Friday, January 20, 2012

Hand it to me


Note: I wrote this post yesterday but forgot to post it. Probably because I nominated myself for mother of the year when I turned my back and "let" Miles fall off the bed. Don't worry, though, the only one to suffer traumatic injuries was me.

I tried something so unexpected, something so new this morning – a piece of whole wheat toast with peanut butter, banana slices, cinnamon and a drizzle of honey.

Wait. What am I thinking? Such a “dish” – if it even qualifies is that – is not new. However, I will say that it has been a long time since I made myself PB&B (&CH) toast in the morning. Lately, even pre-run, I’ve been eating plain instant oatmeal with a teaspoon of peanut butter, a tablespoon of raisins and stevia. So good.

Anyway. Back to the new.

On Sunday, after a 7-degree 6-mile run and a marathon shopping day at the mall, I decided to head to the running company to check out their new digs. I ooh'ed and aah'ed at the extra space, combed through the clearance and was about to leave when I saw a display of gloves.

Yes. Exactly what I needed. Especially as I have been wearing $1 Target knit gloves, which can be warm, but don’t breathe and make me feel all hot and sweaty.

There were gloves from every big name – Mizuno, Saucony, Nike, Asics – and gloves in every price range. The low end was $20 and the high end was $70. I really felt like going for one of the higher end pairs – Mittens! Base layer! USB light thinger! – but my frugal side (aka Mark) won out, and I selected a pair of Nike Thermal gloves, size small, in an attractive gray and pink. 

With a word like “thermal” in the product description, I feared that the gloves would be too warm when I headed out this morning. It wasn’t as warm as it has been but 28 degrees in mid-January is a welcome temperature. Upon stepping out on my front step, I realized that I needn’t worry. If anything, I should have feared the opposite: my hands being cold despite wearing gloves. The breathability Nike touts means, at least for me, that the cold air could come inside the gloves. Brr!

I thought briefly of going inside to grab my cheapo gloves but we were all ready to go, and I thought I’d see how it went. And it went … OK. I noticed my hands less and less as the run progressed, and my hands never got clammy the way the do with the cheap gloves. However, I did find myself flexing my hands at stoplights and street crossings to keep the blood circulating.

After finishing 3.5 miles (which required me to run past my house and down the block), I found myself at the front step. I took off the gloves and went to unleash Deanli. My hands were cold but mobile - a win ... sort of.

Nike Dri-FIT Lightweight Women's Running Gloves

Product description: Keep your hands free of cold and sweat in the Nike Dri-FIT Lightweight (Small) Women's Running Gloves, a breathable stretch design with the safety features you want for a hassle-free excursion.
  • Dri-FIT fabric to wick sweat away and help keep you dry and comfortable
  • Rib cuffMesh fabric between fingers
  • Reflective pattern at outer handKey compartment at palm
Pros: handKey compartment - the gloves might not be the warmest but having a spot for the house key was awesome; and they are machine washable.

Cons: Not very warm. These would be fine for those in a more mild climate but for the temperamental Midwest, I think I'd want something better. Also, if you are an iPod user, these don't have the smart feature that allows you to do touch screen stuff.

Parting words: I might not love these gloves but I'll keep wearing them. They are better than my $1 gloves and, at $20, not something I'm just going to toss in the back of the closet. I think I might look into some running mittens (hi, Asics) to wear over the gloves for the very cold days.


16 comments:

  1. I've had PB and banana's, and PB and honey, but I've not had that total combination of PB, honey, and banana's. I'll have to try it.

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  2. Just wanted to let you know I saw your story on Woman's Day.com and am so happy for you! You're an inspiration to me...and I'm just getting started (again). I'd love some support, so if you'd like to cheer me on as well you can find me at www.hotmessprincess.com

    Congratulations on an amazing success!

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  3. I saw your story on Yahoo and recognized your last name. I went to school with your husband and sister in law. As someone who lost a lot of weight several years ago but has put most of it back on through marriage and pregnancy, your blog is just what I need to be inspired again!

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  4. Kim, you're on the Yahoo ticker along with Rihanna and Etta James! Way to go, girl.

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  5. love your story...I am fighting every day to make it better for myself....

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  6. Good read. It's keepng me going.

