New Goodies!

I decided to stay in Friday night because I really wanted to get up on Saturday morning and run. I am glad I did. I met up with Becky and we ran the neighborhood together. We met up at 8 AM thinking the weather wouldn't be too brutal but it was all ready 80 something degrees with humidity at well over 70%! I think next time we will meet at 7 AM. There should be enough light then. 

I went into Corpus Christi to meet up with friends for lunch but I also really wanted to get new socks after my feet fiasco this past week. However sending me into Academy is just a disaster waiting to happen. I went in for socks then remembered I needed more tape and then wondered over to the clothing section. The socks are proving to work quite well. I am loving the fact that I now have a container for my tape and I think I prefer the Pro over the regular. And this is the second Nike shirt I have in this color. I love it. And I love the thin material. 

Sunday mornings to me are just the best. I wake up without an alarm, turn on the American Country Music Review and on Sundays it is Christian Country countdown. I drink my coffee and make my breakfast all before church. 

But yesterday I woke up in a funk and even after spending the day  outside with my friend and her boys playing in the pool I felt I needed a short run. I am glad I did it. 

Monday miles meant upping my mileage to start the week. Pretty much stayed consistent with 5k's last week but need to get in consistent 4 milers this week. 

This foam roll technique for shin splints is no joke. I almost yelled in the gym when I started this. I also am taping a bit differently. Instead of starting my long piece of tape at my ankle I am starting it just under the arch of my foot and taking it up from there. We will see how it goes. 

I am terrible at taking gym selfies. 

New Kicks!

Since my FleetFeet gift card was burning a hole in my wallet I went got some new shoes! Going to try out the New Balances since they didn't have my size in my Asics that I have been wearing since May. I also picked up a pair of calf sleeves hoping that might help with the shin splints I have been getting. That could also be from my shoes being almost 7 months old too. 

Tomorrow is my first 10K of the year and 1 of 6 I have set to run for myself as a goal. I am relaying the American Bank Half Marathon with my friend Becky. Fingers crossed the weather isn't too crappy and the soreness in my legs from HIIT class on Tuesday will subside so I can get in a good run. The course is simple, out and back on Shoreline Drive next to the bay so as long as the weather holds up it should be a great run!

My Must Have Gear Lately

I am by no means an expert or seasoned runner but I do have somethings that I just can't seem to live without when it comes to my runs. I am always on a budget so I don't have the latest and greatest things money can buy however I have made due with what I can afford.

1. iPhone & Nike GPS Running App - I have been using this app for a few years now and so far, for me, it seems to work the best when it comes to tracking my runs and coaching. Ideally it would be great to run without the cords of my earphones so I am keeping my fingers crossed maybe I can get a pretty cool set of bluetooth earbuds for Christmas or my birthday!

2. Right before my Beach to Bay 2014 run I had to get new running shoes. I was battling a potential stress fracture and the Nikes I was running in just didn't provide the correct support for my foot. So I headed to the Fleet Feet Sports in Corpus Christi and got fitted for my first pair of Asics Gel Cumulous and I must say, so far they are doing well for me. I only wear them when I run or when I am working out (usually after my run) so that I don't wear them wrong from walking.

3. If you haven't seen or heard about Fabletics yet, mostly on Facebook, then you should definatley check them out. I got my first outfit for $29 I think and I absolutley love the leggings that I got. They stay in place, they aren't too thin (so your butt doesn't show through), and they look pretty dang cool! By far my fave pair to date!

4. I recently started wearing a calf sleeve on my right leg. So far it seems to be helping and it is something I cannot really run without right now. I am not sure if it is all the treadmill work I am doing right now (since it is usually around 100 degrees when I am able to run during the week) or the increase in mileage but I picked mine up at Academy for $10 or $15. I wanted to see if it would help before I ordered a more expensive one online.

5. A mainstay on this list will always be my Costa Sunglasses! There is only one place in Corpus Christi you can get prescription Costa Sunglasses and I wear mine all the time - running, fishing, driving, at the ranch...you name it!