The unexpected side benefit to the iPhone has nothing to do with the phone itself. Having Pandora at the gym is amazing. I despise making playlists and was always really terrible about updating my iPod. Now I don't have to bother anymore and I'm obsessed. I recommend the Stereo Love, Calvin Harris or Mr. Saxobeat stations. I work out exclusively to top 40 hits.
Possibly due to the music situation, I managed to run 66 miles last month. Not impressive for those of you who are serious runners, but I only aim to run about 3 miles a day, 5 days a week and this was my most consistent month in ages. I decided to institute a running rewards program whereby I earn a dollar per mile to be spent on exercise related purchases. Totally dorky, also fairly motivating.
I bought a pair of Lululemon shorts with part of my earnings so far. I have a really hard time with workout shorts because they tend to either bunch up in front or give me a serious wedgie or possibly both, if they're particularly special. These fit perfectly. They are short, but not shockingly so.
Not yet a purchase, but I'm lusting after these shoes after I saw them while window shopping. They are much more neon and ridiculous in person. I can't decide if they'd provide enough support while running. Or is foot support totally 2010 at this point? Aren't we all supposed to be running barefoot? They might be next on my list.
I love good music while working out. I love TuneIn, it's ann app or a website and you can listen to any radio station in the world! I love listening to the BBC Radio 1 in the morning but I forget about my Pandora app! I'm going to start using that.
ReplyDeleteAnd congrats on 66 miles! Thats probably more then I run in a year...
http://fromfreyawithlove.blogspot.com/
Oh, good to know about TuneIn! I'll have to check that one out.
DeleteI just registered for a half marathon, and I'm definitely going to institute your rewards program! I also just bought a pair of obnoxiously neon nike frees that I love - they're that same color but have laces, and so far they've been great for running!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the half marathon training! I'm impressed - I can't really imagine doing that distance!
DeleteThanks for letting me know that you like your nike frees - I couldn't find any reviews online and it seems like a big purchase to make with no feedback.
I love the rewards program, my coworker uses a similar program for lululemon gear :) I saw a bunch of gals running in those Nike shoes during a 10k last weekend! At least try them on :)
ReplyDeleteI'll definitely try them on! And if I get them, I'll report back with results.
DeleteI am ALWAYS impressed with people who run. I can't do it. I blame it on my heart murmur, which is so tiny it's nearly non-existent.
ReplyDeleteWell, I avoided it for a long time because I'm not very good at it. But then I decided I didn't have to be very good at it, just competent and consistent. So that's really all I have going for me.
Deleteshorts that really don't bunch up in the front?? i might have to go look for them
ReplyDeleteThey really don't! At least for me. I know everyone's body is different, so it's possible they won't work for everyone.
Deletehello from Australia. It is winter time now and veryy cold. good job on the running! keep it up!
ReplyDeleteI love that iphone case! Where is it from?
ReplyDeleteGreat job on your mileage last month! That is impressive. And what a great rewards program you've set up for yourself! Happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteOh my word! Running rewards program! That is an excellent idea. I just might have to try that myself.
ReplyDeleteYep - it does require you to keep a dorky spreadsheet or some other kind of record of your daily mileage, but I like doing that anyways.
DeleteKeep up the good work with the running! I love the idea of a running rewards program...and thanks for the Pandora station tips.
ReplyDeleteThe Nike Frees are AWESOME. I've been running regularly in mind for over 8 months now. Almost time for an upgrade but def sticking with the style. The support is great and they're light as a cloud!
ReplyDeleteThank you for letting me know! I think I'll go try them on this weekend.
DeleteA dollar a mile! That is BRILLIANT. I've been needing to upgrade my running clothes for a while, but feel bad dropping so much cash at once... I think I'll be adopting your method :-)
ReplyDeleteIt's funny - even though it's the same money, I feel better when I've somehow earned it. And it ends up being a good cycle, because if I have running gear that I like, then I'm more likely to want to run.
Deletethe dollar a mile for athletic purchases concept is a keeper! as for running shoes, the nikes are pretty nifty, but i'd suggest going into a running shoe store + getting custom fitted for shoes. if you're planning to do a lot of running, you don't want to have feet problems later on! have a good weekend :)
ReplyDeleteI've done the custom fit assessment a couple of times because we have a fancy running store right by our apartment. But they never seem to have any advice for me! Apparently I have a neutral foot? It seems like such a good idea, though.