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  7. I've been reading your blog for months, and opened up yahoo 5 minutes ago and there you were on the front page! Congrats on the Woman's Day story!!

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  8. I just joined your blog because I read your article on Yahoo. You are a rock star in my book. I'm a weight management coach who lost 65lbs 15 years ago. I had to learn everything on my own just like you so I know the struggles and triumphs. You lost much more weight than I did and to be running marathons is just incredible, not to mention getting through a pregnancy while staying on track. Truely amazing.

    I now teach my clients to accomplish their weight loss goals doing exactly what you did and I plan on showing them your blog as additional inspiration for them to reach their goals. Keep up the good work!!

    PS: a piece of whole wheat toast with peanut butter, banana slices, cinnamon and a drizzle of honey. YUMMY and healthy. Hope you don't mind if I steal that recipe for my clients. :)

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  9. I just came across the article about you on yahoo health, what an inspiration! Right now I can't even wrap my head around the idea of going from being 100 lbs. overweight to running six miles a day.

    Like you I'm attempting to loose about a hundred pounds through lifestyle change and without surgery, and blogging my journey as I go.

    Congratulations to you on the accomplishment as well as being featured in an article, I will be bookmarking your site for future reading.

    Cheers!

    http://carolyn-thelongroad.blogspot.com/

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  10. Hello
    Great work! I saw yahoo and found your blog. I am 73 and need to get off 30 pounds. I will follow your blog and try to do my best. I was a skater and gained weight when I stoppped. I am trying to put together a nutritional plan which will be practical as I still work.

    I need to borrow your courage.
    Dona

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  11. KIM!!! Just wanted to say that you are gorgeous! Since I haven't seen you since before Miles was born, and I went and bought a copy of your magazine, I was pleasantly surprised to see your lovely face on my homepage when I got on the computer this afternoon... so way to go and maybe we will se each other at the next girls night out at TRRC:D

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  12. Just read your story on Womans Day and I'm now browsing your blog. Thank you for sharing your story. I have a brain injury that affects "everything", including my balance and ability to walk. I can now use a cane for walking outside. Since injury, 7 yrs ago, I've gained about 50 pds and I hate it.
    However, I now have a treadmill....a slow one that can be used as a walking desk...you may have read about them being used in some offices. The speed is 0.4 - 4mph and it has long handles on both sides that I can easily hold on to for support I need. I've only had it about 2 weeks, but am so excited that I CAN actally use it. I can now walk at 2.3 mph once I warm up. The longest time I've walked was 22 minutes so far. I sometimes have to break up time into 2, 10-12 min walks on my "weak days" and can't walk at all on other days. I do feel it will help me get stronger and healthier as well as help me lose weight. Reading your story and blog is very inspiring. I also joined as one of your followers too. Looking forward to reading your future posts. Thanks again.

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  13. OMG you ARE famous!!!!! Well girl - congrats on being a lead story on Yahoo - woo hoo!! That's really really really impressive!!!! Nicely done friend!

    "C" bought me winter running gloves last year for Christmas - changed.my.life! I never thought that running gloves could be worth the money but dang - they were awesome and it's really amazing how much of a difference they make!!!

    You're awesome . . . congrats friend! See you tomorrow for another double session of goodness!

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  14. Hello, I am going to change my life style, once again. I need some out side help.

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    1. Can anyone give me advice? Does it help to write everything down? If I eat several times a day {little portions} what time how for in between?????

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  15. You have an incredible inner strentgh that perhaps you aren't even aware of! I lost 70 lbs 6 years ago and kept it off until this year I had to go on high dose steriods, wher,ich can make you extremely hungry at times. I put half of it back on, and scared to death literally, that I will put the rest back on. All in all I need to lose about 90lbs. I was diagnosed with Multiple Myelom exactly 1 year ago...incurable, but possibly long lived cancer, and besides continueing chemo, I need to lose weight in an effort to stay alive! I will use every trick or tip I come across on your site and else where. But I use the pool,instead of running, since I have early onset osteoarthrithis too, especially in my knees. But the less I weigh the better it gets! I've had it almost 20 years. I will be a regular visitor to your site, to see how you are doing, and garner any more tips! Keep in touch if you wish. Jan nadajamar@yahoo.com

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