I'm Running Again! Review: THORLO Experia Crew sock

The kind folks at THORLO recently contacted me to see if I wanted to try out their newest product- The Experia Crew. Although I'm not known for being on-trend with style, I did note that they said their Experia Crew was taller than their other offerings- specifically made for fashion-forward trend setters now wearing lengthier sock products. And then, like when you learn a new word and immediately hear it in 5 conversations and TV shows, I noticed longer socks were all over- especially with the pre-teen boy set. Almost all of P's friends are wearing the taller socks with their shoes these days. (I was going to throw in a joke referencing the episode of Friends where Ross tells the pizza girl he *likes* 12 year old boys, but I thought it might fall flat.)

I was familiar with THORLO from my college days spent working in a Athletes Foot store. They were always good sellers and I've worn the shorter Experia socks myself for running thru the years and always liked them.

And look! They sent me the PINK! I LOVE them! With cool weather finally here, I know I will put these to good use for my morning runs. I have worn them three times so far and they felt amazing. They wash well too- I washed with my normal loads and laid them out to dry. 

I wear a 6.5 in running shoes and was sent the size made for womens 5-6.5, and they fit perfect. It looks like there is one size smaller than that, sized for kids sizes 3-4.5, and all of the unisex sizes retail for approximately $17.

Experia is known for its aero-dynamic fit as well as its “protection without weight.” Because it’s made with a higher percentage of COOLMAX® than any other sock product, feet remain cool and comfortable, as moisture is wicked away from your skin.

The new product—“the Experia Crew” -- is a part of The Jet Black Collection, a set that includes 8 black crew padded socks, each differentiated by highlighted accents in your choice of pink, white, red, green, orange, turquoise, berry, and royal blue.

The Color Run

This weekend I participated in The Color Run in Tulsa, and it was an absolute BLAST! If they happen to come to your area, I would totally recommend doing it. And note- you DO NOT have to be a runner.... this is not a timed event- there are no chips, no official time, and a LOT of walkers. Our group actually walked most of it, but did do some jogging from time to time.

Here we are before, all nice and clean and WHITE! (I picked up my white T at Walmart and a few of the girls just wore mens white tank tops.)

And after- oh so colorful! 

After a much-needed shower, we headed to Dilly Deli and celebrated with lunch. This cinnamon roll was our appetizer..... yum!

That evening we ate at Los Cabos on their patio and it was WONDERFUL. I had the Green Chili Burrito and it was heaven.

It was a great Girls Weekend, and we've decided we need monthly Craft Nights to have a reason to make sure we get together again.

Some tips for the color run:

• If you happen to live in a state with hot weather on the day of the run, know that sweating will cause the color to stain your skin. The underside of my upper left arm is still a bit blue!
• Plan on waiting for a while at the starting line. I'm not sure whether I think it would be good to get there super-early or on-time like we did- I think we would have been waiting an hour either way.
• There's only one water stop at the halfway point, so if you think you will need more water than that, take a bottle with you.
• Wear sunglasses to keep the powder out of your eyes. We also saw some people with bandanas they would pull up around their nose/mouth at the color stations. If you think it will bother you, I think a bandana is a great idea.
• We wore hats, and I think it was a fabulous idea (Thanks D!) and kept our hair from getting too much color in it. My friend A read that it may stain bleached hair, so keep that in mind if you highlight.
• The only thing I had to throw away was my shirt.... we wore black shorts and sports bras so they wouldn't get stained. My socks have a bit of orange on them, but I won't mind using them for running.
• And shoes..... although I'd suggest wearing some you don't mind getting stained, all the color actually came out of mine.
• Blue seems to stain the worst, so you might avoid blue if you are worried about staining. They do the color-throwing/spraying at the edges of each color station, so you can stay in the middle as you go through it if you don't want to get hit with it.
• Take baggies to put your phones in and a trash bag to put your race clothes in if you are out-of-town.

Overall, we had a GREAT time! Have you done a color run?

Running Playlist for the Half

Yup, I a dork. Such a dork that I thought about making a shirt that says"Glee-fully Running the Half". You don't have to be my friend anymore if you don't want to. I know I'm not cool.

But I do love Glee. The music most of all. In my dreams, I'm a fabulous singer and performer and up there belting out tunes along with the cast. So that takes my mind off the running a bit.

