On Wednesdays We Wear Pink

We have a fun little tradition at CrossFit Identity - on Wednesdays we wear pink. Many of you likely get the Mean Girls reference. What I like the most about our Wednesday custom is that no one ever officially announced that this is something we do. People started wearing pink and then greeted other people wearing pink by saying, "On Wednesdays we wear pink." The coaches also ran an order on custom men's Virus shorts with a hot pink option, so that probably helped.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, another time when we are encouraged to wear pink. For every person who wears pink to a Wednesday class this October, Pure Barre Virginia Highlands is donating $10 to the Pink Agenda Atlanta and 15% of all retail sales will benefit this organization

These are some of my favorite pink things that I am wearing this month.

I ordered these pink 3.25 Fleo shorts because they are adorable, and I came to accept that we weren't ordering CFID custom booty shorts any time soon. I like the 3.25 because they give just a little extra coverage, which is nice when the WOD involves running or burpees. They are still available on the Fleo website as of October 16.

I bought the new Pure Barre Breast Cancer Awareness socks. I really like that they are a light heathered pink. I would wear them with grey leggings all year round. They are available online and in your local studio.

One of my favorite tank tops is from Pink Iron, the awesome all-women CrossFit-ish gym in West Hollywood where everything was pink, including the dog Barbell. Pink Iron doesn't exist anymore, but Holly has a new gym called Burn Babe.

We got these sweet crop tops for Regionals one year. Our coach Bre competes at Regionals, hence the pun.

I've been eyeing the pink Reebok CrossFit Grace. I really don't need anymore shoes but they are just really pretty.

Single Looks Good on You

I take books out of the local library to read as bedtime stories when I babysit for my boyfriend's ex-boyfriend's (got to remember that) nieces. And I was really excited to read The Rainbow Fish to them when I was supposed to babysit two weeks ago. I finally returned the book last night. It's been two weeks and this break up is beginning to feel real.

I haven't been moping around though. I've been going to Pure Barre, walking Frank around the neighborhood, and going out for meals and drinks with friends, and even kind of starting to date. I've lost four pounds from tracking my macros and that's including frozen margaritas. I've been reading Katiefitscript and I love her information on cutting and then reverse dieting.

Shoulders and Shorts

Today's workout was brutal. 750 m row, 25 thrusters (75/55#), 15 burpees over the bar for time. Then 5 minutes rest and repeat.

I wore my Fleo shorts because I love neon and animal prints and not wearing pants. I love Fleo because they have great customer service. My fantastic boyfriend bought these shorts for me, but now I think he regrets it since y'all can see my butt cheeks.

I was happy that I had a faster time the second round.

My shoulder has been acting up for over a year. There's nothing wrong with it and I'm not injured. I just don't have the mobility that I should and I need to work on it. My friend and fellow 4 PMer, Dr. Sam did some dry needling on my lat the other day and it's made a big difference. I could definitely tell that I have a better range of motion when doing the 50 thrusters today.

I take really shitty selfies :/

15.2

I've improved a lot at CrossFit over the past year but the Open has a way of really highlighting one's weaknesses. I have been really proud of myself because I can now do anywhere from one to five unbroken pull-ups depending on the day. I was pleased enough with my performance that I didn't see a need to push myself to get chest to bar pull-ups until I had a sinking suspicion that I'd see them last Thursday in the Open workout.

I was right because 15.2 was the same as 14.2. Womp womp.

Workout 15.2

  2 rounds of: 

  10 overhead squats (95 / 65 lb.)

  10 chest-to-bar pull-ups

  2 rounds of:

  12 overhead squats (95 / 65 lb.)

  12 chest-to-bar pull-ups

  2 rounds of:

  14 overhead squats (95 / 65 lb.)

  14 chest-to-bar pull-ups

For as long as possible:

From 0:00-3:00

From 3:00-6:00

From 6:00-9:00

Etc., following same pattern

I spent about a half hour trying to get a C2B last Thursday afternoon and I think it was too much time because my arms failed me during the workout on Friday. I said I'd go for the scaled workout or try 15.2 again over the weekend, but then I told myself to stop beating myself up over it.

