Lululemon

Friday Favorites

January 18, 2013 by Kristy 8 Comments

Three running-related things I’m loving right now…

1. Reebok’s Performance Slim Motion Fit Capri
I picked these up at Dick’s Sporting Goods after Christmas (for $28 – score!). I love capris – I never wear full length running tights – but I only have 3 pairs from lululemon. I love my lulus but didn’t feel like spending an exorbitant amount of money on what I’d consider an “extra” pair. I was totally shocked that the Reebok capris fit better than Nike. They have a nice wide (but tight) waistband so they don’t fall down. They are not baggy in the calves like pictured below – they fit just like running tights would.

2. Headlamp
Another Dick’s purchase after Christmas – I think the brand was Princeton Tec? This is a definite must for the next 2 months. I was using Knuckle Lights but they started to dim and I could only use 1 at a time since I also carry a water bottle. When paired with a hat, I feel less like a coal miner.

3. Amphipod Handheld In-Touch
I love Amphipod’s handheld water bottles. I’ve been waiting and waiting for them to come out with a handheld that also holds your iPhone. Finally! This is just as comfortable as their other handhelds and I barely notice the slight increase in weight. Another must for dark mornings!

What are you loving right now?

Wise Sayings

May 24, 2012 by Kristy 11 Comments

My Dad is the king of sayings and catch-phrases, especially from commercials. Two of my favorite “Dad” sayings are:

No one ever drowned in sweat – although I did object to this once last summer during a 17-miler in 100 degree temps.

sweaty beast – summer 2011

Sometimes you get the bear, sometimes the bear gets you – god, do I love this one. Something as simple as scoring a great parking spot in a crowded mall during Christmas season (sometimes you get the bear) to having a fantastic training cycle and then a less-than-stellar performance on race day(sometimes the bear gets you).

A few of my other favorites:

What goes around comes around – sometimes the only way I can justify not hurting someone (kidding…kind of), is to repeat this to myself. Mean people get what is theirs eventually.

That which matters the most should never give way to that which matters the least – from the lululemon manifesto (which is full of wise sayings). Sometimes a reminder of perspective is needed.

Jealousy works the opposite way you want it to – also from the lululemon manifesto. We always want what we don’t have. I want Kara Goucher’s legs and speed and, on occasion, straight hair with cute side bangs but it’s not happening. The sooner you appreciate what you have, the better off you will be. I’m learning to appreciate my short, muscular legs for powering me through marathons and any small improvements in speed are celebrated. And my hair…well, 9 months out of the year curly hair is great to have.

If you think you can, you can. If you think you can’t, you can’t – a great lesson for all things in life but I apply this to marathoning more than anything. A great training cycle and great race day weather mean nothing if you don’t believe you can do it. And when I say believe I mean that deep down in-your-gut feeling of “yes, I got this”.

Do what you love and success will follow – if I didn’t believe this I would probably be in the fetal position somewhere crying. I am doing what I love – coaching, albeit part-time – and I repeat this to myself often. Someday, someday…

Got a favorite saying to share?

The hay is in the barn

April 2, 2012 by Kristy 23 Comments

Or so they say…

21 miles, 8:46 average pace, done!

So this didn’t go exactly as planned. It went much slower! Physically, I felt great. Mentally, I’m a bit burned-out. I’m writing a “Boston Goals” post later this week and I’ll elaborate more then. I think Kristen Armstrong’s latest post sums it up best though…

Running can’t be full speed, full intensity training all the time or you start to crack – either with an injury or with splintering morale. I know some people who do this, go from one marathon to the next without a break, and eventually their bodies cry uncle (and make them take a break).

In other news (Boston-related, of course)…

I got crafty on Saturday. I normally don’t wear my name on my shirt for marathons (then again, my last 4 marathons weren’t exactly filled with spectators), but I want to for Boston.

Rather than ruin an expensive lulu tank, I stole the idea from Celia to make a name patch. I bought some felt and some sticky letters, and voila…a removable patch that I can use again.

The “S” is a little high and it drives me nuts…

Another great idea I read from Lora’s blog was to start eating lunch later, due to Boston’s late start. I’ve been trying to hold off until 1:30 for lunch (2:00 if possible). I can’t think of anything more unpleasant than a growling stomach during a marathon. OK, there are worse things but that is unpleasant.

I’m also eating breakfast between 8-8:30 which will be the time I’ll eat before the race. Five hours between breakfast and lunch does not make for a happy Kristy.

Better now than on race day…

Name on shirt – yay or nay?

For the readers that ran Boston before (or NYC), did you get hungry during the race? I don’t think this will be an issue – it wasn’t for NYC – but I’m taking all precautions!

Weekend Musings and Running Pet Peeves

March 5, 2012 by Kristy 21 Comments

Saturday
I had 20 miles on dock and it was nice and warm. It actually rained most of the run but it was that warm that the rain felt nice. I love runs like that. I finished 20 miles in 2:52 (8:36 average pace). I was shooting for closer to 8:30 average pace but I’ll take it.

