Happy Thanksgiving From the Right Fits!

Sorry for the short hiatus. I was in Milwaukee for the past three days with my family. All four of my sisters were there with their husbands and kids. It was definitely a full house!

The rest of my family ran a Turkey Trot 5k on Thanksgiving morning, but my "stress reaction" in my tibia meant no running for me. Fortunately, I am still able to work out with other activities, so I went to a Body Pump class at my sister's gym, Elite Sports Club. 

What I love about Body Pump is that its the same class no matter where you go. The class is all weight lifting, with no jumping or high-impact activities, so it didn't cause any issues for the "stress reaction."

Then it was time to cook! I was in charge of the mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, baked brie phyllo cups with craisins and walnuts, scalloped corn, rice krispie treats, and Oreo truffles. I prepped most of the food the weekend before, so at the last minute I was also tasked with the sweet potato casserole.

There were a lot of cooks in the kitchen, but that's what makes it so fun.

Like every Thanksgiving, I ate just a bit too much, but had a great time with my family. 

We played plenty of games (Truth be Told, Things, Fishbowl, etc) and ate plenty of food.

By the end of the day, my little family was ready for a nap!

Happy Thanksgiving from my family to yours!

Failed Fit: Too Much of a Good Thing....

By Jess in Minneapolis

(Please note- I am not a doctor or a psychologist. I am sure that I made some mistakes in this post when explaining my injury and diagnosis. I also know that exercise addiction can be a serious issue, but I do not believe that I have a serious problem; however, I do recognize that I have to be smarter about rest and listening to my body.)

Do you read my weekly recaps and think I work out a lot? Have you ever thought that maybe that I work out...too much? Is that possible? Have you ever taken a minute to assess your relationship with working out? Could you possibly be working out too much?

I have always thought that an exercise addiction was the best addiction to have. Its not as bad as being an alcoholic, a drug abuser, a smoker, an over-eater, a shopoholic, right?  It seemed to me that there are a lot worse things to be "addicted to", versus working out. Besides, we're supposed to "sweat every day", right? Several of the bloggers that I read (i.e. Skinny Runner, Run Eat Repeat) are women who are running back to back marathons in one weekend, or running 26.2 several weekends in a row. My weekly recaps pale in comparison to their milage. Even "locally", I know that I am not the only one in my group of friends who does two-a-days, and some of my running friends are pushing 50 miles a week off-season.

But every BODY is different. I need to know what is too much for ME, and I think I was doing too much.

And just a few days ago, two of my really close friends (who know ME) actually reached out to me (unbeknownst to each other) expressing concern that I was overdoing it. They were concerned that I was doing too many two-a-days, not resting enough, and letting exercise rule my life.

These are two friends who are just as active as me. They are accomplished marathoners who run multiple marathons a year, and cross train/strength-train/yoga frequently as well. But their concern was that I am not currently training for a marathon, yet I was running 40 miles a week and doing multiple two-a-days.

It felt a little like an intervention, but I took their concern to heart. Its good to know that these friends are looking out for me, and care about my well-being. Unfortunately, the intervention occurred just a bit too late....My body had already decided I was overdoing it.

Here's the backstory.

I ran hard on Thursday morning- 7 miles at a pretty quick pace for me. Then I did a kettle bells class at Balance Fitness that evening. By the end of that class, my shin was really, really sore. I took Friday as a complete rest day, and then toughed out an 11 mile run on Saturday morning.

My shin really bothered every step of the way on those 11 miles. It was all I could think of- the pain!!!! Eeks!

After icing it throughout the day Saturday and Sunday, it still never felt any better. It hurt just to walk on it, which definitely had me concerned.

After reaching out to friends who have had both shin splints and/or stress fractures, I realized that I probably had a stress fracture. Shin splits are usually painful along the whole shin, whereas my pain was isolated to one spot, and it didn't feel better after rest or ice, (whereas shin splits normally would).

I finally decided to just go to Tria Orthopedic's after-hours for an x-ray. This clinic is open every day from 8 am to 8 pm (even on Sundays!), which was totally convenient and awesome (two thumbs up for Tria!)

The doctor quickly assessed my pain, and agreed that it could be a stress fracture, so he sent me to the x-ray room. The pictures were ready in minutes, and the doctor returned to kindly explain the results to me.

There was no visible fracture on my shin, which could be true even if there was a stress fracture. What we did see was a visible thickening of the bone cortex right at the point of the pain on my lower shin.