Unfortunately, I had also convinced myself that I had improved from last year because I was able to do the 10 overhead squats at 65# unbroken but a little rereading of my 14.2 post from last year tells me I have already done this. At least now I know what my 2015 goal is - chest to fucking bar pull-ups, preferably strung together like an effing butterfly.

At least my outfit was sick.

                                                      shorts: Via Privé for Team Dangerous

                                                      shirt: Look Human

                                                      socks: Walmart (No joke!)

the Natural Grip

I've wanted a pair of Natural Grips for a while, but somehow managed to let myself get talked out of buying "overpriced pieces of tape" in favor of other grips. Fifty dollars worth of grips I never wear later, I stopped listening to well-meaning advice and got myself the only grip that actually protects the part of my hand that rips. Go figure.

Yesterday I did Jackie Rx for the first time. 1000 m row, 50 thrusters with the bar, and 30 pull-ups. No rips, no hot spots, no ugly white blisters under my callouses. 

I have a sweet pair of Shark Blue grips, which were named for the Natural Grip's appearance on Shark Tank. They are now offering mixed combos of colors if having too different colored socks, shoes, gloves is more your style.

Affordable Bottoms - Gear Review

One day I am going to have a closet full of lululemon outfits, including the accessories like this Scuba Hoodie II, which, in my opinion, is the most unnecessary item you could spend $108 on while at lululemon. It's unclear why I feel such animosity towards the Scuba Hoodie II, but I do and I have since its original incarnation as the Scuba Hoodie. Until that day, I like to peruse more affordable stores to stock my fitness drawers (plural).

Because nothing says, "I am a fitness badass," like a floral jacket with a stylized A* on it.

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*That's really what the logo is. I can't make this shit up.

I realize this post is a lot of lululemon bashing, but I actually do love most of their clothing, and now I'm ready to actually review two pieces of apparel I have recently purchased.

CrossFit Essentials Day 2

On this bright and glorious morning I am in the office working, and by working I mean doing my CrossFit homework. Last night was Day 2 of my Essentials class and it was awesome.

I had packed a really cute day-glo outfit to wear last night but then I realized that I had forgotten to shave so I had to wear some running gear I had stashed in my desk. Note to self: Now that you've quit Equinox, you can no longer rely on a nice woman stocking up on disposable razors and Barbasol for you. I need to better equip the gym locker that is my desk. What? You keep work-related items in yours?

I was concerned that I might be ridiculed for wearing an I ♥ Running tech shirt to CrossFit but apparently what you wear isn't really a concern of anyone else's. This blows my mind because at the Long Island Equinoxes (almost) everyone is in color-coordinated, class-specific outfits all the way down to their shoes. Why do you think I own so many sneakers?

Jesse is fired as photographer because I look like a shrunken midget crackhead.

We reviewed the shoulder press, push press, and learned the push jerk. We did a little work on the rings. We practiced being angry gorillas (it has to do with form.) We learned the sumo deadlift high pull, which somehow I was able to execute reasonably well. We learned to properly row and then we did some burpees. I'm good at burpees. Thanks Yves for all that practice.

I'm nervous that I am going to forget everything by next week and flail around hopelessly. I am going to ask on Friday what time is their least busiest class and then sign myself up each day.

I went home, took a shower, and made Dr Praeger's Potato Crusted Fish Fillets with a side of frozen vegetables. Baby steps people. I'm not going to become Julia Child overnight. But someone who is a pretty amazing cook and blogs about it can be found here.

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Mine didn't come out looking like this by the way.

And I hopped on the scale to see if my eyes had deceived me. No. I actually weighed 0.2 lbs less at the end of the day. BAM.

Happy Feet

I hate blisters and foot pain. This is obviously nothing revolutionary. I'm sure most people hate blisters and foot pain, but when you're into covering long distances by foot, it's kind of par for the course.

You need to have proper footwear for a trail race. I own La Sportiva Wildcats and Brooks ASRs. As a wear tester, I'm really fortunate that Brooks sends me pairs to test out. I'm a big fan of the ASR 9s.

I wore the ASR 9s for the first 25 miles of the race. They are pretty lightweight for trail shoes, 9.5 ounces, and they're really similar to the Adrenalines I wear on the road.

I packed my Wildcats in my drop bag and switched pairs at the halfway point. I am so glad that I did because they have a lot more cushion and the ankles are higher for more stability. Different shoe models mean that my feet weren't subjected to the same pressure points, which means less pain and risk of blisters.

