Run The Long Road Coaching

personalized coaching for distance runners

Lululemon

Friday Favorites

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lululemon Vinyasa Scarf
I’ve been eyeing this scarf forever. Comfy, warm, and a billion ways to wear it. I bought it a few weeks ago and it has quickly become a wardrobe staple. I agonized in the store about what color to get for about a ½ hour. Here’s me at working wearing it for the second (or third) time this week. It’s a creepy bathroom shot; thankfully no one walked in. That would have been weird.

Honda marathoner commercial
Anyone see this commercial yet? It’s great. I love how the girl does the marathon shuffle over to her Honda. So absolutely accurate.

The Bachelor
Jeez, this is embarrassing but I was sucked into another season of The Bachelor. I only watch it when it’s the bachelor (not the bachelorette) because nothing is more entertaining then watching a bunch of batshit crazy girls find their “soulmate”. We all know Courtney is crazy but is she ever without a glass of wine in hand? She drinks like a fish! And Blakely, Ben will never pick you because you are over 30. The guy always picks a 24-25 year old. Speaking of which, and maybe this is because I’m much older than that, what’s with the overuse of “like”? Ben, I’m really like glad we like got to like spend like so much like time together. Stop!

Sigh, I still watch every week.

Friday rest days
For the past 2 weeks, I’ve taken Friday as a rest day. Since I work from home on Fridays, I get to “sleep in” extra late, rest the day before my long run, and Thursday night I’m feeling like this…

Which day(s) do you take as a rest day? Is it planned or when you feel you need it? 

Thoughts on The Bachelor?


Do one thing a day that scares you

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The lululemon manifesto…

full of wise sayings

I have a lulu bag hanging up in my closet so everyday I’m hit smack across the face with words of wisdom.  Life is full of setbacks.  Success is determined by how you handle setbacks.  That which matters the most should never give way to that which matters the least.  Your outlook on life is a direct reflection of how much you like yourself.  

One particular quote that screams at me everyday:  do one thing a day that scares you.  So I am.  I’m about to begin studying for my Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist certification through NSCA.

my new BFF

So why am I doing this?  To become a better running coach.  To further my knowledge outside of running.  Why am I so scared?  It’s rumored to be a tough test.  I’m, of course, afraid of failing (more afraid of the cost of re-testing; this is expensive!).  I’m scared of the time commitment.  Once I begin studying I need to stick with it or I’ll just end up re-studying the beginning chapters.

I’m doing this and it scares me.  So be it.

Are you doing something right now that scares you?  

Do you have a favorite lululemon quote?

Know anyone that has taken the CSCS test?  Help me!

perfect sunday: 14 miles and lululemon

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10/23/11
14 miles / 2:03 / 8:47 avg pace

If you follow Kristin Armstrong’s blog, Mile Markers, you are familiar with what she calls the Reset Run.  The purpose of this run is to clear your head, recharge, and refresh.  This is exactly what I needed after last week.  It was an ugh, ick, and meh kind of week.  I contemplated running a 5K today but my gut was screaming for a Reset Run.  Fourteen miles of pavement pounding on a gorgeous Fall morning did the trick.  I feel refreshed, things are in perspective, and I’m determined to make this week much better.

In the afternoon I hit up lululemon for some Fall/Winter running necessities.  I’m always leery of running tights.  My legs are short and muscular and I think they look like stuffed sausages in tights!  I tried on every running crop they had and decided on the Priiti Crop.  They were by far the most flattering and comfortable.  I also got  the Run: Swiftly Tech Long Sleeve (love!) and another Cool Racerback tank (I wear these every week; can’t have enough!).  All together now…

I used to be Nike obsessed and now I’m slowly converting to lululemon obsessed.  I don’t mind spending the money (the R&D discount is sweet) because I spend hours each week in running clothes and I want them to last, look good, and not get funkified after a sweaty run.

Tell me about your weekend run.  Long, short, Reset Run, race, or no race…I want to hear it all!

Random Thursday Thoughts

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10/6/11
6 miles / 54:40 / 9:06 avg pace

1.  Kara Goucher posted this on her FB page yesterday:

As some of you may have already read, Alberto and I are no longer working together. He has been a vital part of my running career and life, and helped me to achieve many of my goals. However, we both felt it was time to go in separate directions. I do not yet know what my future coaching situation will be, but I look forward to exploring the next chapter in my running career.

Hmmm…scandalous!  I haven’t had time to investigate.  Does anyone know why?

2.  These are delicious.  I ate my way through 2 bags already.


via

3.  I wore gloves this week when running.  I love it…it’s a true sign that Fall running weather is here.  I don’t love cold hands.

4.  I need to get to lululemon.  My wish list is rather extensive:  Run: Inspire Crop, Run: Swiftly Tech Long Sleeve, etc, etc.

That’s all I got today, folks!

Got the scoop on Kara?  Broke out the gloves yet?  Got a random thought to share?

Lululemon R&D Party

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7/18/11
7 miles
*2 x (6x400m in 1:42).  This is a tough workout.  Avg pace for the first set was 1:36, and second set, 1:37.  I was happy to be able to consistently beat a 1:42 on each lap.  

Last night I attended the Lululemon R&D Party at the new King of Prussia store.  The KOP store just opened and the party celebrated its opening and also honored their R&D members.  They really went all out — food, candy, beer, wine, and lots of interesting people to meet.

The KOP store front.  Taken from both angles because it’s awesome.

The food spread.

The even better candy spread.  Practically all of my favorites lined up in a row!

I got the opportunity to meet the rest of the KOP staff and some amazing R&D members.  I love talking with people who turned their passion into their career (something I will do some day…soon!).  Since I started my running coach business just a few months ago, I’m still very much a newbie with the whole starting-your-own-business thing.  I got the opportunity to talk with some knowledgeable people and got some great advice.  Oh, and lots of running talk too!

The best part of the night?  My photo shoot!  Yes, photo shoot.  Lululemon had a photographer set up outside the store to take action shots of the R&D members.

I got to run (more like skip) across the white background and tried my best to exude care-free running.  At first, I felt like a complete dork.  The other R&D members were doing cool yoga poses and here I was skipping and trying to look normal.  But if you know me, you know I love a good photo shoot so I eventually warmed up and found my groove.  I promise to post the pictures as soon as I have them.  I cannot wait to see how they turned out.

Thank you Lululemon KOP for a fabulous night!

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

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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 🙂