I think one of the largest learning curves to running is…

not in technique; it’s not in proficiency… it’s in knowing what to wear! I feel confident in making this sweeping generalization that most people start out wearing cotton. Not just any cotton either…they start out wearing baggy cotton shirts that were once reserved for mowing the grass in and pants that only saw the light of day when “aunt flow” was in town!

 

It’s okay – I was one of those people!

I didn’t start learning about running gear until much, much later! I can honestly say now that once you make the switch to synthetic (or technical) athletic clothing – you never go back! Not only does this blended material keep you cooler (because it wicks the sweat away from your body while remaining a breathable fabric – cotton does not) but you also start to feel better about yourself while wearing them. Once I caught on to feeling good about my workout clothing I was hooked!

 

Another great thing is that over the past couple of years more and more athletic companies have started catering to the needs of our demographics in athletics. There are more female runners emerging all the time! (I am woman, hear me roar!) There are more and more companies specializing in women’s only active wear too! So no matter your size or body type – there are athletic clothes for YOU! You just have to know where to shop!

 

Being here in Okinawa keeps us a little limited – especially women who are tall, voluptuous, or have more to love on their frames than the average Japanese female! On base – well, let’s just face it – the selection sucks and out in town – if you’re any of the above mentioned body types you’re out of luck too!

 

So here is a little something I have put together from all the running books, magazines, and blogs I read on a regular basis (and some of my personal favs too)! This is the stuff that other women are recommending! I hope you enjoy it!

 

I decided to break this posting up into separate parts b/c it was getting too long w/ too many images!

 

Here is a fun little tool from Runner’s World – just plug in the weather info and it will tell you how to dress for your run!

 

THE TOP HALF:

 

Bras:

First, I just want to say – if you are well endowed in the chest area PLEASE consider wearing two sports bras for better support. I think the “Run Like a Mother “ book says it best.

“Whether you’re a DD or a B, those suckers can move when you’re on the move. Think 10×800 meter repeats sounds painful? Consider this: When you’re running, breasts, no matter their size can slam up and down 8 inches. And that’s just one direction of movement; in 2007, researchers at the University of Portsmouth, England, found that breast, as well rounded as we imagine our children to be, also shimmy side to side and in and out. Which is why I always tell new runners a dependable sports bra can be more critical than a good pair of running shoes.”

Just be prepared – quality sports bra’s come with a price tag! I had some heartburn over the money I shelled out for good support when I was back to running but still breast-feeding. It was worth every penny of it though!

The Alexis print of this same racer back style is currently on sale at moving comfort for $18

The Juno design (seen here in black) is on sale at moving comfort for $31

The Grace front closure bra’s are not on sale currently but run around $40.

Another good company that I’ve seen recommended in several articles and books is titlenine.

 

Shirts & Tanks:

Tanks come in all shapes, sizes, styles, etc – one thing to remember is to not buy a super-tight tank or one made of thin seamless fabric – it will just inch up on you while you run. You’ll spend your entire time adjusting your top. I hate when this happens!

Looking for tops with small built-in zipper pockets is great for gels, ID’s, iPods, etc. but I like to go for the small pockets or built-in’s in my running bottoms (skirts, capri’s, etc).

My all-time favorite running shirt is my Brooks “Run Happy” shirt and their Diva shirts. Normally they are about $30 but I found this one online at Chain Reaction Cycles for only $16

 

This is probably the toughest area to dress yourself in when the weather is being undecided outside! You know – one minute it’s overcast & windy, the next it’s rainy but sunny! I like to always have options – so I sometimes just layer and then see how I’m feeling after I warm-up. Since most of us are still running in chilly weather – the greatest part of the gear I’ll post will be according to this time of year! Let’s keep it simple!

 

Base Layer’s are great for the in-between weather.

 

Arc’teryx has a great base layer 100% waterproof shirt and I found it at Evo.com for only $42. Having something that is waterproof would be great for the rainy days!

Or Jessica Sebor (Editor in Chief of Women’s Running Mag) says her fav is this Varsity Sweatshirt from Under Armor. I found it online from Sport’s Authority for $34.99

And – the best for last – my personal FAVORITE is the “Badass Mother Runner” shirt that I’m sure most of you have seen me in! It’s $35 and only available through Another Mother Runner (dot) com’s website – link in text above. The one I have is made by a different company then who they now have make their shirts – so I can’t vouch for the material but mine is super soft and very comfy – it’s my go-to shirt when it’s clean. And I won’t lie – I’ve grabbed it out of the hamper and sniff tested it for one more wear before washing!

