<p>3.1 miles yesterday in a bit over 26 minutes. Somewhat faster than usual for me lately. We had a get-together with relatives and I had to do some cooking so it was a busy day. I hope to get back in the groove this week.</p>
<p>Lots of walking this weekend and even a little running…Monday night I was glad to fall into bed! </p>
<p>Lots of eating too, so hopefully it balances out.</p>
<p>kmcmom13–I’ve taken to bringing what <em>I</em> want to eat at potlucks! I’m sure others will bring desserts & other high-carb sides, so I try to bring healthy and interesting salads, cheese, etc. The pear-walnut-feta salad sounds wonderful!</p>
<p>Been gone for a couple days so I’ll have to catch up on the thread but saw this article this morning on breakfast ideas and thought I’d pass along - says for a flat stomach, but they just look good overall!
[9</a> Breakfast Choices for a Flat Stomach - ACTIVE.com](<a href=“http://beta.active.com/9-breakfast-choices-for-a-flat-stomach]9”>9 Breakfast Choices for a Flat Stomach | ACTIVE)</p>
<p>^^^I have a hard time eating oatmeal because of the texture but that<br>
Baked Oatmeal with Apple and Pecans recipe sounds wonderful!</p>
<p>Ok, went back and caught up. Some great feats the last few days! Wow, really MOWC - 65 minutes faster than the next person in your age group! That’s amazing!</p>
<p>Blankmind, hoping your injury is short lived. But I must say, my favorite part of your post was this when you were describing how the race started out so good for you and you felt good and this wonderful statement: “I was wearing cute stuff”. HAHA - yes, BONUS POINTS for looking cute!!! </p>
<p>Got a couple of runs in over the weekend - thinking I want to find a pair of alternative running shoes - a lightweight pair I can pack/wear easily on a trip but will also be good for running. When I run now, I wear a pair of Nikes that I got at the local running shop that are build up quite a bit on the bottom and side for pronation - I love them, but they are too much for regular wear and often when I’m traveling I don’t have space to pack a a pair of shoes just for a run or two. The last couple of runs out of town I’ve just worn my Salomons which are more like a lightweight shoe for the beach. They have worked ok, but I know they are not for running. Any recommendations of a shoe that will be lightweight, provide SOME support and not break the bank (and be colorful - colorful is a requirement for me 
)???</p>
<p>abasket…Just got these Sauconys last week…love them so far. I got the silver /gray/citron color.
They seem even brighter in real life!
[Saucony</a> PowerGrid Triumph 9 Running Shoes (For Women) - Save 30%](<a href=“http://www.sierratradingpost.com/saucony-powergrid-triumph-9-running-shoes-for-women~p~5191y/?filterString=womens-running-shoes~d~604%2Fshoestyle~running%2FSaucony~b~19050%2F&colorFamily=03]Saucony”>http://www.sierratradingpost.com/saucony-powergrid-triumph-9-running-shoes-for-women~p~5191y/?filterString=womens-running-shoes~d~604%2Fshoestyle~running%2FSaucony~b~19050%2F&colorFamily=03)</p>
<p>Biked 10.6 yesterday…ran 3.02 (yes, my bad eyes glanced at the Garmin and thought it said 3.2) this morning. Time 25:45 …my first sub 8 mile ever…we’re at our vacation home near the coast…amazing how much faster you can go on flat land!</p>
<p>PackMom, speedy! </p>
<p>I think Saucony was the brand I tried at some point and thought I’d like if I weren’t so attached to Mizuno. I’ve never tried on trail running shoes. When I pick one up at a running store to take a closer look I’m always amazed at how light it is.</p>
<p>NMinn, it’s good to see you back. Hope you had a great time at the graduation!</p>
<p>I am always here Deborah…just don’t always post. I need to pop in for inspiration on a daily basis! Got lots of walking in this weekend and also cut out my wine over the weekend so I can keep moving the scale down. Taking things day by day…and sometimes hour by hour! ;)</p>
<p>Blankmind- I also wanted to commend you for wearing cute stuff. That’s VERY important! Actually, one of the fast kids (he’s actually 35) from here who was at the marathon Sunday asked me at dinner Sat night what I was going to wear. He said, “You always have the best outfits!” This was NOT what I expected from one of my serious male running buddies! </p>
<p>abasket- A lot of people use Nike Frees for travel shoes. They don’t give much support, but they do have cushioning and are great to pack! Saucony Kinvara would fall into that category, too. Brooks Pure Flow would be one step up but still light and packable.</p>