And of course I had to add Call Me Maybe on the playlist. I made the mistake of playing it for WC and now it is playing nonstop so I'm not sure how much long I'm going to love it. But for now, it still makes me smile.

What do you listen to while you run?

Running Gear

Next weekend I'm planning to make the number of half marys I've completed surpass the number of half marys I've backed out of at the last minute.

Last night my friend Amanda and I were discussing making a checklist of crap we need to remember to take with us. See, you'd think running would be a tie-your-shoes-on-and-go sport, but no. And maybe it is for fab seasoned runners like Skinny Runner. But us wannabes need lots of support gear.

So here's my list of "stuff" I'll be taking with me to Dallas.

1. My trusty Garmin 205. Sure, there are a lot of newer versions out, but this one suits me just fine. (Now watch it kick the bucket.)

2. My Road ID. Gotta make sure the paramedics know what I'm allergic to if and when they have to come to my rescue.

3. My ipod. Also an older version. I'll have my Glee running playlist on there, as well as a Sophie Kinsella audiobook. Lately I've been doing half music, half book on my long runs and it seems to work well.

4. My JVC HA-FX34P Marshmallow In-Ear Headphones. I've tried quite a few sets of headphones, and found these to be the most comfortable and they don't bother me at all on long runs.

5. My iFitness Hydration Belt. It's comes with two 6 ounce bottles, and I've added two 8 ounces bottles on the back. Mr. Sasha says I look like a tacky tourist with a fanny pack on, but who's laughing when I finish my race TOTALLY HYDRATED?????? And organized to boot!

6. My Honey Stinger Organic Energy Chews in Pomegranate Passion. Love these because they don't stick to your teeth and are actually delicious if you consider Gummy Candy a food group like I do.

Do you have any must-have items for running?

Disclosure: This post contains Amazon referral links. If you happen to purchase through a link to Amazon, I'll make a few pennies (really) that I'll just roll into purchasing more Honey Stingers.

12 Days and Counting

My friend Amanda pointed out to me last Friday that White Rock was about 2 weeks away... which meant I only had about 2 weeks to finish training for my 3rd half marathon! Cue shock and horror. Hard to believe it's so close.

My biggest training problem has been that we haven't had a treadmill. It died during the summer and we just hadn't had the time to replace it. It was a great Reebok model that we bought about 9 years ago and lasted both of us through many many Couch to 5K runs.

But treadmills don't seem to be made like the used to be, and we had a hard time finding a model wtih a big enough HP for our liking.

After much research (seriously, the Mr. ought to go to work for Consumer Reports, he is SO good at researching products), he bought the Sole F80.

And I love it! It's quite sturdy and I think it will serve us well for a long time.

(source)

Trolling Pinterest (seriously, it's an addiction), I saw an interval program and thought I've give it a try for some treadmill runs. After following the pin, I decided to give the beginner one a try first! I have done the one above a few times and really like it- I don't use an incline though because I am prone to shin splints. Last night I actually did it twice and felt like I got a great 40 minute workout in. And for me, it was a bit of a speed workout- my legs are short and running at 6.5 is like someone is chasing me!

I did 9.5 miles on Saturday, and plan on doing 11 this weekend, so hopefully I'll be ready and make it through. I got some new insoles at a local running store and I really think they are going to help my arch problems and foot pain. Yay for local businesses!

Trying to find my mojo

Oh Running.

You clear my mind. You relax me. You are my only "me" time and I you so much!

I tend to be quite an introvert and really value alone time..... I think that comes from being an only child and spending so much time entertaining myself growing up. So running is the perfect sport for me. No classes to rush to, to be late for. And it's such a variable exercise- feeling sluggish? Just take a slow jog and see how it goes. Feeling energetic? Go for a PR time! Just have a 30 minutes? Go for a quick 3 miler. Have a whole morning to yourself? Go for 12 miles- two hours of deliciousness!

Last week was a bit crazy and I did not get one. single. run in! It was terrible.

But I decided to do all I could to make this week better and carve out some me time. Both Sunday and Monday nights, after dinner, as the sun was going down, I set out and got 4 miles in.

It was fabulous! Made even better by the audiobook I checked our from the library Friday- Ree Drummond reading her book "Black Heels to Tractor Wheels".

