Current Project

Searching for my next ride...


My criteria were convertible or Maserati (I think the only non-convertible car I like), and hard top. 


Features I really, really want are some trunk space, a blue car, a back-up camera and parking sensors, somewhere to plug in my phone, and perhaps most important of all, auto-on headlights.  I'm so jealous when I'm behind a car and we drive under an underpass and I see their lights flick on.  They're just so ... safe! 


These appear to be the top contenders at this point:

But then last night, I saw this (a few hours ahead of a predicted hail storm that never happened, so all the cars were crammed inside).

I thought it was my dream car.  Blue.  Convertible.  Back-up camera.  CD player.  Auto-on headlights.  I was ready to say "sign me up!". 

Then I saw this:

Sigh.  Anything over a quarter million just isn't in my price range.  I was wondering if they'd make a deal where I could pay $60 per month for the rest of my life.  In reality, assuming I live to be 100, I think I'd need to pay about $350 per month forever to pay this one off.  But it was very pretty, and I was glad it was protected inside the dealership (and glad that the measly Maserati I like was outside under a covering and there wasn't any local hail, so it's fine). 

Hoping to go do a bit more driving tonight, and maybe have a new car in a few days! 

Garmin News

I very well may be late to the game (this is technically yesterday's news), but if you hadn't seen it already, check out this gear review:

http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2015/05/garmin-fr225-gps-optical-hr.html

Short version:  Garmin has a new watch available for pre-order with the optical heart rate sensor in the watch.

You know what that means!  No chest strap!  It's the lights that shine through the skin on your wrist. 

I'm a big advocate of heart rate training, but oh, I hate the chest strap.  I finally ditched mine in late December when I got a Mio heart rate monitor for Christmas.  I wear it on my wrist and it's just a plain band (you can see it in one of the photos in the article I linked above, but here's a direct (non-affiliate ;) ) link, but mine is plain white) and it synchs with my Garmin, so I can see all my heart rate data on my watch as I run (just like I used to do with the chest strap). 

And more good news:  Garmin is using the Mio heart rate monitor.  So I can attest to the fact that it works well! 

It's been fun to feel like a cool kid not wearing a chest strap and having things on each wrist, but I guess whenever these start shipping, I'll be behind the times again since the cool kids will all have the 225. 

Having something on each wrist hasn't really bothered me, but I have not run (or trained for) a full marathon yet this year.  Usually in a marathon, I like to wear a pace band, and it may very well not work with the dual straps.  I'll let you know in ... October? 

Either way, I like my Mio and how it works with my Garmin enough that I won't be upgrading to the 225 anytime soon, but it sounds totally awesome for anyone who is in the market. 

Gear Review (for women)

When I read Jennifer's post about five brands for spring activewear, one of the items she mentioned jumped out at me:

Quoting from her post:

"4. CALIA by Carrie Underwood
This new line from Carrie Underwood is available exclusively at Dick's Sporting Goods and offers a lower price point than other high-end brands.

I really want to try the Inner Power Cross Front Mesh Bra. It's designed for high-impact performance like running, and it comes in actual bra sizes, which always seem to fit better than bras in general sizes (small or 6, for example). The mesh would be great for hot days, and the back is a unique design. I love this Smoky Plum color.

."

When Jennifer said "actual bra sizes," I was sold. 

In reality, I couldn't care less about price point if it's something that works.  I run enough that it's worth it to have an amazing sports bra (or five).  I've tried some pricy brands before without success.  I heard rave reviews of Lululemon's Tata Tamer, but I was sorely disappointed, it leaves chafe marks around my shoulders and sometimes near the clasp.  It's one of my last choice bras now. 

For running for the last few years, I've mostly been wearing Moving Comfort's Fiona, or Moving Comfort's Vixen.  I think I have 3 of each in different colors, but both styles seems to have their issues on me.  Those idiotic adjustable straps on the Fiona usually leave marks between my collarbone and shoulder wherever the seam is.  And the Fiona seems to result in band chafing for me, plus frequent chafing from the clasp.  The Vixen usually leaves me with chafing around the band and sometimes where the two off center seams go up.  Yow. 

