workout gear

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March 29, 2013

Packing, Realtors, Changing Gyms, and More!

Posted by Marathon Sweetheart under COUNTDOWN, I'm Moving!, MY LIFE, Photos, workout gear
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The last week or two…

has been an absolute whirlwind.  Some adult instinct has really kicked in to high gear, as I’ve been setting up appointments with realtors in the Virginia Beach/Norfolk area.  Apartments are really pricey there, but I think I’ve found some that are great picks for me.

I’ve also decided to not take very many belongings with me.  Honestly, I want a fresh start, but also I can’t afford to ship all of my things!  I will simply be taking clothes, food, a TV, kitchen essentials, a blanket, and a pillow.  This means getting rid of A LOT of belongings.  I’m having to sort through them, sell some and donate others.

The gym has been my salvation

throughout the last few months.  I wake up at 5AM every weekday to go run on the treadmill or do a circuit training.  My gym happens to have many locations in the Virginia Beach area.  But I’m hoping to score a cheaper membership there – or ditch the membership altogether.  With great weather in Virginia, why would I need to spend $50 a month on a gym membership?

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A few things left on my To-Do list:

-Call gyms/auto insurance agencies in the area and get prices/quotes

-Stock up on non-perishables (quinoa, steel cut oats, vegan chocolate) and body products (shampoo, soap, toothpaste) as they are MUCH cheaper in Texas than in Virginia.

-Finish out my last three days at my current job (YAY!)

Looking forward….

This weekend, I’m thrilled to spend it with my family.  On Wednesday, I will finish out my two weeks notice at my job and then embark on the 24 hour drive to Virginia.  I have started to see how the awfulness of 2012 was actually working in my favor.  I still don’t think I fully understand it yet.

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But when I get where I’m going, and I get settled and really have time to sit and think on this amazing transition in my life, I will probably cry.  And I will laugh and be glad for 2012.  

xoxo

 

September 11, 2012

Pants.

Posted by Marathon Sweetheart under MOTIVATION, Photos, workout gear
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Xoxo

 

July 11, 2012

Photo: The gym shirt of my dreams.

Posted by Marathon Sweetheart under Photos, workout gear
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I am a very welcoming spirit in real life, but when at the gym – I am there for business not pleasure!  

xoxo

 

June 5, 2012

Photo: Black Milk Leggings

Posted by Marathon Sweetheart under Clothes 'N More, MOTIVATION, Photos, workout gear
[8] Comments 

I NEED these.

Too bad they are made in Australia and kind of expensive…  But they are still beautiful to admire!

xoxo

 

May 7, 2012

BE YOUR OWN INSPIRATION!

Posted by Marathon Sweetheart under iWorkout, MOTIVATION, MY LIFE, Photos, workout gear
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Today was my first official day on my new job.  I can’t say much (for confidentiality purposes – DAMN YOU GOOGLE NAME SEARCH), but I will say how overwhelming it was.  The good and the bad just did crazy things to my formerly unemployed brain.

Then, I saw this photo I took yesterday after a run/walk around my neighborhood.  Honestly, I’m so tempted to curl up with a bowl of cereal and watch Dancing With The Stars.  But watching TV will only further make me lose my damn mind.

I see the progress I’ve made – spiritually & physically – and I can’t help but cheer myself on.  YOU ARE YOUR OWN BEST FRIEND AND MOTIVATOR.  No one is going to help you like you can help yourself.  Remind yourself that you are capable, that you have the 300 calories of energy to run this 5K, and that you will feel PEACE & PRIDE when you are done.

Life will always make a little bit of sense after a run.  ALWAYS.

xoxo

 

April 19, 2012

A Review: I dumped Brooks for ASICS.

Posted by Marathon Sweetheart under MY LIFE, Photos, reviews, running, Shoe Lovin', workout gear
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When my feet were fitted for Brooks in 2010, I was in love.  

They were light weight, supportive enough, and cute enough for me.  But if you’ve read my blog, I’ve suffered two major knee injuries.  I won’t blame it all on the alcohol Brooks, but I feel they probably aren’t THE one for me.  Sadness.

A few weeks ago, I went with Amber to the shoe store Run On in San Antonio, Texas.  The people there are AWESOME.  No bull.  No pushing sales on you.  Just knowledge and honesty.

I’m an over pronator, which means I rotate my feet (my left one more so than my right) inwards when they strike the ground, instead of staying neutral in the middle.

I was fitted for the ASICS Women’s GT 2170 Running Shoe in a size 9.

I wear a size 8 in my normal shoes, and an 8.5 in running shoes.  The saleswoman said I was always losing my toenails because I was in the wrong shoe and in the wrong size.  Interesting…   She fitted me with this particular shoe because they are so similar to the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 11‘s that I had been running in for years.  She examined the bottoms of my current running shoes, and she said I was doing great in them.  I was properly aligned, and she didn’t want to put me in a Mizuno or anything crazy different than what I was used to.

I absolutely love them!  

They are very similar to the Brooks.  They are light weight, but definitely more cushioned.

The best part is NO knee pain!  HOLLER!

