Helping me Run Happy

I've been of bummed out lately, nothing major. I've just been on the fence of buying a condo/renting a new place, and it has kind of bogged me down. While I love my parents with my whole heart, I wish they would've sat me down as an 18 year-old and told me that if I went into the teaching profession I would have to save my pennies month by month to finally, maybe finally to afford a two bedroom shack of my own. In regards to my running (in summary), I have been ROCKING my workouts, but bombing races. Meh. I actually had a blog post half written about that, but I re-read it and realized it sounded way too dramatic for how I was actually feeling. Possibly a topic for next week when I have cooled off a bit. So... I decided to post something sort of fun about my favorite running products and accessories. Here we go!
I have a bazillions pairs of Brooks shoes, but these are current favorites- Pure Connects and Ravenna 3s. I wear the Connects for tempos, sometimes track, and sometimes races. The Ravennas are my go-to shoe for any training run, but I especially love them for long runs. I actually have 2 of the featured visor, the white one shown, and a baby blue one. They are super light and work well as a sweatband in the sweltering Gulf Coast heat/humidity.

When the shoes come back wet and sweaty, as they always do in the summer months, these things are AWESOME! They are called Stuffitts- cedar filled "feet" that absorb odor and wetness from shoes. I have no idea where to get them; I won them at a race last year.

Well, after 19 years, I finally ran shirt-less. I haven't gotten the courage to race shirt-less, but I have done 2 long runs without shirts, and they felt SOOOO good! To the left is my favorite LR outfit- bra top and shorts from the Brooks Versatile collection.

Here is my collection of Girl in Motion headbands. They come in a variety of colors and last FOREVER. They come in 2 different width, too. The good news is that they are cheaper than many competitor headbands, and I know the maker/founder of these bands, and she is an absolute DOLL.

On the left is the best deo made- Secret Clinical. It's the only thing that keeps me stink-free after a day of teaching and coaching. And trust me- I sweat! On the right, is what cures my white girl's afro after a run. My hair becomes and absolute rat's nest . It's so bad that if I don't have my spray I have to use regular conditioner, like the kind you use in the shower. This is basicaly the same stuff as Johnson's and Johnson's No More Tears, but CVS and cheaper.

 I really love the Camelbak handheld bottle. I've had more success with it than the Nathan brand b/c it has a spill-proof top that keeps idiots like me from wasting their water on the run. The pocket on the side of the holder is perfect for gels. I often carry two gels (one for me and one for Sam, my training partner). On the right is my confession- I love beer. Oops, should a Sweet Southern Belle Schoolteacher admit that? Well, I do. I'm not a drunk or anything, but I sure do appreciate a cold one after a nightly run. I go through phases of what kinds I like, but currently I'm into fruit-flavored wheat beers like Shocktop Raspberry and SweetWater Blue.

This is my Runner Girl medal hanger. It's very clever and cute, perfect for a small hallway or office. I don't have all my medals on it. A few years ago, I donated the  majority of my medals to Medals 4 Mettle.

This is actually not mine. I don't save my race bibs. There are too many, and I don't ever tie sentimental value to them. TP was saving all of his in a shoebox, and I bought this for him for Christmas. He's nearly filled it in a year. Another cute, little goody, perfect for a hallway or office.

Well, that's all for now! Run Happy, friends!