It's what I like...

I'm on a blogging roll! Twice in one week.

Is Chrissie wearing the Lulu Speed Short?
I think she is!

I guess this is what can happen when I have a 'takin' it easy week' -- which I earned myself after the excessiveness that was last week. My poor ol' body is happy to take a little break this week.

And how nice it is, I must admit, to take it down a notch for a little bit. I've still managed dinners out  / outings every night this week except tonight. But no over doin' it and I've been in bed at a decent time every night. Even getting in a little reading before going to sleep.

You will want to strap rubber
to your feet and eat chia after
reading this one.

I'm reading Chrissie Wellington's book right now - A Life Without Limits. I don't really know why, seeing as I don't usually read nonfiction and would never be into triathlons (just thinking about getting elbowed and kicked in the face while trying to swim - much less swim at a decent pace - gives me an ulcer, no thanks! I am more of the doggy-paddle-around-without-getting-my-hair-wet kind of swimmer).

But I just finished Born to Run (good, read it, although I felt the story jumped around a little..) and was talking about it with someone I run with and he recommended A Life Without Limits. I think with this (as well Born to Run) I'm mainly intrigued because I'm in pure awe of people who can go from basically nothing to winning like ultra marathons (one HUNDRED miles?!)  / iron mans -- or people who can even do such things in the first place. SERIOUSLY, who are these people?? And how much of this is nature vs. training. Genes vs. discipline? Crazy vs. sane?

I would like to say reading such things has helped my motivation to run my measly 10 mile "Long Runs" (ha!) at a sub 8 min/mile average pace - but yeah, not so much... It motivates me greatly when I'm lying in bed reading the book and THINKING about my next run, but so far I have yet to tap into that motivation while ON an actual run.

Instead, on a run, I find myself thinking of way deeper stuff like "hmm, which shoes should I wear out tonight," or "aww that is a cute dog" or having imaginary conversations with myself and the boy I have a crush on during which I say very witty things while looking effortlessly beautiful.

Then, when I hit a wall, instead of getting motivational my thoughts turn to "ughhhh, this sucks." Mother F*cker, it's freaking hot out." "Where is the next water fountain, for the love of god?!" "WTF, am I running in quicksand, my legs are like lead." My thoughts at these times are not for sensitive ears..

ANYway...

I meant for this post to start out differently. What I really meant to do is to share what I wear. I always like seeing what other people like to wear while running / working out to get ideas - so here are some of my best things.

Let me start by saying I have been running regularly (albeit 5 mile runs) for nearly 15 years and exercising just as long and I have never really been the type to get into all the gear.. I used to run / exercise in basically a cotton wife beater (bright cute colors though!) and shorts. I survived. But I do see the value in wicking, especially for those longer distances, it's worth it.

I should also say that I am petite. 5 ft 2 inches (well technically 5 feet 2 1/2 inches, yes that 1/2 inch counts!) and hover around 104-5 lbs. I'm proportional for my size - a small 34 B.

I only mention all this because I do think first -- it's hard to find good clothes that fit small frames and second, my recs might not work for every body type.

So here goes from basic & cheap to shmancy fancy---

1.  Old Navy sports bras

Love them. I think Old Navy makes the best cheap (but sufficient) sports bras. Again, I'm a B cup- so I don't need heavy duty coverage - but I do have enough there to bounce without proper coverage - and I don't like any bouncing at all. Nothing worse than small AND droopy tatas... 

I have found however with size XS of the below bras, I'm in good shape for running.

The adjustable strap sports bra is not lined or padded so it does give me issues with 'hi-lights' -- I reserve it for warm weather or layering days, (or when I just don't give a damn who sees me nipping out).. I like the thin straps too for running because (I'm going to get a little cheesy now..) confession - I use self tanner / spray tan  -- and after a couple days of it doing its thing, it comes off some around the bra strap line on a sweaty run - so this gives me minimal self tanner lines.

Adjustable Strap Sports Bra
I have this in multiple color combos.

Although they have thicker straps, the Women's Padded Sports Bra is cute and flattering and even gives me a little cleave. Ok I know I shouldn't be looking for cleave in a sports bra, but bear with me here, I'm single! :) And I'm not talking about a lot of cleave, just a little. Tasteful. And sporty looking at the same time.

Women's Padded Sports Bra
Padding is not a bad thing when
you're a B... !

I haven't had super luck with the rest of Old Navy active wear, but I'm a huge devotee to these bras!

