September 19, 2013

Bargaining

Holy humidity! This morning, my dad came over to walk with the boys to the bus stop, which meant I could leave a little earlier than usual for my run. The humidity this morning was 98%--so let's just say the air was pretty thick. I had 10 miles at marathon pace (8:58/mi) on the schedule. I dread my Thursday runs, because not only are they long (10 miles for a mid-week run is pretty long), they are also fast. But I always feel amazing when I'm done, if I can tough it out!

Shortly into the run, I started bargaining with myself. I really just wanted to slow down and run at an easy pace. I was trying to convince myself that it was just fine to slow down, since I'm not going to be running this pace during the actual marathon, but I hate to give up on something when I know it's all mental. My body was perfectly capable of doing today's run; I just didn't want to!

So I told myself that if I ran the first 5 miles at goal pace, then I could run the last 5 at easy pace. That got me moving. I ran an out-and-back route that I haven't done all summer, because the last time I ran it, a black bird kept dive-bombing my head. The change of scenery was nice today.

Once I got to the turn-around point, and reached mile five, I bargained with myself again. I told myself that if I could finish out all 10 miles at goal pace, then I could run my entire 16-miler on Sunday at easy pace (10:00-10:40) rather than long run pace (9:38). Sunday's 16-miler is my last long run before tapering, so I want to enjoy it without worrying about pace. Thinking of that helped me to keep moving along at goal pace today.

At mile nine, I was really tempted to slow down and run easy, but I only had a mile to go. I started doing the math in my head: "My average pace is 8:51 right now, so I'm 7 seconds per mile faster than goal... I could theoretically run this last mile at (7 secs x 9 miles= 63 seconds ahead, so 8:58 + 63 secs...) 10:01 pace." Hahaha, the things that go through my head when I'm running! That's actually something I do while racing--figure out how far ahead of pace I am, and tell myself I could do my last mile at x:xx pace and still meet my goal.

When I got home, I was thrilled that I had actually done the entire run at goal pace, despite "allowing" myself not to--the power of bargaining with oneself ;)  I sat on the porch and drank a ton of ice water. I was pouring sweat, thanks to the humidity in the air. Why does my sweat never show up in photographs?! I actually took this pic to show Thomas what happens when you run in 98% humidity (he's going to Florida for 5 days, and is a little worried about humidity!) But I look totally dry in the photo. Trust me, I could wring out my shirt.


Ten miles at goal pace run and done!



I heard a few days ago that Garmin is releasing a new Forerunner next month. I'm very happy with mine, and didn't think there was much (if anything) they could possibly add to a GPS watch that it doesn't do already. Boy, was I wrong! I've been swooning over the 620 for 3 days now. There are so many new features!

One of the things I like most is that it has live tracking, which isn't marketed as a safety feature, but it's a great one. The live tracking means that Jerry could see exactly where I am from his phone/computer WHILE I'm out running. Sometimes, I want to change routes while I'm out, but I can't because I've already told Jerry where I'm going. So this feature would be awesome.

Also, another feature that has me sucked in is that it has a built in accelerometer--which eliminates the need for a foot pod while using it indoors! It can measure cadence (steps per minute), the amount of time your foot rests on the ground for each step, how high your steps are, etc. For a numbers nerd like me, this is very exciting ;)  I also measures VO2 Max, and has a race predictor (using your training runs, it can predict your race times)... can you see why I'm swooning?!

The downside is that it's very expensive--$450. However, it's being released right after I run Chicago, and I'm thinking that I totally deserve to treat myself after running what feels like a million miles over the past few months to train for this race. Since Jerry started his new job, we have a little extra money; and by staying with my sister in Illinois instead of a hotel in the city (for most of the trip), I'll be saving the amount that I would spend on the watch. It's like it's meant to be! ;) And honestly, I wouldn't feel guilty about buying it; I know that it would get used just about every single day.


This is kind of random, but does anyone have any tips for keeping nail polish from chipping? I always see women with painted nails that look so cute, and it makes me wonder: Do they paint their nails every day? Or are they all in on some top secret way of keeping polish from chipping? When I paint my nails, they start to chip on the first day, and within a few days, they look like this:


I used two coats of black, and a top coat. So if anyone knows something I don't, please share!

