Costume or no

This weekend is the Top of Utah Half Marathon, which begs the question. To run in costume or not. This summer has been crazy, with work, family, getting a dog, new home, etc. I haven't really trained for this race. I feel bad running as link--it will be the legend of failure. I may just make a running shirt dedicated to link rather than run in costume. We will see...

The Shield

So, I went running again today--and it finally warmed up in Logan. It was really hot outside. I run with a running belt. I transformed my Nathan running belt into part of my link costume, but I have an iron man running belt as well. It is a lifesaver. Anyway nothing too amazing about the run to report.

I decided I should post some of the pieces of my costume up here. this is my shield. I love it. I made it out of a piece of foam board from Hobby Lobby with foam cutouts from Walmart. Total cost: $10. My Mom and sisters are very creative, so I attempted to join in. I found a tutorial of a girl who made a link costume, so i gave it a shot and am pleased with the results. I soaked my foam board in the tub so it would be more pliable. Then I shaped it so it would be curved. I cut the shapes out of the colored Walmart foam board like for little kids and glued it on. I also cut the outside shape of the welding on the shield and painted it silver. It is great, easy and fun to have.

I only ran with this at the end of the last race I did. It would be fun to run a whole race with it...we shall see.

Still Love 'em

So i ran in my vibrams again. I am trying to follow their training schedule. I still love them.

Thats all for tonight--I'll be back in my brooks tomorrow

Vibrams

So, the local sporting goods store had vibrams 30% off. I finally broke down and bought a pair.

I love them! I have started training with them. My first run in them was a few days ago. They were great. It was the best 5k and one of the most enjoyable runs that I have had. You're supposed to train off and on with them when you start--which I agree with--I was very sore the next day.

All in all I would recommend these shoes. I still love my brooks, but these are a lot of fun too!

Compression Socks, what a life saver!

When I was at the St. George Expo for the marathon last year I bought my first pair of compression socks. They were the CEP compression sleeves. I loved them. I have fought shin splints, feet swelling and or feet going numb depending on the day and the run. The compression socks helped a ton. Since then, I have purchased two pair of CEP compression socks. They are expensive, but they have been a life saver for me. I now never run without them. I have a white pair that I will be wearing underneath my Link costume. If you are considering a pair, splurg, your legs and feet will thank you for it.

*helpful tip--if you leave them on for a thirty minutes after you run it may help your muscles from being sore. I do this and it has helped my muscles from being so sore after a good run.*

Hard Core Runners

I'm not a huge fan of treadmill running--unfortunately living in Logan, UT means that you have long cold winters. I did go running outside the other day. I did a four mile run. It felt so good to get out and run outside.

Its been cold here, with the wind chill its been negative ten degrees. Yesterday, as I am freezing in my car on my way to work in the pitch black I passed a group of runners out there in the bitter cold running. My hat goes off to those runners. For the record--I am not one of them. I don't know how runners can go out and run 15 miles in that kind of weather. Today I passed the 'ninja runner' he was all dressed up in black--he even had a black headsock on.

So-until things warm up, I think I will stick to my treadmill. I'm jealous of all you hard core runners out there--keep it up.

Sick=No Running

I've been sick with bronchitis the last 2 weeks, I'm hopeful to go running today. Wish me luck!