<p>It may sound lame, but I truly feel its a boost for me to wear workout clothing that looks decent and makes me feel good and is somewhat. “Legit”- not just an old pair of shorts and a random tshirt - well sometimes I do do the random tshirt. 
</p>
<p>Let us know what you find Sabaray- I’m going to check out 6pm for tanks today- love that site.</p>
<p>My lucky day! Seafair Triathlon is happening as we speak (that was the team race that got me back into running), which means the Beer Trail will be less crowded! Off we go!</p>
<p>sabaray…last winter D2 found some wonderful capris and leggings at GAP when Lulu was having sheer fabric problems. Keep an eye open for sales there.</p>
<p>If people are making recommendations for active wear let me put in my .02 for Lucy. I find it’s comfortable and long wearing. I also think it’s a little more forgiving of my more middle age body than some of the lululemon apparel. They also have more sales than lululemon. </p>
<p>This is how I rationalize spending money on workout clothes. 
My H has some expensive hobbies ie golf, biking. When he buys something new, it is usually big money. As I say he spends money a thousand dollars at a time where I nickle and dime myself $30 a pop. </p>
<p>When I decided to recommit myself to more cardio, I found that most of my workout stuff was from walmart and had seen better days. I had a couple of lucy yoga pants and jackets that were 5 years old and still looked great. So to take a page from my H’s book I tried quality over quantity. Besides looking cute is a great motivator. </p>
<p>I was very specific as to what I wanted in running shorts. They had to have a liner and a zippered pocket to put my keys in. I found the perfect pair at lululemon and I haven’t looked back. </p>
<p>One item I bought and wasn’t sure I would like was a white short sleeve shirt in a tech fabric. When I have a tank that I think is a little too revealing I put the shirt over it and then take it off to run. If I have somewhere to go afterwards I can slip it back on and feel more covered but you can still see my cute tank. </p>
<p>I haven’t had good luck at altheta. The sizing was off for me and there isn’t a store close to try on. I had to send back what I bought. I do think it’s key for me to try things on before I buy because sizes are all over the place and it needs to be comfortable first and formost to work out in. </p>
<p>Another brand of workout clothes I like is Lole. Sometimes I can find it on sale at 6.pm</p>
<p>So many “L” names to keep track of!! </p>
<p>Was at a great outdoors store in Ann Arbor yesterday and they were having a great sale - but it was SO packed and so hot that I just couldn’t focus. I think they may have had Lole. I know it was def a “L” name. :)</p>
<p>Hey a series of posts where idad is not the resident expert. </p>
<p>I start on the New rules for lifting for life today. Based strictly on idad’s experience. I hope I am half as successful.</p>
<p>Here are some qualities that might earn someone the title of a resident expert without their ever asking for a crown:</p>
<ul>
<li>communicates effectively</li>
<li>contributes frequently</li>
<li>continually expands their knowledge base and generously shares what they’ve learned</li>
<li>has experience in a given area</li>
<li>pays attention to and appreciates what others bring to the party </li>
<li>has a sense of humor</li>
<li>is willing to admit there can be limitations to their knowledge, experience, and where it’s the most applicable.</li>
</ul>
<p>Now I’ve gotta run, literally, and hubby and I have plans!</p>
<p>Lole is often carried at outdoor stores and is good quality. I like Lucy, too, but no store here. There is a store in Dallas (well, everyone has a store in Dallas…), though, and I used to shop there. A lot of the women runners are liking Oiselle now. They carry some of it at our Fleet Feet and you can find it online. My daughter just got a pair of Moving Comfort shorts that she loves- and their stuff is frequently on sale. I think where Lulu hooked me was with the colors. I just love them, and as soon as I vow to stop buying, another product drop happens with some new thing I have to have!</p>
<p>Okay back from the gym. First mistake I made was while I wrote down the exercises I wanted to do I did not write them down in the sequence recommended in the book. I will do better next workout.
So 5 minutes on the elliptical to warm up followed by the RAMP movements recommended.
Core- Plank 2 x30 seconds
Side Planks 2 x 30 seconds
Dynamic stability
Plank and Pulldown
Side plank and row- struggled with these</p>
<p>Power
Box Jumps 2x10
Elevated explosive pushups 2x10</p>
<p>In the initial workout I should only have done lower body power</p>
<p>Strength
Body weight squats 2x15
Hinge swissball hip extensions 2x15
Lunge split squat 2x15
Single Leg step up 2x10 each leg</p>
<p>Push
Push ups 2x10. This surprised me I thought I could do 15 easy but the 2 second count at the bottom made them much harder than my normal pushup</p>
<p>Pull
Standing cable row 2x15. Both arms. I need to adjust the weight</p>
<p>Combo
Single Leg row This was difficult. I had a hard time especially on my right leg. Also need to adjust the weight I use</p>
<p>Metobolic
20lb kettleball swing 20 seconds rest 40 seconds for 5 minutes</p>
<p>15 minutes on the treadmill with a 1 minute sprint.</p>
<p>I actually enjoyed the workout but need to make some adjustments and improve technique as I get used to the movements.</p>
<p>Sorry for the long post. Meal plan for today to follow. Hopefully I can have some success there.</p>
<p>Wow, what a difference a few degrees make! Ran 18 miles averaging 7:57 pace according to my Garmin. Sub-60 degrees when I started my run, cloudy and pleasant. I discovered a GU flavor I really like: chocolate mint. Tastes like candy! Yum.</p>
<p>I was content with my ~3.5 mi rolling hills run. No watch, but I’m pretty sure it wasn’t at a 7:57 pace. ;)</p>
<p>BB- great run. You are ready! I haven’t seen that kind of weather since May in PA!</p>
<p>BB that is an impressive run.</p>
<p>Wow, BB, I can only imagine. Great run! Tom, I think the first time you try anything new there’s always adjustments to be made. Nice to start something new…I’m finding that having a defined program really helps with my workouts.</p>
<p>Deborah T- I hope you did not think my remark about idad being the resident expert was made in a derogatory sense, I have enjoyed all of his posts and I am very impressed with his journey.</p>
<p>No worries, Tom. I understood what you were saying. It’s nice to see you post!</p>
<p>Tom, I think we all read your post as a JK remark - running tanks and Lulu stuff is definitely the topic outside idad’s expertise. :)</p>
<p>Speaking of Lulu, my outfit of a TaTa tank top, Anita bra and laser-cut shorts did a fantastic job of keeping me dry and cool. And the GU gel eaten at mile 15 took care of the dreaded bonking! I discovered experimentally that for me it takes about a mile for the gel to kick in. </p>
<p>The coming week is going to be very challenging exercise-wise. I have non-stop meetings, classes and business dinners for three days in a row… Need to devise a plan on how I can squeeze some running between some of these appointments! Arrgghh!</p>
<p>Climbed Mt. Monadnock again today with D.</p>
<p>This time we went up Cascade Link to the Red Spot Trail to the Pumpelly Trail. We came down the White Cross trail to the Smith Connector to Bald Rock, and from there down the Cliff Walk to the Lost Farm trail.</p>
<p>Total distance was around 6 miles, with a vertical of around 1800 feet.</p>
<p>Going up is quite an aerobic exercise - the grade approaches 30% in some parts - but coming down is brutal on my knees. My knees hurt.</p>
<p>That’s an impressive route on Monadnock! </p>
<p>I would say that a few of the rocky places on Red Spot trail approach a 100% grade :). The Stairmaster from hell. I love the section along the Pumpelly Trail.</p>
<p>I’ve only been up to Bald Rock from the parking lot and back, but that’s a pretty nice trail.</p>