LOLZLetter 278 Random Thoughts About Random Things
Welcome,
It's Monday morning, and ahead of a busy work week, I haven't even started the newsletter. Usually, I try to get most of it written over the weekend. Did I do that? No. I needed Friday night and Saturday morning to recover from the last work week (it feels like I've been in the weeds for the last month with no signs of breaks until my vacation the first week of July).
Anyway, here we are, Monday morning... me staring at my computer, wondering what I should write. I have a newsletter half-written about the best sunscreens for summer running, but truthfully, I wasn't really in the mood to finish the last 25%. So that can sit for another day, if ever.
This newsletter is just some random life things, random thoughts on my mind, and things I've been loving now that it's the temperature of the surface of the sun.
This weekend, I finally ran under 20 minutes in the 5k at the Long Beach Classic. I've been working towards that goal for at least two years since my back injury, then the flu, then whatever last summer was, then COVID, and now here. I spent most of last summer working towards that goal, and every time I was close, it just wasn't the right day. The course was short (Angels 5k). The course had too many turns (OC Fair Run). I just flat out didn't feel good (LOL, last year at the Long Beach 5k or track 5ks). Honestly, I didn't even feel great on Sunday either; it just happened. And I won. Another thing I haven't done for literal years. In another life, winning a 5k, breaking the tape, and running under 20 minutes wouldn't have been a big deal. But it is now. And I was so pleased. Anyway, it was a good weekend. Coupled with going back to the Reptile Zoo and seeing more snakes, I had a great time.
Second, Parker Valby won the 10,000 meters in Vaporfly spikes. To be fair, Parker would have likely won if she wore regular spikes or even trainers. But her appearing with Vaporfly spikes is giving me 2016 Olympic Trials vibes. No one else had these spikes available to them (or if they did, I missed it, so please correct me).
At what point is the sport about who trains the best or who responds best to super shoes? To be real, most elite runners are at the same fitness level; it just depends on whose day it is. But if you have two people who can run 32-minute 10ks in racing flats, and one person just responds better to super shoes, the responder will win, get contracts, etc., etc.
Am I bitter because I'm not a super shoe responder? LOL, no. I just don't think the sport is completely fair that way. "Back in the day," when everyone was racing in flats, you were solely relying on your body to propel you, not how your body responded to cushioning. Anyway, I'm happy for Parker; she's hilarious, but not as happy that these spikes were not available (to my knowledge?) to everyone. Plus, little-known fact: you can't use Vaporflys for elite track races (so professionals cannot... but NCAA can). This means she can't use them to qualify for the Olympics.
Last up, it's hot in the Mojave Desert and probably everywhere. Luckily, we only have a few triple-digit days this week, thanks to 30 mph winds. Some things that are non-negotiable for me this summer:
Supergoop Sunscreen (review here): I love this face/moisturizer combination. I was wary of $44 for a small thing, but it's worth it.
Tifosi sunglasses: (review here...but I need to update it) Tifosi sunglasses make shades that are between $25-$100+, and their $25 shades are so good. You don't have to worry about the lenses scratching or peeling. I find them the highest quality of brands in that price range.
Stuffing my water bottles in deep shorts pockets: I've used Rabbit, Janji, and Brooks shorts with deep pockets. I don't know why I never thought of actually putting my water bottle there, but yay for not holding it.
Drip Drop: This stuff is truly the best for electrolytes fast. Less salty than LMNT, but I add two and carry it with me on every run. It definitely works, and I don't feel like complete garbage during hot runs.
I guess I had enough to get to about 750 words. In hindsight, I think I started a newsletter to babble about random things on my mind each week, not to curate the best X or best Y. So maybe. Enjoy your week!
What is keeping me entertained?
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