Nike Brushed Thermal Running Tights

Thursday I went for a run, as I said I would Wednesday night.  A 6.15 mile run, to be exact!  It was a whopping 27 degrees with 10 mph winds when I headed out.  While I wasn't super excited about the cold, I was very happy to finally have a chance to run in my Alpine Pullover.


^ Molly wanted her ears to be in the picture.



Underneath the Alpine Pullover, I wore one of my C9 (Target) short sleeve tech shirts. I wore my Smartwool glove liners (with my thumbs through the pullover's thumb holes underneath).  I also broke out the Nike brushed thermal running tights for the first time this winter. But more on that in a minute.

I was pleased with the Alpine Pullover, overall.  In similar weather I might wear a long sleeve shirt underneath instead because especially when running across an open field I could really feel the wind on my arms.  The hood moved around a little bit while using the pony tail slit.  When my hair was inside the hood, it filled the hood up better and the hood moved around less. I tried adjusting my pony tail higher mid-run to help keep the hood in place, which did work.  Next time I might wear my ear warmer underneath to provide a little more warmth to the top of my forehead and maybe provide the hood with something to grip on to.

I'm beginning to wonder if I have a tiny head. (Tommy Boy: I got a tiny head?)    Listen to I got a tiny head?     from Tommy Boy
I was cold for the first half mile to 3/4 of a mile and questioning whether my run was a good idea.  However, I soon after warmed up (but never got hot).  In slightly warmer weather (just above freezing) I usually get really warm and end up taking my gloves off a mile or two in, or unzipping my top a little -- not yesterday!  I was comfortable, temperature-wise, with all that I was wearing for the rest of the run. 

Now, on to the tights.  I can't technically call this a review, because I have no idea what these tights are called... But these are running tights that I bought at the end of winter in 2009 from the local running store.  As winter was ending, there was a huge markdown on winter running clothes, so I picked up my first pair of running tights.

Here is the fleecy inside of these tights:

They feature a handy zip pocket on the back:

Like Lululemon's running bottoms, these have a continuous drawcord:

 

And also like Lululemon's bottoms, these feature the "gusset" (triangle in the crotch) :

There is a reflective strip at the zipper on both ankles.  Also, grippy material on the inside of the cuffs so they don't ride up.  The only thing I'm iffy about on these is the zipper.  It would be great if they were just stretchier at the ankle because when they're zipped down all the way it's sometimes a little snug on my ankle.  If it feels snug, I'll unzip them just a little bit, but then I worry about the zipper scratching me.  It's not a huge deal, just a minor annoyance.  While I will readily admit to having huge calves for my size, I by no means have cankles.

Overall these tights are great! And even better considering I was able to pick them up on sale for something like $45 (down from around $70? I can't remember).  They are 88% Polyester/12% Spandex and made in Cambodia.  They are great for wearing when the temperatures are below freezing (above freezing I'll wear my Lululemon Luxtreme tights).  I like the zip pocket, the drawstring, and the reflective strips at the ankles.  While the waist band is not a big wide one, it is still comfortable, doesn't dig in, and doesn't slip down while you run (It didn't move a bit on my 6.15 mile run).

My plan for the weekend?

I'll do some arm weights and crunches tonight, and maybe find a quick video on Exercise TV.  Then probably a short run and a long run on Saturday and Sunday.  Highs of 36 and 37 this weekend, so it doesn't matter when I run.

Luckily, I thiiink all my Christmas shopping is done, so now I just have to wrap things!

What's everyone else up to this weekend?

Speed work and Coffee

Since on Thursday night I skipped out on the speed work in my training plan to do a shorter run with my husband, I did my speed work today. 

Peanut Butter filled Pretzel Nuggets are my weakness.  

I had a handful of these before embarking on my run this afternoon.

I wore my Lululemon Run: Energy Pullover over a C9 by Champion Long & Lean Tank, my Lululemon Run: Fast Shorts, and SmartWool PhD Running Ultra Light Micro Socks.

I like the ruching detail that runs from the neck to under the arm on both sides.

The collar is not too tight when fully zipped, but also not too loose like some lululemon hoodies.

The zippered pocket is great; I use it for keys and ID.

Note the sad little basil plant I am desperately trying to save.

I'm also a little excited to see in this picture that the backs of my shoes are reflective!

I love this top from last winter.  It's made of running luon; has thumbholes & cuffins; circle mesh from under the arm all the way down the side and all the way down the arm; stand-up collar with ruching; ruching along from shoulder to arm pit in the front, and a back zip pocket.  I only wish it had some more reflectivity besides the logo at the back neck.  I bring along my clip-on light just in case.

I was supposed to a mile warm up, 4x[800@4:59, 400 jog], and a mile cool down for a total of 5 miles.  I tacked on a little extra distance in both the warm up and cool down since today really should have been my long run day.

