Take it on the Run

New Sports Bra

When I was at the gym on Tuesday I realized my sports bra is finally wearing out (ouch). I went to my local running store on Wednesday and found a replacement.

I purchased the Moving Comfort Fiona Bra and used it tonight for the first time.  It provides great support for larger busts (C - DD) and I'm quite happy with my choice so far.  It has back clasps, which I'm not used to, but I think it helps the bra be more supportive.  It also has velcro adjustable straps that seem to be highly acclaimed. I'll let you know what I think.

To find a list of my other running equipment, visit my favorite gear page.

Favorite Equipment

I started a new page to keep track of my favorite running gear.

Running: Week 38, Run 2

Nick and I dropped by a nearby gym today on our walk.  It's a 24 hour gym, but it was unfortunately unstaffed.  It was a cold, but sunny day and most of the ice had melted on the sidewalks.  I decided to try to look into the gym tomorrow and put up with a snowy run outdoors in order to get two in this week.

I recently purchased the perfect winter running pants: Athleta Polartec Pants, which I ordered during their post-holiday sale. They worked great in the cold temperatures.

My run was shorter than my recent efforts, but running outside is harder and I needed to take it slowly on the snow.  I'd be pretty angry if I hurt myself falling.

The data for my latest run:

• Duration: 40 minutes

• Max HR:180 (93%)

• Avg HR:164 (85%)

• Calories burned: 450 (30% fat)

• Distance: 4 miles

Running: Week 31, Run 2 and the Continued Search for Running Pants

We celebrated Thanksgiving on Friday due to our 3 am arrival on Thursday.  We went out in search of board games Friday morning and found ourselves at Wal-mart in the rural Ohio town we were staying in.  I'm not proud of giving them my money, but I was excited to find these enormous, warm, $9 men's athletic pants.

These are "warm up" style pants, with a wind resistant outer layer and a jersey-lined inner layer.  They are huge on me (they didn't have any small sizes left) and I look ridiculous, but oddly, the are the best solution I have found so far -- and they are plenty long.  Take that fancy sportswear industry. 

The weather was unseasonably nice when I went out for my run on Saturday, so the pants were sort of overkill, but I now that I am back in Chicago I expect they will be useful, just after the snow-cover clears... hrmph.

My HRM wasn't on tight enough, so it kept registering zero.  I think all of my numbers are a bit higher than they actually appear in the report.

The data for my latest run:

• Duration: 31 minutes

• Max HR: 171 (89%)

• Avg HR: 150 (78%)

• Calories burned: 300 (35% fat)

• Distance: 3.25 miles

Total run: 3.25 miles

Running: Week 31, Run 1 and the Search for Running Pants

I meant to run yesterday, but after getting ready and heading out the door, I noticed it was pouring rain.  That's what I get for forgetting to check the weather the night before.  I made it out this morning though.  It was a clear and sunny day.  Between regular work and my work meeting last night, I went to the new REI location in Chicago in search of warmer running pants.  That store is strange.  It is huge, but I feel like they have a really small selection.

I went in search of these Nike Cold Weather Pants.  Online, they appeared to be exactly what I was looking for.  Though, when I tried them on, they fit very poorly.  They were super short on me, and this caused the form fitting material to form fit on all the wrong locations. 

I then tried these REI OXT Stride Pants. They were a little longer and fit a bit better, but they had a really  high waist, which I don't like.  After trying all their other options I decided they were the best they had to offer.
 
I also picked up a reduced price REI OXT Long-Sleeve Tech Tee (they only have extended sizes online). The medium is roomy on me.  The best thing about this shirt is that it is long and won't ride up when I am running.

I took my new clothes on a run this morning.  The pants blocked the wind and kept everything super warm -- except my ankles.  The pants were short on me to begin with, but when I run they seem to ride up.  Not only did I look foolish, but I felt foolish too.  Luckily, REI has a good return policy. The shirt was a great buy though.

I just noticed these Under Armour Frostworks Pants on the REI website.  They look like they would fit the bill, but the REI site has no length information.  Maybe when I return the other pants I will try them on.  You'd think sporting goods would get on the boat and start making clothing that actually fits women over 5'7". 

I had a bit of trouble with my HRM this morning.  We haven't had the time to do laundry in a bit, and I was wearing a sports bra that doesn't get out much.  The HRM strap kept creeping over the lower band of my sports bra for the first few minutes of the run; registering my HR at 0.  I am going to add two minutes to my run time and 2 dozen calories in light of this. 

The data for my latest run:

• Duration: 39 minutes

• Max HR: 180 (93%)

• Avg HR: 167 (87%)

• Calories burned: 452 (30% fat)

• Distance: 4 miles

My plan was to get my two runs in on Monday and Wednesday of this week so I didn't have to pack my running stuff when I head to Ohio for Thanksgiving.  I'm not sure if I will try to run tomorrow, or if I will just try to run over the holiday.

