I’m having a good day today. Seriously. I woke up, did my core work and PT hip strengthening stretches without any serious pain. I went and did some grocery shopping, then did some dynamic warmups, a 2+ mile treadmill run with a friend, and followed that up with my plyometrics for my hip…and I still do NOT hurt. At all. So it’s a good day. So I want to share some good stuff…
Because sometimes I just want to talk about random…stuff.
1. Lush’s 93,000 Miles Shower Jelly
Lately, I’ve been working on finding Celiac-friendly, non-chemical shampoos, body washes, lotions, etc. And while on this hunt, I was introduced to the 93,000 Miles Shower Jelly by Lush.
The description on Lush’s page reads:
Cool down and refresh
If you’ve been giving your muscles the runaround, plan a showertime run-in with this invigorating eucalyptus and mint jelly. Whether you’ve run a marathon or walked a mile this bright wobbly jelly will soothe aches and pains and send lingering cramps on their way. Take it straight out of the freezer and into the shower to enjoy the energizing power of invigorating peppermint and warming cinnamon leaf oils.
Let me just say, this stuff is amazing. Shower jellies are a little strange at first, but once you get used to them…yeah. And if you’re a runner like me with tired muscles at the end of a long run or hard push, then this jelly is for you. It is warm and soothing, with a strong scent of eucalyptus, mint, and cinnamon. And it feels wonderful to lather up, especially on those tired and sore muscles. I’m hooked.
2. Running Hills
Hills make you stronger, right? Right. Well, it just so happens that my physical therapist wants me running hills. Lots of hills. Because it actually works the adductor and hip flexor muscles which are causing me fits right now. Go figure.
This past Tuesday, I was out at Cherokee Park, doing hill repeats. 4 miles worth of hill repeats. You ever want to be humbled and made to feel both strong and weak at the same time…run hills. Really long hills. And them repeat. Six times. It was also super cold and I froze my face off. Guess that makes me stronger too…
3. Treadmill Running
It is no secret that I am not the biggest fan of treadmills. Guess what…neither is my physical therapist. That being said, sometimes it’s all you have as an option. Like…when weather gets bad…or ice, snow, sleet, lightning…something hits. I don’t own a treadmill…I probably never will, but I’ve had to make use of the one at the gym due to weather conditions here.
Today, I was invited out by my friend Amber to be treadmill buddies and fit in our runs today. A lot of our running peeps were out running in the snow, but with the two of us being out with hip labrum issues, we are treadmill bound. But the time flew as we just sort of chatted and talked and I can’t wait to do it again. I forgot I was on a treadmill for some of it.
4. Snowmageddon, Snow Days, Snow…
It is no secret…I am not big on winter. As a SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) sufferer, winter months are hard on me. Winter weather is hard on me too. My body hurts more, I slow down, it’s hard for me to breathe…and let’s not even get started on what it does to the skin on my hands. Cracking, peeling…it’s just not my favorite time of year.
That being said, we got about 4-6 inches of snow yesterday and, after being sent home early from work, I snuggled in, watched Disney movies, had a Girls Night In with my roomie and downstairs neighbor, and just made the most of it. Wine might have been involved. Italian Nachos too. And homemade macaroons. All the things. It was fun. It was just what I needed to chase away some lingering winter blues.
Is it summer yet? Because I do so much better in heat than in the tundra of winter. Seriously…I can sweat out any run, but my body reacts poorly to cold air. So…seriously…is it summer yet? I need a beach. Stat.
5. Disney/Pixar Animated Movies in Order
With the onslaught of the snowfall yesterday, and the better part of the day left with me and my roommate sitting on the couch at home, we made the most of it by squeezing in two of the next films in our quest to watch the Disney Animated Movies In Order™. We are polishing off 2008 with Pixar’s WALL-E and Disney’s Bolt.
I forgot how much I loved both of those movies. Seriously. That’s one thing this cinematic animated journey has taught me. Well…that and I really would have probably loved being a Disney animator, which was my very first dream job. Yep…I’m not just a runner, chef, and blogger…I can draw too.
6. Adagio Teas
Get used to hearing a lot about my favorite teas and tea companies. That’s going to be vastly featured in my blog…because my roommate really stocked me up on some local stuff, some new stuff, some fun stuff, and some of my favorites.
One tea that I discovered while in Chicago for the U2 concert was Adagio Tea. And my favorite is the Citron Green.
For starters, I love green tea. And this smells like Sprite. No, it really does. Their Web site describes it as:
Citron Green tea combines green tea from China with delicate flavors of lemon and orange. The clean vegetal notes of the green tea blend seamlessly with the citrus crispness. Delightfully sweet, lifted by the freshness of the lemon-orange. Not too dry or too citrusy. Citrus Green is an Adagio customer favorite, perfect hot or iced.
Yeah…it’s pretty amazing. I had it last night while watching Kingsman: The Secret Service and loved every sip of it. I remembered why it was one of my favorite teas of all time (and I drink a whole heap of a lot of tea!). Adagio Tea is based out of Illinois. Interested in trying some of their unique and fun teas…check out that link above!
There you go…six things…on a Saturday. ENJOY!
The Celiathlete 