Gretch Runs

Hi everyone!  Now that I'm in the thick of marathon training (you can follow my weekly training logs here or read my first 1/4 recap here ) I wanted to talk about some of the gear that I've been using.  Since the weather's been so awful with the majority of my runs being in temperatures below freezing, I've been sticking to a lot of the same pieces for most of my runs.  These are all tried, tested, and pass every test!  Here's what I'm loving: Tops Lululemon Run for Cold Pullover  (no longer available, but jacket and vest still available in same line) I got this as a splurge last year, and have definitely gotten my money's worth so far!  This is definitely the warmest piece that I own and has gotten me through some really rough, cold weather. Columbia Base Layer I've gotten base layers from Columbia's outlet for the past few years and wear them for all of the coldest runs.  I like how warm they are, but they're also breathable ...

Happy National Running Day everyone!! For some CRAZY reason this isn't a nationally recognized holiday and I'm sadly at work, but we can still celebrate!  I'll be joining True Runner in Shadyside for Run Club tonight, and decided to dedicate a post to arguably the most important gear we own as runners : SHOES.  These not only carry us for miles, but also bring some style to our running outfits.  They bring a smile to our faces when they're taken out of their boxes for the first time.  They push us to run just a little faster by springing us forward and cushioning our tired feet.  They're our best friends, and sometimes worst enemies (stupid double knot!  Why do you untie at the worst time!? And why are blisters a thing? Ouch.) Throughout the years, I've tried out tons of different brands and models, and today I'll be sharing my current rotation and favorites!  Some of these are older models which are hard to find and have sadly worn out, ...

I can't believe this week is half over! It's been an insanely busy week with musical rehearsal every day and trying to fit in my workouts when I can. So far, I've succeeded and I'm 2/2 on the week. Today, I'll be tackling my first speed workout in my training, which is actually one of my favorite runs (embrace the pain, baby!)  Last week, I made my first order on Brooks's website. I knew that I wanted a new pair of light-weight shoes for shorter distances, and I've always had great luck with Brooks in the past. Their website also has a fantastic return policy, so I figured I would just make my order there instead of making the trek to the running store. I was in luck too- the shoe that I wanted was on sale, and I found a few other things on a great sale as well! First up are the shoes I picked out. They are the  PureFlow 3 , which I got for $65. I have to admit that the main reason I picked these is because one of my favorite bloggers, Janae , r...