This kid did not come with two pairs of shoes and tried to run the trail in road Vibrams. Eek. He was hurting pretty bad so I offered him my ASRs for the last 17 miles. I was happy to help him out and glad he had small lady feet.

Always bring two pairs of shoes!

I've found myself in a bit of a predicament. I track the mileage on my shoes using RunningAHEAD. If I switched shoes in the middle of the run, how do I track one run with two pairs of shoes? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated because it's keeping me up at night. That's not a joke.

Drop Bags Whole Foods Style

Today I learned that my anti-hoarder mother tossed all of the bags I had planned to use as drop bags for my race. No worries. I went to Whole Foods to buy two insulated bags. I use a black one as my everyday gym bag in Manhattan, but I love these bright blue and green bags.

The best part of these bags is that you can toss clothing, water bottles, sweaty shoes, you name it and not be worried about them leaking.

Rock The Ridge requires bags to be clearly labeled so I used a Rub a Dub marker to write my name and info.

EMS Shopping Trip

I drove over to Eastern Mountain Sports after Zumba today to pick up some gear for the Rock the Ridge 50 Mile Endurance Challenge. It suddenly feels very real and I am getting nervous.

Rock the Ridge sent me 20% off at EMS, which is awesome because I needed a hydration pack, a headlamp, and some fuel.

I had wanted a hydration vest at first, but these aren't carried in stock at the Carle Place store (who knew?). Eric, my exceptionally helpful salesman, recommended the Camelbak Octane LR. I got mine in skydiver/egret, otherwise known as blue and white. The lumbar reservoir is pretty nifty and I think I will prefer to wear something that puts the weight on my lower back.

I bought a Princeton Byte headlamp. It has 3 settings: red light and two white lights. I'm not sure I'll be spending much time running in the dark, but I am super excited to wear it just the same. I have no idea where my last headlamp went but it was sick wearing it around the Egyptian desert.

I bought some citrus and raspberry flavored Clif shots and shot bloks because they are one of the few energy gels I can swallow without choking. I also like the margarita flavor but EMS didn't have any.

I came home with my bounty and was very excited about my purchases. My parents were less than impressed. My mother also had trouble understanding what a hydration pack is until I started drawing comparisons to the bag inside a box of Franzia.

Morning Mileage

After reading about Sarah from Once Upon a Lime try to become a morning runner, I remembered that I used to like to get up early and run before work. I hit snooze multiple times this morning but I was dressed and ready to run by 8 8:15. My Garmin was being an asshole but the walking I did trying to get the satellites to catch gave me a chance to wake up.

I decided that I didn't want to wear my running pouch but I needed a place to stash my keys. My running partner/neighbor (who moved back to San Francisco without telling me!) used to tie his keys into his laces. I am psychotic about things moving and bothering me while I am running so I've always been hesitant to do this, but I managed to get the keys secured in there. I took the lace out of the left loop, strung my keys onto it, wedged the keys under 3 other laces, restrung the lace, and then tied everything tightly over the keys. I also have a separate set of keys I use for running that only have the two keys I need to get into my building and nothing else.

Good morning New York!

I was moving pretty slowly - Garmin says an average of 9:11 minute miles. It was nice just to get out there and enjoy the sunshine.

Don't I look happy?

I didn't even run the whole way back. Once I hit 4 miles, I stopped the clock and walked the rest of the way home, which is probably about a quarter of a mile.

It's sunny out but it's not warm. I wore a pair of ADIDAS capris that I usually wear for spinning. Not ideal running pants because they kept sliding off my ass. Does anyone have any good recommendations that are not lululemon? Ideally, I am looking for bermuda length shorts.

50K Style Guide

What do you wear for a 50K?

If you lose a bet, like Keith Straw, you wear the most beautiful running outfit in the world.

Keith was a good sport and let everyone who asked take photo, including me and my mother.

It snowed the night before the race. This is my car 10 minutes before I left for the course.

