RACE GEAR - WHAT YOU'LL NEED

If you are not a “Pixie,” some of the stuff you see available for fitness can look uncomfortable at the very least, and borderline obscene at the worst. (There is nothing worse than getting halfway down the block only to find your shorts are bunching up in the middle, exposing your thighs to all the world . . . making you slink back home with a cowboy swagger—of course-that’s never happened to me.)

I’ve spent a lot of time going through fitness clothes. Something that looks good on the rack—un-tired in the dressing room—rarely works for me at home. In the fitness clothes section of the site I included a lot of “moving comfort” apparel. For comfort, their stuff is the best I’ve tried. It’s basic “keep-it-where-it-is” fitness wear. I’m not sure what their mission is, but as a curvy girl, I can tell you that I am comfortable consistently in the clothing they design.

As far as running shoes, I am someone whose foot rolls to the outside when it strikes the ground and I am by no means accomplished in my stride, in fact, when I went to my local fitness store and was matched with a shoe based on a running demonstration I gave by running up and down the sidewalk outside, the owner commented to me, “I’ve never seen anything like that before.” Hmm. Nebulous comment aside, I encourage you to go to a smaller specialized store and get someone who “runs” to recommend a shoe to you. Someone who is qualified to give you the best info will ask you to run in the shoe you try on, and will watch you. Even if you don’t buy the shoes, go online and look for a better deal, it can’t hurt to get a professional to make recommendations for you. (I personally, pay the extra at the store to make sure I am getting the real thing—and—in the off chance that I have to return a pair—which I have—I have options.)

With the Nike+ sport kit, you will get a sensor and a receiver. At the store, salespeople will tell you that you need a Nike shoe to put the sensor in. (The sensor fits nicely under the interior sole in a pre-cut slot) Not all Nike shoes have the slot for the sensor so, not all of us find our ‘ultimate’ shoe in the Nike shoe line. A cottage industry has sprung up as a result, offering ‘shoe-pouches’ for the sensor. My favorite is ‘Shoepouch’. It connects onto your shoe via your laces, and I’ve run in pretty hard rain with no problem.

Keep in mind that these sensors are using battery every time you move your foot. Once the battery dies, you cannot use the sensor-there is no way to replace the battery. You have to get a new sensor and link it with your receiver. I know-weird right? But you need to know this because what the shoe pouch allows you to do is remove the sensor from the back of the pouch (Velcro) so that you can wear your shoes without the sensor in the pouch. To unlace the pouch is a pain, so the Velcro slot is great.

And finally, the “girls” :) For you lucky buxomites, be ready to plunk down some change for something that will tame the “girls.” Again, if there is someone you know who is a good bra fitter-go to them first. If not, moving comfort has some great non-chafing alternatives, (if it gives you a “uni-boob”-generally, you’re safe) (Sorry guys if this is TMI. It’s a dirty job, but somebody’s got to do it) :) I also get some BodyGlide Anti-Chafing Stick to prevent chafing where straps and elastic rub against my skin. During my half-marathon, I also used it in between some of my toes. I’m not kidding when I say this-it made a massive difference.

You need proper socks. My favorite SmartWool PhD Running Ultra Light Micro Sock - Women's. Over long walks and runs, these sockd keep your feet cooled. It probably seems like something you think you don’t need now, but believe me, when you are going over 5 miles anywhere, you will become overly aware of every discomfort. On my last race, my worst complaint was that my feet felt like they were on fire eventually. There are other socks in the store too, many of which I personally own and use for shorter distances.

And finally, for me, I already have so much I am cinching up and binding in when I am running-the last thing I want at this point is more to worry about, so I have a trick. I wear loose fitting, easy breathing fitness pants, (Capris) over a tighter short underneath. The fitness shorts I put underneath are turned inside out so the seams don’t irritate my skin. This layered methodology works in everything but warm weather. It’s like wearing a body sock with a moo-moo over it—perfect.

Next blog - how to put on that sports bra, (all by yourself) without getting tangled and mangled in unyielding straps and elastic . . .

:)