Morning, friends.  :) 

 

The return of OATMEAL!

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Oh, oatmeal. I’ve missed you.  Normally, I buy oatmeal in 5 pound bags from Costco (and therefore basically never have to buy oatmeal), but I recently ran out and could NOT remember for the LIFE of me to pick up oatmeal at the store.  I think the cooler weather finally motivated me to remember, though.

 

It’s Fall, after all!

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In the mix:

 

  • 1/2 cup oatmeal
  • 1/2 cup almond milk
  • 1/2 cup water
  • Dates
  • 1/2 a banana
  • Toppings: raspberries

 

Halloween Costumes for Runners, Part II

 

Here’s the link to Part I of this series.

 

Grace wrote, “I ran the Jazz half-marathon in cowgirl last year. It was so fun! Read the recap on my blog.  Even in denim, I had no chaffing; however, I did lose a squirt gun at the starting line. Next time I’ll custom-fit my holsters.  Around Mile 6, I challenged a gladiator to a duel. I won the duel, and I beat him to the finish!”

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Kelsey wrote, “I ran as Robin Hood last year! It was so fun, my first race in costume, and I got 2nd place (for my outfit, not my time!).”  Here’s her race recap.

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Andrea wrote, “Every June, Portland, Oregon (The City of Roses) has a week-long Rose Festival.  One of the festivities is a Starlight Parade and before that is a Starlight Run in which the 5k course is the parade route.  There are thousands of spectators waiting for the parade witnessing the race, and since this is a "fun-run" they encourage everyone to dress up in costume.  The year I did the run, the theme was the 70’s – break out the short shorts! The race itself was a blast and the costumes were amazing.  I wish I had pictures, but I saw one dude who dressed up as the Village People – ALL of them.  He rigged up some contraption with dummies on it that moved when he did – he was the Indian and the dummies were the construction worker, the police officer, and the cowboy.  Another guy, dressed in all polyester, held up a big square on his shoulders with pictures of the Brady Bunch in the nine squares inside.  His head was "Mr. Brady" and he even had a boom box playing the Brady Bunch theme song on a loop.  Portlanders take their costumes seriously!”

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Cute costumes, right?  In the end… I’ve decided to forgo the costume for my October 30 Marathon.  I am just WAY too nervous about 26.2 miles to begin with, and I think the last thing I want to deal with is a costume.  If it was a 5K, I’d be all over it.  But I can’t get the potential chafing horrors out of my mind.

 

Plus – remember that rule, “Never do anything NEW on race day”?  Doesn’t that mean I’d have to do a training run in my costume!?  And then everyone in the neighborhood would think I was insane for running up and down the street dressed as a Panda on October 19.

{ 68 comments }

 

  • Natalia - a side of simple October 7, 2010, 10:04 am

    I think you made a smart decision in forgoing the costume. I would rather be comfortable and all settled than distracted. Good choice 😉 Love the leaf dish!!

  • Sara October 7, 2010, 10:06 am

    Dressing up as a panda or something, ha ha ha. I love it. (But for 26.2 that would be a little insane.)

  • JenATX October 7, 2010, 10:06 am

    What if you just did something low key like animal ears? But I agree with Natalia, whatever makes you the most comfortable is the best decision.

  • Beth @ Beth's Journey to Thin October 7, 2010, 10:06 am

    HAHAH! I do think you should do a test run in a costume. I would laugh so hard if I saw someone running by themselves decked out in a costume and it wasn’t Halloween!

  • whitney October 7, 2010, 10:06 am

    I agree with you. I would not be able to do it. I would be WAY to nervous and what if something weird happened.

    Good choice.

  • Kristina @ spabettie October 7, 2010, 10:08 am

    DO IT ! go run today as a panda! 😉

  • Laura October 7, 2010, 10:13 am

    Maybe you and your husband could make another trip to London and you could run a race dressed up as a gorilla (the costume is included in your registration fee!) http://www.greatgorillas.org/london

  • Holly @ couchpotatoathlete October 7, 2010, 10:14 am

    Please run today as a panda and have your husband take pics — that would be hilarious!!!

