The Chestee

I finally bought a Chestee sports bra and let me tell you, it most definitely works. What the heck is a Chestee you might be asking - it's a sports bra with a built-in collarbone design so you can have all the fun with a barbell without the bruising. Whacking yourself in the clavicle with a barbell hurts and it's not fun when your boss asks you about your neck bruises later that week when she thinks they are hickeys. Speaking from experience here y'all.

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.

source

*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.

Brooks Silver Bullet

I received a Brooks Silver Bullet running jacket for Christmas. It comes in five colors and costs $150. I had asked my mother to surprise me with either the black or the teal one, and I was really pleased to find the teal jacket under the tree because teal is my favorite color.

Last night I finally got to take the jacket for a test drive.

I saw on Twitter that runners were taking advantage of the mild weather and foregoing layers. I went with a pair of matty m leggings and a short-sleeved tech top under my jacket. When I got to the park, I realized runners were really foregoing layers. People were in shorts.

Just as a warning - these pictures are even more out of focus than usual. I was in a hurry to get out and run.

base layer

blurry photo of me in my jacket

cuff with thumbholes and flip-mitt

As I've mentioned, my Garmin is broken and I am working with Garmin Support to get it fixed or replaced. I purchased an iPhone app called GarminFit to get me through this trying time. I somehow turned it off after 2 miles. Fail.

This photo may be the culprit as it seems to be taken in the correct place on the map when the run stopped tracking.

When I run in New York City at night, I can really see how small I am compared to the grand scheme of things. Look at how many people can fit into just those buildings. I find comfort in this.

I ran the full loop clockwise, so my run should have been about 7 miles including the run from my apartment. I entered and exited by 84th Street. On my way home I stopped by Fairway for some eggs and also picked up some fresh cooked shrimp.

I saw this display at Fairway. God is mocking me.

I miss you rice!

After my shower, I ate some shrimp with leftover spinach, onions, and mushrooms. Then I decided I was still hungry and cooked up a sausage I had in my fridge. Less than half an hour later, I hurled up my entire dinner. I don't know if the sausage was bad, the shrimp didn't settle with me, or if I managed to bonk from a 7 mile run, but I felt like shit until 2 AM. And all I could think about was settling my stomach with rice. Eff.

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 11

I bought my first pair of Brooks running shoes last weekend. I'm in love. After more than a year struggling to run in shoes that just never felt right, my new sneaks have me running happy.

Brand spanking new sneakers.

The Adrenaline is a support shoe available for both men and women. It feels cushioned, but not so much that I couldn't feel the road. I felt like I was able to run in my "real gait" if that makes any sense. The shoes fit my arches and are very comfortable. When I left for my run this morning, the right heel felt loose and began to slip, but I tightened the laces and corrected the problem.

Yes, my nail polish matches my new shoes.

I have taken my new Brooks Adrenaline GTS 11s on road (asphalt), pavement (sidewalks), track, and mulch-covered trail. These versatile shoes held their own. They provided the stability and support I need, while remaining lightweight and comfortable. Two thumbs up from In Shape Out of Mind.