Weekly Recap: A New Race Tank Option and Lots of Running...

Hello, hello! It's Sunday again, which means its time for a weekly recap of what happened last week at the Right Fits in fitness, fashion and fitness fashion!

Here's what's happening in fitness fashion:
Let me tell you about this Addidas Sequencials Fitted Tank.  I have this tank in purple and yellow...here's a pic of both:

In the left picture, you can tell I have the side zippered pocket stuffed full of GU's. I often wear this tank for races for just that reason- the zippered pocket! Even when my shorts have a zippered pocket, I sometimes need an additional spot to stuff an item or two, and this tank gets the job done. It's nothing fancy, but for only $36 (or just $29 on Road Runner Sports if you're a VIP!), it's a solid option for a race tank. My two Addidas Sequencials Fitted Tanks are both a size small, and I think I probably would size up to a medium next time. The tank is fitted, so it fits a little snug. I think I'd prefer the looser fit of a medium. However, I haven't experienced any under arm chafing with this tank though, and I did wear it for the Berlin Marathon.

Here's what's happening in fitness:
Monday: A little over 8.5 miles with hill repeats...at the cabin! Dustin and I ran 3 miles together as a warmup to a hill by the cabin that is about 1/4 mile long. We did 6 repeats for 2.5 miles of hard effort, following by 3 mile cool down back to the cabin (which still included lots of hills)
Tuesday: Hyland Park 7 mile trail race (read the recap HERE)

Wednesday: Complete rest. I had run quite a few days in a row, particularly when we were at the cabin. Normally I would do the Calhoun Beach Club strength conditioning for runners class on Wednesdays, but I had a work happy hour that I didn't want to miss. I decided rest was in the cards for me instead.
Thursday: 7 miles at the CBRC. I wasn't planning to the tempo intervals on the training schedule, as Monday I did hills and Tuesday I did the trail run (which seemed like more than enough harder effort runs for the week). However, once I was there, I decided to pace with one of the club members during her workout. Her goal was to do the three 10 minute intervals at an 8 minute mile place. I paced with her and we stayed right at 8 minute/miles.
Friday: C2 Vinyasa Yoga at Corepower Yoga. It has been a long time since I did yoga, and my upper body was actually sore the next day from all the chaturangas!
Saturday: 14.5 mile long run. Most of the people training at our run club right now are training for either TCM or Chicago. Since our marathon, the OBX Marathon, isn't until November 8th, I knew I didn't need to do the 16-18 on their schedule yet. I have done a few 15 milers and a 16 miler so far, but I decided to cut back a bit today from the rest of the group. I was happy with my decision as it ended up being extremely humid and I'm not sure I would have been up for much longer. 

I also used the huma chia energy gel yesterday. Though I liked the flavor, I'm not sure it gave me the same energy as a GU. I didn't feel the same boost as I would have liked after taking it, and I ended up really hungry by the end of the run (which is abnormal for me on a 14.5 mile run.) I'm thinking I might want to stick to what I know (GU).

Sunday: 5.5 mile easy run with Kelly, Matilda the vizsla, and Dustin. 

Overall this week, I didn't do a great job with cross training- only 1 yoga class and the rest of my exercise was all running. However, I did focus a lot on sleep and rest. I didn't stress about getting up early to get in a barre class or anything, but let myself sleep in as much as I needed (within reason of course...I still have a job to go to!) The one yoga class I did take felt really great though, and like always, it reminded me that I need more yoga in my life.

If you're just tuning into the Right Fits after hearing about this blog on Minneapolis Running as 5 Other Local Running Blogs to check out (if so, welcome and thank you for stopping by!), you might not know that I do sometimes post about fashion too...but mostly running and fitness, I promise! 

However, here's a quick update on fashion for the week.

I saw this dress on Marionberry Style a few weeks ago and just loved the fun colors. I ordered a small from Lulu's (available HERE for $71).

 I wore it to dinner on Saturday night (to Tilia, our neighborhood favorite!) with casual sandals, but I feel like you could really dress it up and wear it to something more formal like a wedding too. I think it's a reasonable price for a fun versatile maxi, not to mention it has adjustable straps. I love that.

I tried to switch things up and take a few pictures sitting on Tilda's bench and she was pretty excited to have someone visiting HER bench. (read about it HERE)

That's all for this week in Fitness, Fashion, and Fitness Fashion.

*Are you stopping by for the first time after reading Minneapolis Running's post about local running blogs? Please comment and introduce yourself!

Fits Do Race Reviews: Hyland 7 Miler: The Endless Summer Trail Run Series

Last Tuesday night, I ran the last trail run of the Endless Summer Trail Run Series (not so endless after all, eh?)

This summer, I ran the French 5k and the Lebanon Jensen 10k. I missed the Lebanon Schulze 7 mile, and now did the Hyland 7 miler this week. I wish I would have been able to participate in all 4 of the races in the series, but 3 out of 4 isn't bad. At each race, you get a commemorative pint glass. Since Dustin did do all four races, we are a little heavy in our household on pint glasses....!