    But I know what you mean: a 5K or a 10K and I could handle running in a costume, but a 1/2 or whole marathon? I don’t think I could do it!

  • Michele October 7, 2010, 10:14 am

    Ah man, I was hoping the running post-it note idea would fly – your neighborhood would love that one! 😀

  • karen October 7, 2010, 10:14 am

    sounds like a smart decision… There are way too many other things to cope with during a marathon why add to it? Costumed running is so fun, definitely do it for a 5k!

  • Rachel October 7, 2010, 10:15 am

    Did you mean to say “Never do anything NEW on race day?” If you followed the rule “never do anything on race day” you’d miss the race!

    • Caitlin October 7, 2010, 10:17 am

      haha no, i meant never do anything on race day. LOL

      thanks for noticing, i corrected!

  • Katie October 7, 2010, 10:16 am

    You definitely need to do the post-it idea for a shorter run…if only to get the message out! I might dress up for my half on October 30…I am thinking about a bunny since slow and steady wins the race!

  • Trixie October 7, 2010, 10:17 am

    I maintain that you could wear a yellow cape that looks like a post-it!

  • Heather October 7, 2010, 10:18 am

    aw bummer, I was excited to see what you were going to do. I don’t know what i am doing yet but it will be minimilly invasive as far as chafing, etc. is concerned. I may wear a tutu. we will see.

  • Katie October 7, 2010, 10:18 am

    LOL I would NEVER just because I’m too OCD about racing 🙂 I’m already nervous because it’s my first next week and the damn weather is supposed to get warm again! I was hoping for freezing temperatures!

  • Katie @ Healthy Heddleston October 7, 2010, 10:19 am

    haha I love these!! I hope there are still more coming!

  • Lily @ Lily's Health Pad October 7, 2010, 10:19 am

    I love the cowgirl costume! So cute. I can’t believe those shorts were comfy for an entire 13.1 miles.

  • cyndie October 7, 2010, 10:21 am

    Why don’t you just paint your face (not a lot, some of it will probably smear) and then wear a cute animal headband with ears or something? No chafing necessary!

    • Caitlin October 7, 2010, 10:22 am

      I feel like the paint would run down by face! I am a heavy sweat-er.

      • Nicole @ Geek Turned Athlete October 7, 2010, 10:31 am

        I am too!! There is really no point in wearing makeup out running b/c it will just run off my face, and be replaced by crusty salt.

        I don’t blame you not wanting a costume. During my HIM a few wks ago, I had to use my hubs repair kit bag on my bike since mine was MIA. It was turned wrong on my bike causing some velcro to stick out ever so slightly. It was annoying for the first 15 miles, but after that I couldn’t feel it anymore until after the race. Well, it turns out that I had basically bore a hole in my thigh for the remaining 41 miles. After the race it was bleeding and oozing yellowness. It was quite nasty. Then, every single time I taught spin after that, the scab would rip off. Painful!

        I know I didn’t get it from running, but that is what I get for trying something new on race day!

  • Amanda October 7, 2010, 10:23 am

    You could totally get a grey sweatsuit and red headband and run the race as Rocky 😉

  • Erin October 7, 2010, 10:24 am

    I think it’s smart to forgo the costume Caitlin, there’s always next time! 😉

    PS: I’m doing my first ever 5K walk/run THIS Saturday. I’m freaking out a little but I would never have ever considered doing it had I not stumbled across your blog a few months ago. So, thank you 🙂

    http://www.bishella.blogspot.com.

    • Caitlin October 7, 2010, 10:25 am

      you are going to have SOOO much fun!!! let me know how it goes.

  • Kjirsten- Balanced Healthy Life October 7, 2010, 10:25 am

    I totally agree with your decision. You don’t want to put all your hard training in jepordy because of an uncomfortable costume mishap! Glad you found your way back to oatmeal!

  • Sarah October 7, 2010, 10:28 am

    Have you ever thought about opening an Operation Beautiful shop? It might be fun to have custom made post-its with operationbeautiful.com written on the bottom that people could use throughout the day. But I was also thinking that you could also design tshirts or tank tops with post-it designs on them. That way if you wanted to dress in an OB costume, you could wear a shirt and it wouldn’t be anything different, so to speak.

