#FitnessCloset

When I saw a few posts this morning about what was in people's fitness wardrobe I thought showing you mine would be a fun snow day project. Yes, apparently mother nature didn't get the memo that it is spring and we are currently getting a solid few inches of snow. Nothing like having a week off for spring break and then your first day back is a snow day. I'll take it!

For this post I'm including only the things I wear the most. I have race shirts and older clothes back at home that I don't wear that much but keep in case I haven't done my laundry or forget to bring something home with me. Let's begin!

Jacket

Brooks Nightlife Jacket III: This is one of my favorite pieces in my wardrobe. It actually makes me look forward to running in the rain and snow.

Socks 

Brooks: I have more pairs of socks and socks from other brands but these are the ones I try to wear whenever possible.

Sports bras 

Reebok Core Seemless Bra: I'm pretty sure I have this bra in every color. Why change a good thing, right?

Gloves

Smart Wool Liner Glove: These are the only gloves I will run in, if I use gloves at all. If I have on anything thicker I start to overheat.

Headbands

Brooks Infiniti Headband: I don't normally wear a cold-weather headband but I really like this one. I had a smart wool one too but I can't seem to find it.

Sparkly Soul Lavender: I've only worn this a few times but it seems to stay in place as advertised. I've always had trouble with headbands slipping off but this one does the trick. Need to test for a long run though.

Compression socks

Pro Compression Marathon Socks in purple and pink. Absolutely love these!

Shoes
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 11 (2 pairs): Both of these pairs are just about worn out but I still use them for easy and recovery runs and some cross training.
Brooks Cascadia: My trail shoes. I got these on sale at DSW and really like them but I would be interested to spend more time looking into which trail shoe would be best for me.
Brooks Pure Cadence: I forget where I got the yellow ones from, sorry! But these are awesome, really. They are lightweight and perfect for a transition to a more mimimal shoe.
Saucony Mirage 3: I just got these shoes and am already in love with them. They are a good deal lighter than my other shoes so I had quite a bit of DOMS from wearing them. They will probably be my racing shoe for distances up to the half marathon.
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 13 (unpictured): I wear these for my long runs but left them at home for next weekend.

Tank top

I'm not much of a tank top wearer but this one is really comfy and doesn't ride up at all as some do. I think it's a Fila that I got from Kohl's a few years ago.

Short sleeve shirts

These are a mix from Nike, Under Armour and Reebok. They are all super light weight and soft. I get really hot in the summer so I like my shirts to be as thin as possible so I don't feel like I'm suffocating in them. The green one in the back is one of the Under Armour ones that is supposed to protect you from the sun. Not sure if it works or not but this pale redhead would like to think that it does.

Long sleeve shirts

Even in the winter I like my shirts to be on the thinner side. Again, I get really hot when running, even in the winter. I'm a big fan of the Nike half-zips that have the tiniest bit of fleece. They are not heavy by any means but are not ridiculously thin either. For days when it is crisp outside but not too cold I like to wear super thin long sleeve shirts. My favorite is that teal one. It's from Brooks and I got it at the Rock N' Roll Philadelphia expo.

Shorts

I am pretty picky about my shorts and tights but have found a few that work. My favorites are the pinkish ones, which are from Under Armour, and the green, which are the Oiselle distance shorts. In the mix are a pair from Sugoi, Oiselle Rogas, Oiselle Lori shorts, and the only pair of Nike tempos that don't bother me.

Tights

Because I am so picky and because I prefer being cooler when I run I don't often wear tights. I have 2 pairs of tights from Reebok that are fleece lined and although I like them, they are way too warm for me to wear more than a handful of times each year. Based on my success with the Oiselle Lesley Knicker (see below) I really want to try out the Lesley running tight.