51 comments:

  1. GIRL, you have to get gel polish. You need a secial UV light aand polish for it. But its just likke regular naail polish, and it doesn't dry , it "cures" under the UV light..anddd it NEVER chips and lasts forever!

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    1. That's it--it's the gel stuff. You can buy a whole kit. One hint I've heard is just buy regular color nail polish and get the clear gel stuff to go over it. less expensive than buying all different gel colors.

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    2. Gel polish is great, but removing it tears your nails up just as bad is if you had fake ones on and removed them. It does to mine anyway. I have one of the at home kits and it really is an awesome thing, but then when I remove the gel polish I'm always "why did I do that?!" HA! So when just painting regularly, I just use a Bonder rubberized base coat by Orly, then 2 coats of my polish, and a top coat. My polish stays on for 2 weeks.

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  2. I'm swooning over that Garmin too! It has great features and it is so pretty :). Nail polish chips on my nails like that too, but not on my daughters nails, and we use the same exact polish. Weird.

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  3. Im swooning over the new Garmin just from your description!

    Two words: Gel polish. Lasts way longer than regular. If you are doing it at home, you have to buy the special UV light but it lasts.

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  4. Hi Katie,

    You need to also use a base coat, something that adds grip. I however never was able to keep nails with regular polish chip free for more than a day or two, even with a salon mani, so once the gels came out I was hooked. I use shellac at home (you can buy the supplies on Ebay or Amazon) for a solid 2 week chip free mani through spelunking, hiking and camping (well in addition to my boring work life.) I don't use the shellac base, top or ph coat, I use gelish for that, but I have found the shellac colors last the longest.

    Good luck!

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  5. I like Sally Hansen's Diamond Shine. It's a base and top coat. So I put it on first and last. It keeps my polish on for a good week to 10 days. I keep my nails pretty short, too.

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  6. The quality of the nail polish makes a huge difference. Buy high quality.

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  7. Hi Katie, I just want to thank you for all of the posting you do on your blog. I too struggle with binge eating and am obese. I have a desire to be a runner, but its been a struggle to get the motivation/determination to make it happen. You blog is really inspiring! I also know something about nails. The first thing you need is a good quality base coat, based on how your nails are chipping, you might look for a strengthening one. That will make your nails less likely to chip. I'd apply two coats followed by two coats of polish and a good quality top coat. Good luck with your nails! (Also any time you
    clean or do dishes wear gloves, it will help prevent your polish from chipping). I do that and my nails last about a week. Make sure you're using decent nail polish. Keep following that routine and your nails will get stronger, though it might take time. I like gel polish, but it uses uv light to cure it and that can be damaging, plus it's best applied by a professional.

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  8. You should pick up the new watch while you are in Chicago at the Garmin Store on Michigan Avenue. The staff is super helpful and when I bought my Garmin there, the sales guy was really nice and gave me his business card in case I had any questions.

    Sorry I can't give any suggestions on the nails as I don't paint mine!

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  9. Hey Katie,

    I'm not entirely sure if this is the exact same item as the one you're interested in, but it's on Amazon:

    http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Forerunner-Touchscreen-Watch-Monitor/dp/B004XC3MXI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1379641239&sr=8-2&keywords=garmin+forerunner+620#productDetails

    Also, go to eBates and order the Garmin through your account with eBates (on Amazon, or whatever site) and you will get cash back on your purchase. If you buy it on Amazon.com you can get 3% cash back, and if you buy it on Garmin.com you can get 5% cash back.

    Use the following link to sign up with eBates: http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=C7CJ5Q1EzjXyrNfVLvHa4Q%3D%3D

    I promise it's legit! I do a lot of my Christmas shopping on eBates.com. :)

    Hope this helps you save some $!

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  10. My nailpolish chips like crazy. If I want my nails to look nice for something, I have to paint them only one day before or else they'll look like junk. My mom's neighbor keeps telling me that she'll gel polish my nails, but I've not tried that yet.