With summer coming quickly, bringing hot, and sometimes humid runs over 16 miles, suffice it to say, money is not an object, though I'd certainly be reluctant to try something super pricey. 

So based on what Jennifer wrote, I decided to give it a shot.  I ordered one.  And I remeasured my band size for the first time in ages.  Am I one of the 80% wearing the wrong size bra?  Maybe!  (Is that stat real?  I don't know where I heard it, seems implausible, but maybe...)  I actually went down one band size from what I wear most days for work.  (No, I don't think it's a size issue with the Fiona and Vixen that I usually wear, since I have multiple sizes of the Fiona and they all have the same issue, and the Vixen is XS-XL sizing.) 

Shipping was free, but not speedy.  I shipped it to work and it actually arrived on one of my running commute days, so I decided to try it out the very night I got it -- not a tough call since the alternative was the stinky sports bra I'd worn on my way TO work that morning, and plus, my commute is just under 4 miles, so a much more comfortable distance to give a new gear item a test run instead of a regular weekday run, which is always over 6 miles.

My thoughts:

The second I put it on, I could tell, it fits great. I picked the right size. It was comfortably secure when I put it over my head, and appropriately tight when I hooked the clasp. 

My second thought was that it seemed too low cut in the front.  I was nervous that meant it wasn't going to work well.  And I knew, regardless of how supportive it was, I'd hesitate to wear it without a shirt since I'd be giving quite the show with this one, but aside from three runs in near-emergency conditions (all detailed here), I don't run topless, so how it looks is kind of moot. 

On the run, wow.  Fit great, no chafing, fully supportive, not uncomfortable at all, maybe a little cooler feeling with the venting?  Hard to tell.  But great.  Two thumbs up unequivocally while running. 

Got home, and I could immediately feel where the chafing had happened -- in the back, right near the clasp.  The cause?  Plastic tags.  Perforated so I was clearly supposed to remove them before running in the bra.  My bad.  Cut it as close as possible to the fabric, and threw it in the laundry.

Next, I wore it tagless for a weekend run of 12 or 13 miles. 

Perfection!  No chafing anywhere, comfortable, supportive, perfect.  Can't even say how happy this makes me. 

So now, I've discovered the product's true flaw, and my biggest complaint:  it's always dirty.

Seriously, I never get to wear it.  I do laundry on Fridays or Saturdays, which means that it's clean for my Sunday long run, and it's now the first sports bra that I grab from my drawer, so it's never clean and an option on a weekday.  It really feels like I never get to wear it.

 

Solution:  I ordered a dupe of the one I liked, as well as one in the other color.

Now my biggest complaint is probably the lack of color options.  The Moving Comfort bras have tons of color choices, why only two here?  I'd especially like some lighter colors.  Not that I'll run in just a sports bra ever (barring another emergency), but there's something I don't like about wearing dark colors, even underneath a shirt, for an August 20 miler.  Maybe some blues?  Yellows?  Pinks?  Light greys? 

Thankfully, the second and third ones I ordered were the same price.  Dick's doesn't know it, but they had this priced right for me to try it, but once I knew I liked it, I easily would have paid double the price for the next two.  Whew!  They could be like a coke dealer -- first hit is free, then they gouge you when you're hooked.  Good thing for me that's not a business model they've considered. 

I would assume it goes without saying, but my opinions, my money spent on all products referenced.

So thanks for the tip Jennifer!  You made my upcoming summer much more comfortable!   

Wedding Attire

Funny how blogs you read can impact your life.

I'm planning a post about my new tattooed life thanks to Running Bear.

Another change is that I'm actually thinking more about clothing thanks to another new blog I'm enjoying, Running on Lentils (go figure, another vegetarian runner, living in Pittsburgh where I'm visiting my in-laws this week no less?, it was a given I'd enjoy it).  One different aspect about her blog from others I read is that she does lots of clothing reviews, mostly workout wear. 

