What Do You Wear Underneath Your Clothes & EverStride Coupon & Discount Code!

Every morning, you may wake up and consider what to wear for the day.  You may think about what outfit matches what boots or jewelry, what will keep you warm, what will look sexy, or even what in the world you have clean. Sure, I think all of that, but more importantly, I think, what can I wear that will cover up my compression gear.  Yes, you heard me, which tall boots, which sweat pants, which jeans will allow me to rock Compression Shorts and Socks with no one being the wiser.

Case in point.  Today, I knew that my IT Band was not so happy after a hilly, speedy run.  I knew it needed extra support and I also knew that my ankle and legs could use some increased attention too.  There was only one answer to this problem - compression!  Only barrier, I do not believe it is generally appropriate to sport compression gear when going to Temple, work, dinners etc.  Although my fashion sense begs to differ, I am not sure the world is ready for the "Snazzy Stylings of Stephanie" (yes I thought long and hard about getting those "S words" in).

 Why People are Against this Fashion Trend is completely beyond me...

So instead, I go for Plan B a.k.a. Covert Op. - What Can I Wear to Cover Up the fact that I am wearing tight shorts and hot pink socks?

After a long run and on a weekend, it is easy.  I believe that all bets are off on weekends and that it is perfectly acceptable to go out in sweats (that is sexy right?).  In fact, I may or may not have ventured to the Supermarket and Fresh City in this outfit more than once...

You can wear this outfit out, right?

On weekends, it is considered cool to hang out in corn mazes and rock compression

But on weekdays and more proper outings, I have to get creative.  So if you are looking for ways to cover up those necessary undergarments here are some tips:

How to Hide Your Dirty Little Secret a.k.a. Compression Gear

1)  Tall Boots. These babies rock at covering up compression socks.  Only problem is if you are short like me the compression socks might be too tall and you may need to fold the socks down to get away with it

2)  Long Skirts that are a tad too big. In this way you can cover up the compression shorts and not feel like you are gasping for air.  The tight skirts will reveal it all so avoid those.

Or just wear short skirts or funky Santa socks, this could pass at a fancy dinner, right?

3)  Leave the stockings at home. I make this mistake all the time.  If you have the socks and shorts on you are going to be warm enough.  With stockings, you are just going to be too hot and sweaty.  It is not fun, trust me, leave the stockings at home.

No stockings needed in this hot pink fun outfit

4)  A-Line Dresses. These can also work to mask compression shorts and you can pair them with tall boots if you need the socks too.  But again tight dresses will give your secret away so opt for the less form fitting option here.

The perfect A-Line Dress to cover compression gear...ok even I have my limits or do I...

In other news, if you are not fascinated with hiding your compression gear on a daily basis like me maybe you are more intrigued about mastering the art of actually get that tight gear on in the first place, but that is a story for another day.  Instead, I will leave you with this.  Have you ever heard of EverStride?  It is a company that specializes in making anti-chafe sticks, face defense creams, foot creams (for blisters etc.) and other must have products for athletes.  I reviewed their products here.   

Anyway, in my opinion, they are absolutely the way to go and have offered a nice promo for me to pass on to all of you - a 25% discount on all Ever Stride Products through this Coupon Code.

To take advantage of this 25% coupon code just visit EverStride's website here and at check out put in the coupon code:

FunRun

That is all for now.  Wishing you all a Happy Friday and if you want, tell me how do you wear or hide your compression gear?

Jello Legs & The Should Voice

This week I have jello legs.  Yup, thats right, I have legs full of jello a.k.a jello legs.  It began on Sunday after a quite hilly difficult 10 miles through Central Park.  Coming back from that I knew I had pushed my body to the brink and right after a pretty exhausting cold no less.   The next day we spent in the car traveling and my legs were tired yet I made it a priority to get an hour of a elliptical done that night.  My legs felt weightless...very very tired, but they made it and thanks to the wonders that are compression socks my legs allowed me to give them a serious beating only hours later when I did a speedy 5 mile run.  Fast forward to this morning, yet another tired 5 a.m. wake up and even more exhausted legs.  No matter I told myself and to PT I went climbing on the StairMaster for some ugly rounds of circuit intervals.  And they were ugly!! My quads tingled, my breathing was heavy, and every bit of me screamed

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH

Compression Socks - My Hero!