The doctor explained to me that every time you run, your bones are "damaged" so to speak. Then you rest and the bones heal. If you don't rest enough between runs, the damage never heals completely, so every time you run again, you are further damaging the bone. Running too far or too hard before you body has adjusted could also do more damage, which means more time to heal. Your body builds more bone to try to compensate for the damage (hence the thicker part of my shin visible on the x-ray), but that only helps for so long. Eventually, the bone gets more and more irritated, until it potentially cracks, or fractures.

It appears that my injury is right at that "really irritated" stage. There was no visible fracture (though an MRI would be necessary to completely rule out a fracture), but clearly my bone is not happy. The doctor prescribed no running for 2-3 weeks and the boot.

Yep, the boot. The good thing is that I only have to wear it for 2-3 weeks, and then I can start running again. During the 2-3 weeks, I can cross train as much as I want (as long as there is no pain).

After 2-3 weeks, I will try running again. If I am still in pain, then I will go back to get the MRI to determine if there really is a stress fracture. If, after 2-3 weeks in the boot I feel better, I can slowly increase mileage again.

For now, I'll be putting my YMCA membership to use starting tomorrow morning, swimming laps again to try to maintain my cardio fitness. I also plan to do yoga (modified if necessary), the elliptical, and spinning as well.

Yay, more of these goggle eyes....

This does mean I have to miss the Turkey Trot with my family on Thanksgiving, as well as the Santa Hustle 5k that I was registered for in Chicago when we go there for my friend's 30th birthday celebration.

Fortunately, however, I caught this early enough, and I should still be able to run the Securian Winter half marathon, as well as the Flying Pig Marathon May 4 in Cincinnati.

Lesson Learned? Going forward, I plan to only run 4, maybe 5 days a week but NEVER 6, and NEVER twice in one day (like I did this day). I also plan to really, really cross train- either the elliptical, a spin class, or swimming. Too often I decide just to do another run, instead of these other exercises....I just love running too much. But I want to be able to continue to run in the years to come, so I will have to be smarter about rest.

And a THANK YOU again to my concerned friends. Within my group of girlfriends, there are a lot of really dedicated athletes, but it can be difficult to really know when too much is too much, particularly when comparing myself to these other athletes. But I should not be comparing myself to anyone else.

Unfortunately, my body told me I had done too much, before my mind knew it in this case. Its unfortunate, yet I am  so glad to know I have friends in my life who are looking out for me. I'm just a girl, trying to find the "RIGHT FIT" in terms of fitness, and I obviously make mistakes. Sometimes I do too much of one thing (i.e. running) rather than giving my body the rest and recovery that it needs to stay healthy and strong.

I'm learning as I go, and hopefully sharing my experience with all of you might help you as well on your fitness journey.

REST!

Friday's Favorite Fit: Sloan Pants from Banana Republic

By Jess in Minneapolis

Before I delve into today's favorite fit, take a look at my fancy new pinterest icon! You can now easily pin outfits, race recaps, advice, whatever you want to your pinterest page. And you can also follow The Right Fits on pinterest!

So, Friday’s Favorite Fit is coming to you from Banana Republic.

My closet analysis/wardrobe consultation with A la Mode Wardrobe Consulting last June led me back to Banana Republic for all those basic work pieces I was missing, but while I was there, I fell in love with everything else in the store! I had fallen away from the store for a few years, but now I am back and loving all the great items they carry.

As I mentioned before, I love this blazer from Banana (find it HERE):

But today’s fav is their Sloan Fit Slim Pant.

I was first turned onto these pants by Carly at A la Mode Wardrobe Consulting  They made a great summer work pant, when paired these shoes or these shoes.

But the great thing is that these pants transitioned really well into winter. I can also pair them with these ankle boots, heels, or knee-high boots in the colder months.

The Sloan pants come in a wide variety of styles- plain, patterned, houndstooth, ankle-zip, a multitude of colors, etc. I have them in red, navy, black, and green, but I’m definitely keeping an eye out for more!

The Price: Regularly priced between $80-$90, I don’t think I have ever paid full-price for a pair of these. It seems that Banana is constantly sending out 40% off coupons for one full priced item, or you can often find last season’s colors on clearance/sale.

The Fit: The fit is always the same with the Sloans, so once you know your size, you can watch for online sales and stock up!