Anyway, in some ways it sometimes just makes me think more about what I'm wearing.  One of her recent posts focused on how a new top's fabric "pilled" a bit after wearing.  That's exactly the kind of thing I'd usually be oblivious to.  But now, I just find myself thinking about what I'm wearing more now (to run and in the real world).

One good thing about traveling for a wedding (and being totally averse to checking luggage) is that I have to actually decide on one outfit to wear in advance and then I'm fully committed.

This is what I've chosen for tomorrow night's wedding.  I've worn it once before (Easter 2012), but the material has a lot of stretch so it still fits well.

#Reverb13, Day 25: Covet

Throughout the month of December, I’ll be participating in #reverb13: Reverb is a way to reflect on the past year and project into the next year with a prompt a day for 31 days.

Day 25 – Covet
 
What did you covet this year? Are you working towards getting that, or just admiring it from afar? Is it a tangible thing, or just an idea? Tell us about what you’ve got your sights set on.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, my top "want" is travel.  And I got what I wanted in 2013.  A trip to Mardi Gras, visits to family in Pittsburgh, 6 days in the San Francisco area, a long weekend in Kansas City.  But most of all, it was the trip to Europe.  A marathon in Berlin, Oktoberfest in Munich, a short visit to Liechtenstein, a bit of time in Switzerland, time with family in Italy, a romantic trip for just the two of us to Venice, and then a stop in Amsterdam (planned primarily so we could enjoy a direct flight home!). 

But in terms of "things"...

I posted a wish list in May 2013 here. 

And wow, I've now gotten the top couple things that I coveted the most -- a Vera Bradley garment bag and an awesome blender (actually got a Breville for Christmas, not the Vitamix).  For Christmas, I also got a dinner fork and a knife that go with our set of silver, so now we're up to service for 9 (well, fork and knife service).  And we've gotten rid of our old pre-lit Christmas tree so we will have to buy a new one this year!  Well, we have exactly gotten rid of it, but we will. 

As for setting my sights for 2014, the primary goal will be to pay for our trip in the fall.  We're still not 100% sure where we're going, but we are thinking it will be India, Nepal, Maldives and maybe a stop in Dubai on the way home. 

In terms of things, the next big thing on my wishlist is a bicycle, but at the same time, I don't feel a strong desire for it.  Back when I made that wishlist, I was thinking I'd get my marathon goal time in Berlin and then maybe I'd move on to triathlons or something.  But I didn't get my goal, so I'm not really thinking about any other sports.  I still have unfinished business with the marathon! 

The other thing on the wishlist is a new Christmas tree.  Ours is going to be donated (hopefully next week!) and I want a new one.  Maybe not as heavy, but primarily one that has all the lights working! 

#Reverb13, Day 18: Wear

Throughout the month of December ((haha), I’ll be participating in #reverb13: Reverb is a way to reflect on the past year and project into the next year with a prompt a day for 31 days.

Day 18 – Wear:
What piece of clothing did you wear again and again all throughout the year? Why? Is it all worn out? Are you going to replace it or keep wearing it?

Nothing really comes to mind for this.  I have way too much stuff in my closet in general, but at times like this (when I'm on the heavy side of my usual range), I'm happy for the variety of sizes.  But even my favorite clothes I try not to wear too often. 

If I had to pick my signature piece of clothing for 2013, it was a pair of neon pink pants that I bought at the Gap.  I wore them to work once (slightly too casual for the office on a normal day), to book club, to dinner, and a few times in Europe.  Unfortunately for me, I wore them on both Christmas card picture days in Europe -- the day we went to Neuchwanstein castle in Germany, and the day we rode on the gondola in Venice.  We had a third picture this year that we used in a few cards and it was from the Ponte Rialto in Venice and it was the same day as the gondola ride.  So I decided to choose my second favorite Neuchwanstein picture to use in our cards since you couldn't see my pants in it. 

I thought the pants were done on the day I wore them in Neuchwanstein.  That night, we had dinner in Liechtenstein.   The place where we ate had a big salad bar where we made plates before our pizzas came.  And as I was eating my salad, a very juicy piece of beet fell off my plate, missed my napkin, and hit my light pink neon pants.  Ugh.  But I used stain stick on them and it worked -- I wore them again in Venice! 

