Run The Long Road Coaching

personalized coaching for distance runners

North Face

Random Thursday

by 7 Comments

I love these posts since, on any given day, I have a number of random running thoughts in my head. Nothing significant enough to warrant an entire post…just random musings.

  • Apparently, many of you wear underwear (thongs) with your running tights (if you have no idea what I’m talking about see here). I’m shocked! I’m in the minority!  I still don’t think I could do it; I would be so uncomfortable. I feel like I’m left out of a secret club!  Who knew?!
  • I finally finished Born To Run. LOVED it. I won’t do a book review or give anything away though. All I’ll say is this book should be on your must-read list. I really had no idea what it was about (and I think it’s better that way); all I knew is that everyone raved about it. Now I know why!
  • Many of you were interested in the North Face Stow-n-Go Sports Bra that I reviewed last week but were concerned about size.  The bra is recommended for A/B cups.  Amanda suggested another pocketed-bra from Gracie’s Gear.  I’ve never tried them but they come in all sizes.
  • Please help out fellow blogger Claire win the Cheribundi Vegas Marathon Challenge.  She’s currently in second place!!  All you have to do is “like” the Cheribundi FB page and then “like” Claire’s picture.

What is your favorite running book? Or a running book on your must-read list? I keep hearing that Running On Empty is good.

Product Review: North Face Stow-n-Go Sports Bra

by 17 Comments

8 miles easy / 1:15 / 9:22 avg pace (done on Wednesday night)

I saw this North Face sports bra on Tina’s blog a few months ago and had to have it. This is exactly what I was looking for; the solution to my RaceReady shorts. I wrote about my love (not really love, but practicality) for RaceReady shorts a few months ago and I got some flack about it. Yes, they are ugly but they hold everything!

I tested out this bra last Friday (on a 20-miler) and buh bye RaceReady shorts! It held 4 Shot Bloks perfectly and easily could have held 2 more (the exact amount that I carry for a marathon). The pouch (not sure what else to call it) is huge and even has a separate compartment for your key.

  • The Shot Bloks didn’t move an inch; I hardly knew they were there.
  • You can’t beat the accessibility…I mean they are right there!
  • Did I look like I had a 3rd boob with all those Shot Bloks stuffed down my bra? Yes. Did I care? No. I do wear RaceReady shorts in public so you know I don’t care!
  • Stuff gets pretty warm in that region so if you’re a fan of freezing your GUs, this may not be the best plan for you.
  • The bra runs small. It’s intended for A/B cups (according to the description). If I ordered online I would have gotten a small (I’m not so well-endowed). Luckily I was near a North Face store and tried on the medium and it fit perfectly; a small would have been too small.
  • I guess I should mention that it also does everything a sports bra should:  supports, wicks, doesn’t chafe, etc.

I’m so, so happy with this bra! I can finally wear normal shorts for a marathon (Lululemon Willpower shorts, of course)!

Front view:

I cut my Shot Bloks in half so I can eat 3 of them at a time (every 4 miles).   It makes them easier to carry too.

Deep pouch:

I bought this bra myself and was not asked by North Face to do a review. However, I am willing and able to accept any products in exchange for a review 🙂