The weather has been colder each year I have run the Caumsett. I ran the 25K in 2011 in shorts and a tank top in the pouring rain. I ran the 50K in 2012 in the same black shorts with a tank top and a red pullover. This year I wore capris by Yoga Bella (I never run in capris), a C9 by Champion for Target tank with built-in sports bra, and the red C9 by Champion for Target pullover.

oh hey, it's just after 6 AM on a Sunday

I also busted out a fresh pair of Knockarounds. I buy the red, white, and blue pairs in bulk because I love them and I love America. Many people I meet also love them, so if I'm wearing an older pair, I'll just give them the ones I have on me.

I love me some good color-coordination so I made sure to wear my red Brooks Adrenaline 11s. I ran the 50K in these last year so I figured I couldn't go wrong in the same shoes.

courtesy of GLIRC. All Rights Reserved.

I'm blaming this photo on an unflattering angle. It never got warm enough for me to take off my red pullover, so my patriotism wasn't obvious to everyone. I wore my Brooks gloves for most of the race and frequently lamented that the neon yellow detracted from my overall outfit.

Expensive Stuff That's Worth It

Douglas: Related question: what expensive workout apparel (or gadgets) are really worth it and make a huge difference?

The items that are worth it are the items that you are going to use.

If you're into running, buy a Garmin. It is hands down one of my favorite things in the entire world. Many people swear by the Forerunner 410, but I love my discontinued Forerunner 305. I recommend purchasing the Forerunner 310XT because, like the 305, you can also use it for biking. It's the much sicker version that syncs your data wirelessly and can be used when swimming.

Forerunner 410

Forerunner 310XT

If I leave my Garmin at home or go for an impromptu run, I use the Garmin Fit app. It kills your phone battery and I've managed to accidentally pause it multiple times, but if you're used to using Nike+ to track your runs, this is a superior app.

A good running jacket is essential because it's miserable to run in a jacket that is too bulky and not ventilated. I wear the Brooks Silver Bullet.

Never skimp on your running shoes. You should be properly fitted at a running store where they can analyze your gait. At most places this is free.

If you're not into spinning regularly, don't waste your money on spin shoes. However, if you go at least once a week, they're a great investment because they really change the workout.

Tech materials have really changed my life, but you don't need the expensive brands. The Frank Shorter line offered at National Running Center is much more affordable that lululemon or Sugoi, but I've heard its just as good.

I generally try to follow the rule that if I am going to use it all the time, then I want the best that I can afford. If it's something I'll use only a few times a year, then it's not a priority for me and I will try to do without.

That being said, my dream in life is to wear head-to-toe lululemon and go to back-to-back SoulCycle classes like all of the women on the Upper Eastside who leave their children with nannies and congregate on 83rd Street.

ASR9s Drop Just in Time for August Trail Running*

On Friday, Olivia from Lovely At Your Side asked, "Allie, which brand of sneakers (in a moderate price range) do you recommend for running? My New Balance's broke (for the second time in my life!), and I'd like to not have that happen again! Thanks, girl!"

I wear Brooks running shoes and I am currently wearing Adrenaline 11s and Ghosts 4s for road. There's a sale going on right now so if you have the right sized feet, go snap up some discount sneakers!

I'm also a Brooks wear tester. The ASR 9s finally hit the website almost a year after I got my first pair in the mail. I'll let you in on a secret. They're already designing the 10s. I have wear tested two pairs of ASR 9s and I like them. I've run a trail race in them, completed a 20 mile road and trail long run in them, and sometimes wear them for road runs if it's raining. The pairs I tested were a lot more blue than black, but I am a fan of the finished product. If you wear Adrenalines for road and you are looking for a hybrid shoe, I definitely recommend these.

If you own the new ASR 9s or if you are an ASR 8 wearer, I'd love to pick your brain on how they handle technical trail.

*Not as exciting as the Air Jordan 7 Olympic that dropped last Saturday. There was a line around the block at Foot Locker in Herald Square.

Winter Running Gloves

My friend Holly is into running and sent me this question:

Hey girl! Question for you. Ive been running a lot in the park and am so sick of having to take off gloves to work my iphone. Do u recommend any good running gloves for winter?? I read your blog all the time! Youre my new running go to person lol :)

Thank you Holly for sending me this question and reminding me to finally write a post about my awesome Brooks Adapt gloves ($30).

the glove

I really don't like to wear gloves when I work out because I find them cumbersome. Fabric ones get wet and sweaty and leather ones are easily ruined. I found these Brooks gloves and my life has been forever changed. The glove is made of of 85% polyester, 15% spandex and the mitten is 100% polyester. They don't feel wet even when running in the rain.

