I went running this morning. I unintentionally ran into the My Waterloo Days parade in downtown Waterloo. It was fun. Lots of dance teams, gymnastics, music, kids, dogs, etc. One things I noticed was that there was NO candy. None at all. I assume it was against the rules to throw candy off of parade floats. What is the world coming to when you can't throw candy in a parade?
A particularly bright spot of the parade was when God provided me with Gatorade halfway through my run. Okay, maybe it wasn't God; it was Prairie Lakes Church. They had a little stand with free hot dogs, water, and Gatorade. I had two or three dixie cups of Gatorade and one of water. I passed on the hot dogs, but many people were cramming them done like they were in a hot dog eating contest, although it was probably not even 10 a.m. yet. Breakfast of champions.
It was a warm morning. I didn't leave here until about 9:20. I should have left earlier. I ran about 6 1/2 miles. It felt like longer than that, but that's probably because I'm not used to running in the heat yet. I've decided I am going to pick up my mileage some in the next few weeks. A few years back, it wasn't a big deal for me to go out for a 8-10 mile run at least three times a week and do shorter runs on the other days. I'd like to get back to that.
Anyway....
I've been doing some thinking. In one way and probably only one way, I am like Oprah. Oprah has a list of favorite things. So do I. However, Oprah's list actually impacts the sales of the products. I guarantee that mine will not. Nevertheless, there are a few products (pet supplies, running gear, foods) that I am quite attached to. Here is my list, in no particular order. I am going to put in links for some of them.
Keep in mind that you can only see the links if you go to the actual blog. If you are emailed this blog, you can go to http://themediocrerunner.blogspot.com/ to see pictures and links of the items. If you go to the blog instead of just reading this emailed text, you also see the design of the blog and any backgrounds, logos, etc. In other words, it's more aesthetically pleasing.
1. Nike Be Strong Capri pants: These are great. I have two pairs. I wear them to teach aerobics and for running when it’s not too hot out. They dry quickly and are very flattering. They are fitted enough to stay in place but tight enough that I feel self-conscious. Maybe a little expensive, but definitely worth it.
2. Kongs: We have several sizes and shapes of Kongs. They keep dogs busy when you are gone or need them to NOT be annoying. Some friends of mine had a puppy with separation anxiety, and a Kong worked wonders in keeping him occupied and quiet while they were gone.
3. Crystal Light Energy: A few years back, Crystal Light started making little packets to add to 12 or 20 ounce water bottles. They have some that are caffeinated, like the wild strawberry flavor. It gives me a nice boost before I work out or when I need to get going in the morning. My husband and I have started calling them “diesel.”
4. Fiber One bars: Think of these as candy bars that have some nutritional value. They aren’t low in sugar but the amount of fiber keeps you full. My favorite is the oats and caramel. Or maybe the oats and peanut butter. I should warn you that these bars are really sweet. Some of you may think they are TOO sweet, but I don't know what it means when people say that. To me, there is no such thing as too sweet.
5. Gentle Leader: When I take Murphy running using a regular collar, he’s all over the place. He wants to chase rabbits and is somewhat hard to control. When he wears the Gentle Leader, he is focused and the best running partner you could ask for. It makes all the difference. It also comes with a DVD on how to fit your dog with the Gentle Leader. I probably would have not known exactly how to put it on him if I had not watched the DVD.
6. Paula’s Choice products: Although these products are generally not as cheap at products you would buy at Walmart, they are not as expensive as Estee Lauder, Lancome, etc. I love that Paula’s Choice is marketed realistically. They make a point of not promising things (like looking 10 years younger) that are impossible. I should add that the skin care products are awesome, but the makeup is only average. They do have great customer service. Paula’s Choice is only available online.
7. Viactiv Calcium plus D: This will make you look forward to taking your calcium. And, from what I have heard, most of us are deficient in vitamin D. They have chocolate, caramel, and raspberry. I like the raspberry best.
8. Nature’s Miracle: We have six pets, so I consider myself an expert here. This is the only thing that we’ve found that really eliminates the smell of urine, particularly cat urine. Don’t be afraid to use a lot. It works amazingly well.
9. Swiffer: Why didn’t someone think of this sooner? I probably use the Swiffer about every other day to do a quick “mopping” of our kitchen and sun room. It works on all sorts of floors, including hard wood. The pads are rather expensive but I have realized I can use one more than once. They remind me of huge maxi pads. You can get the best deal on the cleaning liquid and pads at Sam’s Club.
10. Lands End swimsuits: I don’t have a particular one in mind to recommend. The best part is that you can mix and match tops and bottoms. They have swim shorts—and I don’t mean those stupid little boy shorts that make my hips look 8 miles wide. They have some that are short but a bit baggier. Love them! I bought a pair in high school that I wore for about 7-8 years. I just bought another pair (they came in the mail today), and I'm not sure why I waited so long. All of their suits are high quality and last for years. They can be more expensive, but often they have swimwear sales where you can get 20% or 30% off as well as free shipping. Lands End is also known for customer service.
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