So they are not worn out and if I can lose about 10 pounds and it gets about 40 degrees warmer, I will go back to wearing them. 

#Reverb13, Day 13: Favorite things

Throughout the month of December, I’ll be participating in #reverb13: Reverb is a way to reflect on the past year and project into the next year with a prompt a day for 31 days.

Day 13 – Favorite things:
Give us a list of your favorite things from 2013. Could be material items, food, people, anything!

Since I don't think people are "things", I'm kind of disregarding that part of the question, and since I'm behind on these posts, I know there is a food one coming up next, so I also will diregard the food part of this question.  As to my favorite material items...

I've said it before, I'm not much of a things person. We try hard not to buy much "stuff" so that instead we can buy plane tickets to Europe and drop 120 euros on the long gondola ride for example.

So far and away, my favorite "thing" in 2013 was passport stamps.  Plus, I got a new country for the first time since 2010 maybe (?) -- Liechtenstein!  My second favorite "thing" was travel within the US.  2013 held non-work trips to Pittsburgh (twice), Mardi Gras in Mobile, Kansas City, San Francisco, and San Antonio.  Plus the trip tonight up to Wisconsin. 

But of course there were a few legitimate material "things" that really made a difference this year.  While I have awesome stuff that works in my life on a daily basis -- a car, my Garmin, my workout gear, my iphone, my work calendar, etc., instead I'm going to focus on material things that were new to my life in 2013. 

First and foremost (since I'm loading up my suitcase to fly home for Christmas tonight!):  compression packing bags.  I'd heard about these before, but I never investigated.  Part of me thought you had to have a vacuum to use them, which would be totally useless in a hotel when you packed to return home.  While that may be true for some, I ordered a few sets from Amazon and you just squeeze out the air.  They're basically like big and durable ziplock bags with special slides to close them.  And they have totally revolutionized my packing.  Even for things like a business trip where my suitcase has plenty of available space, I love using the bags to keep everything separate.  One bag for my dinner clothes when I land, one bag for workout clothes for the morning, one bag for work clothes the next day, etc.  And it works even better for Christmas when I'll be in three separate places -- clothes for Milwaukee, clothes for up north, clothes for the couple days before we fly home.  Each in its own bag!  Ahhhh, it's like what I think guys experience in a wet dream.  The absolute best was going to Europe and putting ALL my marathon stuff into one bag.  It made it very easy to be sure I didn't forget anything race morning.  And then being able to pack up dirty, smelly clothes (especially running clothes) and zip them away, wow!  So nice!  The one caveat is that when you use the bags, especially for a long trip where you're filling your suitcase to the brim, you can cram a lot more clothes into your suitcase and essentially it makes your suitcase feel like a brick.  I've had the same suitcase for several years, so I thought I had a good sense of its weight when it was jammed to the gills.  But jammed to the gills using compression bags seemed to transform it from something I could hoist into an overhead with some effort into a bag where I had to alert seated passengers below and carefully attempt to lift it in using several steps (armrest, headrest, overhead bin) (or find some nice guy to do it for me...) (blech, I hate that).  But I'll gladly deal with a dense and heavy suitcase to have a huge range of stuff with me, or like I said, even without a lot of stuff, just using them for organizing.  What they look like: 



Second, my new Vera Bradley garment bag.  I'd been using some freebie garment bags over the last year when I brought my clothes to the office on Mondays so that I could run my commute on other days.  You can kind of see it in this picture (which is what the passenger seat of my car looks like on a Monday morning -- ghetto lunch grocery bag for in the fridge, regular lunch bag with frozen meals, Vera laptop bag, Vera purse, Vera bag with running clothes, Vera garment bag (over on the far right, it's a brown-based pattern with lots of different colors).  The garment bag was on my wish list of things I wanted for a long time (I know I mentioned it first and foremost on a wish list I made here).  I finally bought one when we were on vacation in San Francisco.  Ironically, I've been running to work much less frequently since that trip, but it's been cold and lots of holiday and other events requiring a car after work.  But I plan to get back into my training groove by early Feb., and I expect I'll be using it weekly then! 

