Bikes

I finally sucked it up and bought a bike.  I had been talking about it for about 2 years so I figured it was time.  What's hard for me is that I don't fit on adult size (26" tires) bikes.  My legs are short so youth it is for me.  I knew I wanted a mountain bike, but there are so many cute cruisers that it was almost hard to pass them up.  I didn't want to spend too much because I hadn't been on a bike in probably 10+ years, so I found one on sale for $85.  Ordered it online and it was delivered on Friday.  Luckily I have an awesome boyfriend who put it together for me.  After he finished he told me to try it out, I just went down the driveway, but boy did it feel weird.

On Saturday I had planned to clean the house, which turned into a major organization fest.  Then I decided to go on a nice bike ride.  Took me a couple minutes to find my groove and the entire ride to work on the gears/friction (which I'm still not totally sure if I got right).  But it was a nice switch from just running.  I went almost seven miles but about half way through, the seat hurt so bad.  I ordered a gel cushion the next morning.  So we'll see how this new adventure goes.

On the running side of things - I've been trying to get out there a couple times a week.  I did 2 miles straight last Thursday and 2.5 last night.  I'm trying to build my endurance back up and then maybe I'll work back in higher distances.

Shoes, socks, and charity

So I absolutely love my running shoes.  They've gotten me through two half marathons and many training runs.  What is my favorite thing about them... they are so light sometimes I forget when I put them on.  All my previous running shoes had been heavy with no support, so these were my savior!  So when it came time to order a new shoe, of course I went the same one but a different color (and I even found them on sale - score!!).  I fear change for the simple fact that if I get it wrong I'll be upset at myself.  I have noticed that after long runs I'll sometimes get blisters on the top of a couple of my toes which I thought was a little strange.  I didn't think anything too much about it until I took a (long) hiatus from running.  I had been running with socks that were years old.

So this week I went to target, since that was the type of sock I had before and loved.  I know they're not "running socks" but I'm not spending $15 on a pair of socks, it's just not in my budget right now.  I was debating between to pairs, one with a heel protector and one low-cut.  I'm very, very indecisive, one thing I hate about myself.  But I realized I've never had a problem with my heel rubbing so I didn't need that.  I went for my first run in the new socks yesterday and what a difference!  They had extra cushioning from being new and I felt great.  I actually ended up doing a longer run than I had originally anticipated!  So maybe I'll be back and enjoying running before we know it!


I recently discovered an app, well I heard about it a while ago but never downloaded it.  Charity Miles.  It is awesome!  I don't always carry my phone with me when I run, but when I do it's running in the background.  It's so simple and it donates $.25 for every mile you run or $.10 for every mile you bike to the charity of your choice.  You simply open the app, swipe through the charities, and go.  I usually go for ASPCA, but occasionally I'll pick a different one to change it up.  It makes running more appealing knowing that I'm helping out by getting out there.

Back again.

So after finishing up my half in April, I totally fell off the bandwagon - with exercising and eating.  I know I wanted a break, but not to this point where I'm dying getting back out there.  The heat played a role in this decision, too.  There was no way I was getting out there in 90+ degrees and I work too early in the morning to try that option.  I rejoined my gym hoping to get back into kickboxing.  June went well and then I didn't go at all in July (it was a busy month - birthdays, 4th of July, crazy storms).  I did play field hockey every Tuesday, so that was something!

I finally hopped on the scale again and I wasn't too please with the number, but I couldn't be mad either because it was my fault.  So here I am trying to get back into the swing of things.  The weather is starting to cool down so that'll make runs easier and more frequent.  I do so well with my diet during the week, but as soon as the weekend hits it's as if I don't remember to be good - food, desserts, drinks, it all adds up unfortunately.