 

in Berlin in my navy Sloan pants

The Sloan pants sit lower on the waist with a sleek, skinny leg. They usually are made of a “power stretch” fabric (56% viscose, 39% cotton, 5% spandex) to give them amazing stretch and recovery. They are fitted through the hip and thigh, and ankle length.

One downside of these pants, however, is that they are dry-clean only, but that's my only complaint. 

Otherwise, I highly suggest you try out a pair and let me know what you think!

Featured Fit: Minnesota Winter Running Essentials.

By Jess in Minneapolis

"Winter is coming."

This isn't just a quote from Game of Thrones. It's the truth. Winter is indeed coming, and runners in Minnesota (and the rest of the Midwest) need to be prepared.

All you warm weather readers, I am going to tell you something shocking. I run outside all winter. Yep. All winter. In Minnesota.

I have run through hail and blizzards, and you can too, as long as you have the right fits in terms of winter running gear!

Based on my personal experience, here is my list of the running essentials that you need to keep running all winter long.

WINTER RUNNING ESSENTIALS FROM THE RIGHT FITS:

1. Dress for Success Chart:  Keep this chart handy, runner friends. This helpful chart from Runner's World is definitely one of my winter running essentials. I reference this chart all the time before runs to figure out what to wear.

Dress for Success
Here’s a cheat sheet to help you dress appropriately for your runs, no matter what the thermometer says. This chart factors in the 10-Degree Rule but doesn’t account for a significant windchill. On very windy days, you may need to dress warmer.
TEMP (in degrees)	BASIC APPAREL
above 70	Lightweight/light-colored singlet and shorts
60 to 69	Tank top or singlet and shorts
50 to 59	T-shirt and shorts
40 to 49	Long-sleeve shirt and tights or shorts
30 to 39	Long-sleeve shirt and tights
20 to 29	Two upper-body layers and one lower-body layer
10 to 19	Two upper-body layers and one lower-body layer
0 to 9	Two/three upper-body layers, one/two lower-body layers
below 0	Three upper-body layers, two lower-body layers

2. YakTrax Run I did a full post on the YakTrax Run HERE. Now, if you don't want to pay up for the YakTrax Run, you can try a pair of regular YakTrax, and you'll be alright for a little while. But honestly, the YakTrax Run version will last so much longer. They are designed specifically for running and they can hold up to the wear and tear of cold weather training.  Order a pair today at R.E.I.  HERE

3. A Great Sports Bra- Well, this running essential applies in both warm or cold weather, but a great sports bra is just as important in the winter, even though it's going to be covered up with multiple layers. You know that I love the Serena bra by Moving Comfort and the Bitty Bracer by Lululemon. Chafing can still happen in the cold temps, so find a bra that fits you!

4. A Wicking Baselayer: There are a lot of great options out there for base layers, so stock up on a bunch. I love my new Long Sleeve Twist Top from Athleta, but the Brooks Heater Hog is definitely a good one, and I've had good luck with the base layers at Lululemon like this one

5. Warm Socks: When its really cold, I actually wear my snowboarding socks. They're wool and very warm. SmartWool brand is probably one of the best. Find them at REI

6. A Wind-Stopping Softshell/Jacket- This Craft one looks awesome. One or two really great winter running jackets is all you need. (You probably don't have to wash them every time you run, if you have several wicking base layers underneath.)

7. Warm Running Tights: Again, Craft makes a really good pair, and you can always go down the SportHill route (though they are somehow the least flattering pants in the world!) Brooks makes a fleece lined pair that is pretty warm as well. Here's a great list by Runner's World of good winter running pants.

8. Quality Running Gloves- I have a pair of Craft gloves that are extremely warm. The two-finger split makes this glove more like a mitten, and my hands stay super cozy in these.

9. Fleece Neck Warmer: A fleece neck gator (like this one) will really make a difference in your winter running. It will keep your neck and chin warm while also helping to prevent burning lungs.

10. A Warm Hat or Ear Band: I like the ear bands the best, but sometimes you'll need a really warm hat like this one or this one.

I also love running hats that have a hole for your pony tail as well, like this one by Saucony:

11. Lip balm with SPF: The wind and cold can make your kissers pretty chapped. I load up on Aquaphor before a cold run.

11. Knuckle Lights: Okay, you can get away with a head lamp, but you know I prefer the knuckle lights. (They were Friday's Favorite Fit a few weeks ago!) Knuckle lights are a winter running essential for both the early morning runners and the evening runners, now that our daylight hours are limited.

