Ladies' Night

...but not the kind at a bar on Thursday nights during college.

On Tuesday night, a running store in the City of Brotherly love hosted a "Ladies' Night" sponsored by Nike.  There was a Nike fall fashion show, snacks, and drinks. The event included $20 store credit, 10% off Nike purchases, Nike grab bag items for all that came, and some prizes being raffled off.  Also, I had a gift card for this store that I've been sitting on since back in May.

This trip also gave me the pleasure of driving through the "Occupy Philly" demonstration across from City Hall at rush hour.  So people with ridiculous signs like this were crossing the road each time the light changed.

 

 [source]

Since we cancelled cable this summer and I only look at the newspaper every other day or so, I didn't realize what it was until after I got home and thought about it that night (I also didn't realize these protests were sprouting up in places other than Wall Street).  What pained me the most is that the maker of this sign -- which I did see in person -- did not know how to make a proper %.

Back to running.

For the "grab bag" item, we could pick between a headband/earwarmer, a white hat, and a drawstring backpack- I chose the headband because I have plenty of hats and a couple of those backpacks and only one thermal headband.  Sadly my name was not called for any of the raffles (including a head-to-toe outfit including shoes!), but I did use up my store credit and gift card. 

I came home with this:

•  Nike Miler Short Sleeve Tee
• Nike Thema-fit Reversible Headband
• Feetures! Light No Show with Tab socks
• (Not Pictured) Moving Comfort Fiona bra

It's my first time trying the Miler tee, but I really like it! It fits well and is very soft to the touch. I want a long sleeve one too! Luckily it's not cold enough for the ear warmer yet. The socks are the same kind I got from RRS last year, and I still like them, so I thought it was worth getting more.  I have the Fiona bra already in a different color. It's not the "sexiest" sports bra, if such a thing exists, but it's very supportive.

Wednesday after work I decided to try out my new shirt on a run.

I am SO serious about speed work.

My plan was to run 1 mile warm up, 3 x [1600m@8:45, 400m rest interval], 1 mile cool down.  

It was almost dark out by the time I got outside (hence my white shorts and reflective headband).  It was about 60 out, and there was a light mist which was actually refreshing toward the end of my run. 

Check it out:

Success!  And I have the sweat to prove it.  Molly also looked on.

Verdict: I really like this shirt!  It's female-shaped, but not too thin or clingy.  There are mesh panels along the side for ventilation.  Reflective logo on the front left chest, each sleeve, and back.  Actually that back tab at the collar is for "cord management," but I don't really see myself using it to wire headphones through.

Most importantly, the miler tee was clearly what made my mile repeats successful!

Oh and tonight I went to spinning, but didn't stay for the abs class.  Work kicked my butt today/this week and an hour of spinning was good enough for me.

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?