Aches & Pains

So, the store where I bought my shoes has a 10-day "satisfaction guarantee." Not that I could get my money back, but if these shoes weren't The Ones, I could exchange them for store credit or try something else.

Do you think that still applies if my shoes have giant blood stains in the heels?

Still, I don't think I'll need to exchange them. I like them quite a lot. Even if I do have giant blisters on the backs of my ankles. I found a "running buddy," and we've been going every morning (all two of them) and running/walking around the neighborhood for just about 30 minutes. And, FYI, running outside is FREAKING HARD. SO much harder than the treadmill. It makes me wonder if it's worth it. But if I can get used to it, I think it will be more fun. And it's REALLY nice running with somebody as opposed to by myself, because when I'm not gasping for air, it's nice to be able to have a conversation.

Oh, and by the way, nice expensive running shoes do NOT make it any easier to breathe when I'm "running." Which is really more like jogging, or shuffling, even more so than when I'm on a treadmill. I'm not sure why even these extremely slow speeds are so much harder outside.

Also, I was at the gym doing lunges for the first time in a LONG time on Tuesday, and my legs STILL hurt. All day yesterday I was groaning and falling off the couch when I tried to get up. And limping everywhere. Not fun. But on the bright side, my muscles are so sore and tense, it makes my butt feel tight and sexy.

Because I'm sure everyone wanted to know that.

Shoes...... again

Ok, time's up. I HAVE to have new running shoes. I just tried going to the gym, and the bottoms of my feet feel like they've been pounded mercilessly (which, i guess they have), and even the tops of my feet/ankles and bottoms of my shins hurt when i walk. Or don't walk. They just hurt. Not quite shin splints, but it makes me want to flex and extend repeatedly to stretch out the area. On the bright side, I did better this time than I have recently. I may be slowly getting back into shape.

In any case, it's time to give in and get new shoes, or I might hurt myself. (And I'm sorry Julianne, but I'm gonna have to go the cheap route. I have NO money to be spending on this fledgling hobby of mine that may or may not be given up after I lose my gym membership, but I do have several gift cards to Kohl's. And any running shoe has to better than my old walking shoes, right? They're the same brands... just the cheaper end.... I'm sorry. DON'T JUDGE ME!)

Any opinions on New Balance running shoes? Or should I just stick with Nike/Asics? ... any runners out there besides my cousin?

I just realized this may be a very boring read for most people out there.

So, in other news (if anyone is still reading...) I feel very pudgy lately. And I'm trying to whip myself back into some semblance of shape before I have to appear before extended family in a bathing suit at Lake Tahoe. In 3 weeks. Yikes. It's not THAT bad, though. If I stop mindlessly eating twizzlers and m&m's all day and start going to the gym regularly, it shouldn't take too long for me to be OK with my shape again.

So, that's my goal.

She types as she sits on the couch eating chocolate funfetti birthday cake and chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream.

This is going well so far.