I encountered 2 of my running pet peeves on Saturday. #1 – running so close (i.e., up my ass) that I can hear your breathing and your footfalls and #2 – guys that like to “race” when a girl passes them or may pass them (also need to add that when you pass them, it’s not without comment – “didn’t know we were racing” – yes, this was said to me a few weeks ago when I passed a group of guys).

Let’s call offender #1 Mr. A. Mr. A and I converge on the trail at the bottom of a hill. Mr. A is ahead of me and I am keeping a respectable distance as to not commit pet peeve #1. My pace is steady at 8:30 and Mr. A was probably pushing 8:15ish. There was no need for me to pass him. Mr. A turns around and sees me and then takes off. Takes off as in 7:30 pace, which is pretty impressive considering he appeared to be in his 50s. Apparently, I was a threat.

Offender #2, or Mr. B, is older – maybe 60s? As I get closer I realize I’m going to pass him and I do it quickly and mutter “good morning”. Well Mr. B wasn’t having that. He picks up the pace and I can hear him right behind me. Mr. B is now committing pet peeves #1 and #2 so I’m pissed. I speed up to make it hard for him to keep up.

As I speed up I gain some momentum on Mr. A. He turns around (again) and takes off (again). Now all 3 of us are running down a steep hill at 7:40 pace. Thankfully I had to cross the street at the bottom of the hill and left Mr. A and Mr. B to duke it out themselves.

All I can say is, WHY? Matt said I was just as bad for speeding up but there was no way I was letting some old dude pass me.

Sunday
Since this week was a drop back week, I was supposed to run 3 easy miles, bringing me to 43 for the week. I ditched the run and watched a movie with Matt instead. I love Sunday morning movie watching! I realized that 43 miles wasn’t much of a drop back and 40 sounded better.

After the movie I hit up lululemon (I had a gift card from my birthday). I got another Racerback Tank (love them) and something different for barre class – the No Limit Tank.

front view

back view

Experience any running pet peeves of your own this weekend?

Do I have any male readers? Can you please explain why this bothers guys so much? Other runners (male, female, old, young) pass me all the time and it doesn’t bother me one bit!

Boston Prep and Week 8 Recap

February 29, 2012 by Kristy 19 Comments

The Boston Marathon is a mere 46 days away and my Type A self is going into “prep” mode. Race logistics, course info, expo, hotel, race outfit (so important…lululemon, it’s only a matter of days before we are reunited!), etc. I don’t want to be overly stressed during the taper period so it’s best to get this stuff all figured out now.

Thankfully, course-wise, there is so much information. I’m a big believer in studying your marathon course as much as you can before race day. I have this handy little guide that I’m reading(per Robin’s recommendation)…

I’ve been running hills during my long runs and occasionally doing a few repeats during easy runs. Yesterday I threw in 3 long hill repeats at the end of a 7-mile tempo run. Whoa, that was tough. My tempo miles ended up being faster than MP (8:08, 8:10, 8:07, 8:09, 8:08) so maybe that’s why? I’m having a hard time nailing down my MP (8:20) based on feel. I always seem to run faster. Guess that’s not the worst thing in the world!

Boston Week 8 Recap
MON: 8 easy with 3 long hill repeats at the end
TUE: 8 speed (6×400). Ugh, awful run. I ended up doing a few miles at HMP and MP to hit 8 for the day.
WED: barre REST! It was like there was a magnet on the back of my head when my alarm went off at 4:50AM (yep, no wonder, right?). I could not lift my head or get out of bed so I slept.
THU: 9 with 7 miles at tempo (8:12, 8:08, 8:12, 8:03, 8:07, 8:03, 8:13). Again, I was trying for MP and ended up faster.
FRI: REST (again)!
SAT: 18 at LSD pace (9:07). It was windy and I ran through a snowstorm.
SUN: 9 easy

52 miles for the week. This week is a drop-back week before I head into the monster month before taper!!!!!

Help, please! I’m looking for a pair of arm warmers for Boston that are comfy. Any suggestions? I’ve tried Saucony but ended up sending them back. Anyone have the lululemon Swiftly Arm Warmers?

Friday Favorites

February 17, 2012 by Kristy 17 Comments

Starbucks Rewards
Even if you only go to Starbucks once in awhile, you need to sign up for their rewards program. I limit myself to 3 visits per week and I get a free drink card in the mail all the time. Within the past 2 weeks I got 2 free drinks! And they have this nifty little app for your phone so you don’t have to carry around a rewards card. It’s the little things…

More lululemon love…
Walking into lululemon for me is similar to a 20-mile endorphin rush. I may be the best dressed runner but I dress for work like a hobo. Shopping for running clothes always trumps shopping for any other clothes. My newest lulu addiction is the Stride Jacket. I haven’t used it for running yet (it may be a bit heavy); more of an all-round hoodie. So warm and toasty.

A blogger’s dream
Matt got me a little something for Valentine’s Day and it may borderline on life-changing (for a blogger at least). A wireless memory card! No more using an annoying cord to transfer your pictures! Your pictures transfer from your camera right to your computer (organized into date-based folders…eek!).

Peanut Butter Cheerios
These are good. But is anything that contains PB bad?!

Do you prefer to shop for running clothes over regular clothes?

Do you use a wireless memory card? Do you agree that it would make blogging so much easier?