I of course have read most of the story on her blog, but there is something about hearing her read it out loud- her fellow Okie twang just draws me in and makes me feel like a good friend is re-telling a story to me.

Absolute delight.

2nd Half Mary.... Done!

or maybe this post should be titled "The reason Sasha wears bangs.....". Goodness, I do have a huge forehead. I am jealous of Rhonda's nice petite forehead. She looks fabulous without bangs, doesn't she?

Yesterday I ran the Dallas Rock and Roll Half and knocked a few minutes off my prior time of 2:18. I finished this one in 2:13 and I am so happy with that. I set off to run with a goal of 2:15, but said I'd be happy if I finished in 2:18. Instead of taking a 7 minute break at mile 6, I just took a 3 minute break, telling myself I'd stop for 3 more minutes at 10 if I needed to. When I hit 10, I just kept on going.

Longer race report to come!

Running Update

In just about a month, I'll be running my second half, the Dallas Rock 'n' Roll Half. I better get my ass in gear, huh? Actually, I think I'll be ready. I ran 8 miles this Saturday, and plan to run 9, 10, and 11 over the next three Saturdays, with at least three 4-6 mile runs during each week on the weekdays. I think I've got a random case of tennis elbow but it doesn't seem to be affecting my running so I'm not worrying too much about that. It's also not affecting my beer drinking, so that's good too.


In other running news, since I typically run by myself, I took Skinny Runner's advice and ordered myself a Road ID Wrist ID Elite ($29.99). Of course, I got pink. Road ID sent me a coupon code to share that's good for $1 off- ThanksSasha4202709. I've never had my own coupon code before and feel like I've "arrived".

My allergies (penicillin, tetanus shots and sulfa drugs) took up two lines so there was no room for a motto, and I'm not sure that "I love Jesus, but I drink a little" would have fit anyway.

I recently discovered that my beloved Luna Sport Moons are discontinued, so I asked the fabulous Chic Runner what she would suggest as a replacement. She suggested Sharkies so I ordered some a few weeks ago from Amazon because they had the best price I could find.

I tried them on Saturday and I loved them! Very similar to the Luna Moons.

Due to my boiling blood and my ability to overheat in 10 seconds, I run in a sleeveless C9 shell no matter what the weather. The underside of my upper arms often gets chafed from rubbing against my shirt.

I've been using a product I was sent to review, EverStride's Anti Chafing Sport Stick (SRP: $15), and it's been a lifesaver. It looks like deodorant, but it's a moisturizing stick that totally takes care of the friction problem for me if I apply it before a run.

I'd love to know if there's a fitness product you use that you'd recommend. Jump in on the comments if you have something to share.

Disclosure: The Everstride product was sent to me for review purposes.

GDA: Womens New Balance Running Shoes $26.99, free shipping

Joe's New Balance Outlet (love them, have used them for years) has these women's running shoes for $26.99 with free shipping.

Edited to add: Looks like this shoe sold out!

And don't forget to go thru ebates for 4% back!

Couch to 5K

I got a great email from a Sasha Says reader the other day:

Hi Sasha-

You clued me in to Couch to 5k a few years ago and even were kind enough to send me your spreadsheet. I stopped and started a few times but finally followed through. I ran my first 5k today and owe it in large part to you.

Thanks!
Ellen

That little spreadsheet has been emailed around hundreds of times and I love love love hearing about other moms who have followed the plan (taken from http://www.coolrunning.com/) and ran a 5K.

When I started the plan on my treadmill about 7 years ago, I had a rough time keeping track of when I was supposed to run and when I was supposed to take a walk break. So the accountant in me created a spreadsheet to help me keep track.

This week I uploaded the spreadsheet, which shows the 9 week plan detailed with stop/start times for running versus walking, to a google doc to make it easier to access.

Couch to 5K Spreadsheet

If you've used the Couch to 5K plan, I'd love to hear your story! I am planning on running my first half marathon in December with Beth from C. Beth Blog, and I am so excited to have come so far on my running journey. If you've got some motivation for me, leave it in the comments.

Running Find: Sweaty Bands

My bloggy friend Katy at KatyShops had a post about Sweaty Bands last week and I just had to order some. (That's the shopaholic in me!)