12. A Face Mask. Unfortunately, when its really windy and cold, you need to protect your face with more than just some SPF/Moisturizer.  Sexy? Not so much, but unfortunately a face mask is definitely a winter running necessity.

Now, if you just can't face the cold, there is always the treadmill or Metrodome running (at least for a little while) But if you purchase the items I have listed above, I think you'll find that winter running isn't so bad after all! It's invigorating! It keeps it interesting! It toughens us up, and that's what makes us real Minnesotans!


Previous posts by the Right Fits about cold weather running:
Fit Fanatic: So Cold
Fitting Debate: Running in Cold vs. Hot Temperatures
Fitting Debate: Running in Cold vs. Hot Temperatures Pt. 2

Fits Do Product Reviews: YakTrax Run 

Weekly Recap and a Beer Mile.

By Jess in Minneapolis

Time for another weekly recap already!

Here's how the week panned out in Fitness:
Monday: Ran 7 miles in the AM, Hot Power Fusion at Corepower Yoga in the PM
Tuesday: Ran 4 miles with Matilda
Wednesday: Ran 7 miles in the AM
Thursday: Ran 7 miles in the AM, Kettlebells at Balance Fitness in the PM
Friday: BarreAmped at Balanced Barre in the AM
Saturday: 10 miles with the CBRC
Sunday: Hot Power Fusion at Corepower Yoga

Total: 35 miles, 1 strength, 1 barre, 2 yoga

The highlight this week in fitness was definitely the kettlebell class at Balance. I went last week, so it wasn't a lack of consistency that made this week's class so hard, but my, oh, my, my legs were so sore after this class! It must have been all of the thruster squats and swings between each upper body exercise, but the class was definitely a doozy, and it led me to cut back on my running on Saturday (10 rather than 12 miles) and not run at all on Sunday to let my legs fully recover. I love being that sore though! (I just have to be sure not to take that class before a race).

And here's what happened last week in Fitness Fashion:
Nothing much was new last week in Fitness Fashion, so I thought I'd share something I'm currently throwing a fit for at lululemon. It's their "fluff off vest". This vest is pretty similar to the downalicioius vest that I am also throwing a fit for at Athleta. Ideas for my Christmas wish list? I think both options would be a perfect winter running essential for the frigid temps that are surely on their way in Minneapolis. Priced at $128 for the fluff off vest at lululemon and $138 for Athleta's version, I am hoping that Santa reads the Right Fits.

And of course, here's an update on the week in Fashion:
My girlfriends and I have discussed that we frequently buy cocktail dresses for weddings, galas, etc, and we only wear them once or twice, before letting them gather dust in the far corners of the closet. Personally, I am a big offender of this wasteful act. I even have a few dresses that I have never worn! With that said, I figured a cocktail dress swap would be a creative way to expand the wardrobe for a price that fits the bill. We all have a few weddings coming up this spring and summer, so this was an opportunity to find a "new-to-me" dress for those special occasions.

This past Wednesday, about eight girlfriends came over for some wine and appetizers. They brought over all kinds of awesome dresses....like all of these lovely gowns:

We took turns trying on dresses that appealed to our personal style, and I think several of us found some great "borrows" for future weddings and events!

Between this and the Fashion Swaps that I have hosted, I obviously like to swap clothes. I think it's due to growing up with four sisters and borrowing (stealing?) clothes from their closets that left me always planning this type of event (read about past fashion swaps HERE and HERE)

Beer Mile?

In between all the fitness, fashion, and fitness fashion, Dustin and I attended the CBRC Beer Mile event on Saturday night. We both opted to be spectators, as I just don't have the stomach to down four beers while running a mile...Yep, you read that right.  In fact, apparently, this is a popular event for running clubs, but I had never heard of it.

The official rules of this "event" are as follows:

1. Teams consist of two competitors.



2. Each competitor drinks four cans of beer and runs four laps of the 1/4 mile route. Teammates alternate the ‘beer then run’ process (beer/lap/tag). Finish the lap by tagging your partner. Your teammate will then drink a beer and run a ¼ mile and this will continue until each team has run 8 laps and consumed 8 beers (4 per person).