    I know … in your spare time. 🙂

  • tina October 7, 2010, 10:28 am

    bummer! it sounded like so much fun- i was excited to see what you’d dress up as… but you are pretty smart not to! i don’t think i would be able to either… you have enough on your plate- you will do AMAZING!!!!

  • Kelly October 7, 2010, 10:34 am

    I agree for a shorter race it could be fun, but the chaffing potential during a marathon is too great. You can dress up after 🙂

  • Courtney (Pancakes & Postcards) October 7, 2010, 10:36 am

    probably a good choice… what seems fun for three miles might not be for 26. just be festive! 🙂

  • Shannon, Tropical Eats October 7, 2010, 10:36 am

    loving these costumes!

    i think it’s a good call though for your marathon. maybe just do the whole iron on letter thing?

  • Jamie @ Food in Real Life October 7, 2010, 10:41 am

    I just ran around my neighborhood dressed as a lion the other day. I like to keep people on their toes.

    😉

  • Amber K October 7, 2010, 10:42 am

    I think that’s a really wise decision. A 5k definitely, but I wouldn’t be messing with something new for a marathon! Then again, this is coming from a girl who can’t run a 5k! 🙂

  • Leanne @ Simplicitlee October 7, 2010, 10:42 am

    That leaf dish is so pretty. Sigh, I love pretty plates/bowls/dishes…

    Good idea on saying no to costumes! I think you’ll be happy in the end!

  • Amanda @ Eat to Live, Live to Run October 7, 2010, 10:43 am

    I think thats a wise decision. I’m like you … if it were a 5K I’d be all over it, but not for a marathon.

  • Amanda October 7, 2010, 10:47 am

    I’d be the same way: 5K would be fun to run in a costume. Any longer? I’d be so distracted by myself!

  • Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat October 7, 2010, 10:48 am

    Good choice about the costume. on another note, your breakfast looks soooo good. Love the bowl – very fall-y!

  • Sarena (The Non Dairy Queen) October 7, 2010, 10:50 am

    Oatmeal just makes ya feel good on cool mornings! I hope you have a great day Caitlin!

  • Wei-Wei October 7, 2010, 10:52 am

    I was thinking that it would be a lot of fun, but not a very smart choice. Good call on forgoing the costume for your marathon 😛

  • Christina @ Food.Fun.Fabulous October 7, 2010, 10:53 am

    I love that leaf dish! It’s beautiful!

  • faith @ gracefulfitness October 7, 2010, 10:55 am

    I ran my one and only half marathon dressed as an aerobics instructor from the 80’s (it was Halloween). It was a great running outfit except the teal spandex leotard the kept riding up in unfortunate places!

  • Allison W. October 7, 2010, 11:00 am

    You could be a devil pretty easily (a devil ears headband, red top, black shorts). I did that one year for a 5K.

  • Liz @ Tip Top Shape October 7, 2010, 11:03 am

    Haha, yeah, your neighbors might look at you a bit odd running in a costume around the neighborhood.

  • Kate October 7, 2010, 11:11 am

    i actually think you should be wearing a panda costume for every training run.

    how much more exciting would each run be if you running it as someone else each time.

    i’d cheer if you came by my house like that. even on october 19th.

  • Teri [a foodie stays fit] October 7, 2010, 11:11 am

    BAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! That cowgirl costume is AMAZING. I can’t believe she ran in that whole get-up for a half marathon. I love all the details she has going on in that outfit. hahahaha. She’s my hero.

    Your costume is a panda?! PLEASE do it. 🙂

  • Camille October 7, 2010, 11:18 am

    Hahaha, now I’m imagining someone running down the street as a panda 🙂

  • Sarah for Real October 7, 2010, 11:18 am

    LOL Smart choice. I thought your idea to be an Operation Beautiful note had potential though?

