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sports

running // the cheap sport.

April 8, 2015 by Rachel 1 Comment


image (30)
I used to think that running was the sport that required little monetary investment. All you need is a pair of shoes and an open road. Right?

Wrong. Oh so wrong.

Sure, you need shoes. But the more you run, the more often you need to replace your shoes. And only the right shoes will prevent injury. And shoes range in price from $50 – $250. On average, let’s say a good pair of running shoes costs $110 and need replaced anywhere from 3-6 months. Yes, you CAN run with cheap shoes; but I don’t recommend it. Cheap shoes are cheap for a reason.

If you want to run outside — which is the most fun, am I right?? — you’ll likely want to carry your phone with you for music. So you invest in an armband, such as the NeoSleeve for the iPhone, for your smartphone. This particular sleeve, which is my personal favorite (and costs less than $15 on Amazon) because it’s fairly inexpensive, water resistant, and has a space for your car key. Others can cost upwards of $20.

run-shoes2
And then you begin to run longer distances. Long distances require keeping yourself hydrated and also energy gels for fuel. So you decide to get a hydration belt. Which costs anywhere from $10 to $30. I paid approximately $24 for mine. And energy gels are an ongoing expense. You have to figure out which of the gels are best on your personal digestive system, but they range in price from $.85 to $2.00 each (this is the price if you purchase in bulk on Amazon; but if you purchase them individually, they are much more expensive).

Now that you’re running longer distances, you start to get aches and pains that come with the kind of wear and tear running puts on your body. Enter compression sleeves, KT Tape, and foam rollers.

run-gear
Compression socks run about $30 – $50; KT Tape is about $15 per pack; and foam rollers run anywhere from $10 to $70.

And then you sign up for a race. Let’s say a 5k or a half marathon. A 5k will probably run you between $25 – $35. A half marathon is anywhere from $50 to $150. That’s JUST your race entry (which may come with some ‘swag’ such as a t-shirt and post-race food).

If you are running in a cold climate, a gym membership or a treadmill may be necessary for your training. A cheap gym membership would run someone about $20 (hey, Planet Fitness!) a month. So about $240 per year. And a treadmill is a one-time investment of anywhere from like $800 – $1700. It’s insane how much a treadmill or a gym membership can cost. This past winter was cold — like -20 degrees cold. But we cancelled our gym membership and I started running on a treadmill, which is saving us monthly.

Some runners (OK — MOST runners) choose to run with a GPS watch, whether it be a Garmin or Nike watch. I had a basic Garmin and I hated it; but now I have a much more user-friendly Garmin that I LOVE to use! The battery lasts for my long runs and it controls my pace better than any iPhone running app could possibly do. These run $100 to $500. Mine is middle-of-the-road and runs about $170; but I have to admit I wish it had Bluetooth so it would update to the internet/my iPhone app automatically. (I know — first world problems, right??)

run-garmin1
Last but not least you’ll need running clothes. I used to be a Target running gear connoisseur; but that changed when I realized I was getting what I paid for — the clothes I was running in were not withstanding the wear and tear of my running regimen. I don’t feel like I was putting any extraordinary wear on my clothes, but somehow they were pulling and riding and wearing out in a major way. Also? Target charges like thirty-five bucks for running pants! Do you know you could spend just about $50 on a good pair that actually lasts?? I’m not saying that you need to shop at Lululemon; but go to a running store, but go to a running store and try on some gear made my athletic designers. Believe it or not, this makes a difference. I personally stalk down good deals with local running stores to find discounts on “expensive” running clothes.

I wanted to add up all of these costs, but my wallet told me that it would just depress me; so YOU do the math. It’s EXPEN$IVE to run — am I right!?

Basically, running is NOT cheap. In theory it should be just a “lace up and get out there!” kind of thing; but it isn’t. Not if you’re serious about it and doing it right. You don’t have to be a marathoner or even a half-marathoner to take running seriously; but I can tell you that once you put your mind to it and start running seriously, you’ll find a way to make these things a priority. And it’s totally worth it. <3

Filed Under: #GetFit, #SweatPink, 1/2 Marathon, Beachbody, deals, fitness, health, life, marathon training, mother runner, pictures, planet fitness, review, running, sports, workout Tagged With: #GetFit, #SweatPink, beachbody, fitness, health, just keep running, life, mother runner, MRTT, review, running, sponsor, sports, workout

life lately.