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  11. I'd love to have that new watch! Maybe sometime in the future. I've mine for over 2.5 years now, so I'll upgrade at some point.

    My nails can last close to a week and I am pretty hard on my hands most days. You need a good base and top coat. I like the UPI polishes. They are pricey, but worth it if you want your nails to last more than a day. I often get them when ULTA has a bogo or something, plus my MIL puts them in my stocking at xmas :) Also, the type of color polish you use can make a big difference. The cheaper polishes usually don't last as well. I mostly use OPI or the Essie ones. China Glaze is good too. What I do is make sure I've just washed my hands so my nails are really clean and dry. Then do thin layers of polish...one of a base coat, 2 coats of the color and a top coat. Let them dry for a few minutes between coats. It takes a while for mine to dry, so I do them when I know I'll be sitting around for a bit. My MIL used to own a nail salon, and this is what she does, so that's how I learned. Avon nail polishes are also good, but don't last quite as long as OPI. I painted my nails Monday, and today they are starting to chip a bit right at the edges a bit, but they still look pretty good.

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  12. I recently bought the 210. I didn't realize that I can't review my mile splits right on the watch the way I could on my old 205. I have to wait until I upload the run to Garmin Connect. Even my very first Garmin, the big rectangular 201 could show the splits right on the watch. I wish I had spent the $$ to get the one you have now, the 910XT. A Garmin rep was at group run at Running Fit in Ann Arbor a few weeks back and we got to wear them and try them out. Tonight they said that she's going to come back again this fall. I imagine that she will be there for the new models. I'd probably go for the 220 but I'm hoping the 910XT will come down in price after the new models come out.
    Good run! Hard to believe that we're on the home stretch!! (I'm also training for Chicago!)

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  13. Gel polish is amazing.. you can buy the gelish starter kit @ sally's, & the uv light. It's not cheap, but the starter kit lasted me over a year. Polish doesn't stay on my nails at all..I'm lucky to get an entire day out of regular polish before it chips lol. I get around 10 days out of the gel polish.
    ~Katey

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  14. Dip a cotton ball in vinegar and wipe over nails. Let dry then apply 2 coats of polish and a top coat. Mine lasted 4-5 days. Didn't believe it worked until I tried it for myself.

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  15. When I put on the top coat, I make sure it goes over the tips of my nails too, it seems like that's where mine usually start chipping from so I put a little extra at the tips and then clean up any excess after it's dry with a Q-tip dipped in polish remover.

    I've been obsessing over the new Garmins too! I want the 620 so badly for all the cool new features but have a 405 that works just fine. I'm considering seeing if one of my running friends who don't have a GPS watch might buy my 405 for a good deal and apply that money towards the 620.

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  16. I use this awesome nail stickers for my nails by Jamberry. The stay on for 1 to 2 weeks, longer if you really take care of them. My daughter has had them on her toes for a month now. I think they look great! http://getnoticed.jamberrynails.net/

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  17. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0010AYN6Q/ref=oh_details_o07_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
    Hoda on the Today show recommended this. It works great. You paint your nails with it first and then polish. I use OPI polish.
    I use it on my toes and they don't chip for weeks. I would do my fingernails if I didn't work with food.

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  18. Well, I fell down the rabbit hole of reading your blog about an hour ago when I should have gone to bed. I started around your first marathon and then was amused to see you ran a second and now a third, despite swearing you were "done?" The progress of your pace is really impressive! I'm also running Chicago (my first) and while I hope for something in the low 4:00s, I'm not running my med-long runs as fast as you, certainly. I'll know more when I run the 20 this Saturday. Good luck! Thanks for the entertainment!

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  20. I use gel nail polish because I work at a hospital and am constantly washing my hands. It has lasted me two weeks before nails grow out again. The only issue is the removing it which can be a bit difficult if you don't get the right remover. Even getting my nails professionally done doesn't last as long as gel nail polish. It is totally worth the extra money.

