etsy friday favorites: running edition

i'd say most of you know i'm a runner. running is my escape, my thing. pretty much, it makes me happy :)

so i thought i'd compile a few etsy picks all about my favorite pastime!

run pillow

jog-a-thon tee

runner medal

sports illustrated

run stencil

vintage nike

running shorts

take it on the run, baby

song of the day: 'take it on the run' by reo speedwagon

as most of you know, i am a runner. i love it. it's kinda my drug. i run in basically any weather, any time, anywhere. but i wasn't always that way.

i started running about 6 years ago. it was right after isaiah was born, and matt was inspired to start training for a marathon. i thought he was a whole bunch of crazy at the time, but as i watched him get into it, he began to inspire me.

see, i had a really hard time after having a baby. i felt like i was losing myself, who i was apart from this little helpless being who needed me all the time. i needed an outlet, something that made me feel good about myself, and boosted my energy. so i tried running.

oh it was hard in the beginning. i could only run a few minutes at a time, then i'd walk, but i'd always go out for a half hour. each time i could run a little bit more. the day that i ran for a full 30 minutes straight, was the best day ever. that's when it clicked for me and i became a runner for life.

now i don't think i did it the right way, i signed up for a marathon after only running for 6 months. but on november 19, 2007 i finished the tulsa route 66 marathon in 4 hours and 45 minutes. i cried when i crossed the line and my dad was the first person to hug me. i told him it was the hardest thing i'd ever done. he told me 'never again.' but they put that medal around my neck and i was hooked!

so to date, i've done 3 full marathons (trained for another but got injured and had to drop out 3 days before the race), 2 halfs, and a number of 5ks, including three where i won my age division. i plan to run another half-marathon this spring, possibly in oklahoma city, any takers???

so hopefully you've made it this far. i do want to talk about getting started. i encourage any and every one to run. it's like one of the joys of my life.

first off, GET SOME GOOD SHOES!!! that's the most important part. i go to fleet feet for my shoes. they have a very knowledgeable staff, and what's more, they put you on a treadmill and study your foot strike and can recommend the best shoes for you. i spend more money on running shoes than i do on anything else in my wardrobe. it's that important to me. and you can spend loads on other running gear, like wicking shorts and socks and bras and shirts, but i just run in whatever. my money goes into shoes.

next, SIGN UP FOR A RACE!!!! nothing motivates more than putting your money on the line. plus having a goal never hurt anyone. just make sure you give yourself enough time to train. you don't want to over do it and then get injured or burned out.

now, FIND SOME INSPIRATION!!!! that can be in the form of a running partner, an awesome playlist, some cute running shorts, or buying a subscription to runner's world (which i highly recommend). runner's world can give you tips, race info, there are forums where you can discuss different issues, and the stories will get you way motivated. seriously, it's like running gold.

and if you've never in your life ran a step, there is a brilliant little training program called 'couch to 5k'. it gives you a plan to get started.

and please please please don't hesitate to email me with questions if you have any! like i said, i love to encourage people to take up running.

and now that you are a running goddess, sit back and enjoy your accomplishment!!! but just remember to take your bottle of bubbly out of the freezer after about 20 minutes or you'll be drinking celebratory champagne slushies like we did!

holidays are joyful

song of the day: 'merry christmas darling' by the carpenters

wow. i just really have very little to say. i've been sitting in front of the 'compose' screen for like 45 minutes.

i will say that i am getting sooooooooooo nervous about this weekend. sunday to be exact. it's my marathon day and every time i think about it, butterflies start fluttering in my tummy. it doesn't make sense that i'm so apprehensive about it, i mean i've done two others. but, last year i had to drop out on the thursday (yep that would be the equivalent of today!) before the race because my right knee was in so much pain i couldn't run 3 miles and i literally cried the entire two miles i had left to limp home. then in 2007 i ran in memphis and at around mile 18 my left knee stiffened up on me and i had to run/walk the last 8 miles, wincing all the while. needless to say, i am scared that i'll get hurt again. why the heck do i do this to myself????? i don't know really but i can tell you that i think the holidays will be so much more joyful on monday.....if i can still walk by then.