Total run: 4 miles

Running: Week 29, Run 2

I finally went out twice in one week.  It had been a couple weeks.  I am planning to run on Saturday too, but that doesn't always go so well now that I'm not meeting my coaches on the lake front.  One motivator has been my new heart rate monitor.  I have never used a heart rate monitor before.  The small device definitely appeals to my nerdy, data-collecting side.

I bought the Polar F6 model.  Once I sat down to really go over the manual, the monitor was easy to use.  The monitor shows a normal watch face when not in use.  To use, the owner enters in their personal information (height, weight, age), and their maximum heart rate.  This can be determined by reading this great article.

Using the article I determined the following:

• My maximum heart rate is (MHR) = 191

• I should train between 134 and 172, which is 70% and 90% of my MHR.

• On easy runs and long runs, I should run between 124 and 143, which is 65% and 75% of my MHR.

• For a 5K race, I should run between 181 and 185, which is 95% and 97% of my MHR.

• For a 10K race, I should run between 176 and 180, which is 92% and 94% of my MHR.

• For a half-marathon race, I should run between 162 and 168, which is 85% and 88% of my MHR.

So what does all this mean for my actual runs?  Well, if the data from today is any indication, I run pretty fast.  My run report for this morning follows:

• Total time: 35 minutes, 26 seconds

• Total calories burned: 442 (25% fat)

• Highest heart rate: 185 (96%)

• Average heart rate: 172 (89%)

This data was collected on a 3.75 mile run, according to Map My Run.
This means that I typically run at about 90% of my MHR.  I don't think this is a bad thing, but it will be interesting to try to stay between the recommended 65% and 75%. Perhaps I will be more interested in running longer distances if I take it so easily.

The Polar F6 stores and compiles data for one week.  It is a fun gadget that I'd recommend to anyone who could use a bit of motivation and who likes seeing hard numbers that reflect their hard work.

Total run: 3.75 miles

Running: Week 29, Run 1

I only ran 2.5 miles this morning.  This was mainly due to screwing around with my new heart rate monitor.  I'll post more about that later, but I'm excited to have it -- even though it is taking a moment to learn how to use.  Another new addition to my running equipment cache is my Smart Wool Hat.

The "training beanie" is thin and plain.  Just what I was looking for.  It is made of moisture wicking merino wool that is super soft.  In true Smart Wool style, the hat insulates and breathes.

I wore it this morning and took it off halfway through once I warmed up.  The hat is small enough to stuff into my vest pocket when not in use.  It comes in a few different colors, but I went with black.

Total run: 2.5 miles

Cool Weather Running

Last week I replaced my shorts and t-shirt attire with thin running pants and a long sleeve shirt.  It took a block or two to warm up, but the coverage was appropriate by the end of the run.  On Tuesday I noticed that my muscles felt cold and stiff at the end of my run. Today I opted for an additional layer -- my Patagonia  R2 Vest.

I bought this vest a few years ago for a warm layer to use while backpacking through Eastern Europe.  It earned its keep when I found myself sleeping without heat in a rural Hungarian mountain village in November.  (Though, it should be noted that I didn't pay more than $40 for it.  I purchased it through Backcountry Outlet or Sierra Traiding Post.)

It wound up being the perfect layer for my morning run. It isn't super warm on it's own (there is a thicker, warmer version), but it does a great job of keeping body heat in.  When I would get warm, zipping the collar down a few inches was all I needed.

Running: Week 23, Run 2

I went for another brisk run this morning.  I seem to have gotten into a routine with one particular route.  Other than an annoying clog of people near the el stop, the route has wide sidewalks and few obstacles.  I ran 3.5 miles today.

While I don't think I will be able to challenge the snow this winter, I have decided to try to run up until the terrain becomes unforgiving.  In preparation I have started to plan my winter running wardrobe.  I recently purchased two items:

A Sugoi Versa Jacket for about $50 (regularly sells for $100).  The jacket is made of soft fabric that is water-resistant, wind-resistant and breathable.  It has zip off arms, reflective taping, a vent on the upper back, and a cinch cord around the waist.  It also has two low profile front packets and one lower-back pocket.  The weather hasn't warranted using it yet, but I think it will be a good layering shell to wear over my other purchase.

A Patagonia Capilene Long-Sleeve Shirt. I paid about $25 for it (regularly sells for $45).  This is essentially a long underwear/base layer made of highly breathable material.

I'll also need some gloves, a fleece hat, and some running pants.  But I'll wait until I get paid next to start looking into those items.

Total run: 3.5 miles

Swag

I picked up my entry packet and bib number for the 10K on Sunday.  They give you a little bag of swag to go along with the flyers and maps.  While I'm not in the race for the goods, I was comically underwhelmed by the offerings (outside of the very nice running shirt, of course):

                           

A 3.5 oz serving of "boil-in-bag" rice and a packet of coffee like you might find in a hotel room.

Bizarre.