Circle Mesh Cool Racerback

Last week I got my Lululemon Cool Racerback *SE (Circle Mesh) tank in black in the mail.

Front and Back views of the Luluemon Cool Racerback *SE, W1715S

I ordered my usual size and found it a good fit. I had read that this style runs a little smaller than the regular Cool Racerback, however I find the regular version to fit a little on the big side. I was pleased with the fit. It is slim fitting in the top and at the bottom it just grazes over the top of my shorts. The neckline comes down a little low, same as how the regular ones fit me, so I'm just used to the top of my sports bra peeking out. It has solid black stitching (my regular CRBs have stitching that changes color on the inside). It also has the reflective lulu logo at the center back.

Here are the tags:

Check it out, this tank was actually made in Canada! (Not China, for once).

And here's a picture of the tank held up to the light, so you can see the circle mesh.

Based on this picture, you'd think this tank might be see-through, but surprisingly it isn't (in black anyway). This tank is also available in white, which I hear is more see-through. I wore a black sports bra under this tank for my 2.5 mile run this morning. I also checked to see what it looked like if I wore a lighter color bra underneath and you couldn't tell (maybe in direct sunlight you'd be able to tell you weren't wearing the same color bra underneath).

Before it came, I had visions of it looking like a fishnet top straight out of the 80s and that you'd be able to see any skin exposed underneath, kinda like this:

Luckily it's not like that at all :)
I'll have to take a picture of it being worn sometime before I go running and post it.

Overall, I like the tank and I'm happy I bought it. It's nice and lightweight for warmer weather runs or the gym too. I like that it has a slightly snugger fit compared with the regular CRB. I hope Lululemon decides to release the style in more colors besides black and white.

What I'm wearing to the Treadmill

My in-laws were here this weekend through this morning, so I wasn't able to get outside early enough for a run today. Now that they have left, I will head to the gym and run 4 miles on the treadmill. It's 84 and 55% humidity and I haven't even left yet, (and I am stalling by writing this post) so I'm sure it will be more like mid to upper 80s by the time I get out the door.

Here's what I'm wearing:
The black tank is from Target's C9 active wear line. I bought it last summer or maybe even the summer before that. It's 92% Polyester, 8% Spandex. Made in Jordan. I think it was called the Long & Lean Tank, though the current version of this tank online has different percentages for the fabric. I have it in black, a dark purple, and a light pink. It's a lightweight, moisture-wicking racer back tank. I believe the price is $14.99 though I know I bought 2 of my 3 on sale for $9.99. I'm wearing an XS.

My shorts are Lululemon's Speed Short in sidewalk/white foxy plaid, style # LW7558S. The shorts are 100% Polyester, the Liner is a blend of Polyester, Coolmax Polyester, and Lycra Spandex. The plaid is a little crazy for me, but not too wild in gray. I got them while marked down to $39 at my local Lululemon. As you can see, this style of short flares out a bit around the leg opening, which is different from the original version of the short (I talked about that a little bit here). They are still a good moisture-wicking lightweight run short with the zip pocket in back that I really appreciate and the nice wide waist band that doesn't cut in. I'm wearing my usual lululemon size 6 in these. I tried on the 4 as I read online reviews stating these run bit, but the 4 was too snug in the waist. For me, these are true to size, but with a looser fit through the leg.

3:30pm - Edited to Add:
The Sports Bra I'm wearing is a newer style by Moving Comfort, called Juno. See it [here].

This color is Guava. I actually ordered this exact style but in Black a little over a month ago and loved it so much I ordered one in a second color. So far I've worn this puppy on runs of up to 8.5 miles and feel that it is very supportive, without smooshing me flat like a pancake. It's rated for high impact activities and uses both encapsulation (cups) and compression (some smoosh).

It's a pullover racerback style with a row of hook and eye closures at the bottom for a better fit. So you leave the hooks open, pull it over your head and then hook it closed. I love this!! (I have Moving Comfort's Fiona bra which offers great support, but it is not racerback. So I cannot wear it (attractively) with any of my racerback tanks. It has been a good fall and winter running bra anyway).

Also, the straps are adjustable from the front. You can see where the straps disappear into the body of the bra. The straps double back, coming up on the inside where you can adjust the length. It comes in actual bra sizes, not S/M/L and I find it fits true to size. For this style I wear the same size as my normal bra size. I can even fit my heart rate monitor strap under the band of this bra.

Moving Comfort's special fabrics are: S.Cafe Polyester - made with coffee grounds! Its properties include: fast-drying, odor control, UV-protection, and it's environmentally friendly. And aerosilver: anti-microbial, odor-preventing, quick dry, UV protection.

