Gifting Running Gear: CW-X & MicroTherm Down

Happy first snow of December (and the year) for Rochester!  I was pleasantly surprised when I woke up to a few snow drifts in my front yard and blustering 27 degree weather. After deciding late last night to sleep in I forced myself out of bed around 11 am.  First on the agenda, winter running!  

TIP: I learned that making an appointment or a date to exercise works best (for me at least).  If you make time for it in your day, even a week or so in advance, you know that you have time and that it has to get done.

I bundled up with my usual headband, gloves, neck gator and base layer tops.  However, this year I was able to start winter running with a new jacket AND running tights.  I decided to try out some new running tights after I realized my Under Armor pants are from junior year in high school!  Katie, author of Peace, Love & Oats had purchased a pair of CW-X Insulator Performx Tights!  I remembered her mentioning that they made her feel like a SUPERHERO once they actually were put on and just had to test them out.

These are NOT your ordinary tights and I would agree with Katie that they do in fact make you feel like a superhero.  I will recommend that you go up a size, I thought I would be a small but the Medium fit just right.  These specific CW-X tights provide support through their fabric for the IT band, knees and hip flexors.  Great for longer runs.

My dad also helped my running gear wardrobe and gifted me an Eddie Bauer "First Ascent" jacket.  The First Ascent line was completely new to me until shopping this year and I instantly fell in love.

MicroTherm Down Shirt

Super light, reflective and wind resistant. It features an athletic cut and feel for outdoor activities such as running, snow shoeing and hiking.  I can't wait to go for a nice hike in this! If you're a huge fan of Patagonia but don't want to put out the plus $200 for one of these down shirts, go for Eddie Bauer.  I am completely satisfied.  While I will say you should wear this when it is FREEZING outside, I was still comfortable in 35 degree weather also.  What a great present from Dad!  

Did you receive any running gear for Christmas or Hanukah? What were your favorite gifts?

Santa Claus is Coming to Town

It's that time of year again. Christmas time.  It is crazy to think that just about this time last year I didn't even have a blog.  I was thinking about the whole blogging world last night as I waited for Santa to make his way to my back door (I don't have a fireplace so he comes to the back)...For a while I was thinking that maybe I would stop since not that many people were reading my blog on a day to day basis but then I realized that I don't only write for my readers, but for myself.  It is a sort of journal and ritualistic release of thoughts and a way to reflect on all the exciting achievements and events in my life.

The exciting event today would of course be Christmas!

Last night we went to Christmas Eve Mass with my grandparents.  They handed out these photocopied "programs" this year with the entire service highlighted and bolded the words that the parishioners were supposed to recite, so modernized for us that only frequent it twice a year.  

We returned home for Surf & Turf accompanied with twice baked potatoes, green beans, a cheese platter and some red wine to sip.  The lobster was Nicaraguan lobster and I demanded my mother make some filet mignon since I am absolutely positively prime ribs biggest opposition.

The evening ended with a viewing of a Nat Geo's special on the Holocaust, family videos and then I made myself stay up all alone for Home Alone 2.  What a Christmas!  My grandma made her famous Cream Puffs, my favorite dessert from her recipe book.  I will try to get the recipe/ try them myself at some point.

This morning I was awoken by my beautiful dog and a mimosa with Challah French Toast, oh and of course some amazing candied bacon.  It is a bit ironic that we paired jewish Challah bread with bacon so I apologize to all my jewish friends.

Of course Santa came while I was fast asleep and brought wonderful gifts for all.  He brought us a U of R blanket, chocolates and movies.  He brought me a new compact camera (since my big one can be TOO BIG at times) and socks along with other things for running and not.  My dad of course got his workout gift from me! Have to keep the family fit!

Nobody can mess with this beast.

We are now off to my Grandma's house and I will be sure to post the rest of the family photos later.

Merry Christmas to all from Kylie @ OhsoMiscellanea