Capris

The Oiselle Lesley Knicker. I have professed my love for these before and I will continues to do so. I looked for over a year for a pair of running capri I liked with no success until I found these. They don't ride up or fall down, and they don't chafe either. They are lightweight enough that I can wear them in the winter and when the temps are a little warmer. I haven't tried them in the summer yet so I don't know how they are in the heat but most likely they will be too warm for me. Either way they are my absolute number one item in my wardrobe.

Bike jersey & shorts

I don't have many biking clothes and am still looking for a nice pair of bike shorts. I like the pair on the right but hate the pair on the left. I got a tri suit from SOAS for my birthday and really like the shorts so I might have to get another pair for just riding. The jersey and shorts on the right are from Nishiki and the shorts on the left are Pearl Izumi.

Bathing suits

This is just a fraction of my bathing suits. Being a former swimmer will do that to you. These are my favorites though in terms of pattern and comfort. The three on the top are from Speedo and are made of a different material that lasts forever. They are not as stretchy and are more expensive though. The ones on the bottom are from Dolfin. For good deals on bathing suits check out Swim Outlet. They have some really good deals.

After doing this I realized the variety of brands in my closet. I guess I like a little of everything. Over the past few months I have been drawn to Oiselle based on my success with their shorts and capris. I've been drooling over their spring line and am thinking about getting an outfit from there for my upcoming half. Any recommendations?

Things I'm Loving

Happy Saturday everyone! I thought I'd share some of the things that I have been loving lately. Enjoy!

Brooks Adrenaline 13

About a month ago I went to get a new pair of running shoes with the intention of trying out a new style. Long story short I ended up buying another pair of Adrenaline's and love them as much as my last pair. I've only been wearing them for my long runs and they keep getting better each time.

Trader Joe's
Since I have been spending more time in Columbia I thought I would take advantage of the better grocery stores there. I went to TJ's last week and bought so much produce and other yummy foods for less than I normally spend when buying less at the store near my house. Win!

NYC Running Mama

This girl is seriously amazing. I always check her Twitter and Instagram feeds when I need some motivation since she is always doing really impressive workouts. Her love of running and working hard is contagious and you can't help but cheer her on towards her goal of completing her first Ironman and running a sub 3:10 marathon.

That it's getting dark out later

I actually really do like winter but I hate getting out of class and it's completely dark out already. I am happier when there is more sunshine plus longer days equals more time for running.

Homeland
I have heard so many good things about this show that I had to check it out for myself. After learning a bit more about it I suggested to the boyfriend that we watch it. We have already finished the first season and I am itching to start season 2.

Believe I Am

I got my Believe I Am journal for Christmas and have been using it to help me train for the Nike Women's Half Marathon. I get such a feeling of satisfaction from writing in all of my workouts after completing them. There is something so intimate about putting pen to paper and spilling your feelings in your own journal that no one else sees.

My internship
This semester I am interning at Corrigan Sports for school credit and it is turning out to be really great. We are currently working on planning the upcoming Oakland Full & Half Marathon in March. I love not only being part of such an awesome team but helping put on such incredible and popular events.

Garmin 310XT

I got this for Christmas from the boyfriend and love it more and more each time I wear it. I constantly find myself wondering why I didn't upgrade earlier. This watch is incredible and is definitely helping my training.

Oiselle
Ever since I tried my first pair of Oiselle shorts back in the fall I have been completely obsessed with all things Oiselle. I drool over the pretty clothes that everyone seems to have now and am inspired by the amazing community of runners they have created. Seriously, I can't get enough.

Cooking
Back in the fall I decided to start cooking my meals. Before I was eating the simplest of meals and foods and relied a lot of microwaveable dinners. With the help of Pinterest I have since tried more recipes than I can count. Some were very simple and others very elaborate. Cooking my own meals gives me a greater sense of appreciation for the foods in which I'm eating.

What to Wear Running: Winter

In the spirit of the cold and snowy weather we are still having I thought I would share how I dress to stay warm on those bitter days without overheating.

First I should mention that I get pretty warm when I run. Probably more so than most people from what I have observed. If you are typically a colder runner then this might not be so helpful, sorry.