DeleteThe best and most protective iphone case is made by speck. They're made from solid, yet malleable, plastic and have a cushion layer inside. They come in a bunch of fun colors and you can find them on ebay or amazon for pretty cheap (I got a yellow one on ebay for $10.99!).
ReplyDeleteThanks! I'll look into those.
Deletewe are workout twins, man (you being the more effective twin) - i aim for a 5K every day (~3.1 miles) and, as of this past winter, pay myself $1 for every kilometer i run. this was more motivating when i had a dream bag in mind, but my jar of dollars (an actual jar, which i keep in my closet) is now dedicated to a fancy piece of jewelry when we go to oxford / the isle of man / iceland in september. go go team non-runners tricking themselves into running!
ReplyDeleteIt's so funny that you kilometers instead of miles. I can't stand uneven numbers, so I have to run an exact number of miles. 3.1 would make me crazy. Although I would like the raise that would come with kilometer payments.
DeleteI do not have the actual jar, which is a brilliant idea.
I sometimes wonder why I insist on running when I'm clearly not very talented and I'm relieved that you are out there, gritting your teeth with me.
why have i never even considered bribing myself to work out? that might be the best idea EVER.
ReplyDeleteIt really works! And the money is less counterproductive than say, food rewards.
DeleteI've been thinking about instituting a running rewards program for my miles as well - extra incentive can't hurt. Congrats on 66 miles - wow, very nice. I've just purchased some new shoes myself. I loved the frees, but wanted more stability, so I went with the more stable but bright version - the lunarglide+ 3. Might be worth checking out. happy weekending!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kelly! I'll look at those as well. I'm curious to see how it will feel running in a lighter shoe. I've only ever had the traditional shoes.
DeleteThe lungarglide+ 3's are lighter, but still pretty solid compared to the frees. I was wearing traditional asics prior to switching too. Let us know what you end up getting!
DeleteSounds like we're similar runners, I'm so bad at it but I keep doing it! I'm training for the Peachtree Road Race which is a 10k Atlanta hosts every 4th of July right down Peachtree Street. 60,000 runners!
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I hate running shorts so recently bought this running skirt/skort and I LOVE it. I want to wear it all the time so it makes me want to run. Read over the reviews, I'm 5'8" and went with the tall based on other people's comments and am glad I did! (btw, I got it in parachute--strange name for purple--and am trying to justify black or gray! I may just pay myself!) http://athleta.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=46843&vid=1&pid=819219
66 miles in one month! Great job! I think I barely did that even when I was training for my half marathon! You've motivated me to get back into running!
ReplyDeletei love your $1/mile system - thinking about adopting it!
ReplyDeleteI have the same problem with shorts! Let us know if you find any others that you recommend!
ReplyDeleteI love to run both on the road and on the trail, and one of my all-time favorite shoes is the New Balance WT100's and WT101's. Take it from a gal who has never purchased the same running shoe twice - these are AWESOME! So awesome I just bought another pair. I found them as cheap as $35 online. Light and fast. I think because of these shoes, I became an all-around stronger runner.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I love Lululemon running shorts but I feel guilty every time I wear mine. I can't stand behind their image/philosophy.
Thanks! That is so helpful. I'll keep an eye out for those.
DeleteI am also embarrassed by the Lululemon gear, but I have to admit that their pants and shorts are my favorite. Makes me feel like I'm drinking the koolaid.
Love the rewards system! I located a store and can't wait to try on the shorts; I don't think I've ever had a pair that actually fit comfortably! Thanks :)
ReplyDeleteProbably late to the game, but my reccomendation for Iphone covers is always silicon. I've been told by people whose screens have shattered (while having a hard case, and dropping it on its back!) that they wish they would have gotten the silicon. Also associates at the Apple store have reccomended silicon as well because it absorbs the shock of any drops, where the hard plastic doesn't. I've been using a silicon case on mine, and have dropped it more than its fair share of times, and I have yet to have a problem with it. J.Crew has some great ones, as well as Nordstrom and other various stores online. Love the prints of the Society6 ones though!!!
ReplyDeletegreat
ReplyDeletegreat
ReplyDeletegood
ReplyDeleteActually, I've had my Society 6 case for a few months now, and I've dropped it probably 10-12 times and it hasn't hurt it at all! I was worried at first too, but I am pleasantly surprised. Now watch me drop it tomorrow and it shatters...
ReplyDeleteThat colors looks pretty great and almost all of them are top fashion in my opinion, so that's my favorite!
ReplyDelete