So, I listened, well sort of anyway.  I adjusted the Stairmaster and allowed myself to go just a little bit slower.  Yet, I still did it and my legs still feel a bit like jello and I am still just a bit exhausted from all the events of the past week, so much so that I may or may not be heading to bed after writing this at 9 p.m.

What is a girl to do with these jello legs?  What do they mean and how do I proceed with them?  In my mind, I should not be suffering from jello legs.  There are so many other bloggers and runners running so many more miles and there legs or just fine the "evil part" of my mind says.  I should be able to power through.  I should have no problem with 4 miles (with 3 hills) tomorrow, when so many others are doing so much more day in and day out.  Come on Steph, man up, the "should" voice says.

But honestly folks, I am not sure if I have it in me tomorrow.  I don't know if these jello legs will hold up for a speedy, hilly 4 miles or 4 miles at all.  It has been a while since I have felt this exhausted and my legs this wobbly.  So what now?  Take a rest day?  Take it slow?  Yes, maybe I should.   There is that word again - should.  I should take a rest day; I should be able to do a speedy 4 miles tomorrow; my legs should not feel like jello.

So what am I going to do?  Nothing.  I am going to stop "shoulding," take my tired self to bed, and wake up tomorrow morning and go with the flow, see what my legs will allow me to do and be thankful for that.

Do your legs ever feel like jello, what do you do with jello legs and how do you stop the "Should" voice?

 When I get jello legs, I like to put on fuzzy pants and a dri-fit shirt and pretend I am begin productive 

Putting Running First & Never Regretting a Workout

There are some runners who yearn to run.  They can't wait to get it in, morning, noon, or night they are willing and ready, chomping at the bit to run.   That is not me.  I love running and all the benefits that comes with it.   I have come to look forward to many of my workouts whether it be fun long run conversations with friends or catching up with a Netflix Episode of Felicity (thank you Netflix for letting me enjoying the whole series of Felicity while I workout).  However, there are those days when I am not necessarily looking forward to my run or elliptical workout.  When I would rather stay in my warm bed and sleep for a few extra minutes, than go sweat (or right now freeze) for hours on end.   As the winter months continue onward and I wake up to cold, dark mornings, this yearning to stay in bed becomes even greater.  Yet, for the most part, I never give in to this yearning even when that little voice is screaming at me, telling me just five more minutes of sleep.  Because in the end, minus injury, illness, or some other unforeseen dilemma, I...

NEVER REGRET A WORKOUT

What I do regret is skipping a workout - sleeping in (when I don't need to),  sitting on the couch and watching TV when I could watch TV while ellipticaling, or throwing my whole day and internal clock off because I decided to hit the snooze button instead of completing the training for the day.   Thus when it comes down to it, I make running a priority in my life each and every day, no if, ands,or, buts about it.  If it is on my training schedule, minus illness or some other unforeseen event, I am there.    Vacations, holidays, trips, big events - they all happen and so does my workout. If it means a 4:30 a.m. wakeup or a 9 p.m. run, then that is what it takes and I will get it done.

Sweaty smiles post workout..

Very little things in my life receive that priority (now granted I am not a parent or have as many responsibilities as others so take this with what you will. It is just not possible for everyone, I totally get it).

Besides this guy of course..

   Work projects, errands, phone calls etc.  all are important and must be completed but if they don't happen on one particular day, no matter.  It will get done, maybe tomorrow.  The same philosophy does not apply to my training.  Each day is an opportunity to work out and train and push harder and it is important to me that this happens.

All of this got me thinking why?  Why is it that running goes to the top of the list? Why is it that yesterday after a 10 hour trip home the first thing I did when I got there was bound upstairs to rock an elliptical hour long session while my husband graciously took care of the house?  Why when I felt the need to sleep in this morning that I made myself get out of bed and run 5 miles?  Many things are important in my life, but why and how can this one always win out day in and  day out.

At one point in time, the answer was weight loss or weight maintenance.  For many this still is the reason and it is a great reason and can be really helpful.   But in the past couple of years, my reasons for running have changed to a general need for fitness, fun, and friends.  Having this mindset and knowing that I am doing this to be healthy, to tackle and complete goals allows me to keep at it - to push harder, get faster, and make certain that my workout is complete for the day.

