HAPPY MONDAY EVERYONE! Seriously, it was 72 here today. How can you NOT be in a good mood when it’s 72 in March?! All this great weather has me thinking about my next marathon (of course!) – Cox Rhode Races! Here’s what I’m loving so far into this marathon training:
1) Planlessness. Now I’m not going entirely planless – I’m going week by week, which makes me SO happy. Especially now that I’ve vowed to take a few days off of running until this calf heals. Here’s what this week looks like:
I’ll play the weekend by ear – depending on how my calf feels. Hopefully I’ll get a couple decent runs in and can get back to normal training next week.
2) Choosing my colors. Yeah, I’m ALREADY thinking of colors for this race. My shoes are white/black/silver/purple. Zensah compression sleeves come in purple – so I’m thinking black and purple this time.
Asics Core Singlet – I think this is the right color, I’m going to order it and hope it all matches! I love these singlets – I have 3 and they’re super comfy!
3) Massages. I finally got my post marathon massage tonight. Hurts. so. good. My incredibly terrible post RnR NOLA sunburn was one reason I put it off for so long. My massage therapist told me my calf is “cranky”, then loaded me up with Biofreeze and sent me home with instructions to hydrate extra, ice, and take Advil if necessary. Yikes, I did a good job this time.
4) Running my first “home-turf” marathon. This one is particularly exciting because none of my family or hometown close friends have been there when I’ve run a marathon. Now, I know a whole bunch of people who are coming to spectate and have lunch post-race. It’s going to be an amazing time! (Not to mention people like Coachy, Jess and her hubby, Jo and M, and many more who are also going to be there to run and spectate!)
5) I think I’ve *finally* found shorts. It’s times like this I’m not so grateful for my thighs (most of the time I love them – I know they’re super strong and powerful) but when it comes to buying shorts – no thigh love there. I have to have something that comes down at least mid-thigh (and I have pretty long legs), otherwise I chafe – Bad. So something with a 6” or so inseam is what I need – but I’m picky and I want spandex, not loose. Which limits my choices…but I’ve narrowed it down to:
The North Face Women’s GTD Short Tight 7"
Moving Comfort Women’s 7 1/2" Compression Short 
Yup, three choices. Oh, did I mention they have to have pockets? It’s a requirement, which makes my choices even slimmer. And yes, I realize they all pretty much look the same.
That’s why I’m hoping someone else has one of these and can give me some insight? Anyone have any experience with any of these three shorts? If so, what are your thoughts?
6) New (old) music. I finally offloaded my iTunes library from my old desktop computer onto my external hard drive – I know one thing: there’s 2000 something songs. What’s in there? I have no idea. I can’t wait to explore it and makes tons of new fun training and racing playlists!
What are you loving this Monday? Do you have any shorts advice for me? Fave running song? Anything? Talk to me!
Running and Cupcakes 
LOL – love that you’re planning the colors 😉 I can’t wait to hear about the shorts. During the summer I have major issues with chaffing. And I haven’t found and shorts like those pictured that don’t ride up and turn into booty shorts 😉
I hope that doesn’t happen – I think these are long enough. Shorter ones do the same to me!
I love that you are already picking your outfit! good choices 😉 And I bet those shorts will work well for you! So sad about not being able to wear lulu run shorts though…I still say, give em another shot hehe!
I looked at lulu – their longest ones are a 5″ inseam, and are loose so I know they’ll bunch and drive me crazy, hence the need for spandex!
Hi ! I was wondering if the compression leg slide ons would help me … I have severe shin splints and went for a X-ray today to see if it was a stress fracture . I also would love to know if you have any shin splint healing tricks or tips , I have track season right now and am training for my first marathon in October so I need these to heal fast and avoid a more serious injury. Thanks . Love your blog !
Compression sleeves will help, but you also need to stretch and massage. Also, for me, I’ve found lighter shoes helped!
I’m in the same predicament with shorts as you are. I can’t wear short shorts, or if I do, I have to have a tight short on underneath otherwise I chafe. Chafing is NO fun. 😦 Please post what shorts you end up getting. I’m very interested.
This Monday I’m happy. Why? My swimming went awesome tonight. I’m going to do a blog post on it tonight.
When is your marathon? Good luck! You’re gonna kick some serious butt.
Chafe sucks!!!!
My race is May 6th!
Just tweeted! And thanks for linking up those shorts. I realized after my last race that I need the same sort of thing as what you;ve been looking for.
I love that you have your race day outfit in mind already — now you’re stressing me out, I better get on it! LOL. I’m dying for another pair of lulu run shorts, they are my FAVE. Such a bummer that they’ll ride up for you, they are super cute shorts — but I suppose comfort takes priority over fashion, huh?? LOL
I just don’t have thighs built for short running shorts! Maybe I’ll get a pair for fashion HAHA I can totally justify that, right?
No stress – we still have 6 1/2 weeks! My biggest thing in planning the outfit is making sure the shorts work, that’s why I’m thinking about it already!
I am such a planner that I totally understand your outfit planning – and I love it! Growing up my mom always had me picking out my outfits at least the night before school to help make getting ready for school easier in the morning, and I still do that… with everything. Can’t wait to see the outfit all together!
I’m the same way, always have been – right down to my barrettes (when I was a kid) and now hair clips and elastics!
I know I’ve mentioned that I have similar shorts issues, and I have pretty big cyclist quads 🙂 I am seriously in LOVE with the Oiselle distance shorts. They aren’t long like you’re describing but they don’t chafe at all AND they have 3 pockets (1 interior, 2 exterior with zip) that are great. You should really check them out– plus they aren’t expensive!
It’s actually not the shorts that chafe me – it’s my thighs rubbing together!
My legs are so long that 3″ shorts look like booty shorts on me!
Love all the color coordinating! Totally something I would do 🙂
I love Adidas dry-fit light shorts. They come down just long enough to cover that chaffe area. Also, have you tried any sports glide or anti-chaffe cream? It works wonders.