<p>After a day of RICE, my leg is much improved, but I still have more than a moderate amount of pain. I think this is my calf again, just in a different location. The last time, it was instantaneous stabbing pain that stopped me dead in my tracks. This time it was more of a “you better stop or you’ll be sorry” pain that built up from my lower calf, to eventually my entire lower leg and foot hurting. I’m not sure whether this is better or worse, but I’m guessing I’m in for another 10-12 weeks of no running. I’m going to see my chiro tomorrow for an official verdict.</p>
<p>Regarding the cute stuff, lol, I have worked my way up from wearing the most inconspicuous dull drab running stuff to wearing fun colorful “outfits.” When I started racing, I was kind of self conscious about being there and wanted to make sure I looked like the rank beginner that I was. I now embrace the party atmosphere of racing, partly because I feel more confident in my running, and partly due to reading about MOWC’s fabulous running skirts & dresses.</p>
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<p>There’s a lot of this around where my son lives in Boston and along the Charles River where there are a ton of runners. The color revolution in running seemed to take the area by storm several years ago.</p>
<p>I love cute running stuff, especially functional cute stuff! I met with my marathoner buddy this weekend and we chatted about running apparel. She really likes these running skirts and shorts because they have multiple pockets: [Race</a> Ready Running Apparel.](<a href=“http://www.raceready.com%5DRace”>http://www.raceready.com)
With 5 pockets, there is a ton of room for gels, phones, keys, etc. The skirts are not particularly cute, but I’m going to order one anyway and give it a try. I can always jazz it up with some cute top or funky socks. :D</p>
I bought an adorable Avia running skirt at TJMaxx for $15 - gotta keep my running apparel budget in check and this fit the bill. Seems a little shorter than I like to reveal to the neighborhood but it’s great for the beach too! Of course, it has the spandex type shorts underneath. 
<p>TJMaxx has had a lot of Avia stuff at my local store lately. They were a popular brand back in the 1980s and came in a little after the aerobics craze that fueled Reebok. We seem to have a lot more athletic apparel brands to choose from today.</p>
<p>I think that Avia was a premium brand a long time ago but they haven’t kept up on marketing. I recall that their products (shoes) were solid. I’d love to pick up another Nike Sublimated Running Shirt. I’ll see if I can get a coupon out of my last receipt.</p>
<p>Folks in the office are wearing summer stuff now - looks like people are buying new clothes; I think that there’s a lot of austerity fatigue that is sending people to the clothing stores.</p>
<p>Yeah, I know Avia is not “prime” in the name brand arena, but for some reason their stuff always fits me really well, maintains well and is extremely comfortable so I have been convinced to gravitate to their tags when I see them! The clothing, not the shoes. </p>
<p>Yep lately my preferences land to Avia for bottoms, New Balance for tops. TJMaxx/Marshalls for all. :)</p>
<p>Check out sparkleskirts. I haven’t tried the skirts (and ignore the really bizarre prints and princess skirts), but the underskirt/dress shorts are great. I got the mudbusters and the mesh pockets on each leg are great. I wear them under the Nuu-Muus. I put a gel in each leg pocket Sunday for the race. I have heard good things about the skirts in terms of the pockets, too.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.bpthon13.photoherald.com/index.php/view_enlarged_photo/index/TMB_4167.JPG[/url]”>http://www.bpthon13.photoherald.com/index.php/view_enlarged_photo/index/TMB_4167.JPG</a></p>
![http://www.bpthon13.photoherald.com/index.php/view_enlarged_photo/index/TMB_4167.JPG[/url]](http://www.bpthon13.photoherald.com/index.php/view_enlarged_photo/index/TMB_4167.JPG%5B/url%5D){kind=link}
<p>See if this link works. Me at Mile 22. Not looking happy, but the outfit still looks cute- Marathon Maniacs Diva singlet over the Nuu-Muu.</p>
<p>The pictures my friends took are much, much better and I look happy and am smiling, but I can’t link them easily.</p>
<p>I like the Nuu Muu, MOWC. Is that design Pebbles?</p>
<p>I don’t think I’m seeing the pic of you…</p>
<p>It is Pebbles, Deborah. The link appears to go to my picture, but I was having trouble with it defaulting to the home page.</p>