Gifts for the Holidays

December 9 – TriggerPoint GRID Mini Foam Roller

I LOVE LOVE LOVE my TriggerPoint GRID foam roller. It is my go to after any workout. I’ve had it for a few years now and it does not look like it has changed at all. The firmness is great and also hurts so good on my IT band. I know I have the regular sized one, but who can say no to the cute mini foam roller? WANT! I would love the GRID 2.0 longer version but my place is probably not big enough to house one of these (plus the large Rumble Roller I have). Price $24.99

December 8 – Nuun Active

So usually on my race, I must carry water with me with my handheld bottle. I think I sweat a lot because for any 10+ mile runs, I usually run out of water. On race days, this is a huge bummer. I’m not a fan of stopping at the stations if I don’t have to. I also found myself needing to grab a cup of Gatorade on occasion. I’m not a fan of the way Gatorade leaves that sticky taste in my mouth. It makes you thirstier! I may be a bit late on this train, but I recently discovered Nuun. What a difference from all the other sports drinks that provide you electrolytes. And it doesn’t make me feel super thirsty afterwards. And plus side for me, it has very little calories. I’m sold! So far I’m a fan of the Tri-berry and Strawberry lemonade. Must try Kona cola and grape! Price $24.00 for four pack

December 7 – Saucony Razor Hat

All this time, I’ve been depending on headbands to wrangle my mess of a hair during runs. I finally bought a beanie last month and I am a CHANGED WOMAN! The beanie with a ponytail hole (must have ponytail hole!) is the most glorious creation ever. I know, I’m behind in the game. I must buy more beanie hats! This Saucony hat even has a visor! My mind is blown! Price $38.00

December 6 – Addaday Junior

I love Addaday. I tested the Addaday Type C and had to buy it. It works great for after a long run. I have some crappy knees and the gears get right into the area around my knee caps. It really hurts so good. The Junior is so cute. It would definitely replace the semi-peeling Pinky ball that I’ve been using. It’s a bit difficult to find the Addaday products in stores. I was in Maine on vacation and happened to find the Type D+! Price $19.00

December 5 – Lorna Jane clothing and accessories

December 4 – Oiselle – Big O Yeti.
It comes in two colors with pattern or two solid colors for $98 and $95, respectively.

December 3 – Concept 2 indoor rower. Price $900.

December 2 – Disney Princess Half Marathon 2015. The revealed medals Frozen-themed.

December 1 – ATHOS

The monitors for Athos are connected via Bluetooth to your phone and the app can help correct your form in real time

My Unlucky Day..Friday the 13th

I’m not a superstitious person but it was strange timing that on Friday April 13th, I had a minor setback to my running goals. At the time, I was working full time in Philadelphia and commuting via Septa train. I was walking my normal eight blocks to work when I was struck on my left side by a vehicle. I’m not trying to be dramatic, in fact, I consider myself lucky that I wasn’t injured more seriously. I did have a tumble and scrapes on my legs and arms though. It was the first time that I remember being in an ambulance. I went to the hospital and was checked out. Nothing was broken but it seems like now, when I look back, this is probably when my knee stopped being the same.

I didn’t really run afterwards; I leaned towards lifting. Finally I decided to go to physical therapy to strengthen my weak knees. My friends and I signed up for Tough Mudder in 2013. I pushed all my efforts into pull ups for those monkey bar-like obstacles. I did lots of hiit training and was counting calories.

I really saw a difference in my body. Leaning out with minimal running. I would say this was my “peak” body fitness. I was at my lowest body fat percentage. Then I started training to run again. By October, I was able to complete my first 5k without stopping or depending on my inhaler. In November, I ran my fastest 5k (to date actually).

Then around this time, I signed up for a lottery to run the Nike DC half marathon. I didn’t think I would get chosen but I thought it would be a good motivator to increase my distance. And then…I actually did get selected! So I shifted all my efforts to training to run a half marathon. While I was excited to run my first half, I was unable to maintain my strength training. Here the scale tipped and I lost a lot of muscle mass. Still trying to figure out how to balance endurance running with strength training…a work in progress.