October 2, 2013 by Rachel 1 Comment

1380503861552 Life has been crazy lately — but in a good way. I realize I’ve been awful about updating our fun day-to-day workings, but I’m not at all sorry for that. 🙂 So here’s what we’ve been up to:

  • Ari & I visited my sister and brother-in-law in Columbus for a couple days. We wandered around downtown and shopped, ate, and drank yummy beer.

    I’m not gonna lie, it totally sucks not having my mom and sister nearby. And to make matters worse? All 3 of my sis-in-laws are out of town too. So I majorly lack girl time. But these impromptu trips to Columbus (TWO of them!!) were totally worth the drive.
    1379103096731 (1) Phonto (3)

  • Phonto (4) Oh, and we shopped. I love, love, love buying handmade and local!! Seriously, if there’s an addiction I have, it’s that. More than Etsy, more than Pinterest, there’s buying from local vendors. OBSESSED.
  • Phonto I’ve been going to bed either drastically early or way later than I should. Try like 8PM or midnight. Oy. My struggle to find balance in my life is evident EVERYWHERE.
  • I had a weekday morning off so I went up to Cleveland Yoga for a 6:30 am class with some of my favorites. As much as I adore Yoga Bliss here in Akron, I so easily find myself in a comfortable routine and feel the urge to change it up and challenge myself. Hence returning to CY for a class.
  • I ran the Akron Marathon Relay and loved all 42 minutes of the 4.8 miles! I not only exceeded my goal of running under 9 minutes per mile (woot, woot 8:45!) but I had my parents, amazing husband, and #BabyAri there to cheer me on! They watched me take the hand-off from the relay and then walked over to watch me finish and hand-off to the third leg of the relay!
  • Phonto (7) Phonto (8)

    Too bad as soon as I handed off I threw up.

    Phonto (6) 1380759646366
    This is a post-throw up pic. I’m just happy. Happy to be done throwing up and happy to be done running my ass off.

  • I went to another Wine & Canvas event. This time we painted the Cleveland city skyline, as seen from out on Lake Erie. It was totally fun, yet again. I mean, I don’t consider myself to be a very crafty person, but something about a glass of wine and painting during a stressful week is so therapeutic!

    1380245125077

  • I’ve been busy planning Ari’s party. Well, that’s kind of a lie. Because I start thinking about Ari’s party and then I panic, shut down and stop thinking about it just as quickly as I started. Pretty much the furthest I’ve gotten is sending invites out and buying this variation of his smash cake:
    IMG_7747-592x1024 Luckily I ordered his smash cake from Pure Delite, which is a gluten-free and vegan bake shop, well ahead of his allergic reaction to eggs simply because it’s a healthier option to a traditional cake. Well, good thing I did!
  • We visited the local apple orchard and the farmers market. I know it sounds strange, but going to the farmers market totally feeds my soul!
    Phonto (2)
  • The three of us had the chance to go to an Indians game in an incredible suite. It was Ari’s second Indians game, and his first in a suite (the last time we had tickets just behind 3rd base). I swear this child will be spoiled by awesome locally sourced organic food and only going to sporting events where he has awesome seats. Ha!
    1157731_10200857084122041_2085598028_n Phonto (1)
  • Ari learned to climb stairs on his own. So… yeah. There’s that.
    1379194374943
    (ugh)

Life has been nothing short of amazing lately. And I’ve been out enjoying it rather than blogging (regularly) about it. I am trying to post more often, but if you want to catch me daily, be sure to follow my Facebook page, my tweets, and follow on Instagram!

But, yeah, I’m not sorry about being busy. And I’m not sorry about living life and ignoring my blog. See that little guy? He’s about to be ONE. And things are finally fun. So I’ll be busy for a while 😉

Filed Under: Akron, Ari Davis, baseball, beer, Cleveland Indians, cleveland yoga, Columbus, crafty, fitness, fun, Indians, life, mommyhood, Ohio, pictures, running, sports, travel, yoga, Yoga Bliss Akron Tagged With: akron, ari davis, cleveland, explore locally, family, fitness, food, life, local, motherhood, ohio, pictures, running, weekend, workout, yoga

weekend wrap up.

October 25, 2010 by Rachel 3 Comments

This weekend = a total blur!


And not the kind of blur you get from too much alcohol. The kind you get from no alcohol, but lots and lots of things going on!

First things first: Go see the movie Red. Fantastic movie!

