Thank You Oiselle!

The Friday we flew to Oklahoma I was looking around on Twitter and Oiselle was having one of their Friday tweet contests.  Each Friday they hold a contest with different themes.  This one was for #startinglines so of course I tweeted about my starting line at aquathlon nationals that weekend.  And I won!  I got a $50 gift certificate to their online store which I promptly used to buy this:

This is the Lux long sleeve base layer.  It is so comfortable and warm.  Almost too warm, actually.  Each time I've worn it I've had it off within a mile because I was too warm.  But it kept me warm last week while hiking in Colorado. 

Wait?  What?  I went to Colorado???

Things I Love: Ultra Swim Shampoo

When I was a kid I had white-blonde hair.  When I'd swim in the summer it would turn green from the chlorine.  As I've gotten older and my hair has gotten darker, it has stopped turning green but gets kind of 'straw-like' after swimming.  A few days of build-up and I've got quite the rat's nest on top of my head.  For several years now, more years than I can count, I've been using chlorine-specific shampoo to get the gunk out: Ultra Swim.

I like this stuff because it's not thick, it gets the chlorine and chlorine smell out, and it leaves my hair feeling super soft.  I've tried other chlorine shampoo before and it's just not the same.  And the best part is that I can find Ultra Swim at any grocery or pharmacy and it's only a few bucks.  If you're a swimmer, give it a try!

Things I Love: My Nathan Hydration Belt

I'm pretty OCD when it comes to hydration during my runs.  I only drink water and I drink on specific intervals.  On the treadmill I take a swig every 2-1/2 minutes.  On the roads I drink every mile on the mile.  This, obviously, requires me to bring water with me.  Now, I know there are a lot of yous out there who love your handhelds.  I have one.  It's cool.  But I cannot carry that sucker more than 6 miles.  It hurts my arm, it hurts my hand, and it just gets in the way.  Therefore, I carry my Nathan Hydration Belt...

This isn't the exact belt I have, but similar.

Each bottle holds 10 ounces of water which can get me through about a half marathon.  When I'm out training I will stop at my parents' house or the library and refill my bottles when I need more water during a long run.  In my last marathon, because the water stops were every other mile, I wore the belt and had Dave meet me at the half way point and hand off full bottles to me.

The belt also has a pouch that can hold quite a bit.  I have fit 7 gels in there, which is plenty for a marathon.  Mine also has a small compartment on the front flap that I will put my house key or some chapstick.

One thing I love about the Nathan pack as opposed to other packs I've tried is that it fits and does not bounce around.  I love this!  Despite the weight that is on my hips, I don't notice it, it doesn't get in the way while I'm running, and it doesn't seem to affect my pace or gait either while I'm running.

Do you have a favorite piece of running "equipment"?  What is your go-to hydration system?

Things I Love...My Apera Backpack

I admit it.  I'm a bag whore.  I love purses and backpacks and satchels and whatnot.  I used to buy lots, but honestly, I don't carry any of them.  So now I don't waste my money.  I now just carry my cell phone and a credit card.  For the last 5ish years I've been using a Saucony backpack as my running/gym bag.  It was alright.  It didn't have all the compartments I would have liked - like a water bottle holder, but it made do.  For some time, though, it's been falling apart.  One of the should straps came unsewn and the interior lining was ripping out.  It was time for a new backpack.

I don't like to spend a lot of money, on anything, but I had been admiring Apera and their line of backpacks for some time.  I debated and debated and debated and finally I just bought it.  I chose the Active Pack as it had shoe compartments, water bottle compartments, a place for my phone, a separate area for wet clothes, and a smaller bag included for wet swimsuits.  This bag was made for me.

When the delivery finally arrived at my house, however, they had sent me the wrong pack.  I was disappointed.  I tweeted them and sent them an email and they immediately responded.  They sent me a label to use for free shipping and sent me the correct pack before I had even sent the incorrect one back.  Their customer service was amazing!

Now I am in love with this backpack.  It's perfect.  It's compact but holds everything.  I regularly hold my swimming and running clothes at the same time in there.  In addition, I use the iPad compartment to hold diapers and wipes which keeps me from having to carry two bags to the gym.  I love having a separate compartment for my phone and keys at the top of the bag.  I use the shoe compartments and the water bottle holds simultaneously and it does not add volume to the bag.  And I LOVE the separate wet clothes bag.  I use it all the time for my swimsuits and/or sweating running shirts. 

This bag is terrific.  I love it.  I hope it lasts forever!

Things I Love...Amy!!!

I'm starting a new segment on the blog called "Things I Love".  I have done some product reviews in the past, but I wanted to expand upon that and just tell you about all the things I love.  It could be running related, it could be baby related, it could be whatever.

Today I am going to talk about my favorite blogger, Amy.

I used to read a lot of blogs.  I had the time.  I had the patience.  I don't have time or patience anymore.    Also, I get really tired of the "super-popular" blog that is philosophical, supposedly a resource of all things running/triathlon, and gets free stuff all the time to review or giveaway.  I like to read about real runners, with real jobs and real lives.

I have been reading Amy's blog, 26point2ers, since it was Amy and April.   I loved reading about their race adventures from 5Ks to ultras.  Soon the blog became just Amy's and the snark was awesome.  What I love about Amy is that she isn't afraid to hide behind her blog.  She says what's on her mind and it usually involves a four letter word and an amazing animated gif.  Amy's also real with her running.  She has gone from being a participant to being a runner to be reckoned with.  Amy has tried and tried and tried to qualify for Boston and has come so close.  I root for her from afar and my heart breaks for her when she falls short.  I tell her all the time, she's gonna get it.  And she will and I'll be cheering loudly.

Amy and I got to meet a few years ago when we both did the Bourbon Chase.  After 24 hours of running and a little bit of awe on both sides of the meeting we had a short awkward chat.  I'm convinced, though, if we ever lived remotely close to each other we'd be total BFFs.  :)

I nominated Amy for Salty Running's Greatest Women's Running Blog.  She's up against a heavy hitter, one of those blogs.  Please go out and support Amy.  Read her blog, cheer her on, and vote vote vote!

Love you Amy!!!