The glove keeps my hands warm in reasonably cold temperatures (30s), but I put the mitten over my fingers if it's in the 20s or below. These gloves aren't made for super frigid temperatures, but you should be good running in Central Park night or day. I used these during my 15.5 mile run in the snow and my fingers only got cold when I was holding my frozen water bottle.

the mitten

The best part of the Brooks Adapt gloves is the MP3 thumb pad and the flip-back thumb. I am told that I should be able to use an MP3 player with these things, but I haven't been able to unlock my iPhone while running without flipping back the thumb. I just tested the MP3 pad while sitting on my couch, and it definitely works, so maybe I have issues doing things while moving. Maybe you'll have better luck.

the flip-back thumb

These gloves come in black, black with yellow, and black with green. I chose to get a colored pair because I like that they increase my visibility to others. I also drop things so it's nice to be able to see something that glows. The gloves have these nifty tabs on the wrist to make it easy to pull them on and off. These tabs are magnetic, making it easy to keep these gloves together in your pocket, bag, or running pouch.

I bought mine at the Jackrabbits on 86th Street, but you can order yours here.

Ghost 4 Review

Now you might think I'm a little late to the party writing a Ghost 4 review more than six months after they hit the market. Since no one pays me to write reviews about their products (yet) or sends me free shoes to blog about (hint, hint), I review products as I buy them. I purchased my Brooks Ghost 4 running shoes a week before the ING NYC Marathon. (The marathon was on November 6th for all of those who don't have that date permanently seared into their memory.) I wore them once before the marathon and then spend a solid 4 hours, 21 minutes, and 44 seconds running in them. I like Brooks shoes. They're good to go from the box.

I also wore them for the Brooklyn Marathon two weeks later and the Garden City Turkey Trot four days after that. I noticed that I had a serious pain on the top of my foot. I'm not sure if the pain came from switching to the Ghost 4 from the Adrenaline, or if I was tying my laces too tight. I tend to do that, especially when I have new laces. Older laces have some give to them and seem to stretch out later in a run, while newer laces hold their tie. After the New York Marathon I might have created a sore spot that was later exacerbated by wear the same shoes tied too tightly again.

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I have the blue ones, obviously, since my favorite color is blue. (Take this into consideration when buying me presents.)

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I also really like the yellow and green ones. I think they would match a lot of my running outfits. (In case you were planning on buying me a present.)

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Brooks recently came out with a pink pair. I don't do Pepto Pink. I wish they were neon pink and then I'd be dying for a pair. However, this is the perfect shade of pink for breast cancer awareness, so if you're running a race for breast cancer, you should definitely consider buying these.

To buy your own, click here.

Matty M Running Tights

I started off 2012 with Assia Winfield at Equinox. I went to pureMuscle and I am sure I am going to feel it in my legs tomorrow.

I went to the Century 21 after class to look for Matty M leggings. Strangely, my favorite running tights are not intended for running. My mom bought a pair for me back in November and told me they were for running. I started to wear them and I loved how they stayed in place. The material isn't typical legging cotton either. I tried to google Matty M running tights the other day and the lack of hits should've been my first sign. It was only after going to Century 21 today that I realized that these pants are for regular wearing. No bother. I bought three more pairs.

Champion C9 for Target Shorts

Approaching the ING NYC Marathon finish line in Champion C9 shorts.

I am a big fan of Champion C9 for Target shorts. They are comfortable, affordable, and machine-washable. I've run both of my marathons wearing a pair and I do most of my training runs in them. If you travel light (I do not), you can stash your keys in the small inside pocket located near your right hip. These shorts are also good for kickboxing and boot camp classes.

This is me running the Brooklyn Marathon in my C9 shorts.

The thing I like the most about these shorts is that they are unobtrusive. I don't have to constantly readjust them or fight a recurring wedgie the way I do with other shorts. I have a black pair in a size small, but I usually run in a size medium. I like baggier shorts for running.

Champion C9 for Target shorts come in a variety of colors and new styles (same shorts, different prints or color variations) are updated regularly. To order online, click here.