Saturday

Well, that long run ended up not being so long. I made 2.5 and walked the rest of the way home. I had wanted to do 6 so that my weekly total would be 20, but I could not convince myself to get out of bed early. In fact, I had convinced myself I didn't need to run at all. But then I got up...and heard the birds chirping...and saw the sunlight coming in...and I got myself out the door before the kids could wake up. I put on my socks, shoes, hat, SPIbelt and Garmin on the porch and ate my banana as I started off down the street. The run was hard, but I really enjoyed walking home...I needed that!

I tried Pink Lemonade nuun this morning in my water bottle based on its rave reviews from RLAM. I picked up a tube of them at Luke's Locker in Dallas Thursday evening. I made it to the store with just 15 minutes to spare, but they were nice enough to work with me anyway to get me a new pair of running shoes. I've been in my current Asics for about 10 months. The first few months they shared the running duty with my Saucony pair, but from January to now, they have been my only shoes (and I know that they have 300+ miles just since then). Since I wasn't just crazy about my Asics when I first got them, I really thought I'd walk away with some other brand. And while I really liked a pair of Brooks I tried on, the arch support felt awkward on my right foot. So...I ended up with these, the Asics Gel-Cumulus 13:

I gave them a test run this morning. My right third and fourth toes went to sleep, but I think I need to work on the lacing of the shoes. Just like my others, I'm sure once they are broken in, they'll be my faves.

I put in a lot of miles this week. I had 5+ Monday and then again Wednesday for National Running Day. I posted a picture of myself post-run on the NRD Facebook page and won a Headsweats hat! I have no idea exactly which hat I won, but I'm excited anyway. It doesn't take much, does it?

Then Thursday I had to travel to Dallas for work stuff, so I hit the treadmill for 3 more miles while I was waiting for rush hour traffic to calm down enough for me to venture to Luke's (hence why I barely made it in time).

I've been having a weird crampish-like feeling in my calves. It all started a couple of weeks ago when a charlie horse woke me up in the middle of the night and stayed with me all day. Since then, I have what feels like the beginnings of a charlie horse a lot of the time. I'm taking my magnesium and eating bananas for potassium, even drinking a G2 every once in a while. It's like my muscles are fatigued. I'm going to work on them with the Stick later and see if that helps.

So, the mileage report:
Weekly: 17.3 miles
YTD: 337.2 miles

Maybe I'll hop on the treadmill for 3 or 4 this evening to put me at 20 for the week and almost halfway for the year :)

Got the fever

And in this case, I don't mean running fever...it's the real deal. This all started Wednesday afternoon. I came home, curled up in my chair and slept for an hour. I could tell I had a fever, but it wasn't bad. Then yesterday morning, I went to school and could feel when the ibuprofen kicked in. Unfortunately, the afternoon dose of Tylenol didn't do the trick and I felt awful by the time I got home. I made plans with our secretary for a sub for today, which I hate to do...I really thought it would be a "just in case" deal where I'd stay home and regret missing a day. Wrong. I've felt awful all day. My fever hit 101 this afternoon when I felt the worst. It finally broke an hour or so ago. I just wish I knew what was wrong. I don't feel awful other than the fever (and the aches that come with it). However, I am starting to feel some congestion in my chest, so that must be it.

I really had it in my head that I'd be fine today and could even squeeze in a run outside this afternoon...boy, was that a misguided idea. I'm doing good to stay upright today. At least I'm not in the middle of training yet and can afford the time off.

But, in the spirit that I'd really rather be running, here are 10 things that would make great stocking stuffers for the runners you know. I'm sure I could have figured out a better way of organizing these lists...but you did see the part about me running a fever, right? Not the best for brain power.




1. Ear buds. I've yet to find the perfect pair. Ones that look good, stay in good, and sound good.



2. iTunes gift cards. Music. A treadmill-bound girl's best friend.


3. PowerBar Energy Chews. I love these things. I use them even on short runs starting at the first mile. No weird side effects. No gagging.



4. Mini Clif Bars. And these. Perfect size. About 100 calories. Great before a not-too-long run.



5. Chapstick. This one has SPF in it. Smart move.



6. Body Glide. To be honest, I don't have to use this a lot. It does work on some of my blister-prone areas of my feet.



7. Tylenol Precise or Icy Hot. I actually use Icy Hot more, but this new cream is good. Very strong warming effect.



8. Hair things. Yeah, I'm big on the technical terms.



9. Foot stuff...not just this set...any thing. Have you ever seen a runner's feet? Not pretty. Not at all.



10. Mary Kay's Energizing Lotion. This feels so good on tired legs and feet.

More items to add to the runner's wish list

I didn't think about these things yesterday, so I'll add a few more to the list. I have some of these, so maybe these are more of a general "runner's wish list." Maybe today will be 11 things since yesterday was 12?



1. A Phiten bracelet.



2. A Phiten necklace. And in my favorite color.



3. Phiten discs. I really want to try these! I'm wondering if there's a limit on how many you should put on at once. I can just see me with a row down my IT band, down my shin, behind my calves....LOL!



4. A Firefly. For those dark runs. Which don't happen often. I'm a chicken.



5. A Road ID. Ok, I have this one in pink already. But I think I'd like a black one too. Everyone should have one of these. Safety first, people!



6. Calf compression sleeves. I have these. And love them. Best recovery ever. And I've used them at the first hint of a shin splint, and lo and behold, no shin splint!



7. Thigh compression sleeves. I don't have these and would love to try them!



8. Water bottle. I have a larger one with the pocket/strap. And I love it. It's perfect for my chews. But I think I'd like to try the smaller size of this one.



9. Bondi band. Or at least I'm pretty sure that's what I had. Yes, had. I had a black headband and was actually wearing it around my neck for warmth at this past weekend's marathon relay. I got warm. Took it off and looped it on my arm. And promptly forgot it was there when I switched my water bottle to my other hand. And there it went. Granted, I'm loving my hat with the ponytail hole. And that makes the headband a little unnecessary right now.



10. And check out these gators. I guess that would have saved me the trouble of wearing a headband around my neck, huh?



11. And The Stick. I have a foam roller, which I highly recommend as well. But I want to try The Stick, especially for my IT band.

Ok. That's 11. We'll aim on 10 must-have food and nutrition items for tomorrow.

My running wish list

I'm making a list, checking it twice...

So, here's my running wish list. These are in no particular order and do not convey any brand loyalty or preference...they just happened to be the easiest pictures to find.



1. Running gloves. This weekend's marathon relay showed me how much I need warm gloves for running!



2. A running hat. Just because.



3. A running jacket. Once again, it's cold.



4. A pullover. Wow, a recurring theme. Yes. It's cold. I like the thumbholes on this one!



5. Running sleeves. And I want a crazy print (but maybe not this one).



6. A running...hmmm, what would this be called? But isn't it cool?!



7. Running tights. Especially some with the extra support and compression. I tried on my mom's Stabilix tights, but I'm too short for where the support panels fall.



8. Running capris/skirt combo. The best of both worlds. I've yet to find a skirt with long enough shorts underneath, so why not combine my beloved capris with the too-chic and fun skirt?



9. So while we're at it...a running skirt that does have a long liner.



10. A running vest. With pockets. And warmth.



11. A Spibelt. It would just make races easier.



12. Women's Running magazine. Because I like to read. And I like to run.

An even dozen things I'd love to have to make my running just a little easier. Will I get these things now? No. But I can dream :)