2.  Gap Body -- Gap Fit 

This is my hands down all time current favorite running top. The XS fits me perfectly, comes down the perfect flattering amount in front and is the perfect length for capris (long enough to hide the dreaded potential camel toe!) as well as shorts.

It also is fitted but not too tight - perfection! I have it in basically all the colors offered (much more available in the store than online) and some colors I have twice - I feel like I live in these, wear one on practically every run, and layer on top of it in the winter. I even wear it on bike rides, check out my blog profile pic!

Gap Fit Racerback Tank
The fit comes down much longer on me than
pictured here....
Below the crotch to hide potential CT

I also have some Gap Fit capris. For whatever reason I don't run in them - I just wear them for gym classes. No idea why that is? I am a strange one. I do like them though for gym class.


They fit well, are flattering and a good bang for the buck! I have a couple pairs - and one does not have a pocket for my locker room key, which is annoying, but the other one does.. weird. so if you care about that, check as perhaps there are different versions...

Gap Fit capris
Good bang for your buck at
about $45 each. Hold up well after lots of
washing..

3. Lululuxury 


In my world of donating all my money to charity like a good person should spending all my money boozing and stuffing my face, buying new handbags I don't need and stalking JCrew and shopbop websites regularly, I try to be a little frugal with my running / exercise clothes. Hence most of my stuff comes from Old Navy and Gap. However, I do splurge if it's worth it (or if anyone wants to get me a gift card) and I do love the following splurges from Lululemon:

I absolutely adore the No Limits Tank. It is super flattering but not fitted so it's great on a day when you're feeling bloated and not in the mood to have something hugging your stomach. The back peek through bra is a cute style. I'm not sure I'd be comfortable running in it - but it's great for a gym class. My all time favorite gym class shirt! I am searching for another color combo I like and saving up my pretty pennies to get another one to add to my collection.

No Limits Tank
I'm not a huge fan of the colors currently in-store /online but I found
this combo brand new w/ tags on Ebay.  Score!

I'm also very partial to my speed shorts from Lulu. I have them in size 2. Let's not sugar coat this, these shorts are damn SHORT. I mean thank god for the inner wear or you might be able to see my gotcha when I bend over. I mean hot pants short.

But, I gotta say, I think as far as shorts go, the shorter the better for my short little legs. Running shorts that are a little longer length look super frumpy and unflattering on me.. And these aren't lycra fitted or anything, so still just enough modesty that hopefully people don't throw up. However, I only venture to wear these things when I have some color on the old legs (to help hide the cellulite... we all have it, no avoiding it). Nothing will make my pale thighs blind someone quicker than short shorts like this. But perfect for summer runs when I have a little color!

Speed Short
Do you see a color trend here??
I like my grey and violet/pink apparently!

And finally.... For those hot days when your thighs are feeling too pale or too cellulite-y or you just don't feel like shaving your legs above the knee,  the Run in the Sun capri is a great option. The woman in the store told me all about the special venting and technology that helps make these 'just like running in shorts'. I forgot all that good info., in one ear and out the other..

But I will say these are pretty 'cool' capris. My ass definitely isn't as swampy when I'm done with a run as with my other capris.  Don't be scared if you see them in the store - when off the body they have this ruffle looking thing down the thighs that looks like it would be super unflattering -- but when you pull them on your legs, they're so snug that the ruffles flatten out. Plus the ruffley things are part of the genius technology venting system. or something like that.

Run in the Sun capri
See the slight ruffle on the side
it is a fancy venting system that cools you off!

Sorry for not including the direct links to all these faves -- you'll have to google or search the sites. But seriously just finding and stealing copying all the pictures and posting and writing the blog was enough to tucker me out.  I don't know how you real bloggers do it, I'm still a novice. Maybe it's much like running - you have to build up the miles and distance gradually...

OK.... time now to crawl in bed and read more about Chrissie Wellington crushing it. I wonder what kind of clothes REAL runners / athletes REALLY like to wear (when they're not being paid by a sponsor...) 


If I were a famous runner, I'd wear whatever (cute stuff) they gave me for free...

There will always be another day and another run..

I'm behind again with my blogging. It's just so hard for me to be disciplined when it's so nice out!

My Lunchtime Workouts are in full swing so I can take advantage of the nice weather and do lots of fun stuff after work.

Last week and this weekend were a perfect example of that and I even maybe pushed it a little too far. Double booked Thurs and Friday nights, staying out wayy later than necessary in both instances, seeing a play (the Tony winner for best play, by the way.. Clybourne Park go see it!) then out for drinks with a new friend at a new bar w/ a fun juke box and a friendly bartender.