My first piece of advice is to dress as if it were 20-25 degrees warmer. You may be cold when you first start running but once you're warmed up you should feel comfortable.

Assuming no rain or snow this is how I decide what to wear when heading out for a run:

• 70+ degrees: When it is this warm out I will typically wear a tank and shorts. Sometimes short sleeves depending on the last time I've done laundry.
• 50-60 degrees: Short sleeves and shorts.
• 40-50 degrees: Thin long sleeves and shorts, or short sleeves and capris.
• 30-40 degrees: Medium thickness long sleeves and capris.
• 20-30 degrees: Medium thickness long sleeves and tights, or thick long sleeves and capris.
• 10-20 degrees: Thick long sleeves and tights.
• 0-10 degrees: Medium thickness long sleeves, lightweight jacket, fleece-lined tights

I will usually wear thin gloves when it is under 40 degrees, a thin fleece headband and thin gloves when it is under 30 and a thick headband and thin gloves when it is under 20 degrees. My hands tend to get pretty hot when I run so I normally only wear a pair of thin wool liners and I end up taking them off a lot of the time anyway. I find that it really helps to wear something with pockets in the winter so I can off my gloves or headband if I start to get too warm.

One thing that I tried once but haven't invested in myself yet is a vest. At first I thought it was a pretty silly idea but once I tried it I loved it. I am currently on the hunt to find the perfect vest and a pair of arm warmers that meet my high expectations of not being too thick.

This winter I have been especially loving the Oiselle Lesley Knicker and the Brooks Infiniti Jacket. They are the two pieces I wear the most and would recommend to anyone. I want to try the Oiselle Lesley Tight since I like the capris so much but I'm waiting until they go on sale (hopefully) since I already have a pair of tights.

Seek Adventure

This past weekend marked my last weekend of the off-season. I celebrated by running, of course. My boyfriend came up late Friday night and we set out to hit some local trails Saturday afternoon. We went to a new park to explore different trails. It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon and the perfect way to spend the weekend. While I run my boyfriend takes his mountain bike out for a ride that way we both can get in our respective training without losing time together. Even though we are not actually together out on the trails it is comforting to know that he is never far away should I need him. Case in point, I got lost on Saturday and had to call my boyfriend to come find me. I ended up finding my way back to the car but the fact that he was one quick call away was all I needed to stay calm despite being lost.

My boyfriend liked the new trails so much that we decided to go back on Sunday. I wasn't planning on running Sunday but knew how much he wanted to ride so I went along anyway. I decided to make it an active recovery day and just hike instead of run. I took all new trails and was smiling ear to ear the entire time. Something about being out on the trails makes me really think about life, where I'm at and where I want to go. Sure things have happened that weren't according to "plan" but out on those trails I couldn't have been happier.

I am a creature of habit and choose to stay in my comfort zone whenever possible. Trail running forces me to  get out of my comfort zone and brings out my adventurous side. Taking a cue from my favorite running company Oiselle my mantra for the year is "take chances." I want to take advantage of all the opportunities thrown my way and even if I fail I know that taking the risk will always be worth it. Going along with taking chances I want to seek adventure. Spending more and more time on the trails over the past few months has taught me that even in hard times you can still have fun and make the most of what you are given. Don't think of it as a situation gone wrong, think of it as an adventure.

Running in 2012

This questionnaire has been circulating the blogosphere and I thought it would be a fun way to look back and pay tribute  to my running in 2012

1. Best race experience: Hands down the Baltimore Half Marathon. I have never enjoyed myself so much during a race. It was the first time I actually felt like a runner and the first time I really raced a half marathon. I had no expectations going into this race and surprised myself with another PR. This is also my favorite race to do, period, and I will probably do it every single year.

2. Best run: Off the top of my head I would have to say the 10 miler I ran during my taper for the NYCM/Harrisburg Marathon. I ran it and my dad biked along side me. We talked the entire time and a pace that used to be fast for me suddenly felt easy. Another memorable run was my run in Central Park the day that the marathon was supposed to be held. That run made me fall in love with running and realize how amazing runners are. It also solidified my love for all things New York City.

