Gear head

I was looking at my running gear the other day:  My Garmin, Camelbak, IPod Nano and arm band, etc. and realized these are all over 5 years old.  They have taken a beating but still work just fine.  I find the only running gear I buy regularly are shoes.  I am pretty religious about "retiring" a pair of running shoes around the 400 mile mark.  Some manufacturers say to get new ones at 250 miles while Runner's World magazine says you can get up to 500 miles from a pair of shoes.  Honestly, I feel it in my knees at about 400 miles so that's my personal number.  Like any girl, I enjoy getting a new outfit here and there but really, for me, it's all about the SHOES!  I get the same brand - Asics Gel Nimbus 12's - since I wear orthotics in my running shoes.  I have been fitted at two different running stores (each one recommended the same shoe) so it's the only brand I wear.  After reading articles in Self, Fitness and Runner's World about running gear I always get amped up to buy new stuff.  Then, I strap on my old Garmin, Camelbak and IPod  to go for a run and realize these are all I need.  If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

Beat the heat

I just got back from another mini-vacation to try and beat this Arizona heat.  It was heaven!  I was staying at my sister's home in Show Low which is around a 5,500 foot elevation.  I ran twice in the 4 days there and could really feel the difference.  Let's just say it was like breathing through a coffee stirrer!  I was alone so I didn't get any pics but you will have to take my word for it - those pine trees are gorgeous.  The 4th of July wasn't the same without fireworks (they were not permitted due to the extreme wild fire danger) but all I cared about was being able to sleep with the windows open at night and running at 9:00 am instead of 6:00 am to beat the heat!  I hope you all had a happy and safe 4th of July holiday.  Did you go anywhere fun and, most importantly, did you RUN?