Friday night -- early drinks with ANOTHER new friend then out to a very fun piano bar where I sang along and belted out the words (or what I thought the words were) to all the great old piano bar standbys in my lovely voice, and laughed and drank and didn't want to leave until it was finally 4 am. So Much Fun. 

Grabbed a slice of pizza to keep all the beer in my stomach company (fun to see all the awesome cast of characters typically having a slice at 4 AM, it's been a while!) then home and to bed.

Then, BBQ all day Saturday - eating lots of delicious food, drinking lots of white wine and laughing and catching up in the sun on my new friends' amazing outdoor terrace (complete with outdoor sectional and fancy grill) uptown. I was in such a great mood when I left I opted to walk a very LONG leisurely walk home (110 blocks!) in the summery evening.

 Really good times. I am loving the summer so far.

Only thing that didn't love all these shenanigans was my Long Run this weekend.... First I had to make Long Run Saturday a Long Run Sunday because I stayed out so super late Friday plus had to trek it wayy uptown for the BBQ all day Saturday.

But -- I made myself stick to  do doing the run on Sunday.. AND, I thought I was going to die. For the first time I can ever remember, I set out to do a specific distance and quit before I was done.

Dammit.

I set out to do 10 miles - which has been my weekend long run distance for several weeks now. I ate breakfast and thought I hydrated properly (keeping in mind just how dehydrated all the Thurs - Sat. shenanigans had probably caused me to be). And set out at around noon.


Well it was freaking hot out. But, that really should not have impacted me the way it did. I have run in the heat and humidity before.

The first 3 miles felt great and I thought it was going to be a good run. Usually I can tell by mile 3 if it's going to be a constant struggle. This time, I could tell around mile 4 and it hit me.  Hard. I was really really thirsty, sweating a ton. I made it through until mile 6 - ate a couple honey stingers and continued until 7.5 miles - stopping at every. water. fountain.

Then at 7.5 miles I just stopped to rest. I just didn't care anymore. I walked a little in the shade, drank more water. Then felt ok and started up again at a slower pace until I hit 9 miles. And then quit altogether. walked home, picked up a bottle of Smart Water on the way, took a shower and passed out on my couch.

Such a bummer, this is the first time I just didn't care enough to push myself through it.


BUT.....................

I am not dwelling on it - I beat up my body for the 3 days prior - drinking too much, not getting enough sleep, then I go out running in high heat and humidity. What Did I Expect?

Plus, it was all worth it..

I love Tia Pol. We sat right there
at the bar, with a summery breeze
coming through the front.  It was
a pretty perfect evening.

It really was. I had such fun Thurs - Saturday. Doing new things with new friends and loving it all. Taking advantage of living in the best city in the world. I have always said I don't want running to get in the way of living life. There will be plenty of other runs, and easier and longer runs at that to be had another day!

And, instead of just crashing out all Sunday evening, I even managed to make it out to dinner at Tia Pol last night w/ my dear friend who just got back from a few weeks in Europe. The restaurant had its whole front open, we sat at the bar, shared an awesome bottle of muscadet cava (refreshing!) and stuffed our face with delicious food.

Afterall, I may not have run my full 10 miles but I still put in a good effort on the 9 - or at least the 7.5 of the 9... That deserves a little face stuffing.

Me on a better running day... 

Then to bed early and woke up this morning feeling dumb and lazy. Normal Monday morning stuff, but wow, I did not want to get out of bed. Or go to work. Or do anything once I got to work. I FORCED myself to the gym for lunch - but only because I have dinner plans w/ girlfriends who I miss and haven't seen in ages tonight. It was such a struggle to do my Lunchtime Workout.

BUT...... I can say, it's true. You never regret a workout, once you're done. Even if you half-ass it, maybe you regret half-assing it, but you don't regret GOING in the first place. Nor do you ever regret a run, even if you regret not going as far or as fast as you would have liked. It's so true.

I can get a little competitive on a good day. Just a little.
Sometimes...

So on that note I leave you with these few above truisms for my better running days. To inspire the return of such days in the near future. When I don't want to stop until I've met my distance goal of the day, don't feel like I'm running in quicksand and parched like a camel and do feel a little ready to race someone.

There will be more days like those. I'm not worried.

'Til then, I'm heading out to meet my girlfriends to catch up over another bottle of wine, stuff my face a little more and have a few laughs!