Getting Serious

Today I meet Haley in Fayetteville at Fleet Feet to get fitted for running shoes.

I was very nervous about it because I knew everyone there would be in shape and athletic. I had no need to worry. Everyone was so friendly and I felt like as much of an athlete as anyone in there. I think they made me feel that way so that was neat. My foot specialist (I just gave her that title for lack of a better one) was named Allison. She talked to me about how long I've been running and walking, my aches and pains, my goals/races that I was training for, etc. She had me walk barefoot so she could watch my walk and had me do a couple of squats with my legs shoulder width apart so she could see how my arches look and how I walk, etc. She really listened to what I said and helped me try on three different types of shoes and two different shoe inserts. I started out with a pair of shoes and they have a area kind of in the back that you can walk around on and get the feel for the shoes. I tried on the three shoes and ended up with the first pair which were probably the least cute, but I knew going in it was time to get serious about the right shoes if I want to be serious about this running thing and about doing what is best to get rid of my shin pain. Allison really felt that with the new shoes and inserts that my shin pain would be better or at least would be able to get better over time. I know she was a salesperson, but I believed her. She was sweet. Haley had a guy helping her and he seemed really nice as well. It reminded me of getting a pedicure because you kind of sit the same way and chit chat with the person working with you and the person you came with. When you sign up with Fleet Feet they record your purchases and you earn points/dollars. I earned $15 today (does that give you an idea of how much I spent?). The money expires in 3 months so I bought a headband. Haley bought another pair of socks.

This is the headband I got for "free". I wore it for my run today and it worked really well. 

Holding my short hair out of my face is a pain when I run. 

These are the shoes I got and a picture of the shoe inserts (not exciting but too expensive to not add to the picture). Not pictured are the $11 socks I bought that are moisture wicking.

This running shirt was on clearance and I loved so much about it. It has longer sleeves with a slit for your thumb to go through so more of your hand is covered. This will make the sleeve go over my gloves when it gets colder. I also like shirts with fitted bands at the bottom. It also had pockets. 

I miss pockets when I wear running clothes.

After Davin went for a run with me today he decided he needed an arm band to hold his phone. I just put mine under my bra strap...and yes it does get covered in sweat. We went to Wal*Mart and I found this one but Davin couldn't find one to fit his phone. I actually bought this one even though it was on my Christmas list. Davin has run twice and he already has to have all the latest gear so I didn't feel bad getting it today.  :)

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When we left Fleet Feet I rode with Haley to a cute boutique called Riffraff. I had never been there before. It was on the square in Fayetteville. When we got to the square we saw that they were having a farmers market. Fayetteville is a much more liberal/hippie town than anywhere else in Northwest Arkansas. The people there seem to live a life unlike that in the other towns nearby. The whole area just seemed to have a relaxed, young people vibe. The kind of vibe I've never fit into. It was neat to people watch though. At Riffraff I bought an Arkansas t-shirt. 

This is the shirt I bought. Yes, we were at Outback...don't judge. 

I can tell in my face and neck that I have lost weight. Alea looks cute as always!

After that we walked around the square some more. We went into a neat home decorating store. The kind of store where if the person you are with gets three steps ahead of you you can't find her again because there is so much stuff in the store and the store is so full of twists and turns. It was a cute place. Anyway, a man caught up to us and said he had been trying to find us for several turns (turns out it was his store and he got lost too). He had little Dixie cups of a red drink he called a "Wine-a-Rita". He said it was made with (cheap) wine and a margarita mix. I was having a blast being out and about in Fayetteville so I tried one and it was wonderful. I hate wine and beer so I was surprised how much I liked it. Haley liked it too. After we left the store and finished our cups I tried to convince Haley to go back for another Wine-a-Rita. She laughed. I guess she thought I was kidding. :)

After we went to a couple more boutiques we went to Bliss cupcakes. Haley knows somebody who owns Bliss or something like that. She pretty much knows everyone so I didn't catch what the connection was. I know the title of this post is Getting Serious but we got a little less serious for a minute at Bliss. Haley had a red velvet cake ball and I had this amazing goodness...

The Elvis

A dense banana cake with a chocolate pudding middle and peanut butter frosting. Chopped salted peanuts and a chocolate drizzle top the cake. (I copied this description from the Bliss webpage.)

It was very tasty. Okay, not the best cupcake I've ever had by far but it was still a great experience and a yummy treat. I told myself it was okay to eat it because it was a banana cupcake and I am trying to eat more potassium. :) They had gluten free cupcakes so I bought a strawberry one to take to Becky on Monday since she has to eat gluten free. The lady at Bliss said it would be good for two days so I hope she is right. Becky's yummy goodness is in this box. 

Okay, I felt bad that I was only showing the box so I went and pulled out Becky's cupcake so I could take a picture to show you. It looked better before it rode around in my car for an hour. The frosting is starting to fall off but I think it will still be yummy. Hmmm, I should have bought one for myself for Monday too. 

It's probably best I didn't though.

Gluten Free Strawberry Bliss

A moist strawberry cake with real strawberries baked right in. 

Topped with a delicious strawberry cream cheese frosting. 

The only two gluten free options were this strawberry cupcake and a red velvet cupcake. I think she will like strawberry better than the red velvet. 

Today was a very fun day. This evening I had to ask Davin if today was Saturday or Sunday because it felt like I had had such a good weekend I thought I had already had two days of fun. When he said today was still Saturday you can imagine my happiness. I was full of "Bliss".