New Loot!
One of the really fun things about the sports expo at this year's Race Weekend was that I actually took the time to browse. I didn't just zip in, get my race kit and drop off the donations I'd raised, and head straight back to the office. I went on my lunch hour, and ended up shopping while I was there. I hadn't really intended to buy anything since I couldn't allow myself to wear or use anything on Race Day that I hadn't tested out in training, but I ended up finding stuff nonetheless.
My first big score was at the Moving Comfort booth, a company which specializes in athleticwear made for women by women. They actually are the top-rated manufacturers of women's jog bras, and the staff was so helpful that before I knew it I was in a stall trying on various bras. It was like being fitted in a lingerie store, where they didn't want me to walk out with something unless I was perfectly satisfied with it. I learned that jog bras are only supposed to last six months (my old ones are all nearly two years old!!!). They have bras for everyone. Unfortunately, they only had white in the model that was perfect for me, and I do like having multiple bras since they tend to take a while to dry. But I still bought a white one. I managed to snag a black one at another store booth that happened to carry this brand of bras, and made sure it was the right size and model by pulling out my white one and checking the tag.
So, that was to be my first big score at the expo. I had to return the following day, however, and so I ended up doing another sweep of the exhibition hall. That's when I found socks. I knew I was going to need new socks this summer, as I had renewed my set last summer and figured a yearly change was once again required. I found special socks which offer the same anti-blister claims that my old ones did, but were truly seamless and had a really nifty section of weave designed to support the arch of the foot. With all the arch problems I'd been having, and the care I had to take with placement of the toe seams, these new socks certainly seemed to be the ticket. I snapped up a full complement of socks to replace my current ones, since the vendor was from out of town and therefore I couldn't just try out a pair and then buy more later.
After the race weekend, I took the various coupons I'd received at the expo and went on a shopping spree at Bushtukah. I needed to pick up more gels and another canister of E-Load, but I also wanted to look at headlights and pick up some Body Glide. The plastic clip on my headlight had been cracking over the wintertime, what with the cold outdoor conditions, so I knew I'd need a new one this fall. I got some great advice from the staff once again, and I'm looking forward to using my new headlamp once the afternoons begin to shorten again.
The only piece of loot that has eluded me is a new Garmin. I was really looking forward to the new 405s, but sadly they are too big for me. They are designed to look like a watch, but the moulding of the plastic does not allow it to encircle my tiny wrist properly. Instead, it juts out on either side, large enough for me to stick a finger between the band on either side. I would not feel safe swinging my arm with that kind of openness in the band. Just my luck to be smaller than some kids. I don't think the good folks at Garmin realize how small some adults can be. So, here's hoping my 201 can tough it out for awhile yet, and that the folks at Garmin somehow manage to shrink things so that they fit li'l ol' me.
My first big score was at the Moving Comfort booth, a company which specializes in athleticwear made for women by women. They actually are the top-rated manufacturers of women's jog bras, and the staff was so helpful that before I knew it I was in a stall trying on various bras. It was like being fitted in a lingerie store, where they didn't want me to walk out with something unless I was perfectly satisfied with it. I learned that jog bras are only supposed to last six months (my old ones are all nearly two years old!!!). They have bras for everyone. Unfortunately, they only had white in the model that was perfect for me, and I do like having multiple bras since they tend to take a while to dry. But I still bought a white one. I managed to snag a black one at another store booth that happened to carry this brand of bras, and made sure it was the right size and model by pulling out my white one and checking the tag.
So, that was to be my first big score at the expo. I had to return the following day, however, and so I ended up doing another sweep of the exhibition hall. That's when I found socks. I knew I was going to need new socks this summer, as I had renewed my set last summer and figured a yearly change was once again required. I found special socks which offer the same anti-blister claims that my old ones did, but were truly seamless and had a really nifty section of weave designed to support the arch of the foot. With all the arch problems I'd been having, and the care I had to take with placement of the toe seams, these new socks certainly seemed to be the ticket. I snapped up a full complement of socks to replace my current ones, since the vendor was from out of town and therefore I couldn't just try out a pair and then buy more later.
After the race weekend, I took the various coupons I'd received at the expo and went on a shopping spree at Bushtukah. I needed to pick up more gels and another canister of E-Load, but I also wanted to look at headlights and pick up some Body Glide. The plastic clip on my headlight had been cracking over the wintertime, what with the cold outdoor conditions, so I knew I'd need a new one this fall. I got some great advice from the staff once again, and I'm looking forward to using my new headlamp once the afternoons begin to shorten again.
The only piece of loot that has eluded me is a new Garmin. I was really looking forward to the new 405s, but sadly they are too big for me. They are designed to look like a watch, but the moulding of the plastic does not allow it to encircle my tiny wrist properly. Instead, it juts out on either side, large enough for me to stick a finger between the band on either side. I would not feel safe swinging my arm with that kind of openness in the band. Just my luck to be smaller than some kids. I don't think the good folks at Garmin realize how small some adults can be. So, here's hoping my 201 can tough it out for awhile yet, and that the folks at Garmin somehow manage to shrink things so that they fit li'l ol' me.