Tag Archives: NaBloPoMo 2008

a few of my favorite things

November 20, 2008Uncategorizedmy favorite things, NaBloPoMo 2008Lauren @ mostly i run

I was inspired by Gretchen to share some of the items I’m loving right now. Also, I didn’t have anything else to blog about tonight!

Sunsilk Sea Mist from the Waves of Envy line.

My hair is naturally curly, but the curls don’t behave well on their own. If left to air dry without any hair products, I’m left with a fluffy, frizzy mess.

For years I’ve been playing around with different products, and I’ve learned I need to use a gel/cream/mousse of some sort first, followed by a spray to keep the frizz away. The problem that always resulted, though, was crunchy or sticky hair.

The Sea Mist gives my curls definition, without the crunchy/sticky feeling. I do still like to put something else in first for some hold, but it can stand alone. And it’s cheap!

Trader Joe’s Baked Cheese Crunchies.

Uh oh — we’re almost out! Last time we went to Trader Joe’s, we picked up three bags. I know I ate the first two. My husband had this last bag in the basement (aka his playroom) so I had to go downstairs to retrieve it.

Me: I need to borrow the cheese crunchies.

Him: You can take them upstairs before I finish it.

Me: I’m not planning on eating them. I just need to take a photo.

(I couldn’t finish that sentence without laughing.)

My new laptop.
(Well, I bought it a month or so ago.)

Now I can blog / shop / attempt to make Google Reader stop saying I have 1000+ unread items while spending some quality time with the DVR!

new real personal record!

November 19, 2008UncategorizedNaBloPoMo 2008, running amuckLauren @ mostly i run

As opposed to that fake one a couple weeks ago.

I ran a 10K on Sunday. It was a challenging course; one I’ve done many times before. In fact, just a week prior we did a test run.

The weekend before the race was a humid, rainy day. Not the best conditions to run a hilly course! But we did it, and I felt pretty good. We took a few walk breaks, and ended up finishing just over an hour.

My running buddy was thrilled since she hadn’t been that fast in a while. We planned to run the race together as well. Her 10K record for this course went back to 2004, 59:22. My best time for this course was in 2005, at 59:09.

My fastest 10K ever, also in 2005, was 57:36. I joked with her that we wouldn’t be trying to beat that one. We’d both have been quite happy under an hour.

I used to consistently finish 10Ks under the 60-minute mark. But the last time I did that was June 2006, at 59:54.

That was a month before I started running with orthotic inserts to try to help with knee and foot problems I’d been having.

I have been blaming the orthotics on my slightly slower pace, but I didn’t fully believe it. Maybe I was just getting slower as I got older?

Maybe it has just taken over two years for my body to adjust.

That recent 5K would probably have broken a record, had the course been long enough. I finished a 5-mile race earlier this month about 35 seconds slower than my fastest from 2005, but 4-5 minutes faster than my 5-mile runs since then.

And the 10K on Sunday?

57:26.

I beat my previous record by 10 seconds!

running skirt review: skirtsports “gymgirl”

November 18, 2008running skirtsNaBloPoMo 2008Lauren @ mostly i run

SkirtSports’ GymGirl is one of my favorites.

This style would make a good starter skirt for any ladies worried about running in a skirt. They are a bit longer than most others I’ve tried, and have shorts underneath for a little more coverage. Before I tried this skirt, I was concerned about the attached shorts instead of briefs. My first skirt (which I suppose I should review one of these days) has shorts, and it just isn’t that comfortable.

SkirtSports version, however, felt fantastic from the first time I tried it on. The mesh shorts are breathable, soft and stretchy. The lighter colors are a bit sheer, so I wouldn’t recommend them for yoga, but I wouldn’t hesitate to do a downward dog in my black skirt (not pictured, since it’s pretty much the same. Just in all black).

I love this skirt so much I’ll even show you what’s underneath!

The shorts don’t ride up and are comfortable for long and short runs. During a 16-mile run I did have to pull them down a tiny bit. That’s understandable — on those really long runs you’re going to be adjusting just about anything you’re wearing!

My black skirt is a newer version with two pockets instead of one in the others. Both versions have a buttonhole on the side for your headphones so you can stow your mp3 player in the pocket. The black one also added some stretchy grip tape to the shorts, I guess to hold them in place better. I thought the others were fine without it!

I love this Snowflake version (no longer available on their site, but Sierra Trading Post still has some). Yes, it is very shiny like it appears. It isn’t really skirt weather during the holiday season around here, but I’ll find a way. I’ve seen COOLMAX tights somewhere. I did run in it once last week when we had some mild weather. Even though I don’t believe in decorating for the holidays until after Thanksgiving, I allowed myself to dress festive. There might not be another opportunity to run with bare legs until the spring!

I’m going to sneak one more skirt here that isn’t a running skirt — it’s a bike skirt!

BikeGirl is basically the same skirt with a built-in chamois and silicone grips to hold the shorts in place. I used this a lot over the summer.

It’s comfortable and cute. One time when I was riding, a woman opened her car window to ask about it while stopped at a light!

Skirts are growing in popularity. In the past year since I’ve made the switch, I’m seeing more skirted women each race.

What are you waiting for? Join us!

my favorite fall photo

November 17, 2008UncategorizedGreeblePIX, NaBloPoMo 2008Lauren @ mostly i run

It’s Greeblepix time again!

It was a tough choice this month, because I’ve taken quite a few photos that I love recently. Aimee, proprietor of Greeblemonkey.com, suggested the theme “Grateful” for this month’s contest. My mind was kind of drawing a blank, so I decided to go with a fall theme.

I still think it fits. After all, I am grateful for the beautiful autumn day that let me snap this photo!

You should go over to Greeblemonkey.com to check out the other entrants. There are lots of talented people hanging out over there!

weekly winners: jeter has a rough day

November 16, 2008Uncategorizedfurry babies, NaBloPoMo 2008, weekly winnersLauren @ mostly i run

November 9-15, 2008

Jeter has it rough this time of the year.

Cat owners probably know the quivering chirp that kitties are known to do when something is disturbing them, like a bug on the ceiling.

We have lots of windows, and Jeter gets agitated when the leaves start blowing around. He gets twitchy and chirpy on those blustery fall days. He will sit by the window and follow the movement outside.