Jackets:

Melissa Mellert (Art Director of Women’s Running Mag) says her go-to jacket is Puma’s Statement Jacket (reg $60). I found it on sale here for $44.99

Jackets can get pretty pricey – especially if you’re looking for some water resistant materials. Keep in mind though – you still want it to be breathable so you don’t get too heated or drenched under there! BUT a jacket of some sort – as long as it’s made from a technical/athletic material – is a must have for your runner wardrobe!

 

Brooks make good rainy weather running jacket called the Brooks Essential Run Jacket. I found it on Denali.com for $69.99 and free shipping!

My FAVORITE is the Wasatch Jacket from ImpactFitness.com (WOOP gets a 20% discount with them!) I have a different jacket but same material – super comfy. This is currently on sale for $68.50 and with WOOP discount code (military20) it would be $54.80 – which is a great deal.

SkirtSports is another retailer who specializes in women’s only athletic clothing. WOOP gets a 30% discount with them (code: woop) I have never worn any of their jackets but their skirts fit like a glove! This 8’0clock Somewhere hoodie is nice for those in between days when it just might ran at any minute – with having the option for a hood you could at least keep your head dry if you’re not a hat wearing runner! Regularly priced at $75 – WOOP discount would bring this to $52.50

 

Not sure you want to get stuck running with a jacket wrapped around the waist? Here is a tip from Run Like a Mother book, “The best is the twist-and-roll: Holding one arm of jacket in each hand, twist the sleeves in opposite directions, like your rolling a towel to snap somebody. Then tie it around your waist, thus avoiding any unwanted bulge or annoying flap.”

 

Hats, Headbands & Visors:

Since I started running with a hat I can’t hardly bring myself to run without one. Not only do they hide my cow-licked look of bedhead but they keep the sun out of my eyes and offer protection from a sudden rain! I hate running with rain pelting me in the face and then I’m all squinty and can’t see where I’m running…yadda yadda! You get it! We were living in NC for a little bit and I was more into the running beanies or ear/headbands there for the added warm to my ears. You just have to find what works for you.

 

I like to race in visors – but that’s it! The reason? Because I like to dump water over my head at a race to help keep me cool – but I don’t do that during a normal training run. (Well, in the heat of Oki – I’ve been known to dump water all over myself!) I don’t do training runs in visors to keep the sun off my scalp. 

 

SkirtsSports has a good variety of styles – which I love! BUT the only visor I have ever run in (besides in Hawaii when I had to buy one last minute) is my Under Armor Pink visor. I love that visors are so easy to adjust on the spot too. Here is a SkirtSports visor for $20 (with WOOP discount it would be $14)

ImpactSports has theirs on sale for $10 (WOOP discount = $8) These aren’t as cute – but sometimes you just need a good deal!

BondiBands were at the Honolulu Marathon Expo and had sooo many styles and cute sayings on them! I haven’t bought any yet but I hear from fellow runners that they are perfect and don’t slide! These seem to all be $8 from what I can tell on their website!

 

Athleta – wow, do I love athlete stuff. So does Erika Stanley (Marketing & Social Media Director of Women’s Running mag) whom recommended the Athleta Morning Run cap as her favorite. It is currently on sale for $9.99 down from $18

 

I, personally, run in a white Moving Comfort cap and I love it. It’s super lightweight and keeps my head really cool BUT it’s not very cute! Lol! I know that doesn’t always matter but sometimes…it does!

 

For warmth – I really like the beanies! In the Jan/Feb 2012 edition of Women’s Running mag (Element Protection article) they suggest the Smartwool Reversible Training Beanie. I’ve read lots about how great wool is for sweat wicking and it was always a go-to when I was cloth diapering too! (Because of the moisture wicking!) Smartwool.com has it for $25 but I found it at Mountain Gear on sale for $19.97 but it’s only in black or sunrise (orange).

 

 

 

 

 

I hope you enjoyed this post! More to come in my What to Wear? series will be: You’re bottom half, Apparel Accessories, and running gear must-have’s!

 

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Other ways to find me – I also have a FB page and a running group that I have started here in Okinawa – if you’re on island – come run with me and the other amazing women of WOOP!