Tag Archives: headphones

Friday Favorites {Running}

Posted by Melissa on July 20, 2012 14 comments

Shoes. After a trip to Road Runner Sports back in May, I discovered I was now a neutral runner and stocked up on a few pairs of the correct shoes:

Saucony Kinvara 2 (discontinued & super cheap!)

Saucony Kinvara 3

Mizuno Wave Rider 15

Once I invested in a couple pairs of shorts, I knew there were two items I needed to add to my arsenal. They’re KEY items for a comfortable run. Please God don’t let me ever forget to use them…

Garmin Forerunner 305. This guy has made a world of difference in my running. And mayyyybe turned me into a neurotic numbers obsessed girl. But hey – that’s how you get fast, right?

iPod Shuffle & Yurbuds. I go back and forth on music while running. Sometimes I’d rather run without it and focus on my breathing. Sometimes I REALLY don’t want to run, so I need the music to drown out my thoughts. When it comes to headphones, I’ve been through pretty much every set on the market and NONE of them stay in my ears the way Yurbuds do. Great investment!

Sunscreen. SO IMPORTANT!! I use the Mission Skincare on my face & Coppertone Sport everywhere else.

BIC Bands. My hair turns into a hot mess when I’m running & these sparkly miracle workers keep flyaways out of my face. Plus every month they donate a portion of profits to a different charity! So awesome.

The Grid. This helps me abuse my legs into a state of bliss. It gives new meaning to the phrase “hurt so good”

RRS Drymax Socks. Unfortunately, these socks are expensive ($24.99 for 3 pair) but luckily I only run 3x a day (oh hey FIRST training plan!!) so the one pack I own works just fine. They keep my feet dry and blister-free. Oh! And they don’t effing slip down because they have the tab in the back. Happiness. Nothing I hate more on a run than having my sock fall down and wedge itself under the arch of my foot. ANNOYING. These fix that. THANK YOU BEST SOCKS EVER.

Pro Compression Marathon Sock. After I’m done stretching and beating the crap out of my calves with a foam roller, I compress the crap out of them in these glorious socks. They hug my feet and legs perfectly, making them feel wonderful. Perfect to sleep in or even wear to work. Compress your little heart out all day long. I have them in both pink and purple, and Brad has them in orange. And I’ll probably buy more colors because I have no self-control. Dear Pro Compression, can you make sleeves? I will love you forever. Please and thank you. I know Ashley will buy some too.

Nathan Handheld. After I bought one last summer, I pretty much turned into a hydration snob. Now if I go for a run without it, I’ll whine the whole time about how thirsty I am. Don’t I sound like a real joy to be around? Anyway, to cut down on the bitching I’ll bring this thing every time. I’ve been running with it for a year now and honestly forget I’m carrying it. Keeps me hydrated and LOVE it during races. Avoid water stops? Yes please! Recently I bought a new one (the one below, in traffic cone orange) and its big enough to hold my ginormous phone. WIN!

Road ID. NEVER LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT!! Seriously, if you don’t have one, please get one. It can save your life!

Jeez that’s a lot of stuff. I remember when I first started running, someone told me it was a cheap sport. They DEFINITELY lied to me. Rude.

What’s your favorite can’t-live-without-it piece of running gear?

Don’t do it

Posted by Melissa on February 17, 2011 5 comments

You’ve read it in magazines, on blogs, in books. You’ve heard it a thousand times.

“Don’t do anything on race day/weekend you haven’t done before.”

As in, don’t try out the new Mexican place down the street the night before a race. Don’t wear those brand spankin’ new shorts you just bought at the expo to the race. Don’t consume 4 packets of Gu while running if you’ve never even heard of Gu before until the expo.

If you’ve never tested it out before, now is not the time. Don’t do it!

I’ve never been a big fan of following directions or heeding the advice of those much wiser than I. Rules are meant to be broken! That being said, I am trying a few things out on Sunday that are brand new to me. Never said I was the brightest crayon in the box now did I?

1. I’m going to run with my own water bottle (1/2 gatorade, 1/2 water). I learned during 3M that sometimes I really going to want/need Gatorade and water just won’t cut it. Also, things get pretty hectic at the water stops. Cups everywhere, people stopping short, puddles all over the ground – I’d rather avoid it if I can. So I’m going to give the personal water bottle a shot.

2. I’m swapping out Gu for Shot Bloks. I used them on my 4-miler last weekend, and I really liked them. However, that distance is a wee bit different than a half marathon. I’ve done the preliminary research on this one, and I think I’m safe. I think I’ll pack a Gu just in case…

3. I’m swapping my iFitness belt for the SPIbelt. Okay, this one isn’t 100% yet. We’ll see if it holds my ginormous phone like it claims it will.

4. I’ll be using brand new headphones. Yurbuds will be in my ears for the first time ever. I’m thinking I should probably give them a test run on Saturday. Except I’m major paranoid I’ll trip and fall and hurt myself, thus not being able to race on Sunday. I’m a worrying freak.

I think that’s all of the stupid things I plan on doing on Sunday, but I’ll let you know if I throw any others into the mix.

Have you ever tried something new on race day? Was it a horrible experience? Best decision you’ve ever made?

Also, if you’re running Austin this weekend, check out this three part series from the Austin Post. It breaks down both the half and the full, mile by mile:

A Guide to the Livestrong Austin Marathon and Half Marathon, Part One

A Guide to the Livestrong Austin Marathon and Half Marathon, Part Deux

A Guide to the Livestrong Austin Marathon and Half Marathon, The Grand Finale

Can you hear me now?

Posted by Melissa on February 15, 2011 No comments

I mentioned a few weeks ago how my headphones crapped out on me. At the starting line of a race – the timing was impeccable. I’ve been eyeing up Yurbuds since then, but decided I would hold out until the Austin Expo since they will be there as a vendor. I purchased this pair to hold me over:

Philips In-Ear Headphones Music Colors. They came with three different sizes of earpieces, so it would be near impossible for them to not fit your ear. I say near impossible because there was someone who NONE of the earpieces worked for – me. Even the smallest ones were still too big.

Don’t get me wrong, they stayed in place pretty well while at my desk at work. And while I had to gently press them back into my ears a couple times, they faired pretty well on the elliptical. But running? The main area of usage for these lil guys? No dice. My 4-miler on Sunday was the true test. I spent more time fidgeting with the headphones than I did my Garmin – and that’s saying something!

I will say (for the benefit of those who have normal ears) the sound quality was pretty decent for a $15 pair of earbuds. I would definitely recommend them! They just weren’t for me.

I don’t feel like it’s too much to ask to have a pair of headphones that fit. Yes, I could use the over-the-ear variety, but they don’t work so well while also rockin’ a pair of shades. Been there, done that. There just isn’t enough top-of-the-ear real estate for both. So it’s settled: I’ll invest in a pair of Yurbuds at the Expo on Friday.

What headphones do you use? Have you ever tried Yurbuds? Do you think there is something better out there than Yurbuds for people with retarded ears like me?