3. The timer will start with the opening of the first beer from the first runner of each team. The timer will stop when the second runner from each team crosses the finish line after his/her fourth lap. The first team to cross the finish line after drinking 8 beers and running 8 laps is the winner.



4. After the first lap, beers cannot be opened until tagged by a partner finishing a lap.



5. Competitors must drink canned beer and the cans must not be less than 355ml or 12oz. No bottles will be allowed on the course for safety reasons. No Solo cups in the interest of consistency for those drinking from cans.



6. Beer cans must not be tampered with in any manner. I.e. No shot gunning or puncturing of the can except for opening the can by the tab at the top. No straws, bongs or other aids are allowed in order to increase the speed of pouring / drinking. Wide mouth cans, e.g. Coors Light, are acceptable.



7. Beer must be a minimum of 4.2% alcohol by volume. That means no 3.2% gas station beer. Hard ciders and lemonades will also not suffice. The beer must be a fermented alcoholic beverage brewed from malt and flavored with hops. Acceptable beers: Bud, Bud Light, Coors, Coors Light, Hamm’s, Heineken, Michelob Golden Draft, Miller Lite, PBR, Keystone Light, Miller High Life, Miller Genuine Draft, Miller Genuine Draft Lite, Old Milwaukee, Yuengling (if you can find it). Others may be allowed at the discretion of the Race Director. 

8. Common beers that do not meet the minimum alcohol threshold: Amstel Light, Busch Light, Hamm’s Light, Heineken Light, Michelob Golden Draft Light, Michelob Ultra, O’douls (obviously)



9. Spilling is high discouraged. The name of the game is beer mile, not ‘pour it down your shirt mile.’ Mild spillage while drinking may result in a one shot penalty at the discretion of the drinking judge. Heavy spillage while drinking may result in a two shot penalty at the discretion of the drinking judge.



10. Upon drinking a beer, each competitor must turn his or her can completely upside down before running a lap. An unreasonable amount of beer/foam poured from the can will result in either a one or two shot penalty at the discretion of the drinking judge.

A handful of people joined Dustin and me as "spectators." Needless to say, the shenanigans were quite entertaining for the non-participators.

spectators

Runners and beer....it seems that they go hand-in-hand!

Here's a YouTube video of the fastest beer mile on record: 
(The CBRC version was not on a track, but was otherwise the same.)

It was a fun event, and I was impressed by how quickly some people could still run (and drink?) Probably not the healthiest event in the world, but it was all in good fun.

How was your week? Any fresh, new fits in Fitness, Fashion, or Fitness Fashion? Please share!

Fitting Remarks: The Five Rules for Your GPS Device

By Jess in Minneapolis

Greg McMillan, of “McMillan Calculator” fame, recently wrote about GPS devices in his weekly newsletter, and he provided some helpful rules to ensure that you are using your GPS to your benefit, rather than to your detriment.

Now, I love my Garmin just as much as the next runner, but I definitely agree with Greg that sometimes runners can become a little obsessed with it. We are often too focused on the numbers on that screen, and we don't allow ourselves the true pleasures of a run.

If I am going for an easy run, and I know the route, I just leave the Garmin at home. It’s better that way for me. I think every runner should have some "naked" runs, where they leave all the devices at home. Its too easy to let that little device make or break your confidence, when often times just running easy is what your body needs. 

GPS devices are awesome when it comes to workouts and race pacing, but they often can make you push too hard on an easy day, or not listen to your body when its telling you to back off on a given run.

On the other hand, I think a GPS can sometimes scare you a bit too, and make you back off during a run. Sometimes if I see a pace on there that I don't think I can maintain for a three mile tempo, I mentally get spooked and back off. But what if I ran that tempo based only on how I felt like a tempo workout should feel- comfortably hard,  able to talk but not more than short sentences...maybe I could actually run faster if I just listened to my body and let it tell me when we need to slow down, rather than letting my GPS tell me.

With that said, I give you the FIVE RULES FOR YOUR GPS from Greg McMillan:

RULE NO. 1: DON'T LOOK

Don't look at your GPS for the first 10 minutes of your run. GPS users often start their runs too fast because they let the watch set the pace instead of letting their body settle into it. Listen to your body. Let the pace come to you. Don't force it on yourself early in the run just because the watch says so. And, even when you do take that first peek at your watch, don't surge to hit your intended pace. Flow into your normal pace over the next mile or two. Trust me. You'll feel better for it.