Third, I'm slow to the ball game, but I got silicone baking mats this year and last weekend during the Christmas cookie baking extravaganza, they were awesome.  Nothing burned on the bottoms, no creepy chemical non-stick spray, no throw-away parchment paper. 



And this is totally lame, but I am loving having a second wall-mounted spice rack in our pantry.  I had one that looked exactly like this one, and I'd gotten it for Christmas about a decade ago.  And I kept cooking spices on it (in alphabetical order, which I think is genious and saves time in a big way).  But not all of them fit, so some had to stay on the shelves with baking spices.  So if it wasn't there in alphabetical order, I had to root around for it on the shelves, which was a huge PITA sometimes.  I've wanted a second one for years, but I finally saw one on Amazon, had a gift card, and decided to splurge and buy it for myself (well, $18 isn't really a splurge, but dear God, given how long I'd held off buying it, it felt like a splurge).  It's now mounted in the pantry under the other identical one and all my spices are there in lovely alphabetical order (though I'm still struggling with pepper -- does white pepper go under W or P?  and red pepper?  hmm, can't seem to decide so feel free to weigh in with any thoughts!).  My spice rack(s): 



At least several times per week I think about how much easier my cooking life has been this year due to a Christmas present I received in 2012.  During last year's reverb prompts, one of the questions was about the greatest gift I received in 2012 and I kind of hemmed and hawed on my answer, saying I loved concert tickets I'd gotten, but that I really hoped there would be an electric can opener under the tree!  And indeed, last year for Christmas, I actually got TWO electric can openers.  Goodness, I wanted one so much that two people bought it for me!  My boss thought I was so lame when I mentioned it as one of my biggest Christmas scores.  So I returned the one from hubby and picked out other things instead, and I use the one I received all the time.  Ever since I fell while running and bent my finger in March 2011, it hurts to grip things like a manual can opener.  Pain no more!  And especially for something like a bean salad that involves opening 4 cans together or something, it's downright life-changing! 



And finally, another gift that I've had for about a year now and appreciate almost daily... My husband gave me a new thing that hangs from the shower head and holds shampoo and stuff.  Every now and again this year in the shower, I've remembered the old shitty one and how sometimes it used to just fall down and you'd have to shield your head and hope it didn't fall all the way down and hit your feet.  I don't appreciate it daily because I don't shower at home daily, but it's just one of those things that when you lived with a piece of crap for so long, you really learn to appreciate! 



There you have it, the things that were my favorite new additions in 2013!

 

My Current Wish List

Not sure why, probably because vacation is still months away, but I've been thinking about THINGS that I really want.

A Vera Bradley garment bag (plain brown to match my other pieces, or any pattern).  I'd use it every single week to take my clothes to work for the week so I can run on the remaining days.  This will probably be on my Christmas list. 

A Vitamix blender.  I would use this every day for my breakfast smoothie.

A bike (preferably one that I can use for Ironman training if/when I go down that road).

A new pre-lit Christmas tree, at least 8.5 feet tall, multi colored lights.

New floormats for my car.

A new warm dress coat.  I rarely need it in Dallas, but those days I'm wearing a suit and working up north in the winter, brrrr...

A Tofu Xpress.

A metronome to wear while I commute.  Might as well try to get my cadence in check!

An exit-only deadbolt for the bottom of our front door.

A griddle.  How do I not have one?  I never make pancakes and I'd like to.

More sterling silver silverware.  We currently have a setting for 8 that we inherited from my grandma, and I'd like to, piece by piece, get to the point where we have service for 12.

Well, there you have it.  Not sure why I was thinking about all this.  I may have to do a little shopping.  I got a $100 gift card to Amazon for Christmas and somehow I still haven't used it.  But of course the goal is really to save my pennies for our trip to Germany and Italy (actually, hubby is financing that), or for our trip to San Fran (which I am financing, and is hopefully going to include one mind-blowingly expensive meal).  But sometimes it's fun to day-dream...