So my 4 intervals that were supposed to be at 4:59 were... 4:53, 5:08, 4:49, and 4:59.  Not too shabby! I'm amazed I did as well as I did on the first one as that was uphill and on large gravel. I don't have an excuse for number two being slow, it was flat or slightly downhill.

I went out at about 4:15 pm, it was 49F and sunny, no wind; and dropped to about 44F by the time I was done around 5:25 (when it was dark).  I got pretty toasty while doing the intervals, needing to push my sleeves up and unzip my collar.  However, this is what my legs looked like when I got home!

Bright red thighs.  Also, knees are funny looking.

When I came inside, I reached into my handy back zip pocket to put my ID back into my wallet.  And my license was not there.  I had a minor freak out.  I checked the back of the couch, the kitchen table, the counter...the limited places I had been in the thirty seconds since getting back from my run.  I could not find it anywhere.  

Crap.  

Was my license sitting somewhere on a trail, not accessible by car, 2 or more miles from my apartment? I knew I had put it in my pocket when I left!  And I was pretty sure I zipped up my pocket (I checked in the above pictures, actually - to make sure the zipper toggle was over to the left).

Then I remembered that only a short ways from my apartment, my two apartment keys (outside door, apartment door) were jangling together, so I took one of the two from my back pocket and put it in my tiny shorts pocket. Could my license have fallen out when I moved keys around?  I grabbed my keys and ran out the door, to right around where I did the key shenanigans.  Luckily only a couple tenths of a mile away.  And PHEW.  My license was sitting there on the side walk, face down, in front of our nearby bakery.  Where it had apparently been sitting for approximately 1 hour and 9 minutes.

I can't believe I had not noticed that it fell out, but at least I was able to find it! Guess that's a perfectly good reason to get something like a Road ID* so I don't have to bring my driver's license with me.  Or, I could have been more careful when I took my keys out.

Relieved to have found my license, when I came again, I fixed up the half-packet of Starbucks VIA iced coffee I had leftover from earlier this week.

Shortly after that, my husband came home from running errands with a Dunkin Donuts nonfat Gingerbread Latte for me!  It was a nice surprise, and my first gingerbread item of the season.

They asked him if he wanted sugar in the lattes... I can't even imagine drinking this sweet latte with EXTRA sugar.  I was pleased with the latte - sometimes I've gotten them and the flavor (pumpkin or gingerbread) has been over the top like maybe they accidentally put an extra pump in. But tonight's was just right.

Ahh, coffee.

I hope everyone had a good weekend!  

I am not ready to go back to work tomorrow, but at least it's a short week.


PS-
* If you want a chance to win a Road ID, check out the Road ID giveaway over at (Just) Trying is for Little Girls.  Contest ends Friday, November 26, and is open to those in the US and Canada.

Target's C9 version of Swiftly Tech LS & Budget Running Tights

Scoped out the athletic section of Target last week, and I was drawn to this long sleeve top that looks a lot like a certain top from Lululemon.  Well, maybe just a little bit.

[source]

It's the C9 by Champion Women's long sleeve seamless tee in pink, for $24.99.  It also comes in black and white.  It's 94% Nylon, 6% Spandex.  What really made it remind me of the Lululemon top is the subtle curved design on the chest and back.

I tried it on.  With the skirt I wore to work.  I should have picked up a pair of running shorts to try on with it instead of a thick wool tweed skirt.  But the XS fit snugly.  If I were buying it, I probably would have picked it up in this size though, to wear as a base layer.  It has regular shoulder seams even though the pattern makes it look raglan.  Sizing up would have put the shoulder seams beyond my actual shoulders.

The fabric of this top was much more structured than the fabric of the Lululemon Swiftly Tech LS, in my opinion.  Both are "seamless" (though there are shoulder seams on the C9 version...?  and there are raglan seams on the Swiftly Tech?  Not sure what allows them to call it seamless), wicking, and lightweight.  Unlike the Lulu top, there are no thumbholes on the C9 top.


Here's my Lululemon Swiftly Tech LS in dark classic grey on myself:

And one in blue from the Lululemon website:

[source]

If you are looking for a pair of inexpensive running tights, also be sure to check these out:

[source]

This is the C9 by Champion Women's Fitted Running Tight.  Above is the Ebony and Wild Rose color combo.  They are also available in solid black (ebony).  These are $24.99 and made of Chamipon's Duo Dry moisture-wicking fabric.  They are 88% Polyester, 12% Spandex.

These looked decent in the store!

They have a zipper at the ankle so you can fit them over your calves (if you are like me and might have that issue).  Other features include a nice-looking reflective pattern that wrapped around the right leg and a wide waistband.  There was a key pocket on the outside of the waistband at the back; not zippered (good if you plan on doing some kind of mat work or crunches after your run and don't want it digging in to your back; not sure how secure it is though).

Do you have any experience with Target's C9 by Champion Line?  

Any other stores you like for budget-friendly workout clothes?