Sleeved Running

I am a sissy with a capital 'S'when it comes to winter running.  The temp drops and my booty goes straight to the treadmill.  In effort to motivate me to run in the winter I have fully stocked myself with gear to stay warm.  Ear bands, cool-max shirts that breathe while keeping you warm, full length spandex pants, running gloves, even windproof jackets.  Yet, I still find myself walking outside to check the temperature and walking right back in to grab my  keys and drive to the gym. Sissy. 

A few months ago, about October, Ben and I found ourselves at the Nike employee store picking out any and everything we may ever need Nike.  I saw some spandex arm sleeves and told Ben this was EXACTLY what I needed for the winter.  I had noticed these recently on football and basketball players, but started seeing them years ago on runners at the beginning of cold races or during night runs. The are supposed to keep the blood flowing, there for keeping your arms warm without being bulky.  And heaven forbid I have any extra bulk that may add one second to my mile time! {that was sarcasm because I am the opposite of fast}. I had never tried the sleeves, but had always wondered if they worked.  We decided I should give them a try add them to my stay-warm-while-running collection.

Well October turned to January and I never braved the elements to take out my new sleeves. I told you I am a sissy. Until now. Ben called yesterday afternoon and wanted to know if I wanted to go for a run with him when he got home from work. This was exciting to me for a couple reasons.... 1. I love running with Ben, it makes me feel like we are on vacation. {Because we always run together on vacation}. 2. Ben 'says' he hates running, so when he WANTS to run it makes me think he might be coming over to the dark side.  3. I could try out my arm sleeves! {Do you like how I give lists in every post? Welp, welcome to my life!}

We got dressed up in our running gear I insisted that he wear one of my ear bands because nothing is worse than cold ears, plus it has reflectors.  He refused my extra pair of tiny running gloves. 

Just a little pre-run stretching? :)  I love my husband because he makes everything fun!

Wait, is this Iron Man or Amber??   I may have forgotten to mention that along with being warm, I am very serious about being reflective.  Better safe than sorry, plus maybe my glowing heart makes me stronger.  I am pretty sure everything on me had something reflective.  I was very worried about Ben who was only reflecting on his shoes and stylish ear band.   To make me feel better he let me run in front of him on the narrow roads. I actually think this was his way of keeping his eye on me in-case I tripped and fell, which I happens a lot.  But it made me feel better.

The arm sleeves were a success.  It was about 42 degrees.  I never felt cold, I never felt too hot.  I didn't really even notice they were there which means they weren't moving around!  I highly recommend them and they might just be enough to get me out on the road on cold days, especially if the hubs is with me!