Saturday Night

I'm hanging out at home while Bill is out with friends. I got back from Iowa City this evening. I was planning to go to Shakespeare in the Park with Erin and Lisa last night, but it got rained out. We had a great time anyway. I love seeing them. I was thinking on the way home that I wished I had thought to bring my camera.

Today we we went to the farmers' market and did some shopping. None of us bought that much, but I did come away with a pair of sunglasses that ran me over $20. I don't think I've ever bought sunglasses before that cost more than $5.

I got up before Erin and Lisa this morning to get my run in. I did 10 miles. I felt absolutely fantastic until mile 8, when I started to fatigue. This may have been just because my hydration and small breakfast ran out. I still didn't feel terrible. Overall, it was a really good run and I enjoyed running from Erin's house. She lives in a really neat area outside of Iowa City/Coralville. Beautiful house.

Lots of hills though, which I am not used to running. I run relatively flat routes around Waterloo/Cedar Falls. I'm not sure if that's to protect my knees or just because I'm lazy. Or maybe because it just does happen to be flat around here.

I just took an ice bath--which really wasn't an "ice bath" because it didn't involve ice. It was a very cold bath with the bath water as cold as I can get it. It really is plenty cold enough. I lasted about 18 minutes in the tub. If Bill is home next time, I might have him dump some ice in the tub once I get in and see if that makes it much colder. After a couple of minutes, you get numb anyway. The worst is if you have to get out for something and then get back in. Tonight Alice got into some treats while I was in there and I had to get out and then back in. Damn Alice.

I bought a new pair of shoes, although they are either almost just like the Saucony ones I have or exactly like the Saucony ones I have. Lately I am into Saucony--they seem to fit me well. I've had a few pairs from their Pro-Grid series. Nike typically fits me well, but they sometimes slip off my heel a tad, which is a typical problem I have with any shoes, even dress shoes. I also seem to have remained relatively injury-free in Saucony, so maybe I'll stick with them for a while and see how it goes. This is my latest pair:

http://www.runningwarehouse.com/descpageWRS-SOM8W4.html

I recommend them if 1) you have narrower heels, 2) you have fairly low arches, and 3) you are an over-pronator. They were pretty reasonable in cost as well.

While I am touting products, I should say that LL Bean has the best customer service in the world. Karl has a dog bed from them that we bought about 18 months ago. He loves it! The cover is wearing thin and has a couple of tears. LL Bean will replace it for free. They will replace any of their products at any time! Murphy and Gus have collars with their names and phone numbers on them from LL Bean. When they are worn out, all we have to do is send them back and the company will replace them free of charge.I will always buy from a company who stands by their product. LL Bean has my business.

This is the website with Karl's bed. He is 115 pounds, but only has the medium, so they are good sized. It is monogrammed as well with "Henninger." I thought if I put "Karl" on it Murphy would get jealous.

http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/44560?page=premium-denim-dog-bed-set&parentCategory=7425&cat4=1170&shop_method=pp&feat=134-sub1&np=Y

I just finished reading Paula Radcliffe's autobiography. I don't give it a 10, but it was worth reading. I've heard that Paula is criticized for not being very personable or relatable, and I can see where that comes from. I would have been interested in reading a more updated version where she discussed winning the London Marathon 9 or so months after giving birth to her daughter. The time frame of the book ended in 2005. I hear she is pregnant again now (5.5 months), and running 14 miles a day. She doesn't want to lose her form for the Olympics in London in 2012 (she's British).