I have fallen victim to this before- I’ll stress that “OMG, am I really going that slow?” rather than just letting my body warm up and ease into my pace. My running buddy and I were discussing this very topic this morning, agreeing that particularly on our cold, early morning runs, we need to ease into the pace, and being too tied into the number on your Garmin can take away from the time that your body needs to get into your groove.

RULE NO. 2: LET THE PACE VARY

If you ran without a watch, your pace would vary across the run. You'd run faster on some sections of the route and slower on others. This is natural. But if you're constantly checking your GPS, you'll find yourself worrying more about perfect pacing than flowing through the run (besides making yourself susceptible to Runner's Elbow--an overuse injury from too much watch-checking). Get comfortable with pace variation and don't worry so much about your exact speed at any given time during an easy run. Instead, just see what your average pace is after the run.

Pace variation occurs during speed workouts too. It will vary from mile to mile, lap to lap. That's natural. You'll know if you fall out of your optimal training range by checking your GPS, but as long as you're within 5 or so seconds of your goal workout pace, you're on target.

This is an important rule. Sure it's helpful to try to be consistent, but let your body speed up and slow down as the route and terrain permit. 

RULE NO. 3: DON'T QUESTION THE RACE DISTANCE

Each week I receive an email (or two or three) from a runner providing his race time but inevitably stating, "But the course was long because my GPS said it was 26.8 miles, not 26.2 miles." The GPS estimates the distanceyou run, but race courses are measured along the shortest distance, using more precise tools. It's highly unlikely that you'll run this shortest distance for the entire race, though you should try to run every tangent as best you can. As a result, all your races will likely be "long." In the end, it's what the race clock says that stands, not what your GPS says.

Ha! I did this at the Berlin marathon. My Garmin was close to 27 miles. Though I know that I didn’t run the tangents, I also know that it doesn’t matter that my Garmin distance was long. The clock matters. I can cry all I want that the course was long, but the race clock trumps my Garmin.

I have heard lots of friends complain that “oh, I am sure the race was long because my Garmin said so.” I’m pretty darn confident that a USATF certified course is more accurate than your Garmin.

RULE NO. 4: DON'T RACE THE GPS

We're all competitive. I get it. But when it comes to training, faster isn't always better. Training zones are just that: zones. They have a fast end and a slow end. You need to be within the pace range to get the benefits of the workout. Exceeding the optimal pace range and entering a new training zone isn't necessarily better. Therefore, don't try to beat the GPS. Use it to help you stay in the correct zone on workouts. That's one of the greatest uses of the device.

I think this is great advice as well. Its easy to focus too much on pace. I might ask myself, "why am I only running 9:00 min/mile today, when I was running 8:20’s yesterday and it felt easy?" 

But really, we should just let an easy run be an easy run at WHATEVER pace feels easy that day.

RULE NO. 5: LEAVE IT AT HOME

The GPS is one of the best advances we've seen in monitoring training to date, but let's not forget that it's just another training tool. Its role is to help you train better, which ideally means learning to train by your internal GPS more than your external GPS. So if you're going on your regular run that you've done dozens of times, leave your GPS at home. Run by your internal GPS.

So true! Like I said earlier, I often leave my Garmin at home, particularly when I run with Matilda. If she wants to stop and sniff, we stop and sniff. There’s no need to turn the Garmin on and off every time we pause. But even without the dog, I often run without my Garmin, and it feels pretty darn freeing. One of my run club friends said this morning that after a marathon, she gives herself a few months of Garmin-free running, where she just lets her body determine the pace.

Now, get out there and locate some satellites runners!

Belated Weekly Recap and My First Diwali Party!

Ah! I am way behind in my weekly recap from last week, so sorry…. I'll recap last week today and hopefully get back on schedule!

Here’s what happened in Fitness, Fashion, and Fitness Fashion the first week of Novembrrrrr!

Let’s start with Fitness Fashion: 
First of all, I have to apologize that I had the wrong date in Friday’s Favorite Fit last week. I wrote that Athleta’s Dog Adoption event was on Saturday, but it was actually on Sunday. I hope none of you went on Saturday because of me and my faulty information! To be honest, I went on Saturday….and I was very confused when there were no dogs at the store! I returned on Sunday though, and got to see all the cute furry friends. It sounds like a lot of the dogs found forever homes that day, which is great news.