and i want to say a big THANK YOU to cayce for featuring me on her lovely blog. i am there with some really amazing and fashionable ladies and it just made my day :)

details:

jacket-thrifted

skirt-vintage

shoes-dexter, thrifted

seasons change

song of the day: 'seasons change' by expose

doesn't it look like it was cool and crisp out? yeah well no it wasn't. it was hot. but i just love my boots! once i've put them on, they are very persuasive. they whisper to me 'you know you can't find a better shoe for this outfit. don't worry about the weather, i'll take care of it.' and who can resist a pair of talking boots?

but it is that time of year again. officially, the first full day of autumn here in the northern hemisphere (did anyone else see the full moon last night? so awesome!!!). and with that means cooler temps, boots, changing leaves, lots of football, and races. that's right, i'm trying to figure out what race i want to do and where i want to do it. all this time, i've thought i'd just do a half-marathon and save the full for the spring. maybe it's because matt did a big race last sunday, but i've gotten the itch to go the distance. i'm considering running in dallas this december. do any of you live there? that would be pretty cool to meet a blogger friend too out of the deal. or do any of you want to run it with me??? that would be even cooler. seriously, think about it. there's a half with it too, if that helps :)

and you may or may not have noticed that i did not update my shop yesterday. well that's on the agenda for today. again.

details:

dress-vintage, ebay

scarf-gift

boots-vintage, ebay

socks-gap

belt-thrifted

running with the devil (in a very non-devilish way)

i finished my half-marathon this morning! woot woot! and i even posted my fastest time ever in a half, 1:55:23. my goal was to make it in under 2 hours and i did. that felt pretty sweet. however, the misty fog did nothing for my hair or appearance in general. i'm not attractive when i run as a rule, but wow. you guys are lucky that i'm even letting you see me like this. i guess i like you. my friends that are in the picture with me ran the accompanying 5k. we stayed up way too late and had about as much fun as three crazy ladies without men or kids can have before getting up ridiculously early to run. the race was great though and i just jammed out to my running playlist and pretended that no one was giving me strange looks as i sang along. i mean, beyonce, lady gaga, and the black eyed peas got me through those 13.1 miles. so now i'm just looking for the next race. anyone wanna join me?

i see your true colors shining through

and you're beautiful, like a rainbow.

you get to wade through a bunch of pictures today. lucky! we went out on the roof again last night. lately, we've had the most horrible weather. there will be intermittent storms and sticky, humid sunshine. right now, there is a storm going on that makes me fear for my life. see the roof i take pictures on is actually on top of the salon that is right next door. i can't get on top of my roof, plus it's metal. yeah, a metal roof, in a thunderstorm with hail, not too much fun. i have to yell to be heard. but all that to say, the evenings have been beautiful!

my top is a skirt that i bought at target. i like it and all but it really needed a shake up. a couple days ago, paige (who's one of my new bff's) from barefoot & vintage wore a skirt as a strapless top and i told her that i was going to steal her idea. after haggling over the price of borrowing the rights to the look, we settled on just a mention of her and her mad fashion skillz and her adorable etsy store. thanks paige, for the idea!

ok, so i am supposed to run a half marathon tomorrow morning, but am slightly concerned it may get rained out and/or canceled because the city of tulsa had some wicked weather yesterday and is still largely without power. it's possible i may cry if i don't get to run. but i guess i should keep it in perspective, i mean they are having to clean up after a couple of tornadoes ravaged their city.

oh and one of the 'exciting things' will be revealed in a little while (hint, hint).

details:

shoes-goodwill

jeans-juicy couture

shirt-a skirt from target

necklace-etsy

scarf-etsy