Clothes ….

Gotta wear something … ok … maybe you don’t … but it is in my best interest for me to!

Race Shirts:  Race shirts are whatever I find. I tend to like them a little large and short-sleeved because on longer races I have my water belt under the shirt. Oh I don’t know why – I just do! I made the mistake of wearing an XL shirt which was too large at the See Jane Run 1/2 marathon and lost, for the first time, one of my water bottles because I caught my shirt in the holster and popped the bottle out.  It happens, that’s why I have spares!  A friend of mine mentioned it’s time for me to get over my dread of wearing singlets. I’ve never really been a fan of them because I’m not some cute little skinny gal! I also have fairly wide arms. I guess it’s an excuse to spend more time in the gym trying to tone up …

UPDATE ON THE SKIRTS!!!! I think I mentioned that I finally met the Canadian Skirt Gals at Disney.  The Twins are not only awesome, but I’ve now seen them at a couple other races since then.  http://www.runningskirts.com/   They have fun skirts and it doesn’t appear they’re getting away from the longer cut.  I like the “Athletic Skirt” style: http://www.runningskirts.com/athletic-skirts.html  The downer is that I had some problem with figuring out the sizing on my own, but meeting The Twins in Disney, they took a lot of time with me at their insanely busy booth.  I did have a bit of a problem with my red dotty skirt slipping at Boston simply because I was wearing slick skinnies under it and didn’t have my water belt holding it in place.  I had stuff in the pockets, which are on the OUTSIDE of the hips and not on the leg like the Gym Girl.  I can get used to it, however.  I might have a leg pocket stitched in, but maybe not.  As of this writing (5/5/10), I am still in-between sizes and a difficult fit.    I will still be wearing my Gym Girl 2 pockets and picking up skirts as they go through the old style, but I’ll be changing over.  I need to do a lot of wear trials with the new skirts to make my full decision, but they are fun and extremely well made…and the sisters rock too!

Socks: I found out about these from a Team In Training gear day and have loved them ever since. Double layer socks haven’t been 100% blister-proof, but they’re pretty good. I’ve finally started to transition them out after a year. Ok, I walk around in my socks so they get filthy, but I also have run a few pairs right through.  I use them for cleaning and covering my rarely used dress shoes …. keeps the dust off.  The thing that nobody mentions about socks, however, is that like shoes there is a life on these things.  I’ve not come up with a way to really know how many miles are on them, but when I do, I’ll let you know!

Pants: I don’t have a favorite at this point.  I tend to buy my warm-ups wherever I find some that fit and are on clearance!  Ok – so I’m cheap!  Ross Dress For Less has a pretty good selection at times!  Winter 2009/2010 is making is such that I’m having to pay closer attention to long pants … I’ll keep ya posted!

Arm Warmers: Ok – I’ve got an ancient set of Performance arm warmers that I used when I was bike racing in the 1980′s.  They do the trick for the most part, but they are a bit heavy.  I’m trying out the ones that feel like cut off long-sleeved t-shirts and another mid-weight pair.  Another keeping you posted!

Skirts: I’ve been a huge fan of the Skirt Sports Gym Girl 2-pocket skirt with long ‘compression style’ shorts attached. Sadly, I found out that they’ve discontinued this as I’ve finally  moved from XL into a L! The replacement for these skirts is truly unacceptable for my thigh size and I’ll be looking for another skirt. Bums me out because they’re a local company, but when companies cater to the skinny girls and forget that most of us aren’t that size … well, I’ll motor forward.  I had found a company in Canada I’ve been interested in, but I have to try on their skirts at an expo before I have the sizing down.  I’ve been wearing skirts for a long time simply because I think I look like a cow in shorts. I’ve been dared to race in compression shorts or get my thighs all sorted out and wear shorts.  Oy! Never know with me — I’m always up for a good dare!