November 7, 2011

workout gear i love

Today I'm coming at you with some of my favorite workout gear.  First thing to know?  It is nothing fancy.  That is for sure.  The majority of the time I'm wearing stuff from Target.

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The purple top is a Nike, and I swore it was called a combat or something, but I'm having a hard time finding it online.  I think it is very similar to this one.  I like it because it is tight fitting, but doesn't ride up on me.  I usually have issues with tighter shirts riding up, but this one gets the job done.  I also really like the top I wore for the half marathon.  It has thumb holes :o).  It is from Target.

So far, my favorite capris are from Target.  I believe they are these ones.  They are a great length, lightweight, and have a drawstring waist.  I DO NOT wear shorts.  At all.  I'll pass on my legs rubbing together for an hour or more.  That just isn't pretty.  I also have a pair of Nike capris that I like, but they don't have a drawstring waist, so I am constantly pulling at them.  I've purchased a pair of long running tights from Target, but haven't worn them yet.  I've been to chicken too brave the cold :o).

My sports bras are also from Target.  I have several, all in very absurd neon colors.  When it comes to socks, I LOVE my balega hidden comfort socks.  My mom had them several years ago and I stole a couple.  After a while I had a hard time finding them in stores, so I had to resort to Amazon.  They are so comfortable.  You can find them here.

Finding good shoes was definitely tough for me.  I need a stability shoe, I don't know what all my issues are, but my feet apparently do crazy things while I run.  But everything people showed me always felt too clunky or slipped off my heels.  Oh yeah, apparently I have narrow heels too.  Thankfully I did manage to find a pair that worked.  I am currently in the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 11.  I was sad that the colors weren't all that fun (red isn't really my thing :o), but they fit so I sucked it up.  It looks like there is a GTS 12 in hot pink, maybe I'll have to give that a try... Honestly?  I'd love some insane crazy colored shoes.  Like full on bright pink or turquoise or something. 

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I simply can't wear ear buds.  I've tried several kinds, including ones that have a piece that wraps around the ear.  But they never stay in.  If you know of the magic pair, let me know.  Until then, I wear really awesome giant discs clipped to my ears.  They usually work pretty well, except for the last time I went for a run of course.  I love running to music, so it really stinks that I have such a hard time with headphones.  You can find these puppies here.

Since I'm not super cool :o) I'm still rockin' my iphone 3GS.  Most of the good arm bands are made for the 4, and now probably the 4S.  So I ended up with this tuneband that I found on Amazon.  It gets the job done, but I'd like a little more protection for my phone.  Plus it isn't the most comfortable thing all the time.  And I get mildly annoyed that I have to switch out cases when I want to go for a run.  But that is just me being a little lazy.  Unfortunately I currently seem to have misplaced the thing.

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When I realized I would need to carry some fuel, along with maybe an ID and some other items, I decided to pick up a spibelt.  It is a great little pouch that expands to fit a surprising amount of stuff (that is my phone in there in the picture).  The fit is pretty comfortable, and I was impressed at how little it bounced around.  I could see it being useful on short or long runs.  Generally if I'm not bringing fuel though, I don't take it.  I can slide my ID behind my phone and tie my key to my shoelace or the drawstring on my pants.

Speaking of fuel, I tried a few things close to my half marathon.  I never tested out a gel, I was pretty sure the consistency would make me gag.  I thought shot bloks were hard to chew and didn't really like the texture.  I didn't mind jelly bean sport beans, and I liked the honey stinger pink lemonade chews.  They were definitely my favorite.  When it came down to it, I couldn't figure out how to successfully eat and run, and opted not to take in any fuel during the half marathon.  Maybe not the best idea or smartest move, but I did survive without it.

I bet there are a lot of great products and running 'toys' I haven't come across yet but for now this stuff is definitely getting me by!  Oh, and Ryann sort of participated in this photo shoot... obviously...

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On another note, was there anyone else out there doing the Pile on the Miles challenge over at Run Eat Repeat?  It's week number two!  I'm feeling good, 11.5 miles this week and still four days to add in some more!  And no, that is not all running.  I wish, but my will power to run straight for long distances is already fading.  Must find something to train for!  Anyone in the KC area want to do the Great Santa 5K on December 4th?  :o)

Please link up your health and fitness related posts, I'd love to read them!