3. Best new piece of gear: Probably the Oiselle Lesley Knicker. I have been looking for a pair of running capris since last year and haven't found any I like until these. I wore them for a hard run last weekend and didn't have to adjust them once. My road bike is also a contender but since it is a Christmas gift I'm not allowed to ride it until after Christmas. We'll call this 2013's best piece of new gear.

4. Best piece of running advice you received: I can't think of any thing in particular but everything that Robert said to me during those last 6 miles of the Harrisburg Marathon motivated me enough to run to the finish. My old swim coach use to say "do the little things right" and I think that apples to every aspect of life, not just swimming.

5. Most inspirational runner(s): Not to come off as some crazy blog stalker but I have never met her in real life.. Page. Not only is she a badass runner, she made the leap from runner to triathlete in one year by signing up for an Ironman. When injury forced her to withdraw from the race she stayed (mostly) positive and vowed to finish her journey to becoming an Ironman in 2013.

My Fitness Christmas List

The holiday season is in full swing everywhere you look. I know Christmas is not about presents but I decided to put together the things that made my wish list this year. My birthday is the week after Christmas (December 31) so this is actually my Christmas/birthday list. Hint hint, Mom ;)

1. Bike

So this is the one thing on this list that I am 100% sure I will be getting this holiday season. I have already picked out and purchased this beautiful bike and can't wait to spend some quality time with it over my six week holiday break. This is also the one thing on this list that I have been lusting for practically the entire year. Money well spent.

2. Believe I Am journal

The Believe I am journal is also something that I am dying to try. My twitter feed is constantly blown up by fellow runners who are crediting this journal with their best training cycles yet. I know that a journal will not magically make me faster but as someone who is studying sports psychology in school I can't wait to see how the journal works.

3. Oiselle runfinity scarf

Scarves are probably my favorite accessory. I wear a scarf practically everyday in the fall & winter whether I am in class all day or just relaxing in my apartment. Infinity scarves are my favorite are I have been obsessed with this light teal color for months. I also really like how the scarf has hidden start and finish lines.

4. Arm warmers

Originally I thought the concept of arm warmers was silly but now I that I can see how practical they are I really want a pair. There have been so many times in the past few months that I have been too cold or too hot and thought arm warmers would remedy the situation. I found a pair that I really liked back in September but they were way too long for my arms. And the ones sold at the NYCM expo were too thick. I tend to get unusually warm when I run so I want a pair of arm warmers that is comfy, soft, and not too thick.

5. Running tights

I have also been on a quest for the perfect pair of tights or capris for months now. I recently ordered a pair of the Oiselle Lesley Knicker but they are for Christmas so I haven't been able to try them out yet. I am very picky when it comes to running tights so hopefully these will do the trick.

6. Yoga mat

Over the summer I got really into yoga, going twice a week every week. I love how yoga enables to me quiet my mind, relax, and focus on being in the present. I am currently using an old mat I bought back in high school to use during dryland at swim practice. The mat is worn out and very slippery. I don't have any mat in particular picked out but my only requirements are not slippery and cute.

7. As the Crow Flies

Craig Alexander is a triathlon legend. He won the 70.3 and full Ironman world championships in the same year while breaking the Kona course record. I bought Chrissie Wellington's book when it came out last year and absolutely loved it. I have always been a fan of Crowie and have heard really great things about the book. I'm not sure if it's available for order yet but you can sure I will be buying it soon.

8. BlueSeventy Vision

While I don't love the look of these goggles I love how functional they are. I have been swimming in the Speedo Women's Vanquisher goggles since I was something like twelve years old, and while I love them for pool swimming they aren't cutting it in the open water. These goggles are designed specifically for the open water and make it easier to see in the early morning with the sun beaming in your eyes.

What are you lusting over this holiday season?!