I am finally getting to the review of the Ivivva tank that I bought after my last 5k.  I figured I would compare it to the tried and true Lululemon Cool Racerback seeing as Ivivva is the sister (read: kid) brand of Lulu.   Anyway, I really was impressed with the Keep Ur Cool Racer tank.  The luon light fabric is about 80% as thick as the regular luon tanks that I have from Lulu.  I read some complaints on the website about the thinness of the luon but it is not that thin in my opinion... and I like having different options of thick/thin depending on how I am layering. 

The fit is very similar.  I think the Ivivva tank size 12 is the same length as the cool racerback size 4...maybe a half centimeter shorter if anything.  The biggest difference that I noticed was the more modest neckline of the Ivivva tank.  It makes sense that it would not be as low cut since the Ivivva tank is technically for kids. 

Above -- Ivivva Keep Ur Cool tank $$, size 12 (found here)

For size reference, I am 5'3" and about 108 lbs with a pretty narrow build. 

Below -- Lululemon Cool Racerback $$$, size 4 (found here)

I would definitely purchase another Ivivva tank if they came out with a wider variety of colors.  Right now, the selection is somewhat juvenile and limited.  I suppose that this is because it IS a kid's brand AND Lululemon probably doesn't want all of their clientele going for the cheaper tanks!   Have you had any experience with Ivivva? 

My Signature Smoothie

I love smoothies.  Because I have such a sweet tooth and because I sometimes tend to be lazy when it comes to getting my servings of fruit, I find that smoothies are a healthy way for me to get all of my nutrients.  I will admit that I am a little bit picky about my smoothies....there has to be a full banana in there and I am not a huge fan of artificial flavoring  (I know, shocker) or too much ice.  Besides the smoothies that I make myself, I really love the Starbucks orange-mango smoothie.  They add protein so it is a great post-workout drink.  I'm sure there are some artificial flavors in it but its not overpowering or sticky-gooey tasting if that makes sense. 

This here is my tried and true recipe for my signature breakfast/post workout/dessert delicious and nutritious banana-orange-strawberry smoothie.  

Ingredients: 

**1 large banana

**3-4 strawberries

**5 ice cubes

**container-sized portion of yogurt
(any flavor yogurt but I prefer plain, vanilla, blueberry, or peach) 

**1/3 cup orange juice

Step 1: Put whole banana (the browner the better) and 3-4 cut up strawberries in the blender. 

Step 2: Add about 5 large ice cubes and a container of yogurt.  

Step 3: Pour about 1/3 cup of orange juice over the ingredients. Blend. 

 Step 4: Enjoy!

10k Training Starts Today

My friend Jen and I signed up for the Illinois 10k (part of the Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon weekend).  We both started running in November/Dec of 2012 and are somewhat on the same level of speed and fitness.  Ok, fine, she's a bit faster than me. BUT she's a good friend and is going to stay on pace with me and train with me for the 10k on April 27 of this year. 

I looked up several training plans online, it seemed like there was not one that fit right for our level of fitness.  We aren't quite beginners because we have been running for a few months now and can finish a 5k if need be (let's not talk about my latest running slump).  We surely aren't intermediate yet, having only run for a short number of months and not quite having a base level of fitness.  So we are beginnermediate I suppose?  Alas, there were no beginnermediate training plans that I could find, so I combined a few (here, here, here) and made my own.  It is 16 weeks long because that is how long we have until the big race. You can click on the image to view it larger.

My primary goal is to remain injury free during this entire period and finish the race.  If I want to have a lofty goal, I'd like to run the entire race nonstop.  An even loftier goal would be to run it at a 10:00 min/mile pace.  My loftiest goal will be to complete the race, outfitted head-to-toe in lululemon with my mascara still looking great and a radient but not sweaty-pig-like glow ;)  Anyone have any good pictures of their first 10k?

December Running in Review

Well...... I kind of dropped the ball on reaching my December running goal.  I attribute this to three things, in no particular order:

* Law school finals took up most of my month

* The cold. BRRRR. Like 20 degrees out!

* Laziness/holidays/etc.

