*Image above via Tracksmith. They make exceptional running gear.
I got into running every other morning last August, and it took until sometime this spring for me to really hit my stride. The routes that used to be excruciatingly difficult — the ones I’d save for mornings where I felt energized and strong — are now handily accomplished. Running is interesting in that way: it reveals both the frailty and strength of the human body. On the one hand, I feel absolutely charged running up the final (steep!) ascent on one of my routine routes, as I always think to myself: “This part used to totally kill me, and I can do this now, and with strength.” On the other hand, I am more consistently aware of my body and its aches and pains now, as it is far more common for me to limp around on sore legs or massage my aching calves. I’m sure this is true of all fitness regimens: they require an attentive return to the body. Running settles me into my own physicality, roots me in it. I like the way it feels.
A couple of recent fitness finds to power through our early summer exercise routines…
I LOVE THESE SHORTS, THOUGH I WOULD SIZE UP ONE SIZE — I TOOK THE SIZE I USUALLY WEAR IN LULU AND FOUND THAT THEY RAN A TINY BIT SNUGGER THAN I WOULD LIKE
I HAVE HAD GOOD LUCK WITH THE WELL-PRICED LOOSE-FIT TANKS FROM TARGET, AND THIS ONE COMES IN GREAT COLORS
I’M INTRIGUED BY THESE ON CLOUDNOVA SNEAKERS (THIS IS A LIMITED EDITION RELEASE FROM THE BRAND DESCRIBED AS “FUSING ELITE-LEVEL RUNNING TECHNOLOGY WITH A STREET-READY SILHOUETTE”)
THESE $30 RUNNING SHORTS COME IN SOME GREAT COLORS
I ALSO HAVE AND LOVE A COUPLE OF THE FORM-FITTED SWIFTLY TECH TOPS IN SS AND SLEEVELESS FROM LULU
MY FAVORITE SPORTS BRAS: THESE FROM SPLITS 59 AND THESE CROPPED TANKS FROM BEYOND YOGA (MORE ON SALE HERE), WHICH ARE SO, SO SOFT
BUT I LOVE THE LOOK OF THIS $25 SPORTS BRA AND JUST ORDERED IN BOTH THE NAVY STRIPE AND THE ROSE BUSH PINK
LOVE THE WAISTBAND NIKE LOGO ON THESE JUST-RESTOCKED SHORTS
THESE NIKE SHOES COME IN FANTASTIC COLOR COMBOS
SO INTO THE COLOR OF THESE LEGGINGS AND THIS MATCHING BRA
ADORE THIS FITTED JACKET FOR COOLER MORNINGS, WHICH BOASTS SUN PROTECTION!
STILL MY FAVORITE RUNNING SOCKS OF ALL TIME — ETERNAL THANKS TO THE READER WHO RECOMMENDED THIS BRAND!
I LOVE THIS LACOSTE HAT IN WHITE FOR RUNNING THIS SUMMER
GREAT LIGHTWEIGHT COAT FOR THROWING ON OVER TENNIS / GOLF / YOGA GEAR
ON MY RUNNING MORNINGS, I JUST ORDERED THIS TO APPLY TO MY CLEAN, MOISTURIZED SKIN — SPF AND A TINY BIT OF A GLOW
STILL OBSESSED WITH USING THESE FACE WIPES POST-RUN
THESE ADIDAS RUNNING SHOES ARE SO COOL
I HAVE SEEN A TON OF WOMEN WEARING THESE NEW BALANCE RUNNING SHORTS IN THE PARK — THEY MUST BE GOOD?
I OWN AND LOVE THESE FROM TRACKSMITH — THEY ARE JUST A TINY BIT LONG ON MY FRAME, THOUGH, AND I THINK I WILL ORDER A PAIR OF THESE TO TEST, TOO
P.S. On achieving “flow” in running and musings on one of the songs on my running playlist.
P.P.S. Some tennis and golf outfit ideas in this post!
P.P.P.S. You are enough.
Woo — congrats on the running progress! And fellow LL-bra hater here — what is up with their corset-banding? Currently on the hunt for a running bra with as minimal of a band as possible; my third-trimester ribs have put the kibosh on all but one of my old options. Re shorts: I was intrigued by the longer van cortlandts but love my short ones (they feel very Michael Cera-in-Juno). The new sessions are great too, even if $72 for shorts feels a little ridiculous! I have them in the forest green and wish they’d bring the white back.
Hmmm maybe I will go for the sessions?? So exciting — ha! Thanks for the encouragement! Means a lot coming from a REAL runner!!
xx
You are a real runner too! And I bow to Cynthia and your father. I think 3 marathons is my lifetime max (planning on Boston being the third).
I bow down too! xx
Please all magpies, switch out your running shoes! Mine will last about a year and I totally rotate 3-5 pairs daily. I never wear the same shoe day after day.
I am a tried and true Saucony user. They are the best shoes for running (for me at least!). I’ve done many marathons, New York, Boston, etc several times and will be a Saucony girl till I die. I especially like their larger toe box so your toes are not all bunched together.
