A Secret Running Affair

I have been secretly running with a new running partner. You see, a week ago, I aggravated my hip flexor. I saw an athletic trainer and was told I had strained it. To rest. To do certain stretches. Um...Idonotthinkso. Three weeks before the half that I have been training for MONTHS. There was no way I was going to throw in the towel. I figured, at the very worst, I would hobble my way across the finish line before they closed down the course. Quitting was not an option.

A few running homies suggested I look into a foam roller. I did. And while in the aisle I spotted what would become my new love. The Marathon Stick aka torturous muscle massaging device sworn on by the associate at Sports Basement. He looked like a very in-shape guy. He claimed to have run marathons and said the stick was a must have. Desperation took over. I bought it. Shocking, I know.

And you know what, it's truly amazing. Painful, but amazing. I am all about gimicks and gadgets. I am a sucker, I completely realize that. So, it will come as no surprise that I also splurged on a pair of Reebok Easy Tone shoes after reading that simply wearing them will tone my butt, thin my thighs, and help me lose weight. Well, one week later. I've gained two pounds, my ass feels bigger than normal, and my thighs hate me.

No really. The shoes are comfortable. I don't, however, believe that they do anything remotely miraculous. People are losing weight and toning up because they are likely walking more in the shoes than they were prior to buying them. All this said, I still wear them. And hope. Total sucker. That's me.