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  21. Gels are nice for the nails, but an old-fashion trick is white vinegar. Once you are ready to polish, sweep your nails with acetone and then sweep your nails with white vinegar. Let dry and proceed to polish. I have also used a ultraviolet drying light with a clear coat to seal the deal.
    ...if you want to sell your old Garmin, let me know! I desperately want a Garmin but can't afford it!

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  22. Try using a gel top coat with your regular polish or polish stickers. You can get the gel starter kit from Sally Hansen at Target (includes gel top coat and light) and then just keep using the topcoat and light. Make sure regular polish is completely dry first, though!

    I just started running a little over a month ago and am determined to get a Garmin for Christmas. Using my phone is not working for me. Hope to see a review on the 620 after Chicago!

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  23. Congrats on doing your entire run at your speedy pace! That is so tough!!!
    I have no advice about nails; mine chip the same day as I paint them! I think using a base and top coat might be the key but "ain't nobody got time for that!"

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  24. Great job on your run!! I've been looking into getting a Garmin, they're just out of my price range. I've seen a lot of reviews on blogs about the new ones coming out and would loooove one of those!

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  25. I have always had horrible luck getting polish to stay on my nails. If I do them myself with regular polish, even with a non-chip base coat & recommended top coat they would chip the next day! I couldn't justify getting a salon shellac every 2 weeks, so I finally bought the Sensationail at-home gel starter kit for $50, and it's the best!! I can give myself a shellac mani at home now about once a week, and it looks great! It's the best option for me, because I like to have my nails painted & look nice for work. I never have problems removing it either..I can actually usually peel it off myself & it doesn't damage my natural nails.

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  26. I've read your whole blog over the last couple of months. Thanks so much for bringing us along on your journey. You've inspired me as I've rededicated myself to my health and fitness. I'm setting goals I would have never considered before reading your blog and setting higher expectations. A lot of health and fitness achievement come when we beat the mental blocks we set before ourselves and if we set reasonable goals. :0)

    I always use nail polish remover before my base coat, then two thin layers of OPI or Essie polish, and then Seche Viet quick dry top coat. I let each coat dry 10 mins, and then I give my nails at least half an hour to dry after the top coat. I get 7 days before mine chip. I do think this depends a lot on nail type. Mine are kind of think and not super prone to breaking. I do think the gel stuff works great no matter the nail type.

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  27. You need to also use a base coat. Something like Orly's bonder. CND Sticky is good too. Or Google sticky base coats. They're not really sticky but it's a certain formula that helps it not chip. And the best top coat is Seche Vite fast dry top coat. That thing is like magic in a bottle. Hopefully this helps! Good luck!

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  28. Revlon base (1 coat), Sally Hansen Salon (2 coats), Revlon top coat - let each coat dry before applying the next. After 3-5 days (depending on whether or not I've remembered to wear dish gloves during post-meal wash-ups), I'll do a quick trim to remove any uneven nail growth and chips. Apply a fresh coat of top coat to cover the entire nail, dry and you're good for another 3-4 days at least. My base& top coat bottles are 3 years old and this latest nail polish is 7 days old & I got compliments yesterday so it's still working nicely. :>

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  29. It's all in the quality of your nail polish. If you buy something like OPI it will last longer verses the $1.00 nail polish at Wal-Mart. I'm pretty cheap so I usually ask for some OPI for Christmas or buy one every once in a great while. I know that OPI actually has ceramic in it, at least that's what i heard.

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  30. BTW I have a show that you should start watching, it's really addictive. WALKING DEAD! I'm NOT a zombie fan but this show takes on more than that and it's pretty intense so it may help your pace too! haha

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  31. Have you tried Jam Berry Nails? My Aunt sells them, they are inexpensive, fun, and easy to do. Here is her website if you are interested:

    http://pamsjams.jamberrynails.net/?ref=Pamsjams

    Not trying to sell you anything, but I love the patterns...and they are SUPER easy to put on.

