Old and busted, new hotness

Finally broke down and got new kicks. I've had my old ones for about two years, and they've got a few hundred miles on them. My legs and feet were starting to get a little more wear and tear on them than I'd like, so I figured it's about time for a new pair. When I got the last ones I was working towards running a 5k, now I'm working towards a half marathon! Hopefully these green babies will help get me there. The colors sure are... vibrant. I'm calling them my hulk shoes.

As far as running progress goes, I've hit a bit of a wall this month. We've been going pretty hard since January and making wicked progress, but lately, it's been rough. I've been suffering from serious allergies, like worse than I've ever had. Ever. Breathing has been challenging to say the least, especially in the last week. Between that and the increasing heat, our runs have been shorter and slower and rougher. We squeezed in a slow six miles this week, but that's the longest we've run in a while. Yesterday I managed a depressing two miles before I, literally, wheezed to a stop. I hate these allergies. Hate, hate, hate. It's so bad it's almost like a cold or bronchitis or something evil. It's migrated from my head to my chest in the past week, so I'm hoping it's on it's way out? I don't know. It's making me sad, and it just needs to go.

And dear lord, running in the heat and humidity is a whole different ball game. And it's not even summer heat yet. I'm hoping we'll acclimate at some point (I mean, it has to happen right? It has to get easier?), and then this fall when it cools down we'll be speed demons (HA). I'm trying really hard not to get to disappointed and down about how much harder it is to run lately. I'm thinking of the summer just as a training season. I'm not sure if I'll be able to increase my mileage, much less hit that elusive 13.1, but I'm going to keep on running. Boogers in my chest or not. And that can only make me better, right? I came across "JFR" (Just F-ing Run) while researching places to get shoes (Rogue Running!) and I've been using it for motivation. Feels like hot soup outside? JFR. Worked 13 hours today? JFR. Can't breathe because you're insides are coated in boogers? JFR. Here's more.

And on an unrunning related note: Here is Sophie, squeezed in my shoe box. It was empty on the floor for a good 45 seconds before she got into it.

Fluffy fat kitty, you're so silly! JFR, y'all.

Meet the new kicks

I got myself into a pickle with my old shoes fell apart on me this weekend. BAM no shoes to run in, work out in, do anything active in. I panicked a little.

I went to Luke's Locker (thank you so much Kristy and Roxanne for all your running shoe knowledge!!) and a nice gentlemen there helped me on my quest for a new pair of shoes. He watched my feet while I walked around and had me run through the store (embarrassing). We settled on a pair of Saucony's, although I did have my heart set on getting some Brooks running shoes at first, since we share a name and all.

 
After I decided on getting these babies the guy who was helping me said, "I'm sorry but this is the only color these come in, is that okay?" I laughed. Boy please, gimme them pink shoes!

They're lightweight and super comfy and fancy as all get out. A world of change from my ancient Nike's. And they were pricy. Running shoes are not cheap, but I'm hoping they will be worth it. I actually looked online everywhere after I bought them trying to find a better deal, but no such luck. I guess it was meant to be.

So meet my new kicks y'all. I've named them, because I'm weird like that. The left is Molly Weasley and the right is Minerva McGonagall (yes, I went there). They'll help me run farther, I just know it. Together we'll do great things.

In other shoe related nonsense, since losing my old funky shoes and gaining this new fancy pair, I no longer have shoes I can just muck around in. Brendon and I joined a softball team for the summer, and I'm a little wary of taking these babies into that red dirt. Also I do not plan on taking Molly and Minerva on any obstacle courses full of mud. So I am also on the look out for a cheap, but decent, pair of tough shoes. Maybe some trail running shoes. We'll see. A girl can never have too many pairs of shoes.

Thrifting in Austin

Okay, so you know Austin. It's weird, it's "hip", and retro is in. Naturally there are a ton of vintage/thrift stores everywhere. We ventured out to a few pretty cool ones today. I've recently became interested in collecting old pyrex, so I've been on the look out for places that might carry it.

First we went to Hogwild. They have a bunch of vintage furniture, homegoods, and some fabulous clothing from the 50's-70's. This is where I found one of the cutest and sweetest dresses ever. It was beautiful. It was white with thin vertical baby blue embroidered stripes, I should have taken a picture. It was the perfect length, not too short but not so long it looked frumpy. The perfect summer dress. I was IN love with this dress. And it fit me perfectly... except in my.. chest area. I couldn't get the zipper to shut and I was in danger of busting off the adorable cute oversized button it had in the front. I was seriously devastated and had a little minor melt down in the dressing room. I thought maaaybe I could alter it to fit, but there was no way. So if there is some tiny little lady out there in need of a fabulously fun wardrobe addition, this dress is waiting for you, go get it. Or I will buy it and just stare at it in my closet. My dream dress not fitting got me a little down, but I did find these FANTASTIC shoes:

They are the best. Little baby oxfords! I don't know a lot about shoes but I think they're vintage and they're Salvatore Ferragamo. And they say "Made in Italy" on them. Fancy! They are incredibly comfortable (like the softest leather I've ever felt on shoes) and fit me like a glove. And they say if the shoe fits... obviously wear that nonsense. The only problem with them is the insole is not attached so it comes out every time you take them off. I feel like that is easily fixable (super glue?) and if you have any ideas on the best way to do so, please share! I am sooo excited for fall to come so I can wear these and not have my feet sweat to death. Until then, I may or may not be wearing them around the house.

Next we went to Ermine Vintage which was more 80's-90's styling. I'm not really a fan of that kind of stuff, but it was definitely very entertaining to look at. They had some crazy dresses in there, puffed sleeves was only the beginning.

Our last stop, and original destination, was Room Service Vintage. This place was super cool. It was a lot like the first place but way bigger with way more stuff. They had a TON of awesome furniture (think velvet everything) that was in great shape. They also had pyrex! Mostly overpriced and damaged pyrex, but they had a couple pieces that were in good shape. I got the cutest little bowl. We probably paid too much for it, but it was calling my name.

Look at those stripes! Too cute. Yes I am calling a bowl cute. Don't judge me. I foresee eating guacamole out of this little baby.

On the way home Brendon and I discussed this new interest of mine (he's not too thrilled) and decided that our best bet would be garage and estate sales. Pyrex is a pretty common household staple in America and I'm out to find it on the cheap. Antique and vintage stores tend to mark it up like crazy because it's collectable, I saw some seriously gnarly bowls at that place for like $25. Get outa here with that! Garage/estate sales are probably our best bet. People who just want to get rid of their stuff and quick, I'm coming for your pyrex!

Brendon got a little tie clip while on our expedition. We found a bunch of neat ones (like one with a wellsfargo wagon on it!) but they were all gold and Brendon just can't pull off gold. A lot of people can't pull of gold actually. Including me. I think he may have been a little down about just getting a tie clip. There were tons of cool guys shoes but he has sasquatch feet so none of them seemed to be his size. Plus I made him look at pyrex. Poor baby! Next time we'll find more boy things. I did see him eying a bunch of vintage Playboys...