So this morning when I did not think I had anything left, when my legs felt like mush, and I worried over how my ankle felt, I jumped on the treadmill put on Felicity and made running my priority once again.  I did not regret it negative splitting the run and ending with a smile on my face ready to tackle the day. It was a good workout and I was proud of it.  Even if it had been a hard, tough run and one that I had hated, I still would have been glad that I did it and more ready and willing to get my day going.

So there you have it.  Each day, I make a choice.  A choice to put me first.  To run for my mental and physical well being and to have a blast while doing it.

How and why do you make your choice to run/workout?

I am a Cold Weather Runner

Hey everyone!  Guess who's back?  We've had a really busy few weeks and I decided to give Steph the night off and give myself a chance to tell my side of the "Central Park Escapade."

As I said in my introductory post, Ice Hockey is my true passion.  I learned to skate when I was three on an outdoor rink built by my dad and started playing youth hockey at the age of four.  Needless to say, I'm well acquainted with cold weather and over the years, have developed what Steph likes to refer to as one of my "super powers" - The Electric Blanket.  I'm always warm.  Years of playing a sport on a frozen sheet of ice in the dead of winter will do that to you.  While professional arenas do a decent job of isolating the cold to the ice surface, most local arenas don't have the resources to do this.  The worst have to be the rinks I refer to as converted barns - previously outdoor rinks with sheet metal walls that have no insulation and don't fully seal the rink off from the elements.  Trust me when I say nothing feels worse than putting on wet pads when it's -10 degrees outside and feeling your hair freeze over as you play.

Note: that's not really me, but it sure felt like it.  Steph refused to document the event - that's a shocker!

Off the ice, I wore Birkenstocks throughout high school and most of college regardless of the weather (yes, even snow).  This started because my schools (both located in the Northeast) blasted the heat once the temperature dropped below 50 degrees and in order to not feel like I was going to pass out, I needed a way to regulate my temperature and feel comfortable.  So I dressed appropriately for the temperature inside and coped with the temperature outside.

 Couldn't find a picture of me in sandals (I'm camera shy).  To make up for it, check out this bruise I got from a slap shot a few years back!  $20 bill used for scale.

Long story short, I'm rarely cold and can even heat the area around me, whether it's the steam coming off me when I stop exercising or warming up the bed for Steph before we go to sleep.  Unfortunately, my weakness is heat, when I have trouble breathing and staying properly hydrated.  Nothing is more embarrassing than taking a shower at the gym, walking outside to go to the office, and instantly feeling the need to shower again.

 When I've had my outdoor runs, I've worn nothing more than shorts, compression socks, an Under Armour heat gear undershirt, and a t-shirt.  I tried a wool cap and had to take it off because I was too warm; it was in the 30s.  Yesterday's run was no different.  Equipped with my "cold gear," I set out to do my run and was able to do as well as I did because I was cooled off by the freezing temperatures.  If I got too hot, I just spread my fingers apart to disperse the heat.  At the end of the run, I noticed that my hands were pink and brittle and my forearms were frozen.  No big deal, except for the fact that Steph still had an hour left in her run and I had to find her somewhere in Central Park!  As my workout became a cool down, I got colder and colder to the point that after taking off my shirt to shower, I noticed my upper body was bright red and almost frostbitten! 

The before image.  Yes, I wore the Crazy Bitch shirt on my run and got a compliment or two on it.

... and I wouldn't change it for the world!  Hopefully, I'll be able to survive the Summer!


Anyone else out there have a crazy cold weather story or a suggestion for superhero and/or superpower name?

I am a Fair Weather Runner

I am going to let you all in on a little secret.  I am not a hardcore runner.  I would like to say I am, I really do try to be.  But I am, alas, somewhat of a wimp.  I like running in the perfect conditions.  You know a beautiful fall day where you happily shuffle down a trail with the leaves changing and your hair blowing in the wind and not a care in the world.

Did you know I have a little obsession with the Fall and leaves...

What I am not a fan of is running in the rain, snow, heat, or cold.  Ok, I know I know, what kind of runner am I?  But I am getting better...I promise.  This past training cycle I faced my fears and learned that the rain was manageable at times, the heat was ok, and that 35 degree weather is actually perfect for shorts and a long sleeve tee-shirt.

Today, however, I may have been a little bit out of my league.  With this...