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  32. About the nails, http://www.amazon.com/Orly-Bonder-6-oz/dp/B000YMYFWI is my favorite base coat ever! If I use this and a top coat, (usually http://www.amazon.com/Orly-Polish-Snap%C2%AE-Quick-0-6oz/dp/B000RV0E12/ref=sr_1_5?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1379691032&sr=1-5&keywords=orly+in+a+snap) I can get most polishes to last at least a week. I tend to keep my nails at a medium/short length, mileage could vary for longer nails.

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  33. I've never tried the gel or shellac stuff, but maybe someday I will. I have noticed a few things that help my regular polishes stay on longer...definitely use a base coat. I've often been using a regular color with a glitter polish on top. Anything with glitter will stay on longer. (You'll also notice that when it's time to remove the polish. Ha!) And Seche Vite is the best top coat. So shiny and fast drying. It's really amazing! Normally I have issues with accidentally smudging my nails because I don't just sit and let them dry long enough. But with Seche Vite, one time I wasn't thinking and picked up my dog 10 minutes after finishing my nails...and Nothing Happened. I was so excited!!

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  34. I have the same chipping problem you do. After trial and error, here is what I do now--- (I have no/minimal chipping for 5-7 days!)

    1. Wipe my clean nails down with a little bit of nail polish remover. (Your nails have natural oils and if they mix with the polish while the polish is drying-- it causes the chips)

    2. Use "good" polish. Not meaning EXPENSIVE-- just the right formula for your nails. I tend to like Essie, Revlon Color Stay, Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear (super cheap!), and Zoya. OPI is hit/miss for me and Butter London (super expensive) chips like crazy on me-- so find the right formula for your nails.

    3. Paint thin coats (2-3 max)

    4. Use Revlon Colorstay top coat. It is AMAZING and cheap! (I don't recommend using a base coat if you chip easily now--- you don't want the polish to be super thick.)

    Hope that helps!

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  35. I use OPI ... base, two coats, and top. I've never tried the vinegar, but I might have to try that next time.

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  36. I start doing a base coat + 2 coats of polish + a top coat and I find my mani is lasting about 3x as long!!

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  37. I get a mani/pedi done once a month and have shellac (similar? to gel) done on my nails. I've had gel once before and it tore my nails up removing it too, but shellac doesn't seem to do that. I also get my nails painted french so it doesn't show nail growth for a month, thus my nails look good all month long.

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  38. Thank you for the recommendation on the Forerunner 620. I almost always hike alone and aside from letting someone know where I'm going, having a PLB (personal locator beacon) is a huge bonus. In the old days, you went out for a run or walk or hike and you were on your own. Now, we have the technology, why not use it?!

    We fly helicopters and a couple years ago the local sheriff called us about a PLB alert at 14,500'. He said it may be nothing but he wanted to go look. A young man had been hiking alone, fell, tumbled down a rock scree and spent the night alone with a bleeding, broken leg. The next day he was able to get the attention of two hikers above him, one of those hikers had a PLB and pushed the button. We were able to pick up broken leg guy and fly him to the hospital. We met his mother and she said she was buying him a PLB as soon as he left the hospital.

    Broken leg guy was my first rescue experience thanks to a PLB, I've done a few others since then. They save lives, if you're lost, injured or in danger, it's so worth having.


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  39. I KNEW someone would already recommend Shellac... dang it! But that's the secret. It sucks because it's expensive (30 bucks for about 2 weeks of non-chipping IF you're lucky). And don't fall for the knock offs. REAL Shellac can only be purchased and applied correctly by a salon :( You'd need a UV light and all this fancy stuff...

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  40. Wow.... so I'm reading all these comments hoping to find tips for myself about how to keep polish on because I can't get it to last over 24 hours myself. lol. Looks like the only way is to spend extra moolah on something else though. Either better polish or gel kits or bases or shellac... not even sure what those last 2 are. haha.

    I'm such a thrifty person though I can't bring myself to spend a lot of money on myself. I think if I wanted nice nails for a special enough occasion I would just spend the money and go to a salon to let them do it. That is the only time I've had nice nails for any length of time. The one time I did that.

