Some days getting your run in is easier than others. There’s finding time, motivation, energy, and inspiration–not to mention proper attire!
Whether or not you run outdoors or inside on a treadmill, wearing the right workout gear can make a big difference in both physical and mental performance, and running, as all runners–beginners and advanced– know, is just as much about mental stamina as it is about physical endurance. And if you’re training for a big autumn race–your first or fifth marathon or your very first 5k–you have a lot of factors to consider, and what you run in should be at the top of the list.
Lolë (Live Out Loud Everyday) running ambassador, Leanne Shear, who is also the co-founder of women’s fitness studio, Uplift, located in the Flatiron district, understands the importance of the workout outfit and prefers running in lightweight leggings and a breathable tank top.
Shear suggests having your gait analyzed by a professional. Running stores such as Jack Rabbit and The Running Company offer this service, which is, if you’re at all serious about running, the very first step in beginning a training or workout regimen.
With the right size shoe (just because you’re pounding the pavement or the treadmill track doesn’t mean you have to be a victim of disheveled feet) and style (how do your feet pronate?) you may find running more pleasant and easier on your body.
Forget about old t-shirts doubling as running gear. The options for today’s stylish runner are many, and Lolë’s clothing line offers modern women fun, feminine, and functional workout wear. Plus, for many women, getting dressed in attractive new running gear has an impact on running motivation in that it often has the effect of increasing it!
If, like Shear, you have long hair that has to be pulled back before you hit the ground running, you might consider adding one of Lolë’s rubber-gripped headbands that decrease sliding and aren’t too tight either.
Just remember to test out the headband or new sneakers before beginning the race. It’s a basic runner’s rule: never try something you haven’t tested out before race day. That means no wearing leggings if you’re used to wearing shorts (weather pending, in some instances), and it also means not eating a big bagel breakfast if you’re used to running on half of your toddler’s banana.
Slogging, er, logging, the weekly miles deserves a reward; why not spruce up your running drawer with some pretty sweat-wicking duds?