I did my part by adding to my “fitness fashion” attire with one of Athleta’s Long Sleeve Twist Tops in Halogen Green.

source

The saleswoman explained to me that due to the Polygiene permanent odor control material, you don’t have to wash this top every time you wear it. Instead, you can just let it air dry after a run, and it shouldn’t get all stinky! I tried it two runs in a row this week, and to be honest, it didn’t smell….so far, I say it works! Less laundry sounds great to me. If you remember Dustin's guest post about being married to fitness (it was pretty funny, I'll admit- you can read it HERE) one of his complaints was all the sweaty laundry. Well, maybe Polygiene is the solution!

In addition to odor control, it’s a pretty warm base layer, it's super soft, and it has the requisite finger holes that we all love.

Here are the features:
• Nylon/Polyester/Spandex (w/Polygiene®)
• UNSTINKABLE. Wear it more. Wash it less.
• Natural silver salts give the fabric antimicrobial protection that lasts wash after wash after wash (features Polygiene® permanent odor control)
• Lightweight, smooth, soft, stretchy
• Machine wash and dry.
• Next-to-skin fit (size up for a less body-hugging fit)
• Scoop neck, raglan sleeves give you freedom to move
• Non-chafing seamless design won't rub you the wrong way

The top is a solid addition to my winter running wardrobe, not to mention I felt good about spending some money knowing that 10% was going to Second Hand Hounds.

Next- What’s going on in Fashion?
Remember that faux leather jacket that I received from Stitch Fix? I received some comments that people thought I should have kept it, but I had already sent back the rejects from my first fix. However, I “like” Primp Boutique on facebook, and they posted a picture of a very similar faux leather jacket for cheaper than Stitch Fix, AND they carried it in a medium (my size).

What’s awesome about Primp is that if you see something on their facebook page, you can call and either reserve it for pickup (and try it on) or just have them ship it to you for a flat rate of $5! Pretty sweet. I called them up and had them ship me that faux leather jacket, and it was still less than the one at Stitch Fix and more importantly, in the right size!

And last but not least, what happened last week in fitness? 
Monday: 7 miles in the AM, Haute Barre class in the PM (This was my first time trying out Haute Barre. Stay tuned for a full review of all the different barre classes and studios in the Twin Cities area, including this one!)
Tuesday: My first “double” run day. Read about it here. 11 miles on the day.
Wednesday: Kettlebells at Balance Fitness
Thursday: 7 miles in the AM, Yoga at the Salt Cave Minneapolis  in the PM
Friday: 6 am barre class at The Barre (This was my first time trying out The Barre as well- awesome studio, I will include a full review in that full recap of all the local barre studios)
Saturday: 12 miles with the CBRC
Sunday: 3 miles with Matilda, Pure Barre class

Total: 40 miles, 3 barre classes, 1 yoga, and 1 kettlebell/strength.

It was a big week in fitness with a good mix of different types of exercise, and I could feel it by the end.  I definitely enjoyed all the variety and fresh new fits this week.

After all that fitness, it was time for a little fun! Saturday night, our neighbor Amol, who is the owner of the food truck “Hot Indian” hosted a Diwali party. I had never been to a Diwali party, and was excited to learn about this traditional Hindu celebration.

Owner of Hot Indian
source

Upon arrival, Amol’s wife gave us a little printout which explained “Diwali Basics”- (Diwali for Dummies?) Apparently, this celebration often includes gambling. Our neighbors didn't leave this part out. They had a poker table set up with people gambling. Fireworks are also usually a part of the celebration, and fireworks were indeed included in this celebration as well.

The highlight for me, of course, was the FOOD. So much great Indian finger foods- spicy lamb meatballs, kebobs, fig/raisin flatbreads, lettuce wraps…I can’t even remember it all, but I ate A LOT, and everything was amazing.

We were all encouraged to wear saris or other Indian attire, but this was the closest I could come up with…

I tried my best!

So that’s what happened last week in Fitness, Fashion, and Fitness Fashion! 
How was your week? Any fresh, new fits that you tried in fitness? Please share in the comments!

***Umm..can we quickly mention all the PR trouble that the lululemon founder is in these days? (If you missed it, read THIS) I admit, all this bad press has turned me towards Athleta more, yet even so, I can’t help it- I still love some of the lululemon gear and probably will continue to shop there (wunder unders, bitty bracers, groovy shorts). I'm torn!

What are your thoughts? Will you continue to shop at Lululemon or have you turned away from them completely?