Product Review - Buddy Pouch

Holy cannoli.  Ever think, "Damn.  I should've come up with that..."? Well, that's exactly how I feel about a product I was asked to review for National Running Center recently.  The Buddy Pouch Mini is freaking amazing- and I don't use the word 'freaking' lightly. 
The basic idea is that it is a little half IPhone sized pocket that you flip over the top of your shorts to store stuff like keys, a gel, or debit card for those inevitable Gatorade stops on long runs.  There's a super-strong magnet attached to the non-pocket side that keeps everything in place. 
I was very skeptical going into this experiment for a few reasons.  First, I hate extra stuff.  I would definitely call myself a minimalist in the way of gear, mostly based on many, many years of not having to give a crap about all of the extras like fuel and hydration (stupidly, I should add). Secondly, I am a miniature person. At a whopping 5'2" (and I lie for the most part and make myself far taller, like 5'3"), NOTHING fits like it should.  Extra smalls are laughable- I either look like a sausage stuffed into some random garment or belt, or they fall off.  At least I know I can still fit into a small, dorm-sized refrigerator, but please don't ask how I actually have these facts in my wheel house.  Needless to say, between genetics and my own stupidity, I hate stuff...but I love this product.  My first run with the Buddy Pouch was on my treadmill.  I was planning on shooting for a 5 miler with the pouch filled with my ID, a gel, and a few miscellaneous keys.  At the 5 mile mark, I actually forgot why I was stopping and just continued for another 5 miles and totally forgot I was wearing it.  Treadmill trial 2 did not go as well, but I was wearing my 'fat shorts' and they started to fall down a bit.  Definitely not the best idea on my part, so please rule out the 'fat shorts' (or basically your loose cotton-esque styles).  Trial 3 was at a 5k. My basic uniform is the classic super short biker-style shorts that never have the extra inside 'little pocket' so I end up tying my key to the drawstring, which is super annoying and looks strange- use your imagination here.  I put my key into the pocket and actually attacked it to my back near my back bone indent and again, totally forgot about it until I needed to get into my car. That's super amazing, since a stray hair usually makes me freak out like a tarantula is crawling across my skin. 
Essentially, this little product freaking rocks, and they can 'shut up and take my money' any day of the week.  Run, don't walk to http://www.nationalrunningcenter.com/  and buy one ASAP.

Global Running Day

Global running day...sounds like one of two things, a pseudo holiday made up by running shoe manufacturers to sell stuff or THE GREATEST DAY OF THE YEAR!!
Yes, I love running, but I love it for transcends just being fast.  This year has been quite the year of trial and error and potentially missed opportunities, setbacks, and readjustment of goals. 

Last year, on the first weekend in June, I ran one of the best Red Rose Runs that I have ever been able to pull off.  A just over 32:00 5 mile run is certainly good, but not quite incredible, however, it was not completely miserable and I was just coming off a very heavy season of racing.  About 2 weeks later I ran my first ever trail 5 mile run (outside of cross country races of course), and it was a total disaster and the perfect set up for a year long injury.  One more 5k in the end of June, and I was down for the count with a massive hamstring tear.  Not like, wow, this hurts, like I went to the PT and they were amazed I was still walking and trying to hobble through a few miles.  It was devastating.  It wasn't like there was a snowball's chance in Hell I was going to quit running, so I stupidly kept at it through horrible pain and very little actual movement.  Months and months passed, and my disappointment in my big comeback was totally overtaking every aspect of my life.  I was so used to pounding out miles, placing at races, and getting out my frustrations, that to have such a setback was very difficult to handle. 

Late September finally rolled around, and I signed up for the Boston Marathon, with huge amounts of apprehension.  I could barely make it through an hour run, how the heck was I going to pull this one off? Not so sure. 

Months later, I would line up in Hopkinton, walk run the last few miles...but finish anyway. 

Last weekend, I took to the streets of Lancaster once again for another Red Rose.  I was very apprehensive going into the run.  Would it be another disappointment? Would I feel like junk? Thankfully, I decided to completely change up my routine.  Different race kit (which I have not changed in years), different nutrition, and new race plan.  I found some friends at the start, and decided that instead of going out like a crazy person and taking advantage of the few down hills, I would hold back and save it for the inevitable gigantic finishing hills. I stuck to the plan, and shockingly, it was not terrible! I finished in a hair under 34:00, BUT I had a good time, didn't feel like death, and even won my age group.  I know there's a lot to work on, but it feels like I am finally getting back to racing shape and moreover, getting back to my love of running.  Here's to a great summer.