My second most worn pair of shoes (after my running shoes of course). These are stylish, right?

You obviously know by now that I like to run, bike, swim (well, it isn’t my favorite activity), lift weights, get my booty kicked in boot camp and enjoy a plethora of outdoor activities.  Mostly, I do these activities because they make me happy.  If I go for too long without any physical activity then I become agitated and depressed.  I also enjoy doing these activities because they open up endless possibiities for meaningful friendships.  I met most of my closest friends through running.  Fitness also helps me stay fit and healthy so I can hopefully live a longer life.  And lastly (yes, it is last on the list), I do it because I want to look good.

Looking good isn’t always the outcome, however.  Sometimes ugliness can result.  Two years ago my fourth toe on the right foot turned black.  Two months later the nail finally fell off.  Pretty much one year later the SAME toe turned black again.  Another two months later the nail fell off.  Now that SAME toe has a very ugly toenail that isn’t growing properly.  I can pretty much forget getting a pedicure EVER AGAIN.  Not only that, but the big toe on the SAME foot has been black for the past month (but that was caused by a fall down the stairs… however, I was on my way out the door to go for a run!).

So, I wear socks.  When summer comes you will probably still see me in socks unless I feel the desire to wear flip-flops and show off my ugly feet.  I guess my ugly feet would be better than my teenage face.  Not sure if it is the sweat mixed with the dry air, but I am starting to relive my high school days.  Okay, back in the day I actually didn’t have to deal with as many blackheads, pimples and zits as I do now.  It has been about 15 years since I purchased Clean & Clear lotion with the anti-zit medication.

If my face and feet aren’t enought to appall you, then you can check out my armpits where the chaffing of my tank tops on my skin has caused a red rash to breakout.  Hmmm, I should probably keep the other chaffed parts to myself…. no need to go into too much detail.

What about my pretty hair you say?   I must have forgotten to mention that I swim in a overally chlorinated pool.  I am surprised my hair hasn’t turned green yet.  It used to back in the day when I had blonde hair.  I’m not really a blonde anymore even though I spend enough time outside to get sunburns.  Even though my hair isn’t yet green, it is very surly.  It doesn’t know what to make of the toxic water, the two showers a day and the zero percent humidity.  I have to wear it back in a pony tail or else it is statically discharged on my face or sticking out in all directions.

You already know that I have no fashion sense.  I am happy to walk around in my gym gear all day even if I haven’t taken a shower yet (well, I am pretty keen on taking a shower right after a workout these days because I will freeze my rear off if I don’t).  You can usually find me in gym clothes dropping off my kids at school or taking a trip to the grocery store.  It is not like I need to impress anyone out there.  My tennis shoes have become my only shoes.  That is the only way I can keep my back in check.  I will do what I have to do in order to keep any back pain at bay.  I don’t want that ruining my workout routine.   I did try on some cute boots at the store the other day, but then I realized they weren’t functional and I put them back on the shelf.  I bought some for my girls instead.  I can live vicariously through them.

I am not sure what is going on with my jeans these days.  I am very forunate that I can fit into my pre-preggo jeans, but that isn’t going to be the case for too much longer.  And no, I am not gaining weight.  My thighs are getting bigger thanks to that damn bike!  So my jeans are tight on my thighs, but loose on my waist.  I wonder if they have any special jeans for cyclists and runners??

Even after putting all my uglies out there for everyone to see, I am not worried about it.  I know that I am beautiful inside because of what I choose to do.  Oh, and minus the lovely stretch marks, my abs are pretty awesome these days.