A Case of the Runs

Ever since I discovered that I could work out to YouTube using my AppleTV device, I have enjoyed working out on a whim rather than hoping that the DVD that I've popped in the night before will suit my needs in the morning.  It sure beats working out in front of a laptop, too! Here are my current go-to videos.  I'm sure this will change in a few months (and I look forward to a fresh batch!).  I like that they are generally short, so I can mix and match as I have time/energy! 1) Madonna Arms (about 10 min) - This is not a prenatal video, but it's just a good all-around arm toner that can be done during pregnancy.  The last segment is done lying flat on your back, but after a point I started using a stability ball so I'd be up on an incline instead. I've been doing this one since early on in my pregnancy, and while I can't say it's a miracle worker, I do notice my general muscle tone is there.  My arms are a problem area for me (I tend to store fat in t...

If you've been reading here for a while, you probably know that I have had some ups and downs with this whole running thing.  As you can see from my "PR Bin" on the right sidebar, my running seems to have peaked in the past, and although I've had some decent performances as recently as earlier this year, I am starting to wonder what kind of future running and I will have. Recently, I happened to catch a replay of a Kona Triathlon in which one of my television staples, Gordon Ramsay (spotted by me at LA Marathon 2010 !), actually completed the race.  To think that this busy older guy could become an Ironman was rather inspiring, as all of the stories are.  Of course, I know by my crampy-cramp-cramp tendencies indicate that I'm nowhere near the shape I need to be in do complete one of those. But I don't have any ambitions to become an Ironman, though yes, I want to complete a triathlon someday .  Yet before all of that, I just wonder if I'm going to ...

Out of the shoes that I have reviewed here, these are by far the most interesting. Airia Running is a European company, and the Airia One shoe is designed to make the most out of every step.  You might immediately notice the unusual toe curvature of the shoe and freak out, but this very design is supposed to help you run faster (see the FAQ section here for more details about that). When I first opened the box, there was a warning included.  Yes, it's kind of freaky to find warnings for shoes.  However, it simply says that it will take a good 10k to break-in/get used to the shoe, so in other words, don't give up!  I find that there's a similar break-in period for any other new shoe I try, so nothing unusual there. The curvature isn't really noticeable when you put them on, unless you're really looking.  You will, however, feel like you're stepping on something under the ball of your foot.  Below is me (huge, at the brink of my third trimester) wit...