It was exciting to hit 10 degrees, we started at 5 degrees

When I saw this predicted forecast Saturday morning, I wanted to ditch my BIG plans of running with Michele in Central Park and just hit the treadmill for 10 miles a day early and get it done with.  If it had not been for my run date with Michele, I probably would have.  However, I could not pass up the opportunity to run with her.  Plus Aaron also committed to run his 3 miles in Central Park as well and promptly told me to man up about this whole weather thing, so I did not really have a choice.

Thus early this morning Aaron and I made the trip from Boston to NYC.  Unfortunately, Michele's adorable son was sick and she could not make it for our run date(feel better little guy!).  At this point, I was left with no choice.  I had to get in my 10 mile run and there was nothing else to do but face my fears.  I honestly did not believe I could do it.  Even when I started running, even while running I did not think I would make it.  But with Aaron's "encouraging" words I knew I had no choice, I had to Man Up and get outside - single digits or not.

And guess what?  It was not bad at all.  I never felt cold!!  Not once.  Aaron and I had the goal of creating almost a "Stephanie Bubble" between me and the outside world and it only took 5 stores to complete the task but it was a pretty darn good bubble.   The outfit consisted of running tights, three shirts (Under Armor base layer, Brooks Thermal Layer, Brooks running hoodie), Ski Gloves, and hand warmers.

I have a million layers on. Aaron is wearing shorts, no gloves, not hat.

But what took the cake was this guy...

Robin and Colleen had turned me on to this fellow a few weeks ago and I have looking for one ever since. A late night shopping trip with Robin last night finally found one and I am so so thankful for it.  Having this mask took care of my breathing problem so that my lungs never burned.  Additionally, it provided added warmth and protection from the cold and wind, it was as if I did not even know it was cold outside and for me that is saying a lot! Combine this with my huge ass ski gloves and I was in heaven.  I am happy to report that I was never too warm but felt just right.  However, it was not all fun and games in the mask.  It was actually kind of wet and slobbery.  TMI? Sorry!  Also while I was shielded from the cold, it SUCKED running with all of that gear.   It was just hard to move.  I guess it will take some getting used to.

Ultimately, I made it. I got out there and I did it.  I still can't believe it.  Watch out winter, turns out I am not such a wimp after all.  However, Mr. Winter, given the choice,  I would take Fall any day of the week.

LEAVES!!!

Did you embrace the cold this weekend?  How do you handle all the gear you need for running in such freezing, cold conditions?

Home Sick for the Marathon

Remember when I did this...

Post Marine Corps - sorry this picture never gets old :)

That was officially over 2 months ago.  Since then, the furthest I have run is when I bumped into this dude running along the Strip at Night.

Did you know this is the post of recycled pictures?

Otherwise, I have been having a blast running 5Ks and enjoying a very hectic paced life.  

A family affair :)

Today, however, as I sat in awe of the Olympic Trials, I felt homesick.  Homesick for running a marathon or more specifically marathon training.  Sure, during marathon training, I may or may not have grimaced when I checked the weather forecast and saw 80 degree heat and then shivered through an ice bath.  I may or may not have wanted to give up or cry uncle at points.  But all in all it was one of the most amazing, wonderful experiences of my life.

Marathon Training makes me feel like I am on top of the world (and allows me to wear these hip outfits everywhere)

And now, two months post marathon, coming off of my first weekend where I do not have a fun 5K to participate in, I have this yearning in me. A yearning to..

- Consider 10 miles a "short" run (instead of the longest run I have seen in about a month);
-Shot Bloks and Gels to be part of my regular diet;
-Legs that are screaming at me because I pressed them to the limits on my long run;
-Long Runs that involved fun conversation with this lady instead of speedy miles where talking is not really an option; and
-And of course the below

Marathon Ice-cream, what else?

So what is a gal to do when she misses marathon training so dearly?  Go back to it of course!!

Now, my training plans tend to be conservative and NJ Marathon is not until the beginning of May so I do have time before full training begins.  But with spring marathons on the horizon I am gearing up to get back into the swing of things.  I am working on my base miles and trying new things because ready or not NJ I am coming for you!

But for now, I will just try to weather the cold tomorrow for a fun, freezing 10 miles with this rockstar!

Did you know that I secretly (actually not so secretly) fear the cold?

