A Case of the Runs

Recently, I was looking through a "fitness inspiration" Instagram profile, something I rarely do because I don't even have that app.  Long ago, I wanted to be that kind of inspiration (through this blog), but as life and body changes have reduced my long-run selfies to hardly existent walks, I have to remember that every great thing begins with a simple step. I was contacted to review the Omron Alvita Pedometer , which is a notch above other pedometers you may have used over the years.  Most of them register up-and-down movement only, but the Alvita can detect steps on three axes (axis-es?).  This is really cool, because unlike other pedometers, you won't hear clicking or anything when you walk. The other great thing about it is that it automatically resets itself at midnight each day.  It is also really light to clip or strap to yourself. Believe it or not, that's me lounging with a huge, huge bump. I shamefully don't log many steps these days, bu...

Major # firstworldproblems here, but my iPhone 4S had been broken for six entire months.  I knew this because it would remind me weekly that I haven't uploaded to iCloud, which was a direct result of the WiFi chip burning out when I downloaded an iOS update. Finally, sometime after the "iCloud not updated for 24 weeks" message, I got with the times and upgraded to the iPhone 5.  Now, my smartphone is fully functional again... ...which is just in time for me to work out some sort of baby tracking on there... ...which means I have to keep my phone on me at all times.  Actually, this is already something that "The Ukrainian" tells me if I mention something like taking a stroll around our very safe neighborhood.  I'm pretty sure I can round a few corners if the baby decides to arrive, but I guess it's better to be prepared. That's where the Armpocket comes in, which is a line of armbands that can hold not only smart phones but keys as well, ...

We've reached October 20-something (today's my half-birthday, though that doesn't mean much!), which means the November 20-somethings are coming up, and I am definitely ready for that time to arrive. Unfortunately, I still have a few weeks left at work, and as you can imagine, I haven't really been up to it lately even though things are kind of winding down and holiday festivities are sort of beginning.  My co-workers were so sweet in throwing me a baby shower, which "The Ukrainian" was able to attend. In particular, I keep waking up drained and have actually been nauseated in the same way as earlier in the pregnancy, except I don't think I can justify comforting myself with bland carbs anymore.  So when I see random things like vegan cheese pop up, I give in: Fortunately, I guess I hit a "nesting" phase in the past two weeks, so I washed everything and even packed my bag for the big day, even though it is (or just seems) SO far away....

I started this blog eight whole years ago.  That seems like a lifetime ago, really.  I still remember typing up my first post regarding the Long Beach Half-Marathon, which recently had its 2014 iteration that made me feel nostalgic. Having a place to share (and look back upon) my thoughts and life's adventures has been fun and cathartic, and I can say with some confidence that there is definitely more to come. When I started this blog... ...I was still in college. ...I had just jumped into corporate America (while finishing my last quarter of undergrad). ...I was very dismally single. ...I had just run my second half-marathon.   ...I had not run a marathon. During the past eight years... ...I graduated from college and graduate school. ...I have worked at about four major companies. ...I got married... and pregnant. ...I have run 29 half-marathons. ...I have run 15 marathons. In the coming year, I anticipate/hope to be blogging about.....

Fall is basically here, and "The Ukrainian" has been stepping up his training since he is signed up for the Surf City Marathon in February and LA Marathon in March.  While I certainly don't miss running in the dark, spidery morning environment, I do miss running (in way cooler temps than we have now) in general. Oh, and pain.  I don't miss the pain (though not to say I don't feel as though I've been running without actually haven't done so). I was recently contacted to review Omron's Electrotherapy TENS unit .  Given my current state, I let "The Ukrainian" use this until I am up-and-running again, so to speak.  Although we've both been in the running store only to be told about my gait issues and his perfect arches, he does experience pain once in a while, mostly in his calves, and also upper body after he weight-trains. From their representative: With running season in full force, this unit is perfect for your sore muscles po...

I'm really excited to review these OOFOS recovery shoes because I recently saw them at a running store but didn't have enough time to look at these more closely. When I'm done running a race (or long run!), nothing feels better than getting out of those worn out running shoes that probably already have energy drink residue all over them.  I try to do this before getting in the car, if possible.  When I wear the appropriate toe socks , I don't even need to remove my socks to switch from running shoes to sandals (as pictured below from this original post).   photo credit: Eyedea & Events Of course, in my normal, flat sandals, I just feel a very hard and flat sensation under my foot.  This is still better than being crammed into a running shoe, but more could be done... From their representative: OOFOS is made from our unique and proprietary OOfoam, which is 37 percent more impact absorbent than EVA. They are soft and comfortable, but won't lose ...

I am so relieved that October is here.  This month is a signal that our months and months of uncomfortable heat [might be] coming to a close soon.  Normally, that means I'd be running more , but maybe I'll catch the tail-end of the cooler weather early next year.  I've been seeing more people running out there, and it makes me feel nostalgic.  Unfortunately, it's going to hit the upper 90s mark again in a few days, but at least it will probably be cool in the morning and evening rather than a 24-hour oven.  People who complain about having babies in the summer seem to forget that people who have babies in the fall have to endure ALL of summer, which in Southern California, is lonnnnng. Either way, I've always considered October to kind of be the start of the holidays in earnest, cool or not.  It's also the beginning of the countdown to the arrival of our baby!  I naively hope that when I say that we're having a baby next month that we are correct, as...