  • Marina October 7, 2010, 11:21 am

    I would love to try and run a race in a crazy outfit. Or any outfit for that matter 😀

  • Stacey (The Habit of Healthy) October 7, 2010, 11:30 am

    Wise decision, although I was looking forward to seeing you in costume! I love your leaf bowl – very seasonal.

  • Carly October 7, 2010, 11:46 am

    I LOVE that leaf dish. So pretty.

    I have my very first 5k on Sunday. I’m really nervous. It’s something I have always wanted to do but after reading your blog, I finally had the courage to sign up. Ahh, so scary. Wish me luck :). And thanks for the inspiration.

    • Caitlin October 7, 2010, 12:39 pm

      You’re going to do excellent 🙂 Let me know how it goes!!!

  • Chelsea @ Strawberry Sweat October 7, 2010, 11:51 am

    Running sans costume is probably the smart idea. My half marathon is the same day as your marathon, so we are also encouraged to wear costumes. But since this is only my second half, I think I’ll be safe and wear my normal ol’ running clothes.

  • Paige (Running Around Normal) October 7, 2010, 12:22 pm

    I don’t think I could wear a costume for that long either. Like you said, a 5k, sure, but def not a marathon! Maybe a half. *Maybe* – but I doubt it, heh

  • Lauren October 7, 2010, 12:35 pm

    Wow, I have a hard enough time running with any kind of distracting element on me. These people are crazy and so awesome! 🙂

  • Katie @ peacebeme October 7, 2010, 12:46 pm

    I think that is a good idea Caitlin. Based on your race history, I think its going to be way more comfortable in the marathon to run WITHOUT the costume. You could totally do it in a 5K since you race a lot, but in the marathon I think it would be annoying!

  • Sana October 7, 2010, 12:57 pm

    Maybe you could do something small! But comfort comes first! You will be epic either way!

  • Michelle October 7, 2010, 12:59 pm

    That fall leaf bowl is ADORABLE!! It’s the only thing that could’ve distracted me from how yummy and fresh those raspberries look.

    Don’t you just love fall?? ♥

  • Cyndi @ Weightless Life October 7, 2010, 1:05 pm

    I’m loving all of these costumes. It almost makes me want to dress up for my half on Saturday.

  • Coco October 7, 2010, 1:07 pm

    Wise decision on saying no to costumes!
    5k could be fun to run in a costume, but for 26.2 miles, it’s important to be comfortable and all settled.

  • Teacherwoman October 7, 2010, 1:22 pm

    You’re definitely right about never doing anything new on race day. And since you are doing a full marathon, I think this is probably the call I would make!

  • Nikka B October 7, 2010, 1:58 pm

    If you started running around your neighborhood dressed as a Panda people would probably think they were on candid camera or being punkd!

  • Maryea @ Happy Healthy Mama October 7, 2010, 2:02 pm

    I am loving these costume pictures. Good idea to forgo a costume for you marathon though, I don’t blame you a bit.
    I love your leaf bowl-so cute!

  • carlee October 7, 2010, 3:06 pm

    do whats best for you! that sounds like a long run to be running in a costume!
    I think I would go crazy in those cowgirl jeans. that’s ridiculous!

  • Mary @ Bites and Bliss October 7, 2010, 5:16 pm

    Oatmeal’s the perfect cool weather breakfast. But heck, I never got out of eating it! Even in the middle of Summer 😛

  • Heidi - apples under my bed October 7, 2010, 5:37 pm

    I think you’re right to not do anything new for such an epic run. good work for listening to your instincts 🙂 Your oatmeal looks positively delish! raspberries are beautiful!
    Heidi xo

  • Gracie (complicated day) October 7, 2010, 6:14 pm

    Yay I’m famous!!!!

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin October 7, 2010, 6:55 pm

    I think that’s a good call. I’m sure there will be other costume races you can do in the future! 😀

  • Veronica October 7, 2010, 11:54 pm

    What about just a cute headband? Maybe some cat ears or something? Or use wax pencils to draw something on your face?

    I totally think no costume is the way to go. Who would want to have a wardrobe malfunction and be miserable for 26 miles? no way!

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