Most importantly, it's supportive for bigger cup sizes and can be worn under racer back tanks. $52 sounds like a lot for a sports bra, but it is worth the money. You can check places like roadrunnersports.com or onlineshoes.com and usually find a promotional code to knock that price down even more.

What I Wore Running

I got up this morning around 6:45ish so I could get an earlier start on a long run today. An 8.4 mile run, to be exact! The high for today was 93... and it's staying in the 90s for the foreseeable future, so I guess I need to get better about waking up early if I want to run outside. I didn't get to check the temperature when I left because my husband was still sleeping, so I just got ready and slipped out the door. But when I got back, sometime before 9am, it was 84 with 59% humidity.

I made sure to drink lots of water last night so I would be hydrated when I woke up. After I got ready, I ate a banana and drank some water, grabbed my Garmin Forerunner, then I headed out the door.

This is what I wore:

Front - New Balance Cocona Tank

Back - Check out the Reflectivity

I wore my New Balance Cocona tank. It is antimicrobial and moisture-wicking. It's semi-fitted, but a little looser below the bust. It's made of 35% COCONA Polyester/65% Polyester. Cocona is a fabric embedded with activated carbon from coconut shells, a renewable material that wicks, fights odor, and offers UV protection. You can read more about cocona [here]. This is a nice lightweight tank. It's fitted, but not tight, and I like the slightly longer length so I don't need to worry about it riding up. While it wicks, it doesn't show sweat easily.

Lululemon Speed Shorts, black (Summer 2009)

Back - Note the venting, reflective logo, and zip pocket

I love my Lululemon Speed shorts from last summer. They seem to be a different material than the two pairs of Speed Shorts I bought this year (white/wish blue and sidewalk/white foxy plaid). My black pair seems lighter and softer. The ones from this year seem to have a stiffer fabric. I also prefer the fit of these guys; they are shaped a little more to my butt and upper leg. The new ones are a bit looser and flare out at the leg opening more. I still like the new ones I bought, but this black pair is really my go-to running short. I find I choose to wear them for running more than any of my other shorts.

O.N.E. Coconut Water

When I got back from my run, I was thirsty! I was hoping being hydrated was enough to get me through my run, and it was, but on my next long run I'll definitely be bringing water along. It's hard to compare these long runs with my earlier training - since the long runs for my spring half marathon training were in 50-70 degree weather. Anyway, I filled up a big glass with ice and coconut water and downed it pretty quickly.

I just picked up this Liter sized container of coconut water at Whole Foods for 2/$8 the other day. Considering O.N.E.'s little 8.5 ounce (250mL) bottles are ~$1.19, this was a good deal.  The 11 ounce containers are usually $1.69.

After breakfast, we went to the local farmer's market where we picked up some more fantastic honey from a nearby farm. I had always just bought the bear shaped clover honey from Wegmans, but THIS stuff is really good.

What I Wore to Spinning

I recently received the I Just Wanna Run Tech SL from Lululemon in Wish Blue. I gave this top a shot after trying the Run: Energy SL (with pleating in the back) and not loving the fit. I wasn't sure how I'd feel about the pleats along the front, but I really like them! I think they do a good job of disguising your mid section when you are in an unflattering position (i.e. bent over while riding your bike or in spin class).

Lululemon I Just Wanna Run Tech SL in Wish Blue;
Lululemon Empower Crop in Black

The crops I'm wearing are the Empower Crop, if I remember correctly (not the version currently available on the website; the pair I have is older). They're made of luxtreme which is a great lightweight, smooth, moisture-wicking fabric. I'm able to pedal quickly with no chafing and no riding up. There's mesh behind the knees to keep you cool. Also a small zip-pocket at the center back for a card or key. I don't know that these are the most flattering from the back-view, but I find that these crops don't reveal sweat in the bum-region which is a big plus.

This top is supposed to have a loose fit, but even so, I found I had to size down two sizes. My normal size was way too big. One size down sort of fit, but was kind of long in overall length and a little droopy in the arm hole openings in the back. There's a cinchable drawcord at the bottom and a hidden pocket at the bottom of the center back for a card or your house key.


This top is lightweight and breathable and has anti-stink and anti-static properties. In my limited use of the tank so far (an 8 mile run in 80 degree weather, and an hour long spin class) I have found that it doesn't cling, and it didn't smell bad after either.

People sometimes question how much different colors or fabrics will show sweat. I'll show you what I looked like after I drove home from my hour-long spin class (ew, gross, sweat).


Uh, so, yes. You can see sweat on this top. But, this tank is made for sweating in. I really like the fit and the fabric of this, and I would consider picking up a second one in another color if I came across my size.