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Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Um...more new shoes! And running gear

Well...yesterday I bought MORE new running shoes! My "long run" shoes are actually totally worn through the sole (in less than 500 miles, ouch) and I can't run far in my Karhus. Since I was off work, I went to a local running store to see if they could help me fit my weird feet.
Foot weirdness: Extremely wide toes, average/narrow heel, bunions (ew), very very high arches, and...I pronate a lot. I know, people with high arches shouldn't pronate. But that's what I do! The gentleman at the store stared at my arches, then stared at my old worn shoe soles, then stared at me. He refused to sell me shoes. He told me I had the strangest feet ever and he was afraid of injuring me and he couldn't help me until I got a note from my doctor. Seriously. So I left shoeless. Next door was a TJ Maxx, and despite my sort-of promise to myself that I would quit buying new clothes for a while I stuck my head in just to check out the deals. Lo and behold! New Balance 738's for $29!

So I bought a pair. They're lightweight neutral shoes and probably not what I need, but for that price I guess I can try them! If I'm screaming and clutching my knees in a few months you'll know I was wrong on this one.
While I'm on the running subject I thought I'd share my basic running gear:

Shirt: whatever race T-shirt is on the top of my pile.
Shorts: I recently started wearing tight, compression style shorts. They don't do much for your figure but loose flapping fabric annoys me to no end. I love these!
Socks: These are from Walmart, but I also have some Underarmour running socks I like. I have some pairs from the dollar store, too - I'm not picky as long as they have padding.
Bra: I have tried nice Nike and Adidas jog bras and I hated them - they actually restricted my lung expansion! I wear cotton fruit of the loom. I had two Everlast jog bras in high school that I just threw out last month - talk about living up to your name!
Etc: Got to have my ipod, cheapo stop watch that goes off everyday at 6:15 because I can't figure out how to turn off the alarm, and dollar store sunglasses. I wear glasses even if it isn't sunny because they keep wind and dirt out of my eyes. I USED to wear the knee strap but I've weaned off it for now.
Hat: My aunt just bought me a white, wicking fabric hat that I intend to try out on sunny days. My head gets hot thanks to my dark hair.
What do you wear to run or exercise? Favorites? Things you can't do without?

6 comments:

  1. Wow! You must have some goofy feet.
    I tend to require expensive socks to protect my feet (I'm a blister machine)- I like the New Balance brand ankle socks.
    And tight shorts, pants, leggings, are a lot more comfortable for me to run in as well. I don't have very big legs, but the way I run makes them rub together- loose fabric bunches up and then my legs chafe. :( I mainly run in Old Navy yoga leggings, but also have a pair of tight Nike shorts (from the outlet in Gulfport) and a pair of Lululemon running tights that I wear in the winter.
    Tops are sports bras from target and tank tops or camisoles from old navy.
    Extra stuff consists of ipod, garmin, cheap Target sunglasses, sometimes a bondi band or a nike headband, and sometimes a spibelt (glorified fanny pack that it is) when I need to carry stuff with me on my run.

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  2. I like the C9 shirt & sports bras that target sells. They are cheap and I don't have trouble w/ chaffing/discomfort from either. I tend to wear a lined nike short, and socks that I got from my running store that are supposed to help prevent blistering as they are made w/ synthetic fabric. Then as far as non-clothing, I always have my iPod & my Garmin. I usually wear sunglasses and now that the sun is stronger I will probably start wearing a hat.

    I am intimidated by those compression shorts. Which is silly, really, because I shouldn't be thinking about what people are thinking when they see me running. And really, I am pretty sure no one pays that much attention to what I am wearing!

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  3. Aw, Lisa, try them. I have a fat butt and I still wear them! When I wear them on the track I just figure that if everyone else is as miserable as I am, they're too busy trying not to die to notice my clothes.

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  4. The Nike Compression shorts I have aren't that unflattering. The Lululemon running tights- I actually feel a little silly in them b/c the waist is *really* high. They are comfy and great for cooler weather though. I've learned that I have to just go with what works. When I first started running, I *hated* that I couldn't wear loose shorts (I don't like tight clothes in general)- but not as much as I hated chafing and wearing uncomfortable stuff on my run. And I got used to it over time.

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  5. Shelly, my compression shorts are super high, too! But I fold them down because for one I look a lot cuter ;-) and for two otherwise they press on my tummy and totally make me have to pee, lol!

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  6. Your poor feet, I hope the shoes work out for you!

    I LOVE my C9 tank tops. I am a Nike tempo short fan. They don't chafe too much. I also have a couple pairs of Asics shorts that I really like too.... I think I might have a pair from when I first started running.... so they are like 15 years old. LOL

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