Do you get homesick for the marathon? Do you fear the cold? Any good advice of me?

Should You Exercise When You Are Sick? & Sweepstakes Winners

Well, we are on to Day Two here of the Cold of 2012. Ok, it really is not that bad.  I am feeling better than I was yesterday, but today I actually have to get up and go to work and act all normal and it is quickly reminding me that better does not equal 100%.

Anyway, back to the topic at hand:  Running/Working out & Sickness.

With sickness brings up the age old question of exercise. 

Should I exercise when I am sick?

I don't know about all of you, but every time I am sick I struggle with this question.  Do I run, cross train, workout etc. when I am not feeling so well? Since I am a morning girl, the questions always start the night before and go something like this:

Me: *cough* *sniffle*  Can I workout tomorrow?

Husband:  We will see how you feel in the morning

Me:  But what if I don't feel better

Husband:  We will see how you feel in the morning

Apparently, this conversation never gets old because I like to have it every time I get sick.  Last night however it went something like this. 

Me: *cough* *sniffle*  Can I workout tomorrow?

Husband:  We will see how you feel in the morning

Me:  I think if I don't feel well I might just sleep

Husband:  SHOCK

Fast forward to this morning.   I had a hill workout of 4 miles on tap.  To do it and get to work on time, it meant a 5 a.m. wake up call.  The alarm went off, Aaron tried to get me up. I told him lets try at 6.  At 6, he nudged me again telling me, rightfully so, that I always say the hardest part is getting going and that I need to try, but instead I did something of a whimper and slept for another hour.

So yea, that is right, two days in a row I have forgone the exercise routine in the name of rest.  And this got me thinking. I have always been one to exercise through illness.   Spouting some lines about how I feel better when I work out and how a good sweat will do me good etc.  Yet, all the while knowing that I probably just need to 

SLOW DOWN

 Chicken Soup and Challah is how I slow down (thankfully Aaron woke up early yesterday to make me some)

If I am being honest, there are many times when I said these exact same lines, go to the gym while sick, get on the treadmill and start whimpering and make my husband take me home while shaking my head at myself - I should have just stayed in bed.  Or the times when I make it through the workout, feel great, only to feel like utter crap 20 minutes later.

So what is the truth about working out/running while sick?  Is it really a good idea to do so?  Are we really just kidding ourselves, telling ourselves it is a good idea because we are scared that missing a workout or two or three will hinder our training, or gasp, make us gain weight (especially if we are just loading on the extra food, like I do, when I am sick).

To find out the answers, I went straight to the source - GOOGLE, of course.

Overall, the answer seems to be 

1) Listen to your body and

2) If you are going to exercise, make sure it is moderate and not intense

Also follow this rule of thumb

It is ok to moderately exercise if your symptoms are from the neck up (sniffles etc.) but hold off if from the neck down (e.g., chest cold etc.) *Source

Dr. Rick Kellerman from the American Academy of Family Physicians notes that people need to listen to their bodies.  If they are sick, their body is telling them something.  While it may be tempting to workout, it may actually prolong  illness.  He goes on to explain that it is a myth that you can sweat out germs and toxins.   Although low levels of exercise may increase endorphins and provide benefit, intense workouts raise endorphins to high levels and can wear down the immune system.

Ok, ok I won't go run a marathon today...but maybe tomorrow


Ultimately, you are best off listening to your body.  If you have mild symptoms, moderate exercise is probably ok.    But make it moderate!!! And when you are feeling better remember to easy back into it - start off easy (e.g., cross train instead of run).

Today, you may categorize my symptoms as above the neck and mild.   If you asked me two years ago, I would have absolutely worked out today.  But rather, I listened to my body and rested.   Hopefully, with the extra rest and nutrition I will be back before you know it.

Do you think it is wise to workout when you are sick? What do you do?

Note:  I am not a professional, nor was this post intended to give advice.  Rather information. See here for more information:  Source 1; Source 2; Source 3

Last but not least, Sweepstakes Winners:  If you did not win, more fun games next week and make sure to use the Vitalsox discount code: RS1BL1TS

For VitalSox - 
Recovery Socks - Danielle Jenn, Penny
Arm Warmers: Leah K
Trivitals: Kelly 728, RunningfortheKitchen, &Debkershberg

For PopChips: Kelly