12 comments:

~e said...

Glad someone else loves Brookes! I've ran in every shoe imaginable (Aasics, Adidas, Nike, New Balance, etc) and Brookes are just awesome. I know that no shoe is right for everyone but it's nice to find people that like the same shoes! With that said, I'm 36-weeks pregnant so I'm not running much these days :) Oh, and I still have a 3GS too. Maybe I'll get a new phone one day...

Megan said...

I love my Brookes!! I feel like we have the same style in running clothes. I can't stand running in shorts either. Also yesterday at BestBuy I saw a pair of ear buds that are guaranteed to stay in. Honestly they look like little hearing aids. But I also have a very hard time getting ear buds to stay. My ear holes are just too little.

Sweet As Boys said...

Thanks for the great post!

I started the C25k again (last time I was doing this when I was pregnant and didn't continue after I finished the program). It's finally starting to get cooler here to start running outside rather than on my treadmill so I'm thrilled you posted all your fun gadgets :) I am also doing pile on the miles. For me it's been great way to stay on track during this time of year.

Meredith said...

Workout gear is my nemesis. i have a 36 inch inseam, so finding anything long enough is ridiculous. Ditto for shirts--PITA. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you look at it), it's time to buy new sweats and workout stuff--all the stuff I have is pre-Lizzy, and got stretched out during pregnancy and is too big now.

Also, I don't know if you have a ROSS nearby, but I find the C9 sports bras there all the time for way less!

Stacey said...

I love shoe recommendations! I don't have a good arch for Nikes which sucks because they have all the cool shoes. I had a pair of Saucony's which I LOVED, then tried Asics (better than Nike but nothing like Saucony's) and went back to Saucony's. I just love them and find for me they last so much longer. I run, elliptical and do step aerobics so I need something that can handle a lot of high impact. You know you're old when you buy shoes for comfort and not color. The ones I currently have are 90% black. Can we say BORING? But super comfy! haha.

Lindsey said...

I also wear Brooks and need a stability shoe. You should check out the Brooks Ravenna 2. They come with Turquoise laces (yay) and are overall a great stability shoe.

Great tip about the Target capris with a drawstring. I have such a hard time finding pants that stay up when I am running so I will check those out!

Jennifer said...

fun post...I'll have to check target out :)

Kelly said...

All my favorite workout clothes are from Target and my favorite socks are actually from Publix hahaha This might not be the best solution, but I don't wear ear phones and just let my music play extra loud. The phone is on my arm though so I don't know if that would work with a waist belt. Also- I don't know why anyone would ever want to run in shorts. OUCH!

CoreysGal said...

Have you checked out Skull Candy ear buds? I am the same as you and could never comfortably wear any until I found these. They have a little squishy shell on the ear bud and every pair comes with 3 sizes of the squishy part. I love mine - soooo much better than traditional ear buds!

Kelly said...

So, I have the same ear problem...have for years. It is extremely annoying when you are trying to focus on a run and your dang ear buds keep falling out, or worse, making your ears hurt! So one day, I went to Best Buy and found some guy and explained my situation. I said I would pay whatever it took so long as he could guarantee me they would stay in my ears. They were a pretty penny, but I'll kid you not...best money I have ever spent! And, they are neon yellow (I am obsessed with bright colors, too)! They are: Sennheiser - Adidas EarFit Ear Bud Headphones and I just found them online. They are $69.00 and are some of the best money I have ever spent in regards to workout equipment.

Let me know what you think!

Also, I am the girl who bumped into your husband at work last week. Not sure if he mentioned it, but I approached him and told him I recognized him from his polar bear costume...it was a very funny/weird encounter!

Brenna said...

Yay- love this post. I am heading back to the states in two weeks- for 5 glorious weeks (including participating in a marathon relay) so I will be checking out Target!
I do not link to you cause I have been a slacking blogger lately- but I read yours religiously!!
Brenna

Sharstin said...

such a fun post! i love workout gear, Nike is a fav--have you tried a running skirt? they are super great. I too run in brooks--love em! Old navy has a line of compression running tights and capri's that are really great--and well priced:) and i will second the skull candy buds--super comfy! not here is to some fun winter training!
ps--goo's and gels are a little hard to get used to--but really pay off--i just squeeze them in and swallow--b/c i really hate the consistency