Of the three races that I did do, I thought that this Hyland race was the most challenging. It did happen to be the longest of the three of course, but it wasn't the distance that made it hard. It was the hills and terrain that made it challenging. Lebanon was challenging because of the mud, but Hyland was definitely the hardest terrain (in my opinion.) Keep in mind, however, that I did do a hill workout the day before, so my legs were definitely not fresh. I was proud of myself for not having to walk up the hills, but it was very tempting. At the pace I was "running" sometimes, I might as well have been walking!

The race started at 6:30 pm. The course was a "double lollipop" as they called it or two different loops on different areas of the park.  With the looped course, we were able to hit a support stop about halfway through that corresponded with the finish line area.

I thought that the second loop was definitely the hardest. There was a short bit that was paved, but almost all of it was trail and this is where there were some serious hills.

At the finish, there were cold sponges and water, and of course beer and pizza.

I love the vibe after these trail races. Everyone seems so happy to be outside! There weren't quite as many of my run club members at this race, but those who were there all seemed to be enjoying themselves.

The race was chip-timed, and my official results said my average pace was 9:30 min/miles, but I think that must have been calculated off of 7 miles instead of the nearly 7.5 that my Garmin had.... I am not trying to be a crazy runner, as I honestly don't worry about pace at a trail race, but my Garmin was quite a bit off on my average pace versus the official results. Here were my splits: 8:24, 9:05, 8:59, 9:23, 9:12, 9:58, 8:59, and last 0.4 mile- 7:41. Finish time: 1:06

Considering that I do my long runs under 9 min/miles, I think you can tell how challenging the course was.

Challenging but fun...I am definitely not calling myself a trail runner, but I have enjoyed mixing it up a bit this summer with these runs.

I'm sad that this "endless" trail series had to end. I look forward to participating in these again next summer!

Fits Do Race Reviews: Lebanon-Jensen Lake 10k

Last Tuesday night, I ran the second race of the Endless Summer Trail Run Series!

It was the Lebanon Jensen Lake 10k.

All the races in this series start at 6:30 sharp. Dustin and I were a little worried about getting to Eagan (a far southern suburb of Minneapolis) where Lebanon park is,  in time to check in for the race. Fortunately, we both were able to leave work early, and we were lucky because the traffic wasn't really so bad. We made it there by 6 pm with plenty of time to spare.

I opted out of a "warm-up" jog since it was nearly 90 degrees and humid, but Dustin had plenty of time to go for a quick warm-up. The line for bib pick-up was quick and easy. A bit before 6:30, everyone gathered at the start-line, and then we were off.

By the way, this race seemed quite a bit bigger than the French 5k. I am not sure how many people were there, but I would guess around 700.

The Lebanon race was not quite as hilly as the French 5k we did last month (read about it HERE), but it definitely was still hard for a few reasons: 1) it was a 10k instead of a 5k- hello, twice as long!  2) the MUD.

Yes, the mud made this race pretty challenging. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not afraid to get dirty every once in awhile. I wore an old pair of Ravennas that I didn’t care if they were ruined. But it wasn’t about getting dirty. It was about how slippery those muddy areas were! My worry was about falling on my butt and breaking something. The mud was thick and slick. A few runners actually lost their shoes in the mud!

Me? I lost my driver’s license. I had to bring it with me to get carded for the post-race beer (and free pizza). I had it tucked away in my shorts pocket. But that shorts pocket wasn’t zippered, and at some point, the ID must have fallen out.

The course for this 10k was two loops of a 5k. Fortunately for me, I realized I had lost my ID on the first loop, so I figured I could distract myself on the second loop by looking for my ID along the trail.

I didn’t even have to look that long! A mile into the second loop, there was a volunteer on the sidelines holding a driver’s license, so I quickly asked him if the name was mine, and it was! He said he’d turn it in for me at the finish so I wouldn’t have to worry about losing it again. What a nice guy!

Post race, we were all pretty muddy. The pictures don't really do it justice, but my shoes were basically ruined.

The Course:

So, yes, the course: two loops of a 5k route. There were a few hills, with some single-track sections. 

Other than the driver’s license snafu, I really enjoyed this race. It is so fun to switch things up from the usual running routine around the lakes and do some trails. Of course, my pace was significantly slower than a road 10k, but that's common with a trail run. It was a challenge, and I was crazy sweaty at the end (90 degrees and super humid weather will do that to you!)

I got this picture of Meggan charging to the finish line!

We stuck around for a slice or two of pizza and a beer. Then there was a raffle for prizes. I actually won- just a pint glass, but hey, its still exciting to win something!

So far, the races with the Endless Summer Trail Series have been awesome. "Endless Summer" is right- its really fun to enjoy the outdoors at new locations while getting in a good workout.  The races have such an awesome laidback vibe. They are perfect for runners of all levels- everyone is welcome!

What do you know about these Hokas? I have read a little bit about these trail shoes on Sweaty Emily's blog, but I didn't realize just how big they are! Have you tried them?

...and I leave you with this picture of a shirtless trail racer. Yowsa!