    I just painted my nails two days ago with some new colors I got and hoped it would last a little longer since I used a green on bottom, blue sparkle on top of that and then a clear coat on top of that. I usually just do one or two coats of one color and call it good. Sure enough though by last night I had somehow lost a chunk in the middle of one thumb but i repainted that part shortly after and because of the glitter it was hardly noticeable. Today at work though I managed to chip the tips of two other nails. Dammit. Oh well.

    I did make sure to take a picture before they chipped though so I could share it with my fiance. lol. He likes when I do girly things from time to time like paint my nails. I usually leave the chipped polish on my nails for a month or so at a time before I finally scrape it off or put on a new color. :)

    https://scontent-b-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/1235079_10100621006619938_712358666_n.jpg

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  41. For your nails - you need to find a base coat to use in addition with your top coat.

    I do one base coat (on top of clean nails - even if no polish on them I wash my hands, and do a quick swipe of remover to remove an oils left on the nail) Let it dry completely. Then do thin coats of your color - it may even look streaky until the 2nd or 3rd coat and let them dry completely between coats (2-3 minutes should be enough if the coats are nice and thin)

    Then you can use either a quick dry top coat or normal top coat and let it dry completely. You don't need expensive polish - but you do need patience to do nice thin coats and let them dry completely before moving on.

    I also find that swiping some clear polish or top coat every couple days helps, my average at home mani lasts 3-7 days depending on the polish I use. Polish reacts with your body chemistry, so what works best for one person may not work best for another.

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  42. Nails - people have on gel I'm sure. I had my first one done a month ago and I'm addicted. Went back again 3 weeks later (but it had only lasted right at 2 weeks). I just bought some from WalMart yesterday that is "gel" and doesn't require the UV light, so only about $10 for the kit with one color. It's ok, the salon is better.

    Garmin - I'm swooning over the 620 too!! I just got my Garmin 610 1.5 years ago, so probably can't justify upgrading just yet, maybe NEXT Christmas!

    live tracking - I just found out about this app a few weeks ago, it's called "Road ID" and it's AWESOME!! I run in the morning by myself and want my husband to know where I am if I'm not home within a reasonable time (he's asleep when I leave and usually never even knows I've left). You tell it which email or phone numbers you want it to go to, how long you'll be gone, and it gives them live tracking of exactly where you are! And, there's a feature where if you haven't moved for 5 minutes, it will alert them (and it'll tell you before its ends the alert so you can give it more time if you are ok and just stopped for some reason)! It's really cool! I always run with my phone anyway for safety, so it's no big deal to "start an ecrumb" as it calls it on my way out.

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  43. Do one base coat, and then your polish - then a good top coat. I don't buy expensive polish, but I did spend more on the top coat and it makes all the difference! I am hard on my nails, too. I type all day and I garden, do dishes, etc and the polish will usually last a good 4 to 5 days.

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  44. I like the OPI all in one (base and top coat). Although, I hardly ever do the base coat, and it usually lasts about a week if I do a couple fresh top coats through the week.

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  45. I just made my purchase for the new Garmin...thanks to your other post! I am SO excited to use it...I can barely wait for it to arrive. If you don't want your nails to look chipped so quickly, I would invest in the Gel Nail Polish (or Shellac as others call it). You can find it at Walmart or Target, it has a little light machine and step-by-step instructions as to do them. The gel will last 2 weeks without ANY chips! I get mine done as I have no eye-hand-coordination and they always look like a 2-year old did mine...best $35 dollars I spend a month for myself!

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  46. I'm a little late to the party, behind on reading because of my trip, but thank you for the heads up about being completely soaked from head to toe. It was so gross! I had trouble getting my shirt off because it was basically plastered to my body. I have a new found respect for people who run in the humidity, it's tough and gross!

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  47. You need Jamberry. http://elleflipjams.jamberrynails.net

    ReplyDelete

I used to publish ALL comments (even the mean ones) but I recently chose not to publish those. I always welcome constructive comments/criticism, but there is no need for unnecessary rudeness/hate. But please--I love reading what you have to say! (This comment form is super finicky, so I apologize if you're unable to comment)

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