So my weekend goes like this:

Red = great movie.
Mexican food = deeeelish! And just what my life had been missing.
Football game = fun, but horribly played game by Akron.
Relaxing with BF at home = much needed!
yoga practice = amazing. and exhausting!
lunch with my parents = made me smile.
cleaning & laundry = much needed and complete!

And with that goes another weekend!
I’ve got a busy week ahead, but I’ve got my eye on Friday at 5!

What did you do this weekend?

Filed Under: Akron, Baptiste Power Yoga, BF, cleveland yoga, family, fitness, food, fun, life, Ohio, sports, weekend, yoga

hello, weekend.

October 22, 2010 by Rachel 6 Comments

I have been waiting to say this all week: Happy Friday!

Seriously, I don’t know what it was about this week, but I have been majorly jonesing for the weekend in a major way.

Plus, we have plans that I’m very much excited for!

Tonight is date night!

As soon as I get home from work, we are going to see the movie RED {the movie starring John Malkovich – yay! –
and Mary-Louise Parker – double yay
!}.

After the movie, we are going to my favorite
little Mexican restaurant,
Mariachi Loco! We pretty much eat here once a week, but we haven’t been in three weeks. I’m going through salsa withdrawls. BF knows it, so we are going. It feels like twelve years has gone by since I last ate their super delicious salsa!


And our weekend just starts there! We have tickets to the Akron Zips football game against the Western Michigan Broncos tomorrow afternoon.
Hopefully we will have beautiful, Ohio, fall weather!
{fingers crossed!}


To top it all off, Sunday my favorite {and first ever} yoga teacher is teaching a class while visiting Cleveland Yoga from California. I’ll have to share my story about my first ever yoga class sometime. But for now, just know, that Diana Vitantonio is an incredibly inspiring teacher to have. She moved to California a couple of years ago.
And I am so excited to be attending a visiting teacher class taught by her!


What are your plans this weekend?

Filed Under: Akron, Baptiste Power Yoga, BF, cleveland, cleveland yoga, fall, food, fun, life, movie, Ohio, plans, sports, weekend, yoga

the most wonderful time of the year.

September 30, 2010 by Rachel 16 Comments

How I know my favorite season is here:

1. Pumpkin everything. And. I. Love.it.

2. I no longer am getting funny looks for wearing 3 layers of clothing. Note: People do not think cardigans are appropriate summer attire.

3. We are five days away from my birthday. Yep, the big 2-6 is upon us!

4. I don’t recall the leaves changing color, but suddenly fallen leaves are all over our yard.

5. I want to do nothing more than cozy up with BF near the fire and watch awesome Fall TV, like Glee. Another sidenote: Holy heck I love that show.

6. We are thisclose to my fave holiday, Thanksgiving. Which means I am inches from going to Denver for the first time for Thanksgiving.

7. Football is back and the Bills are still losing, and I still love them. And I know have an excuse to drink beer and eat hotdogs on a Sunday again. Win!

8. Chili and amazing breads are back to being a staple in our diets.

9. Gray skies: they are just comforting this time of year.

10. Marking the anniversary of another year with BF. Yes, this just got a little cheesy. And now it’s done.

This has been part of Mama Kats Writers Workshop!
{image}

Filed Under: BF, birthday, Buffalo, Denver, fall, holidays, sports, writers workshop

Fall is for football!

September 7, 2010 by Rachel 8 Comments

So I have already “failed” at one of my goals. And by “failed” I mean altered.

We decided against going to the Akron vs. Syracuse game this weekend. There was a chance for rain and it was suppose to be pretty windy.

However, Thursday night we accepted an invite to go to the last preseason game of the Cleveland Browns. They played the Chicago Bears. We had a blast!

We had Legends Club tickets and great seats. And if we hadn’t had to wait 2+ hours in traffic beforehand, it would have been an excellent experience. But… we did. That was the only less-than-awesome part of the night!

It was my first game in this new {to me it’s still new} stadium. I have to say, the stadium is gorgeous, but the ticket prices are outrageous. Yes, our tickets were free because we went with friends… but the tickets were $285 a piece! A piece! Insanity.

{image}

The Cleveland Browns aren’t even good and they charge that much for 300 level tickets? This should be illegal. Just saying.

Perhaps I will go to another Browns football game. But I prefer Ralph Wilson Stadium in Buffalo. Not only do my Bills play there, but the seats are cheaper and the fans know they shouldn’t dish out mega bucks to see their fave team lose.

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Filed Under: Buffalo, cleveland, sports

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