* If you want to check your alignment to make sure your shoes are correcting any pronation problems, look at the treads on the bottom.  If most of them are worn out in the middle of the shoe, you are good!  If they are worn either on the inside more or the outside, you need to get out of that shoe ASAP!

* Also, I would not recommend you walking in your running shoes or wearing them out.  This will effect the tread pattern on the bottom, so you won’t be able to tell how properly aligned you are in them.  Not to mention, it is precious money that you spent on a RUNNING shoe.  Save them for your runs, and save your money!

In total, I paid $110.00 for the shoes, $15.00 for a Sweaty Band, and $45.00 for new Super Feet insoles.  My wallet died a little that day.  But the shoes are actually cheaper online HERE.

I love my new ASICS!  What shoes are you currently running in?  

xoxo

 

April 12, 2012

Checking In! *Hairstyles and Sunny Smiles* 4/12/12

Posted by Marathon Sweetheart under beauty, Food, Garmin, INSTAGRAM, iWorkout, Photos, running, vegan, workout gear
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In the hours before my rendezvous with the road, I drank a gallon of water + lemon.

I also ate this delicious breakfast – Smoothie In A Bowl.  My recipe is HERE.

♡

After all these years, I still haven’t found THE perfect running hairstyle.

Woe is me.

When I wear a high pony or a high messy bun, it pulls all of my hair out.  When I wear the pony too low, it falls out or annoyingly hits my shoulders.  I’ve tried braids before but they, too, pull at the hairs on the crown of my head.  Today, I experimented with having my hair tie a little loose, and then I braided the hair and secured it with a tiny red tie.

I added my new glitzy SWEATYBAND!  These Sweaty Bands are legit and worth the $15.

It didn’t pull at my hair, but the braid fell out and hair was flying in my face from the too-loose hair tie.  FAIL.  I hate being a girl, sometimes.

♡

Confession: This is my first actual run of the week.  I strength trained on Monday, and completely did it wrong.  I added so much weight to my lifting routine.  My body has been so sore to the extent that I felt flu-like symptoms.  I definitely did more harm than good.  But I’ve gotten so much great advice from Twitter.  Apparently, you should focus on repetitions and not add so much weight at first!  Ha ha ha!  I was doing it completely wrong, and I’m STILL ass sore.  Next week, I will do it right.

For it being 80 degrees, and windy & sunny as hell.  I’ll take it.

I also drank a liter of water during my run, and another liter right after.  

Hydration is everything!

These are my new kicks! I will post a review of them very soon.

Please tell me your running hairstyle secrets!? And what shoes are you currently running in? 

xoxo

 

March 25, 2012

New Workout Gear Haul

Posted by Marathon Sweetheart under Clothes 'N More, MY LIFE, Photos, workout gear
[2] Comments 

I recently made a trip to Marshalls and Old Navy for some workout gear.  It’s getting really hot here in Texas, so I wanted new clothes not only to keep me cool but also to inspire me to get out there and run!

My favorite item is probably this corral pink tank by Avia.  $16.99.  It doesn’t ride up, it’s light weight, and it’s adorable. I wore it HERE.

I also bought a beautiful purple dri-fit shirt by Avia for $16.99.  And a white UnderArmour sports bra for $16.99.  It is really compressing and supportive for the price.  And it’s full coverage, ladies!

The green shorts cost $10 and they are from Old Navy.  Easily the best $10 I ever spent.

 And hellooooooo new booty shorts!  These were only $7.99 and they’re by Mizuno.  I will probably wear them on my long run today, so stay tuned for the verdict on those!

I hate spending lots of money on new workout gear.  So I’m really thankful for places like Old Navy and Marshalls for having some quality pieces in their stores!

What is your favorite piece of workout clothing to wear when it gets really hot?

xoxo

 

March 14, 2012

Checking In! *Girl Problems* 3/14/12

Posted by Marathon Sweetheart under Garmin, God, INSTAGRAM, iWorkout, MOTIVATION, MY LIFE, Photos, running, Running Stories, workout gear
[3] Comments 

This day started off 

as not my day.  I felt so sick and weak.  I’m writing this blog before bed and after 2 runs today, I feel strong and empowered!  Thank you Emilio and Mike for motivating me earlier today!

I went to the track today for “sprints.”  I did two half mile sprints in 7:19.

In between sprints, I stopped to smell the bluebonnets – which happens to be the Texas state flower :)

I’m on INSTAGRAM! My username is: MarathonSweet :)

After walking another mile, I decided to come home and eat a banana.  Then, run again later.  It was 85 degrees and I was losing my damn mind.  But I totally did not regret it!  This nighttime run was EVERYTHING.  I started really slow with a 10 minute mile, then finished with an 8 minute mile.  Tonight, I listened to my thoughts.  I felt the power in my legs.  My stride was so ON.  I felt my heart getting stronger, as it strived to pump oxygen like never before to my muscles.  WOW.

When I finished, I threw my hands in the air and almost fell to my knees.  Someone even stopped their car to make sure I was okay… ha ha, awkward?  Then, I danced a little and thanked God.

Life is beautiful.  Pain makes sense.  Running is love!

Some of my new gear. I'll be showing you the rest soon!

Your turn to check in! How was your run or workout today? 

xoxo

 

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