Tuesday, August 20, 2013

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.

"Magna Women's Great Divide 24" Mountain Bike - Purple"
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.

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Shoes, socks, and charity

Limited Edition 1400, Blue with PinkSo 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.
C9 By Champion® Women's 4-Pack No Show Socks - Assorted Colors
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.

Monday, August 5, 2013

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.