I Get To Shop?

I made it to the gym this morning and logged 6 miles on the treadmill. I hate the treadmill. I like running outside better.

There are some benefits to the treadmill. It forces you to stay on pace. Well, unless you want to be that person who falls off the machine because it is going faster than you are. I will admit that the thought of that humiliation is enough to keep my fat butt moving.

Another good thing about the treadmill is TV. Watching TV while running is pretty cool. I would be completely clueless on world events without the treadmill TV. Since my home TV has been taken over by a 2 1/2 year old who watches Noggin and Disney Channel most of the time, I don't get to watch much CNN.

Overall, I would rather run outside. I like the fresh air, the changing scenery, and the feeling of going somewhere, even if it is just a big circle.

But, today's post is about shopping.

Who would have thought that my decision to run a marathon would require me to empty my wallet? You would imagine that all you need to do is throw on some shorts and a tee shirt, lace up your sneakers, and run.

No sir, it is not that easy. Running a marathon requires more gear than trekking up the face of Everest!

So, being serious about this marathon thing, finally, I decided that I had best head out and get myself some of this gear. This is when I discovered 'The Running Store'. No shit, a whole store just for people who run! Apparently, there are several different running stores out there. I got very lucky and a store opened just a few miles from the house right before I decided to start this nonsense. So, I went to The Big Peach Running Company to get my stuff.

Getting running gear is a real bottom up activity. You have to start with the feet, or the shoes on the feet to be precise. The running store has shoe experts, because not all shoes are created equal. Before they sell you shoes, they put you through the paces. They had me run on a treadmill in the store while they video my feet. Then, we watched the video and they talked about my stride and stuff. Then they had me stand on a pad that measures where your weight rests on your feet. Then they brought me three pairs of shoes to try.

Do not skimp on your shoes! Do not buy the cute shoes! Get the shoes that they recommend and that are comfortable. I really wanted pink shoes, but it was not to be. I knew I was going to log many hours and miles in these shoes, so they needed to be good. It doesn't matter that the shoes cost as much as a car payment, I would spend more time in them than I do in my car anyway. The real kicker (ha ha) is that I will need to get new shoes in another month or so. Apparently, you can only run about 200-250 miles in your shoes before you need new shoes!

Next was the running skirt. I decided that I would go with the skirt with compression shorts underneath. No one needs to see this butt in only compression shorts! I was totally thinking of my fellow marathoners on that choice.

Now we need a shirt. I learned an important phrase, "Cotton is rotten." Even though I love all natural materials in most of my clothes, for running, synthetics are better. Since I sweat like a leaky faucet, I knew I would have to go with the moisture wicking material. BTW: there is only so much moisture that it can wick, trust me!

You would think that now I was ready to run.

Nope!

I still needed a water bottle holder, sport beans, gu, shot blocks, and body glide.

Of all of this stuff, the body glide may be the most important. It looks like deodorant, but you rub it on all the spots where you may chafe. Because running = chaffing. Lots of chaffing. Really uncomfortable chaffing. Chaffing in spots where no one ever wants to chafe.

All in all, shopping at the running store is not nearly as much fun as shopping at the Gap. But, since the running store has all my money, I won't be at the Gap any time soon!