Thursday, March 29, 2012

Creature of habit for races



 I had a few people ask about my  my outfit for New York---I'm actually extremely consistent with what makes the cut for races- headband, skirt, shorts, socks, shoes are ALWAYS the same and then its a toss up on who makes the cut for the tank top. 

Top to Bottom:
  • 13.1 Chica Band- Although I normally prefer patterns / sparkles, I  thought it was fitting to represent 13.1 since the race was called '13.1 New York' .Chica Bands has tons of patterns to choose from, AND they are  having a spring sale now where if you spend $30 you get a free spring band, Score. You can check out all designs HERE
Paint the Half Pink
up close of my band


  • My Half Fanatic tank. First off a big 'no no' for me is cotton tanks, as well as high necks because I get hot. Although the HF tank does have a higher neckline than I prefer, I knew for sure that I wanted to wear this for my 25th race- first time I wore it and i'm so glad I went with the men's shirt since I've been informed the women's lack of length in midriff can be annoying and ride up. Even though I've been a member of Half Fanatics for over a year, this is the first article of clothing I've bought /worn. All their gear can be found HERE
  • Different shades of blue argyle skirt-. Speaking from experience... not all skirts are the same. Due to being vertically GIFTED I really have to pay attention to not only the skirt length, but if it has built in shorts, how long are they?!?! Unfortunately what that translates into is a lot of clearance skirts out there just don't make the cut in the anti-chafe world for me. The skirt I wore is  the triathalon style from runningskirts.com. Although I'm not a fan of their prices, I constantly stalk their sale section and just stick to triathalon skirts--- they have nothing built in so I can wear my OWN compression shorts underneath and there is no worry on riding up. Currently their sale tri skirts are $25... GREAT deal--- see whats left HERE
  • I-fitness Race belt--- ALL last year I ran in a spibelt--- it was okay, but I had to wear it on my hip so it wouldn't bounce around.  I had to watch how much I put in there so it wouldn't get weighed down, which was annoying. When I got my I-fitness belt with race number holder in January, i said bye to the spibelt and safety pins and hello to my new non-slip/ water proof friend. I think the best feature about it is that I forget it's there... it seriously DOESN'T move (perfect for my heavier objects like my phone) 
Neoprene Single Pouch w/ Race Number Holder Black

  • Even though you can't see them, underneath EVERY skirt I ALWAYS wear Nike Combat Pro Core shorts.... i'll be honest, they're not real compression,(which i like bc then I don't feel like a little sausage) but they are so comfty and the perfect length, 5'', so they don't ride up. I really need to buy more because I've been using and abusing the same pair since Jan 2011. I will say its extremely hard to find 5"--- most everything is the butt huggers 2.5".... I prefer my butt to say INSIDE my shorts, thank you very much. 
Nike Pro Core Compression 5
  • Socks- I rotate between 2 brands (depends on what's clean) First is Thorlo's Experia- the grey is extra cushion and they come in fun colors 
  • Second is drymax- not as exciting looking, but perfect wicking material to keep my feet sweat free - both socks don't come cheap and can range from $10-$15 / pair, but well worth the extra money

  • I over-pronate, so I need a stability shoe. I've been in the saucony guides for about a year now. Honestly it gets the job done, I don't have any issues anymore, I just wish they weren't as boxy and a little lighter. There is something about the newest version, 5s, that I HATE when I'm doing training runs- sore calves, bothered arches, just feel 'heavy'. The weird part is that I'm not bothered at all during races, and thats where it counts, so I guess I won't be switching to a diff shoe for my halfs anytime soon. 

So thats my go-to gear for every.single.race.... seriously, aside from the tank top, it doesn't vary from there.

Do you have any race outfits MUSTS each time?

12 comments:

  1. i used to use my spibelt until i got the Ifitness too and i LOVE it. depending on the event, i will wear my chicabands (marathons I really like a hat). brooks defyance shoes, zensah socks or sleeves, and moving comfort bra. outfit changes each and every race. :)

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  2. I was a big fan of the Sauconey guides for awhile but I also don't like the newest version. I have switched to Nike's. They must have tweaked something important. My must have is my moving comfort bra. Those sports bras are pure magic.

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  3. How does your skirt not ride up? I wore mine once and by the end of the 1st mile it was a belt. I've tried all their skirts- athletic, triathalon, running- and not all of us are built like they are. oh well.

    And I get you on the shorts thing. I will check out those, I usually wear Moving Comfort compression shorts. They're super long enough.

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  4. I discovered drymax socks this year and am so in love with them, really worth the extra money . I can't do runningskirts skirts but I love lulu ones, they have the best no ride up shorts underneath.

    I tried running with a SPIbelt but found it annoying. I do have to wear a head band though to keep my hair out of my face.

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  5. Great post! I love my iFitness race bib/belt too. It's true, I forget that I'm wearing it as well (except for in races, the number hanging off it is a bit of a reminder).

    The triathlon skirt/compression shorts combo is a winner, economically too. My shorts show under the skirt, but I've decided that that's just fine. Better than chafing.

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  6. I have a pair of Champion running shorts that I bought from Target and I race with that same pair all the time! I've tried Nike's and others but I have tree trunk thighs that sometimes like to rub and Champion keeps it "all good" so that's what I stick with. I also wear their running bras!

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  7. Great list! I almost always run in my Champin running capri from Target, they are so worn I am trying to find a new pair I love as much. I just grab them for my race days. I also usually wear compression socks for longer races. I just love them. I will have to look into the iFitness belt - I might like it better.

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  8. We have a lot of the same must haves. Off to check out the skirts.

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  9. I am also tall..5'11" and I have a problem with running skirts...I have a SS gym ultra in med and it is too big it needs a drawstring! I am not a big fan of their shorties on that skirt...I wear the same comp shorts as you and I also like the 5" I find them at Dicks usually only problem is finding some size Small they dont always have those. maybe I should try the skirt you use..does it have drawstring..looks like no...and it does it is not go up or turn ?

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  10. i never run in pants, but for some reason on race day just love running in my compression tights. my oakley sunglasses are my only other must have

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  11. Great post. It's fun to hear about other people's habits. I haven't been able to get my iFitness belt to stay in place, but I'm glad it works for you. My race outfits are pretty close to what I wear for training, except that I have several tops with pockets that I try to save only for races so they don't wear out as quickly.

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  12. I love your race gear! And although not listed on THIS blog, I LOVE LOVE LOVE your new "reward" shoes!! AMAZING!!

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