I headed out to The Cheesecake Factory to meet up with Ryan and some of his coworkers for a goodbye lunch in Ryan’s honor.
Our group included three of Ryan’s closest coworkers and I felt honored to receive an invite!
Lunch began with the bread basket.
I had two pieces of brown bread that was warm and delicious.
Then our entrees were served.
I ordered the fresh vegetable salad.
Can you believe that salad is a small? It was bigger than the large salad from Greens & Grille!
A couple of years ago one of my former coworkers and I were talking about the ridiculous portion sizes at Cheesecake Factory when she told me to order one of their “small” salads as my entrée because they’re big enough to fill you up, but not too big that you leave the restaurant feeling like a bus.
She was totally right and the small salad portion was perfect!
I also snuck a few bites of Ryan’s meal, as always.
Now I’m back at home where I will be working as a realtor shows four different people our apartment. Not my ideal afternoon, but at least I have something fun to look forward to this evening… An engagement party for my friend Laurel!
My Favorite Running Gear
Yesterday I received an email from a blog reader asking me about my favorite running gear. After I replied, I figured it might make a decent post topic! I am obviously not an expert runner by any means, but I’ve grown to love the following gear as I’ve trained for two half marathons and run for fun in between.
My favorites include:
- Nike tempo running shorts: These shorts are perfect because they don’t ride up and cause chafing and they wick away sweat and don’t cling to your body.
- Garmin Forerunner 305: When I first opened this watch, I felt like it looked like a giant calculator and would feel big and bulky on runs. Luckily, I don’t even notice it! Sure it’s a bit bulky, but it does a great job of tracking pace, mileage, calories burned, etc. Wearing this watch helps motivate me to run a little faster and gives me freedom to just take off running without charting out a route of the exact mileage I wish to cover.
- BIC Bands: These are my favorite headbands to run in because they honestly don’t slip! Hallelujah!
- Thorlo padded running socks: Slightly thicker than other socks, these socks protect my feet from blisters but aren’t so thick that they cause extra sweating. The padding is along the heel and the ball of the foot, making them extra comfortable.
- Mizuno Wave Rider running shoe: I first purchased these shoes when I was training for my first half marathon and they worked so well that I purchased another pair when I started training for my started training for my second half. Lots of support + no blisters = Winner!
Question of the Afternoon
- What workout clothing items or accessories are your favorites?
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I LOVE my lululemon no-slip head bands…and weight lifting in my converse all stars!
I love Nike Tempo shorts too, but my favorite pair (light grey) makes me look like I wet myself every time I wear them. I guess I sweat strangely because they are visibly soaked after I run. I also love those Thorlos, (especially all the fun colors).
I also love Champion’s skinny strap target sports bras from Target. They’re cheap & I find myself buying a new color every time I’m in there. Is it weird that my sports bra & socks are basically the same price?
I just bought some AWESOME Underarmour running tights that I love. I’m going to to buy a couple more pairs, that’s how much I like them. They are great at wicking away sweat, plus they don’t show off my cellulite like other tights do 😉
I love my Mizuno Wave Runner’s too! So much that when my dog chewed up my first pair, I ran right out and bought another one immediately.
How was that salad at Cheesecake Factory? I went to order it once and waiter discouraged me-he said he’s worked there for 5 years and only 2 people have ordered it from him and both said they didn’t enjoy it? I think it looks good though! My favorite running gear are Tempos (all the colors are so fun), my Brooks, my iBelt that holds my iPhone on my waist instead of my arms,Nike headbands, my road id, and my Jog Log app!
My Under Armour sports bra is phenomenal. It doesn’t let ANYTHING move, but it’s still amazingly flattering. Best of both worlds!
I also love my new Asics (GT 2160s). They are the first shoe I’ve bought that have offered enough support to eliminate my knee and hip pain. It’s like a miracle happened when I bought these and I’m never going back!
Nike tempos, my Garmin 305 and my Asics! Can’t live without them…. I reallyyyyyy need a BIC band or a Bondi Band too!
I loooove my Mizuno Wave Runner’s too!
