Today, B and I decided to do a "short" long run, and go for 17 miles. I've been eating like crap lately, and haven't been working out nearly enough, and my knee is still hurting, so I wanted to take it easy before we run 22 miles again. I brought water  and ate some Sharkies. I was feeling blah for a lot of reasons and my body was just dragging. I'm thinking an electrolyte drink might help next time, in addition to the gummies.

Readers, how do you hydrate and fuel on long runs?

Today I took my Xersion running shorts out for a test drive. They're basically like the Nike running shorts, but cheaper. Xersion makes FABULOUS capri-length running pants that are identical in appearance and performance to my Nike running capris, but cheaper, so I was pretty excited to try out these shorts.

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Xersion™ Woven Running Short
Price: $22.00 but frequently on sale for 40% off or more

Description: "Xersion™ running shorts offer comfort-driven features for those long-lasting runs. Running short liner, quick dry, credit card pocket, waistband drawstring, 3 1/4" inseam, washable, polyester."

Review: I bought these because people just love the Nike running shorts, and these look the same, so I figured they were probably just as good since the capris are! And at $14 on sale, I figured they were a steal.

PROS: The material feels and looks nice. Comes in different colors. Inexpensive. The lining doesn't rub or chafe even on a 17 miler.

CONS: The shorts bunch up at the crotch. BOO. I'm pretty sure I got the right size (small), so I'm not sure what the issue is. Maybe that my thighs rub together? Whatever it is, I need my shorts to stay where they're at, and these shorts don't. I don't know if Nike shorts would give me the same problems or not.

If you love your Nikes and want a cheap alternative, or want to try out running shorts, for $14, it's worth a try if you don't mind bunching. I think I'm gonna stick with spandex compression pants and shorts!

Lipgloss + Spandex rating:

My friend and I decided to have a fun girly afternoon in the "Couv." It was FANTASTIC! Just what I needed after a long, stressful week of NOT working out, crazy antics, cleaning the garage, and state testing.

First, we hit up Namaste Indian Cuisine for their $8.95 lunch buffet, and ate Indian food until our stomachs were going to explode. If you haven't eaten at Namaste, you need to. It is DELICIOUS.

Next, we went to TJ Maxx and Ross. MAN, I love these stores! There's always SOMETHING good. Check out today's finds:

Then we went to the mall to get some sunscreen. Small rant: My absolute Holy Grail sunscreen, Shiseido SPF 55+++ lotion, has been discontinued. WHY, Shiseido?! WHYYYYY?! The SPF 55 lotion mattified while having high SPF, and was just amazing! It was the only sunscreen that kept my incredibly oily skin looking decent, AND it didn't break me out. If that isn't a miracle, I don't know what is. Now my choices are SPF 55 cream, the SPF 38 lotion, or the SPF 60 lotion. And according to Makeupalley, none of them are close to what the SPF 55 lotion was. But I decided to give Shiseido a chance to redeem themselves, and I bought the SPF 38 lotion.

And then....we went winetasting! We went to a little local vineyard called English Estate Winery that specializes in boxed wine. They also have a delicious selection of dessert wines.

Tomorrow's agenda: another long run!

What's happening this weekend for you?

Ladies and gentlemen, it's been a rough week. Work was rough, and included a couple of student meltdowns. My knee is still hurting, so I only worked out Monday. Talked to my PT friend on Wednesday and concluded I was doing too much, too fast; that I need to try going back to my old shoes; and that I need to foam roll more, and more places. Hopefully it'll be better soon, but I think I need to get fitted for some new shoes.

AND, I managed to get sick. :( I'm all sniffly, sneezy, and congested, and I'm coughing. I hate being sick, especially when I'm such a germaphobe.

Went for a 4.3 mile run today, in my old shoes to see how I felt. My knees hurt, but one of the knee was hurting all week anyway. Lame. Went to McMenamins and got Cajun Tots, a milkshake, hard cider, and lobster fondue. Now I'm icing my knee, and watching VH1's 100 Best Songs of the '90s. Yes, I know it's on TV all the time, but I kind of love reliving the music of the '90s. (Remember Edwin McCain's "I'll Be"? The Presidents of the United States of America's "Peaches"? Lenny Kravitz's "Are you gonna go my way?")

So as you all know, last weekend was a semi-disastrous 18 mile training run, during which I managed to tweak my IT band. I've been foam rolling and trying to "fix it" and have been feeling better and decided to attempt a 22 mile training run today.

We ran the first 7 a little fast--9 minute pace. My knees started bugging me a little.

Mile 12. Carla biked with us and was nice enough to carry our jackets and miscellaneous stuff, and provide moral support.

Mile 12--I was looking a little surly because my knees were killing me. "Just tell me when I get to STOP running." I felt like I could tough it out but there were times when I really wondered if I could even make it back to the car the pain got to be too bad.

Mile 14. I tried to "look fast" for the picture, but it didn't work out. Man, I look rough. Bre looks good though!

The last two miles of the run were exhausting. My body just felt DONE. But we did finish 22 miles with about 9:38 minute pace. SWEET. We went to Starbucks and I treated myself to a Venti latte, a heuvos ranchero wrap, and a molasses cookie. Yum. And then my grandparents took me out to dinner at one of my favorite fish houses :)

Anyone have a long run this weekend? Or a race?

The Bad : I'm 6 lbs up from the week before spring break, and 9 lbs from my goal weight. I've been eating junk food all week. Partly because i felt sorry for myself after my disastrous long run on Sunday. And it was generally a stressful week, which meant i do what i usually do when stressed--eat! I need to get back on track with eating healthy, since happy hour isn't helping my bank account either.

The Okay : I talked to my friend who is a physical therapist and she said my post run knee pain is most likely due to an IT band problem, that I need a foam roller, and to roll it out for as long as possible every day (treat and prevent). I've been dreading buying a foam roller for a long time because I've heard how much it hurts and figured my Stick was good enough. But I decided to stop wallowing, and start foam rolling. I went to Fit Right NW and got a foam roller. I've been foam rolling at least once a day, sometimes twice. It hurts and sometimes I whimper pathetically.

My latest obsessions :

• My foam roller. The one good thing about it is it's kind of fun to whack people with it. It doesn't hurt.