My goal for December was to have a 5% improvement in speed and a 10% improvement in total distance.  This meant that I wanted to run about 40 miles in December and run at an average pace of 10:40 minute mile.  What did I actually achieve?   Ran a total of 18.98 miles with an average pace of 10:49 per mile.  So, I ran about half as much as I did in November--but with a faster overall pace. 

I really need to step up my game this month because my friend Jen and I signed up for the Illinois 10k for April and I want to be able to run the whole thing without stopping!! Any tips on motivating myself to get out there in the cold? Maybe I should try the dreadmill treadmill. :(

Four miles....FINALLY

I went running today with my roommate and friend.  It had been a few days since my last run due to finals and having zero time, so I was worried that I would have to start from scratch seeing as I am generally in very.bad.shape.  My roommate is a good runner (at least in my book!) and she promised to go at my pace.  I think she pushed us a little bit, but that was a good thing.  I secretly wanted to do four miles, but I didn't say anything until I knew I could do it... which was at about 2.9 miles.  We ran the entire thing! Woo. So proud of myself.  I know there will be bad days again, but at least running is starting to "click" a little more. 

I wore my new Ivivva tank that I bought after my last 5k.  I loved it! Here is a general layout of what I wore today. I will do a review on that shirt in the next few days.  But for now, back to studying!!

On the bright side...

Complainer Alert (If you don't want to see me complaining, skip down to paragraph 2) Went out for a run this morning and I was just not feeling it. I was so wiped out. I started walking after six minutes, and then did a walk/run for the rest of it.  I probably ran 2/3 of the total distance.  My legs felt like lead, and breathing was difficult.  The weather has been great here the past few days, but I guess I forgot that means I don't have to wear long-sleeves and two layers.  So all in all I felt like crap and wanted to end my run about 5 minutes in. 

On the bright side, I continued the run and sucked it up.  I pushed through the crappy feeling and told myself that I would just walk when I needed to.  This led to me going my farthest distance "running" yet (3.26 mi).  I don't feel totally smug about that considering how much I walked, but still, its nice to see an increase in the numbers.  Especially with my goal of running farther this month. 

I guess the motto"fake it 'til you make it" really applies to me. I am going to have to push through it and walk/run a bit as I get myself in shape to be a better runner!  How do you push through the hard days? Any tips?

Polar Paws 5k Complete

I ran a 5k on Saturday (December 1) called the Polar Paws 5k/10k.  The "race" was a fun run put on by the local park district, and dogs were encouraged to run with their owners.  Because my own dog Gracie is apparently afraid of running on a leash, I brought my roommate's dog, Finley.

 (Penguin outfits all ready for the run)

(Pre-race penguins)

The run was not timed, but there were awards for 1st and 2nd place as well as awards for best dressed pair, best costume, most festive, etc.  If you should know one thing about me it is that I NEVER pass up the chance to dress up in a costume, so naturally, Finley and I dressed up like penguins.  My roommate, who is much faster than I, was doing the 10k, but she was nice enough to run with Finley and me for the first 2 miles.  I intended to keep an 11 minute mile pace, but she kind of upped the ante for me ;)

 (First mile.  Finley runs with his gentle leader because he can be quite spastic otherwise)

(Best costume champions!)

I used my Nike+ because there were no timers, but unfortunately I for some reason had it set on treadmill so it was not entirely accurate.  After talking with some people, I am pretty sure that the course was a full 3.1 miles. I ran the race in approximately 30'41," so that got me to a 9:53/mi average pace. I couldn't believe it! Definitely a PR!  Now I am paying for it....I'm SO TIREDDDD!!

As a present for finishing my 5k at a PR pace, I bought myself this gem from Ivivva (the little sister brand of Lululemon).  I have no idea if it will fit, but I bought the size 12 because it apparently translates to the size 4 from lululemon, which is my go-to size there.  It was only $26, compared to the $42 cool racerback from lululemon.  I will give a review of it when it comes in!

(Shown: Keep Ur Cool Racerback from Ivivva, here ($26))

Run any races this weekend?