I also LOVE my Lululemon Inspire Crops. They are the only capri pants that actually stay up, survive multiple washes (and don’t smell after I rewear them 3 days in a row hehe). They are well worth the $$$ 🙂
Nike tempos, Garmin 405 watch, Champion by Target bras, Lululemon racerback tanks, ipod nano! Also recently got a nike running hat which I love for when it’s really sunny out!
One of my new running favorites is the ifitness belt that I bought at the Boston Marathon expo. I holds a lot and doesn’t ride up at all. Plus you can attach your race number to it so you don’t have to put safety pin holes in your shirt.
Thanks for sharing your favorites! I want to try those socks, and the BIC bands.
I love all the ones you mentioned. I don’t have a bic band, but really want to get one to see if I like it better than the bondi band. I like how it’s thinner.
I love running in my Under Armour shorts and any lightweight tank. I just use the Goody bands for my hair from Target. I am dying to get a Garmin Forerunner. I have heard such great things. I currently run with my phone shoved in my sports bra to use runkeeper. Classy, no? Only 6 months til Christmas!
I love my Garmin and I also couldn’t live without my Ipod!
I love my Garmin Forerunner 405. I totally agree that it is nice not having to pre-map out a route before heading out on a run! I also like Nike Tempo shorts and a pair of running capris that I have as well. One of these days I would like to splurge on myself and get a Lululemon outfit! 🙂
okay…I have those exact pink thorlo socks! LOVE them..I won’t run in anything else. I know they are $$, but worth every penny..never a blister since!
Love that CKF vegetable salad!! But you are right the portions are ginourmous — but there are always doggie bags and at least 2 other meals 😉
I mostly do yoga and a good mat is a must have. Manduka Pros are pricey but worth it and have a lifetime warranty! Athleta makes great tops that are also stylish. Victoria’s Secret has surprisingly awesome yoga pants and shorts. I would love to try out Lulumon sometime. I hear great things about them.
I bought the Garmin Forerunner 305 a couple of months ago, and I don’t think I could run without it now. I had to laugh at your description, because my husband Jason makes fun of my “calculator watch.” I think he’s just jealous 😉
I love those nike shorts! I own so many and my friends make fun of me for spending so much on them, but they are comfortable and I have never had chafing from them!!
On another note, I love the brown bread at the Cheesecake Factory and their portions are HUGE, I always order an appetizer as my meal there.
i will not run without my bondi band. i sweat like a pig and it’s the only thing that will catch my sweat and stay in place, too! i also have to have my moving comfort sports bra or there is no way i can run!
The tempo shorts really are the best…so comfy!
Yay for the party tonight! You are so sweet 🙂 And I love my runner’s fanny pack for holding snacks on long runs, my nike shorty-shorts (I dont even care what I look like in them bc they are so comfortable. Thanks Merri!) and of course, the garmin. xox
I loove nike tempo shorts!! 😀 So awesome!
I love nike tempo running shorts! We also have a victoria’s secret vsx store here (it’s their workout line) and I LOVE their sports bras. The ones that have some underwire provide great support!
Nike gear is by far my fave – Pacer shorts and tops! Great fit and comfy. Also LOVE Thorlo socks. I wore them for my last marathon and they absolutely rocked. SmartWool socks are a close second.
I also LOVE the garmin 305! Along with the Aerie sports bars 🙂
I’ve been looking for headbands that don’t slip! After having my babies I have all these baby hairs growing back and they get in the WAY!!
I’m in love with the dry wear from Target (I don’t know the exact name) by Champion. But really anything I can get a steal on from Marshalls/TJMaxx I’ll take it!
After hearing you talk so highly of your BIC Bands so often, I’m finally going to make moves and order one for myself! I’m sure my hair is going to thank me soon 🙂
How did you go to the Cheesecake Factory and not split a piece of cheesecake? I actualy have part of a piece in my fridge waiting for me tonight 🙂
i had plans to go to the dessert lady tonight, so i held off knowing i’d be eating even BETTER dessert later today! 🙂
I love my Aetrex Edge Runner shoes. Part of the heel is cut out and replaced with a velcro strap so I can tighten it way up for runs or loosen it when I need some extra wiggle room (dang lunges!). I also love my EcoSox bamboo sports socks. They have the same type of cushioning as you mention and wick away moisture for about $5 a pair!