Check out their new Neon collection too. And no I’m not getting paid for this comment in ANY way. (I would love to though)
https://www.saucony.com/en/womens-bright-future/
Thank you for these reminders!!! Really need to go get fitted…xx
My favorite kind of post! I work out 6-7 days a week, typically a mix of high impact cardio, running/sprint workouts, and strength traning, with a boutique fitness class thrown in every so often.
I’ve been on the hunt for running shorts that aren’t TOO short (I’m 5’9″) but also minimal enough to feel good for a long run. Just ordered the high waisted version of those lulu shorts you posted – the normal ones were way too low on this long torso when I tried them on in store a few weeks ago! I’ve also been on a quest for a new running sports bra… I’m smaller chested but also want to feel like everything is locked and loaded, ha. I’ve found that the lulu energy long line bras are a good fit, but allow just a tiiiny bit too much motion for me. I’ve ordered & returned about a dozen other options, but still have yet to find the perfect fit. Just opened a window with the Brooks one mentioned above – will try that next!
Thanks for these workout gear round ups and posts! I always love hearing what works for others and finding new-to-me recs.
Hi Erica!! WOW, 6-7 days a week. Major goals. Maybe one day I’ll get there…I’m inspired! Maybe I can figure out a way to start some personal training or fitness classes when I’m settled into the DC area to alternate with running. Would be a nice change-up and would help tone the other parts of my body!
Please report back with thoughts on any/all athletic gear purchases! Always love to hear what works! I’m almost nine inches shorter than you but I also hate super short-shorts so I understand that pain.
xx
Always up for sharing recs for DC workout classes once you’re settled down here – I’ve tried pretty much all of them! Magpie running club on the horizon? 🙂
Yay!! Will definitely take you up on the offer…may email you soon for recs! And OH MAN a running club!!! That would for sure motivate me. xx
Feetures socks 4eva! I’m glad it was a good rec. One note about sneakers- as tempting as it is to purchase based on looks alone, runners really should get fitted for shoes by a professional at a running specialty store like Jack Rabbit here in NY. Many an injury could have been avoided with the right shoe! I am a New Balance lady myself.
Yay! Thank you, Anna! I was just telling Landon that I think I will go get fitted for a running shoe the other day. I have noticed I wear through my Nikes in about three month and I am not sure if that is because they aren’t the perfect shoe for me and they are wearing down because of that! Thanks for the nudge.
xx
Hi Anna! I love Feetures socks too – thank you for the recommendation! They really stay put on your feet.
And yes, totally agree about getting fitted for running shoes at a specialty shoe store where they can thoroughly analyze your feet and gait. Back when I had a short lived running career (ha!) I went to one and they recommended Brooks, which I used for years until I started to find them really stiff, and switched to Nikes. That said, I don’t run anymore and walk instead, but it’s still a good idea to get fitted as I have not done that in many years. Thank you for the reminder!
I might have already mentioned this before, but I highly recommend to all runners/walkers/hikers/cyclists etc – get yourselves a Road ID! I have the shoe ID that Velcros on to the shoelaces. I’ve had them for more than ten years now and it is so well made. They make kids IDs as well and I got my daughter an ID bracelet too.
Thanks for the reminder on the Road ID!! Have been meaning to do this! xx
Oh, sports bras — what I view as the modern form of fashion torture the way corsets were in centuries past. I’m an A cup and I still spent way too much time looking for one that is comfortable. I always feel like they’re squeezing my ribcage (which admittedly I think is wider after having a baby?). I may be in the minority in that Lulu’s sports bras do not work for me. I finally found my favorite, which I can highly recommend — the Brooks “Dare Strappy Run Bra”. I’m not doing anything high impact currently, although it is designed for that. It does not pinch anywhere! I sized up one size (due to my aforementioned ribcage). And I love that the cups are built in, as I find that the ones with removable cups are so cumbersome when laundering. They’re a bit higher priced than what Target, Gap etc offers but after suffering through many less expensive but highly uncomfortable sports bras, I’m more willing to spend a bit more.
By the way, I should mention that I bought the pastel blue Nikes you recommended before and they are SO cushioned and supportive! I had been using their Frees for a couple of years now and I must have worn out all the support in the shoe and had been experiencing a lot of foot and hip pain. The React ones are like walking on clouds! They have saved my morning walks — thank you!
Yay! And YES – I have worn down the treads on so many sneakers and then paid for it in my ankles and calves especially. Yuck! I’m so glad you like those Nikes. I’m on my third pair, because they, too, wear down with heavy use (and I run 3-4x a week in them!)
Thanks for the tip on Brooks — I totally agree with your assessment of Lulu sports bras. I’ve sized up and they are still so painfully restrictive. Like, the band is way too rigid and tough and it makes me feel nauseous. So strange because I love so many of their other pieces. Try those Beyond Yoga tanks if you’re interested in that style — I’m wearing now and it is so, so soft!
xx
Glad I’m not alone with the LLL bras! Even the process of getting them on frustrates me, ugh. (Lulu, are you reading here?)
I’ll have to try the Beyond ones — though I’m a little wary of that longline cut due to my rib cage (the similar longline ones from Outdoor Voices didn’t work for me, but I find their material very compressive overall), but it may not be an issue if the fabric is soft.
Oh, totally agree on OV. Not for me. Hate that material!!
xx