It got me thinking – what do people do after a run – do you down a pint of water, sit and relax for a bit or head straight to the shower? I like a mix of all three. Sitting down while sipping a pint of something….generally water, before heading for the shower.

My favourite thing about a post run shower? My mini collection of Lush shower products. They are fab for running over tired muscles – especially my shins, which seem to suffer a lot. I am currently enjoying their minty Ice Blue soap, and Lemslip (which is great for that super all over clean feeling).

I love the customer service experience in their various branches (a big shout out to their Boro store staff).  The happy little Lush helpers are always on had to advise on products, presents, and sometimes a nice natter when the store is quiet!  The Lush site is full of information on their ingredients (via their Lushopedia), their mission statement, their latest “Lush Times” publication and lots more.

All in all, the site is full of lovely content, but they could work on access a little more…..the site isn’t the easiest to navigate at times when looking for something specific.

You can follow @Lush on Twitter or check them out on Facebook.

I recently bought a running magazine – and it’s not half bad. Women’s Running is aimed at a growing number of women who are seeing the benefits of  ditching the big gym membership costs, in favour of the outdoors.   I picked it up randomly, half expecting it to be full of adverts and nay sayers who were pushing various costly products on you, but I have been pleasantly surprised.  There is quite a bit of advertising (which is to be expected of magazines these days), but the publication is actually packed full of interesting articles and it has definitely spurred me to take up running again. It made me consider the rut I had been in with my route – the same distance and environment, which just added up to route fatigue! This evening I changed me route and it actually really made a real difference – I ran faster and further without realising how far I was going.

I have also just signed up to Runner’s World magazine and I’ll be interested in seeing how it compares to the Women’s Running magazine.

RunKeeper has been keeping me motivated – one major benefit of the 3GS with the upgraded OS4 – RunKeeper and iPod going at the same time. I have just taken a look at the site for the first time, and decided that I would make my profile public.It is a lovely site  – nice, clean, easy to use and navigate.  I hope it will spur me to do more excercise. Time will tell I guess.

I did struggle with and iPhone holder, but I’ve finally settled on one. I’ve learned that none of the iPhone holders are built to last and they expect you to squeeze your iPhone into the holder, which will eventually tear the rubber holding the iPhone secure. Anyway, the one I picked is fine  – if you have skinny arms, then this is the one for you. It does come with an extension piece for those of you with muscles or fat arms ( like me!).   I’m worried that transfering it from my usual iPhone holder to the sports holder will eventually snap the iPhone though….best of a bad lot though.

I am in the process of learning how to love iTunes……I have hated it for the last seven months, but feel it’s time to put my bitter hatred aside, and learn to love it. This in mind, I’ve been looking for some “running” music. Thanks to the Women’s Running magazine, I found AudioFuel – worth a look if you have the cash! I’m looking forward to my first purchase.

If I didn’t have AudioFuel, I would most likely have to spend a good but of time creating my own list (AC/DC featuring heavily).

So, please do drop me a line if you have advice or music suggestions and if you fancy teaming up with a tubby runner  – give me a call, as I need the encouragement!