Training Supplement – July 15, 2018
At the bottom of my clothing hoard, I discovered a top that I bought three years ago. Two months after they malfunctioned, I received a replacement pair of Jaybird X3s. I also started a subscription to RunnerBox! And, I traveled last weekend, (Good morning, Baltimore!)
Clothing & Gear
Sports Bras. Gore Essential Lady Crop Top. It’s been so hot and humid that I’ve been running shirtless on most of my runs these days. (I’ve been afraid of catcalls but so far – nothing!) Last weekend, I wore a Gore crop-top that I bought three years ago but never wore! I don’t shop this brand very often but I should. The top is cut well and the fabric wicked sweat well.
Headbands. Buff Headband. I bought this headband last month to keep sweat out of my eyes when I’m working out at the gym. It’s a good fit but more fabric than I want in a headband. I like the Lululemon ones for weight training, i.e., I’m not sweating enough. There’s a wide array of colors and patterns, though.
RunnerBox. My one-year subscription to Runner’s World Box expired in May. Having already tried StrideBox, I thought I’d give the other major player in this market a try.
When I opened the box, I immediately noticed the inspirational quote on the inner cover, “Make each day your masterpiece,” by John Wooden. And then… Wow! There was so much stuff!
I noticed none of it was brand name, which might explain why they are able to provide so many goodies. Out of everything, I’m most interested in the bib tape.
(My Complete Clothes & Gear Page.)
Nutrition & Hydration
Recovering from a cold, I drank a lot of tea these past two weeks.
CogniTea. I went to this tea that I got in a Stridebox back in January 2017 to lift the mental fog in my head from the decongestants. I didn’t feel a boost nor did I care for the flavor of this herbal tea. The packets said there was Stevia leaf added but it didn’t taste sweet to me.
Zest Tea Blue Lady Black Tea. The other tea I tried was a brand I got in a RunnersWorld Box last August. This tea boasts the same amount of caffeine as a cup of coffee. I thought the brew was rather weak and steeped it for a bit to get the flavor I wanted.
Routes
Water Fountains. Regrettably, the water fountain at National Airport hasn’t been turned on for the summer. Ever the optimist, I keep stopping during my long runs along the Mount Vernon Trail but am repeatedly disappointed.
“Old Town North Plan Turns Rail Into Park, Adds Bike Lanes and a Bikeway,” TheWashCycle. This was good news! According to the article, there will be new trail connections at Slater’s Lane on the north end and the Mount Vernon Trail would be moved from the water’s edge into an expanded waterfront and park.
Sights. It was a beautiful day for running in Washington, D.C. two weeks ago.
And then last weekend, I visited Baltimore and had an opportunity to run in the Inner Harbor.
Media & Motivation
Music. “Good Morning, Baltimore,” by Marissa Jaret Winokur. What else could I play during my runs when I was visiting Baltimore.
(My “Songs of the Week” playlist on Spotify.)
Headphones. Jaybird X3 Wireless Headphones. During a weight training workout back in May, the wireless headphones I purchased in February died. After several attempts to fix the problem, I started the return process. It was a multi-step process but I was pleased that there was no charge. The replacement arrived last week and have worked flawlessly so far.
Podcasts. “Episode 160 – New Teams (Kyle Northrup),” Pace The Nation. I listened to this episode after grousing about an 80 degree run. Meanwhile, this runner did things like drive around with the heat on in the summer to get acclimated for the Western States Endurance Run.
“Episode 594 – Deb Westergaard Found Inspiration in Living Through Every Runner’s Nightmare,” Diz Runs. Getting hit by a car truly is every runner’s fear. When she talked about the “Sliding Doors” moment of wondering what if she’d arrived at that intersection moments later, I thought about the accident I narrowly missed on the Mount Vernon Trail last April.
Books and Magazines. “Bladders vs. Bottles,” UltraRunning Magazine, July 2018. In this article, the author goes over the advantages of bladders vs. bottles for long distance running. In the end, she sides with bottles (which was also my assessment after the 2018 San Diego 50 Miler) for a number of reasons including that refilling them is easier and allow for different types of fluid.
I’m trying to be more prepared this training cycle! It’s meant leaving work on time, eating a nutritious dinner, and going to bed at a reasonable hour so I can run well during my next workout.
