Dazzle Heather. I saw these at Kohl's when I popped in to use a reward, and I walked around the store with them for at least 20 minutes. The color ... oh, the color. It's just so bright and fresh when every thing is so dismal. I put them back as we have a "no shopping for yourself" policy between Nov. 1 and Christmas but they would make an excellent gift.
Bottom: Fila Maui Performance Leggings in Grand Ceremony. I saw these at Kohl's and I could not pass them up, regardless of whether they had my size. I figured going up a letter would accommodate a bigger belly in a month or two, anyway. I love the fun pattern on these pants! They aren't lined, which is a bit of a let down but they do help when it's cold enough that you want your legs covered but not so cold that you need lots of layers.
Runner-up: Nike Pro Hyperwarm Nordic in Ivory/Volt/Volt. The pattern — enough said.
Toes: Skechers GOrun Ride 3. I was in desperate need of new shoes when I visited Kim for the Haunted Hilly Half. I have a pair of Saucony Fastwitch with less than 200 miles that I wear for speed work and racing but my go-to Brooks Ravennas were nearing 400 miles. We had a lot of expenses last month and, to be honest, I hated that I needed to spend $100+ on new shoes. Kim, the wise one that she is, clued me into the Skechers. She had switched from the Ravennas to the Ride 3 a few pairs back and had nothing but positive comments. One of the pros? The price, which can be as low as $45 if you work Amazon right.
I quickly bought a pair, and I have been nothing but happy. The shoes feel lighter than the Ravennas (6.4 ounces vs. 8.5 ounces) and sport a 4 mm drop, which I'm used to with the Fastwitch. Despite the more minimal profile, the shoes are incredibly comfortable — almost like running on clouds.
Runner up: Pro Compression marathon socks. Of course, right? I'm including these not because I'm an ambassador but because compression socks and tall ones at that are essential in the winter. If you haven't pulled out tights yet, you can wear the socks with capris and be good for runs even in the high 20s. When the snow comes, taller socks offer added warmth and make sure there is no skin exposed between where the shoe/sock ends and the tights begin. The October sock of the month, which is still available, is especially sassy and sure to brighten up any gloomy fall run.
What gear are you loving right now?
Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post and did not receive any product in exchange for this post. In fact, no one knew I was going to write it ... until now, I guess.
Showing posts with label saucony. Show all posts
Showing posts with label saucony. Show all posts
Friday, November 7, 2014
Thursday, May 22, 2014
Guide to Becoming a BRF {A Three Things Thursday Post}
This week is a good week.
I rocked a killer tempo on Tuesday. I met Joe for some early morning, fast-ish miles today, and I have a date with Tami on Friday. Saturday, it looks as if I'll be running 10 miles with the group before hitting up a Saucony event at Three Rivers Running Co. And, still within the seven-day window, Kim and I ran pre-Dirty Girls and the event itself.
While I do enjoy a bit of solitude in running, especially for quality workouts (I want to train myself to run hard on my own), it's nice to have a cadre of runners who will put up with me - for 3 miles or 10. I've come to depend on them in the past 9 months to get my butt out of my bed, to get me to run long to stay in shape. They've pushed me to work harder, run better and be stronger.
The process, though, hasn't been without some lessons. Namely that Runner + Runner doesn't always equal Match Made in Heaven. Just as in life, there are things we can do to ruin what seems like a great relationship. In order to foster the BRF (best running friend) relationship, it's important to do a few things.
1. Be courteous. The basics: Show up and show up on time. Sure, things happen - a sick kid, a sick you, crazy weather, the longest train on the planet. You might have to cancel or be late. Just try to give the person as much head's up as possible. It's why Grilled Cheesus invented smart phones.
But there's more: Bring your own fuel and water, dress appropriately, follow the predetermined route, tie your own shoes, brush your teeth, no spitting/blowing snot rockets in her direction and don't wear headphones (without prior permission).
2. Be honest. About pace, desired mileage, time constraints, your own abilities. It does no one any good if you keep things to yourself as it only allows frustration and resentment to creep in. For example, I am not going to accept an invitation from someone who runs an 8:30 pace for easy runs to do 7 miles at 6 a.m. when I need to be home at 6:45 to tend to Miles. (I'm also not going to expect them to loop me back to the car after a half hour, either.) Rather, my run date ad might look a little like this:
Middle-of-the-pack runner seeks like-legged early bird for mid-week easy runs of 4 to 5 miles between a 9:00 and 9:30 pace. I am willing to travel to Greenway access within 15 minutes of my home but the closer the better. The farther I drive, the less I will run as I do not have childcare past 6:45 a.m. I sometimes pass gas when I run and will pee in the woods. I like coffee, watching the sun rise and talking about the weird things my kid says to me.
3. Be flexible. I'm not talking the splits here or stopping midrun to take selfies of ridiculous yoga poses on rocks. I'm talking about being willing to adapt to your partner's needs. Maybe she's having an off day and needs to slow down - way down - or cut the run short or needs you to shut the front door. Sure, you both might have signed up for something different but a lot can happen in a run and it's important to make sure everyone makes it out alive, uninjured and (moderately) happy.
Also: Be willing to meet at various locations - not just "your" park or most convenient greenway trailhead; go for an evening run every once in awhile if you are a morning bird; accept a third now and again; try a workout with her rather than solely easy runs.
BRF bonus points: Come with post-run food, be willing to go to Starbucks sans shower and like sweaty hugs.
