Thursday, May 14, 2015

While in transit

Just a real quick post today. As I type this, I am currently in Tokyo Narita on a layover enroute to Seoul Incheon. Jetlag hasn't hit yet - but we will see how long this lasts...!

Travel Gangnam style
When I land in Seoul, I'll be taking the bus to the Gangnam Station. Helen gave me detailed arrival instructions along with sending this picture:


Of course the first thought that came to mind was the Psy song/video/dance! When Helen first mentioned the "Gangnam Station" to me, my first response was, "Gangnam as in Gangnam Style?" (She probably didn't think it was as funny as I did.)

It turns out that Gangnam means "south of the river" and that it is one of the largest districts in Seoul. Ahhh, the things you learn.

Needless to say, I am thrilled to be traveling to a station with such an easy-to-remember name!

Lace locks
I've historically never used the last shoelace holes in my running shoes. However, my new Saucony Rides are a little on the loose side. For the first time ever, I was using the extra holes via the traditional lacing method.

Talk about timing. This past week, several folks posted this video describing another way to use that last shoelace hole:


Is this how it was really designed to be used? I am going to try this loopty-loop trick and see how it feels. To be continued...

Cinco pics
If last weekend's Cinco de Miler wasn't already awesome enough (recap here), I just found out that the race photos are free to download! Here are two of me that came out semi-decent:

Cut-off version of the race photo body spasm 
Finish line!
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Linking up with Amanda's Thinking Out Loud Thursdays.

26 comments:

  1. Have a great trip! I have never tried any other way with my laces. I find that I don't have a trouble w them coming undone. And you know what thy say. If it's not broke don't fix it.

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    1. Thanks so much! Glad to hear that your shoelace practice works. There is nothing more annoying than being in the middle of a race or training run and having to pull over and tie the shoes, that is for sure!

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  2. So serious in that pic, I love it! Have a great trip!

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    1. Hahahahahahaha - funny what elements these pictures show, right?!?! Thanks!

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  3. That's how I always tie my shoes! My running shoes, at least. I wear a full size up in my running shoes (possibly unnecessarily, but whatever. It's not the worst thing in the world), so I usually need a little extra somethin' to keep them in place.

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    1. I wear either a full or half size up, too - I find that it is easier to adjust a shoe that might be too loose versus a shoe that is too tight! Helps with blister prevention, too!

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  4. I love it when race pics are free! I'm going to try the shoelace trick too.

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    1. I am always amazed at how some races charge like $25 for pics when others give them out for free. Let me know how the lace trick works for you!!!

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  5. OHHHHHHHH your race pics are LOVELY! I'm such an ugly runner; I just can't with race pics. :)

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    1. Thanks Tiffany! FYI - I only post the semi-decent pics of me. For each picture you see here, there are like another 5 that are just bad, LOL. Race pics are tough to come by!

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  6. Op op op op Oppan-Gang-Namseutayil! Have a fun time! :)

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    1. LOL, I've had those lyrics running through my head all day long. Thanks Pete!

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    2. Ha, ha. It is quite the "ear worm"! By the way, I had to look up the lyrics as my Korean language skills are non-existent!

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    3. Ear worm is absolutely right! Once it gets started, it never leaves the ears. LOL at the lyrics that were translated phonetically into English, too!

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  7. I love that picture of you. It looks triumphant! I just found your blog through Amanda! I <3 link ups. And it's hard to get a good race picture, but everybody else besides me seems to pull it off. :D

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    1. Thanks so much, Emily! Isn't Amanda's linkup the best? It is one of my favorites and you learn so many interesting things from others. I hear you on the race pics - for every semi decent pic I find, there are about 5 others that are just bad. Race pics are hard to come by!

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  8. Free race photos...who does that??? So awesome!!!! What is even better is that yours are good! (My story would be that they are free and completely terrible that no one ever sees them...).

    Have a wonderful trip!!!!

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    1. Thanks so much, Lee! It's funny because for every picture that looks semi-decent, I've got about 5 that look god-awful. I don't share the god-awful ones. =D And I bet your pictures are a lot better than you give yourself credit for - we are always our own worst enemies when it comes to race pics as well as the races themselves, yes?

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  9. Enjoy your trip! I saw your Facebook post of the Gangnam photo, and I immediately started singing "Gangnam Station Style", cheezy electronic synthesizers and dance moves included. LOL!

    Funny that you posted about tying your shoes like that. When I switched to Brooks last year, I started using that method, since I felt like my heel would slip when I ran sometimes. It made a big difference ... and as an added bonus, it made it harder for me to over tighten my shoes (which I frequently do and find my feet starting to pulse as I run). I really like doing that tie method now.

    And oh ... you got so lucky on your Cinco photos!! Most of mine are cropped funny so you can't see the person I'm running with (we had on matching outfits, you'd think they'd get the concept and do a few of us together), and are shot at a super unflattering angle (so that I have a really bad double chin). Oh well, win some lose some. I got great ones at Hot Chocolate, so I can't complain. Plus, they're free so ... no harm done!

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    1. LOLOLOLOL on the Gangnam style song!!! It's so catchy, isn't it?

      Great to hear that the loop-tying method works so well with you! I have had a lot of issues with heel slippage and toe crushing in the past - so I am thrilled to hear so many great reviews from you and others.

      That sucks that you and your friend didn't get into the same pictures! How could the race photographer not make the connection? Sigh. But yes, for free race pics, it's hard to complain when they don't come out well (and heaven knows I've had SO MANY where I've had double chins or other completely unflattering poses, etc., etc., etc. I've got a knack for that!!! =D )

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  10. I saw that video going around and wondered what it was! I have never tried that! I wonder if it would help keep rocks on the trails out of the top ;)

    You look fantastic in that race pic!

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    1. On my Facebook feed, I've had about 8 different friends share the video! It's gone mini-viral for me, hehe. I think it's definitely worth a try to keep rocks out of the shoes (although, I would still think gaiters would be better).

      Thanks for the positive feedback on the pic!!!

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