I love the cheesecake factory! 😀
Don’t judge me (most people don’t agree) but I love my shape-ups! 😛 the absorbs shock and are so easy on my joints! They take walking to a whole new level as far as i’m concerned! 😛
mm! That cheesecake factory brown bread is a definite winner for me!
I love that you shared your favorite running gear with us! I’m always really excited to buy new workout apparel since it motivates me to get up and go in the morning. Those socks look like their wearing lego man hair attachments! i love it!! haha 🙂
Lululemon’s tata tamer sports bra and groove crop
Nike’s air pegasus+ 27 running shoe (perfect for supinators with large feet!)
Gap’s yoga pants
Thanks for this post! I’m training for my first 5K and need all the advice I can get 🙂
And not to scare you, but just some advice: be careful with people touring your house! My best friend was just in a similar moving situation, and a few days before she and her fiance moved, their apt was broken into (they believe by someone who toured it with a broker) and all of her electronics and jewelry were stolen. Make sure you put away your valuables during the tours and take extra care to lock up when you leave!
they’re ** 🙁 oh no! My excitement over the lego man socks made me commit a spelling pet peeve of mine! noooo!!
Comfortable shoes! So important!
I have the exact same Mizuno’s and I LOVE them!
I will definitely be checking out those running shorts, I’ve been looking for a pair recently, running in crops during the summer just gets too hot!!
I love the Cheesecake Factory. One of my closest friends always have our girls night out there. The bread is amazing. I’m a big fan of the brown bread and the sourdough isn’t too bad either. Yes, the portions are large (especially those salads), but leftovers are great too.
I’m curious to know if the realtor told potential tenants about the mice.
I agree with you on the CF portions! Those small salads are the perfect size to leave room for a slice of cheesecake after lunch/dinner.
I love Nike’s running shorts as well–and I’ve found that Champion athletic gear from Target is pretty slick as well!
I love my Nike runners…I’ve never bought anything else! I also love anything Lululemon 🙂
I *love* tempo shorts! I don’t really run, but I use them for many of my other workouts. I also really like Nike sports bras. I used to workout in whatever I could dig out of my drawer, but I love the extra motivation a nice collection of workout gear gives me!
I need to get myself one of those garmin forerunners! i’m a little ocd when it comes to finding out how much i burn during a workout. call me crazy, but i like to know!
I need to get some of those shorts!! I’ve ordered some BIC bands – can’t wait to get them!! 🙂
Is that the Cheesecake Factory at Millenia!?
The vegetable salad there is phenomenal– Once I even asked for salmon on it and pretty much died & went to heaven
yes it is!
Thanks for the great info! A couple years ago I got fitted for running shoes at a running store and they suggested Mizunos. I was used to Asics, though, and found that the Mizunos made the bottom of my feet hot, which was weird. I might try another pair, but for now I love my Asics! 🙂
Weird answer: my wedding ring!…. I love how it sparkles in the sunlight and gives me a million different things to think about.
🙂
I have a ballin’ pair of Mizuno Wave Precisions that would be my favorite if they actually fit my feet. Fail. I’ve been meaning to sell them on eBay or something so I can get myself some shoes that don’t cause my feet to bleed. That would be lovely. I also got a pair of Champion shorts at Target on Saturday (not running shorts, just regular active shorts) and while I wasn’t in love with them on my run yesterday, I’m wearing them now and they are ridiculously comfortable. Bliss.
I am obsessed with two old pair of running shorts that I found at Old Navy about two years ago. They are dying on me and they don’t sell them anymore. I try not to wear them too often now… Tear 🙁 I have no butt or thighs so most shorts make me look like I’m running in parachutes. Haha
I’ve heard so much about the Garmin ForeRunner! Would love to own one!!
I have just been catching up on your blogging for the least few days…a MAY-JUH congrats on the new job for Ryan!! Such a big year for you guys!