Run.Link.Repeat

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Happy Monday!
What better way to spend a COLD (15 degrees and SNOWING) day than to SHOP? Oh yeah, talking about shopping for running gear. Der. Yay for my first link up!
But first, a little housekeeping.
My Ragnar team fell through. SUPER sad day. So now short hair is scrambling to fill her race calendar for the year. Besides my half mary in March I've got NADA for the first half of the year and I'm starting to freak out a bit. Morale of the story? Who wants to form a Ragnar team sometime in 2013 (2014?)? Meanwhile I'll ponder running THREE half's in a month (to catch some local races before the first part of the year is over). People do that, right?
FLOTUS rocked an AMAZEBALLS crimson gown for the Inaugural Ball. Which makes Jason Wu 2 -2 dressing the First Lady. Clearly he is headed to fashion heaven as a VIP...
                                     {source}                                                                 {source}
The yoga studio near me is a holding a 30 Day Yoga Challenge aptly named "Bend Over and Take Your Shoes Off". 10 days left and if all goes according to plan I'll complete 30 classes in 30 days and be entered to win a FREE year of Yoga. It goes without saying I haven't been running since December this month - but I TOTALLY did my training plan prescribed 10 miler this weekend. In my imagination. February its ON. I propose a "28 in 28 challenge". It can be running, yoga, whatever your little heart desires. Who's with me?
New to running, I learn something new everyday (Splits - who knew?), but one thing I have demystified is my gear. I know what I likes and I wear it like it's 1999...

Sweaty Bands - Adorbs + functional. And no, they don't move - EVER.  I've been running less than a year and I have five, or six. Clearly it's an addiction. They range about $15-$18 depending on thickness.

Kicks - I have a neutral foot says the running store expert. These fit like a glove, have just enough support, are light as a feather, and are - PINK. 
Socks - Balega. Hidden Comfort No Show. Padded bottom, vented upper. Winning. Running stores sell them in packs (with fun colors) for the best deal. 
*Foot Tip: I slather Band Aid Friction Block on my feet like it is the only way to get to heaven. To date, no more exploding blisters. Ok, I only had one, but it was a enough to give me nightmares.

Long Sleeve - Reason 4,346,234 I ADORE Target? They carried (no longer available) these long sleeve tees - with thumb hole, for $24.99. Wicked sweat away AND a thumb hole? It's Christmas friends.

I ONLY run in capris - pants are too hot, shorts - I'm struggling with letting them go on my runs with me for fear of massive wedgie action. 
My fav capris are Under Armour. The style I bought every color of are no longer available. Lo Siento. But run (pun intended), don't walk to your nearest Under Armour outlet, I got my Shatter Capris for $30 bucks and they are normally $50 or $60. 
I just started investing in Lululemon. Pricey, but I can attest each piece I have doesn't fade, get fuzzies from the wash (GIANT pet peeve), and never budges. Bonus? Head over to "we made too much" on their website. Discount town.  Plus every time you make a purchase you get a super cute cloth shopping tote (online orders too!). 
Note: I shop primarily at Big River Running Company (my local run store) - so I get my shoes, socks, headbands, and gels there. For every $200 you spend you get $25. My advice? Find a store you like and rack up points, cut coupons, ask them to adopt you. Hey, only crazy folk pay full price...
For a complete list of my running gear, resources, and race wish list, go here.