What to Wear Running?

For newbies, this is a great tool at Runner's World.  Enter in the temperature and how you like to feel when you are running and it tells you what to wear.  It has been 80 degrees every morning now for what feels like years, but the time will soon come when I will debate shorts or pants? Long sleeve or short sleeve?  Hat or no hat? 

What I like and how I rate in importance:
1. Running Shoes - I love my Brooks Adrenaline.  When looking for running shoes, get fitted at a specialty store the first time.  Plan to spend at least $80, $120 is the norm.

2. Running socks - no cotton here!  Technical fabrics or wool a must.  Highly important if running over 30 minutes to keep from getting blisters.

3. Sports bras - find a brand and fit you like and keep enough on hand to get through the week.  Even with itty bitty titties - bras are super important!

4. Shorts - Turbo Run Shorts from Lululemon - love these!  Nice length and a great pocket set up.  Zippered pocket in back, gel pocket in front.
Adidas Running Shorts - no idea what type I have, they are pretty old and bought on sale at the outlet mall.  These are my old stand by shorts.  They also have a good key pocket in the front. 

5. Running Hat - essential when running in the sun and also keeps hair outta yo face.

6. Technical t-shirts - you can get by in cotton for a long time, but when you make the switch to technical fabrics it's hard to go back.  Look for something in a fit that is comfortable, either form fitting or loose.  Don't go too big - that leads to chaffing.

7. Light weight running jacket - mine is a Nike brand, also bought on sale at the outlet. 

Don't spend too much money until you know what you like.  Sports apparel is big business, especially for women (see August issue of Runner's World), don't get sucked into the hype!  Check out the outlets and sales online.  The Selfish Mommy finds great deals at TJ Max and Ross.

Running Playlist

I've been thinking about my running playlist and what I want to listen to for the marathon.  On weekday runs I generally don't listen to music.  I'm running with Jennifer most days and we chat a lot, and I also feel more aware of my surroundings when I don't have head phones on.  But for long runs and the marathon I know I will want some music to occupy my mind. 

What do I like?  Fast paced music.  I consistently like Emimem Lose Yourself and Beastie Boys Sabatoge during any race.  I put a lot of music I THINK I will like on my running play list, and then end up being very annoyed when it comes on.  So, I'm putting some thought into my music and maybe trying some new things out. 

In a related post on Another Mother Runner, has some tips for creating running play lists today. 

Time Waste # 432 Pinterest

If you use Pinterest, you already know it is a huge, fun, time suck.  Worse than Facebook or Twitter.  If you don't use it, email me and I'll send you an invite.

I found this, this, and this today, all while I should be curled up in bed sleeping.  But no, instead I'm thinking how cute it would be to make a sandwich shaped like a piggy, and that I should really try steel cut oatmeal again - for real!  And creating a new pin board for travel ideas for our next road trip.

Damn you Pinterest!

Secrets of Success: Simple Mom Style

Read a great article on Simple Mom today that lead to another and another as I clicked through the links.  I'm feeling a little burnt out at work lately and am preparing for a much needed vacation.  When I am feeling burnt out the number one problem is motivation.

Secrets of Success: is pointed to Stay-at-Home-Working-Moms and her advice is to "Get it done early".  Simple enough and you can read the whole article.  What I liked best was this piece:

The ironic part of this for those of us who are naturally procrastinators is that while the pressure of deadlines provides incentive to get things done, the freedom that comes from getting things done early is an entirely different type of motivation that can make work fun again.

Mandi also makes the suggestion of adding margin into your day.  I am great about planning my day, but I almost never give myself enough time to realistically get tasks done and don't leave time for going to the bathroom, answering urgent emails, eating lunch.  

Eat the Frog:  This article is based on a book called Eat That Frog.  If you eat a frog first thing in the morning, the worst is behind you.  I like this idea.  I often have things I need to get done, but delay doing them if they take "too long".  If I just did them right away and got it over with I would feel better for accomplishing something and relieved to have it out of the way.

Tools: Tsh posted her favorite tools and downloads on Simple Mom.  Check them out, there is something for everyone!

SimpleMom.net