Favorite Things: Run for your Life!

When I run, I RUN. I get hot, stinky, sweaty, and damn tired. Running keeps me sane and gives me a positive outlook on life. That hour or so of free time lets me unwind and think about things…or think about nothing. I can truly say, I love to run, and it is something I hope to always be able to do.

Prior to heading out the door, I like to have a little something in my stomach. Bolthouse makes a great line of juices that I enjoy. The Greens gets my sugar leveled out and my carbs boosted. A small glass is all I need.

My gear is pretty straight forward. I could give a hoot what I look like as far as attire is concerned. Most of the time it’s a tee shirt from high school and pair of Nike jogging shorts or Sofe cheer shorts (yes, I still use gross high school spirit gear to work out in…what can I say? Go Pirates. Just kidding, I hated high school). My gear of choice is breathable, light, comfortable, and supportive. The only kind of sports bra I will buy is Nike because they make good bras that not only support your bazingas, but your back too.

Darwin and I don’t mess around when it comes to him pulling me in the street. That is a big no, no. He could could get hit, I could get hit, and he really hurts my shoulders when he pulls me all over the place. The Gentle Leader isn’t something I ALWAYS use when we run together, but it does help. He only sometimes throws a temper tantrum when I put it on. It works fairly well also. The Gentle Leader is a bit like the cone of shame…he is so embarrassed to wear it. I’d say it’s well worth it to try out if you have a beastly dog that you walk or run with frequently.

I’m also one of those people that must have music to run. I simply cannot run with other people and talk. That makes me so mad because I can’t concentrate on nothing (see above) or have conversations with myself in my head like I want to. Running is very personal to me, which is why the Skull Candy ear phones I use with my iPod are essential. These things smoosh in my ear and fit it perfectly, blocking out sound and surrounding  me with music. Yes, I know, I shouldn’t do this because I can’t hear if someone comes up from behind me, or if a car is coming. I keep the music down fairly low (most of the time) so I can hear what’s going on around me. The fact that I have a 90 pound red headed maniac named Darwin at my side helps too 🙂

Last but not least, the most important part of my gear: my shoes. Oh my shoes, how I love you so. Under Armour makes a great breathable shoe with tons of support called the Spine. Hooooy boy, these things are like the sports bra for my arch-less feet. My only complaint is that the tops of my feet bruise from pounding pavement. Presumably because the arch is so high in the shoe and I lace them very tightly. Everyone has different needs for their shoes, but these are perfect for me. However, if someone gave me a free pair of customizable shocks like my mom did for Christmas 3 years ago, I would take those in a heartbeat. I wore mine out so hard, the backs fell apart and the actual guts of the shoe cut my heel up horribly. I still won’t throw those away 🙂

I have a dirty rotten secret (can you smell it?)…I hardly ever wear socks with my running shoes.

EW. I am. DISGUSTING. Which is why I bought cute socks to try and motivate myself to wear them more often.

What do you work out in? Please tell me I’m not the only one who still wears things from 2005 or doesn’t wear socks when they run!