It looked like just what I have been looking for - I have always had a hard time keeping my fine hair pulled back when I run, and since I have bangs, it's all the more complicated. I tried several of those trendy thin bands I see the college girls wearing, but they kept sliding up toward the top of my head and didn't work at all. Bobby pins and old plastic headbands work, but don't look or feel good.

I am happy to report that Sweaty Bands stay put and don't slip up at all! And they don't squeeze my head at all and are very comfortable!

I'm already planning my next order, so if you are local and want to include one with my order to save shipping, let me know.

I ordered the brown polka dot one for me, and the pink "Absolutely Dangerous" one for The Wild Child", because, well, she is!

New Kicks

For the past few weeks, I have been running pretty much every morning at o'dark:thirty and have been having trouble with my left foot/ankle/shin/leg. That's the same leg that I had the foot injury on while training for the half in Spring 2009.

So I decided new shoes were in order, and a trip to the local running speciality store confirmed my suspicions- my shoes were shot and I definitely needed a new pair. I had no idea how many miles I had on them since my running was sporadic over the last year due to my illness last fall, but they could tell by the way I was standing in them that they weren't giving me enough support. (I'll be using Daily Mile to track the mileage on my shoes this time- just out of curiosity- and they say I should get around 400 miles out of them.)

They put me in the Adidas Supernova Adapt (LOVE the pink! I am *so* Elle Woods and pink is my signature color.) for pronation control and extra arch support. I wore them this morning and they felt great. New shoes always give me a spring in my step. And make me avoid puddles for a bit....

Should you happen to see me running down the road

and see my dying laughing, almost tripping,

I shall be listening to Bridget Jones's Diary on my ipod.

I love music, I really do, but I am so ADD that I can't listen to music while I run. Too many opportunities for my mind to wander, and I always end up thinking about how tired I am and how much I want to stop running. And how much I'd actually prefer a beer.

But I found that if I listen to some British chick lit, my runs are glorious, much fun, and v. good.

Because of this, I've also decided to add some of Bridget's phrases into my daily speak. Beginning now, I will be saying the following:

1. Mobile (pronounced mo-bile)
2. Hurrah!
3. v. good and non v. good
4. Flat, in reference to while I live
5. Inner Poise
6. Alcohol units
7. Fancy, as in "Fancy a snack?"

Race Report

Sadly, won't be running the half after all this Sunday. Doc says to take 3 weeks off .....

Basically, my foot started hurting back on the 11th after my long run. No stress fracture per MRI, but it looks like I might have a "stress reaction" or tendonitis. Either way, since I am easily converted to a super-slacker, I have no problem taking a 3 week break to give it time to heal!

Revelation

I am old and I will never be Chic Runner. But I can pretend, can't I? She's precious and my running idol.

I just ran 11 miles in 1:54:00 and damn, I'm 35. And 3 months.

At the start of mile 11, my knee was starting to give out, my hammies were super-mad at me, and when I got home my pinkie toes felt dead- like they might need to be cut off.

But I did it!

I think all those years of pop-splits and high kicks did me in. Yeah, that's it. That's the problem. It has absolutely nothing to do with being a 35 year old beer-drinking worn-out mom of two crazy kids.

I am off to the beer fridge for a Wild Blue. Hopefully I can walk tomorrow.

You'll Never Believe This

but I just ran 8 miles. In 1:20:20. (including 7 one minute breaks)

Holy carp. It was super-cold and I had freezer burn (frostbite?) on two fingers when I got back. Really- two fingers were bright white from the knuckle up and I wasn't sure what to do about that, but I keep moving them around and the problem seem to right itself after about 20 minutes in my 70 degree house.

Proof positive that anyone, literally anyone, can learn to run.

Right now I am listening to Undomestic Goddess on my ipod and loving it. Seriously- my hour and 20 minute run flew by because I was listening to an awesome book.

Hope you guys had a great weekend! Smooches!

Dear Joy Johnson,

You are my hero.

I hope I can be like you when I grow up.

Kudos to you.

Missing Running Blogroll

Well, I think my Running Revolution blogroll is lost forever.......

So let's start again!

If you'd like to be on the Running Revolution blogroll, let me a comment with a post to your blog.

Revelation

I am pretty sure I run better if I've had a few beers the night before- my best time ever was after a girl's night out and 5 beers. I've only had 2 so far, and it's already 10:05, but I think I'll have one more and see if my theory is correct.