What are your do's and don'ts for running with a buddy?
I rocked a killer tempo on Tuesday. I met Joe for some early morning, fast-ish miles today, and I have a date with Tami on Friday. Saturday, it looks as if I'll be running 10 miles with the group before hitting up a Saucony event at Three Rivers Running Co. And, still within the seven-day window, Kim and I ran pre-Dirty Girls and the event itself.
While I do enjoy a bit of solitude in running, especially for quality workouts (I want to train myself to run hard on my own), it's nice to have a cadre of runners who will put up with me - for 3 miles or 10. I've come to depend on them in the past 9 months to get my butt out of my bed, to get me to run long to stay in shape. They've pushed me to work harder, run better and be stronger.
The process, though, hasn't been without some lessons. Namely that Runner + Runner doesn't always equal Match Made in Heaven. Just as in life, there are things we can do to ruin what seems like a great relationship. In order to foster the BRF (best running friend) relationship, it's important to do a few things.
1. Be courteous. The basics: Show up and show up on time. Sure, things happen - a sick kid, a sick you, crazy weather, the longest train on the planet. You might have to cancel or be late. Just try to give the person as much head's up as possible. It's why Grilled Cheesus invented smart phones.
But there's more: Bring your own fuel and water, dress appropriately, follow the predetermined route, tie your own shoes, brush your teeth, no spitting/blowing snot rockets in her direction and don't wear headphones (without prior permission).
2. Be honest. About pace, desired mileage, time constraints, your own abilities. It does no one any good if you keep things to yourself as it only allows frustration and resentment to creep in. For example, I am not going to accept an invitation from someone who runs an 8:30 pace for easy runs to do 7 miles at 6 a.m. when I need to be home at 6:45 to tend to Miles. (I'm also not going to expect them to loop me back to the car after a half hour, either.) Rather, my run date ad might look a little like this:
Middle-of-the-pack runner seeks like-legged early bird for mid-week easy runs of 4 to 5 miles between a 9:00 and 9:30 pace. I am willing to travel to Greenway access within 15 minutes of my home but the closer the better. The farther I drive, the less I will run as I do not have childcare past 6:45 a.m. I sometimes pass gas when I run and will pee in the woods. I like coffee, watching the sun rise and talking about the weird things my kid says to me.
3. Be flexible. I'm not talking the splits here or stopping midrun to take selfies of ridiculous yoga poses on rocks. I'm talking about being willing to adapt to your partner's needs. Maybe she's having an off day and needs to slow down - way down - or cut the run short or needs you to shut the front door. Sure, you both might have signed up for something different but a lot can happen in a run and it's important to make sure everyone makes it out alive, uninjured and (moderately) happy.
Also: Be willing to meet at various locations - not just "your" park or most convenient greenway trailhead; go for an evening run every once in awhile if you are a morning bird; accept a third now and again; try a workout with her rather than solely easy runs.
BRF bonus points: Come with post-run food, be willing to go to Starbucks sans shower and like sweaty hugs.
What are your do's and don'ts for running with a buddy?
Sunday, January 26, 2014
State of Kim vs. Polar Vortex
Case No. 666-fu-4815162342-gowy Doc. 1 Filed: 1/26/2014
A091 Rev 01/14 Criminal Case
State of Kim
vs
Polar Vortex
I, the complainant in this case, state that the following is true to the best of my belief and knowledge. On or about the date(s) of January 5, 2014, through January 26, 2014, in the region of the Midwest, including the District of Northeast Indiana, the defendant violated:
Code Section Offense Description
15:31 Conspiracy
18:235 Hate crimes
18:2 Aiding and abetting hate crime acts
1:1 Preventing life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness
The criminal complaint is based on these facts:
A091 Rev 01/14 Criminal Case
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
UNITED STATES RUNNERS COURT
for the District of Northeast Indiana
State of Kim
vs
Polar Vortex
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
Code Section Offense Description
15:31 Conspiracy
18:235 Hate crimes
18:2 Aiding and abetting hate crime acts
1:1 Preventing life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness
The criminal complaint is based on these facts:
- Long run paces that are 45 seconds per mile slower than in more temperate conditions
- Two near disastrous incidents of a stuck vehicle on way or leaving long run meeting spot on Sunday, January 5, 2014, and Sunday, January 26, 2014
- Forced conversations with half-naked women upwards of 70 years old in the YMCA locker room when conditions required runner to log miles on the treadmill
- Running partners being forced to wipe off ice crystals from a not-recently-waxed upper lip
- Canceled trip to visit fellow mother runner for a run and baby cuddles and the resulting sadness on Saturday, January 25, 2014
- No fewer than 325 utterances of the word "shit" during an hourlong run on Sunday, January 26, 2014
- 7.5 miles were logged when a mother runner should have been visiting her grandma but the trip was canceled because of hazardous road conditions
- No fewer than three layers can be worn without risk of hypothermia and general discomfort
- More than 2 training miles forfeited due to worsening conditions and waning motivation on Sunday, January 26, 2014
- The impending forecast that shows no sign of relief in regards to snow or temperature
The State of Kim calls for the Polar Vortex to be incarcerated in solitary confinement for upwards of 1,212,395 years and pay fines of no less than $2,616.95 to cover the cost of a new treadmill, Saucony jacket and YakTrax. Damages may be sought for time and sanity lost on the trails and miles forced to be ran on the YMCA treadmill.
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