Nicole

What I Wore Running the Marathon

May 6, 2016 by Nicole 2 Comments

I got some questions about what I wore when I ran the marathon so I figured I throw up a quick post with the details. Heads up–most of the links in this post are affiliate.

TWAV Singlet

Nike High Impact Sports Bra | Nothing fancy, but I love this thing because it pancakes your boobs so tightly to your body, nothing even has the remote chance of jiggling (I can not handle boob bounce when I work out!).

Lululemon Speed Track Short | I bought these the weekend of the marathon and LOVE them. They’re high-waisted with a thick, comfortable waistband and are long enough to stay in place without riding up and giving you a perma-wedgie. I hate having to constantly pull down my shorts when I’m running and I didn’t have to do that once on marathon day. Highly recommend! They have ruched pockets on the sides which are kinda weird for everyday wear (not too flattering), but proved really practical for race day. I kept a couple gel packs in each!

Under Armour Play Up Shorts | Usually I’m all for as few waistbands as possible, but the team singlet wasn’t very long so I knew I’d feel more comfortable with a loose pair of shorts over my Lululemons. This UA pair is super lightweight with a looser waistband so I didn’t even notice they were on.

Nike Free Distance | People actually laugh in my face when I say I run distance in Nike Frees. It’s usually a laugh followed by “Ouch.” Hate on haters. Frees SAVED my achilles tendonitis a few years ago and I haven’t found another running sneaker that’s worked for me as well since. The new(ish) distance version of the Free line is awesome.

Flipbelt | I bought one of these at the Marathon Expo after hearing Heather talk about hers. Since I already had two pairs of shorts on, it was a little overkill to have a third object around my waist, but it ended up being surprisingly comfortable and I was thankful for the extra storage space.

Not pictured:

Quay Sunglasses (old but similar look here) | I felt like a total bro wearing reflective sunglasses, but the lightweight rubber material of the frame is perfect for running (even though that’s definitely not what they’re intended for).

Nathan SpeedDraw Plus Handheld Water Bottle | This was another pre-race purchase. I don’t normally like to hold something while I run (for training runs I’d leave a water bottle by a bench along the Charles River and just sip out of it every time I looped by), but with the weather forecast looking so warm, I thought it better safe than sorry. I was happy to have it so that I didn’t have to deal with the chaos of water stations as often.

Thorlo CoolMax Padded Socks | I love these socks–especially the added pads to the balls of the feet and heels. Because I run in a lightweight sneakers with less cushion than other more supportive styles, I appreciate any extra padding I can get.

What are your race day go-to’s?

Happy Friday! Enjoy your weekend.

Filed Under: Activewear & Workout Style, Fashion, Marathon Training, Races, Running

Stitch Fix Review – Help Me Decide What to Keep!

May 5, 2016 by Nicole 44 Comments

Hello from the air! Guess who has the ENTIRE ROW OF SEATS TO HERSELF?! When I arrived at the gate this morning I noticed it didn’t seem to crowded, but I wouldn’t let my mind even entertain the possibility. No, don’t even think it. As I boarded the plane and slowly made my way down the aisle, eyes scanning the rows of seats just lightly peppered with passengers, I again told my brain to shut up. Stop–STOP!–you’ll jinx it. I approach row 26. I double check my ticket. I double check that I’m actually at row 26. I triple check. Ohmygodohmygodohmygod.

I put my bag overhead and sit down, eyes fixed on the passengers who have yet to claim their seat. What if?! A women juggling two small children and a bag that definitely exceeds carry-on size ungracefully thuds down the aisle towards me. Sonofabitch. She glances down at her ticket. She glances up at the row numbers. A single bead of sweat drips from my left armpit.

She walks passed.

GOOOOAAALLLL!!! I silently cheer with the enthusiasm (and accent) of a European soccer announcer.

Just a few more unseated passengers to survive. The possibility is too real now. I need this. This row is mine. Still, I dare not buckle my seatbelt just yet.

Next to approach: Middle-aged man resembling a short Brian Cranston. I can’t help it–I’m glaring. I dare you to have seat in row 26 you blue meth-cooking motherfucker. Again, THAT PAUSE. That awful pause where he looks down at his boarding pass and up at the row number. It lasts a lifetime.

Row 25.

YAAASSSSS!!!! I’ve gone from Real Madrid’s number one fan-turned-announcer to RuPaul watching a flawless lip sync of Cher’s Believe.

Last passenger to board. Twenty-something blonde girl. Looks clean, doesn’t take up much space, only a small purse with her. I can’t help but think it wouldn’t be bad to share a row with her. You shut up you quitter! Stop that right now! Manifest this empty row, damnit!! Back on track.

I’m trying to visualize my empty row all to myself as she approaches. Are my eyes closed? Are my hands held together at my chest in prayer? Am I chanting “empty row”? Are people staring? I’m too focused to know.

She walks passed row 24.

She slows at row 25.

She stops at row 26.

She sits ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE.

So here I am. Sprawled out in my row, belongings unnecessarily strewn across the vacant seats, all three tray tables down, shoes off, fly unzipped. Life is good my friends. Life. Is. Good.

Stitch Fix Review

Welp this post got off track.

I’m doing things a little differently with this Stitch Fix post because I am having the hardest time deciding what to keep. Help me! I got an awesome Stitch Fix but it was also uncharacteristically expensive. Each item was in the $120-$230 range. I designated a pretty wide price range when I made my SF profile because the older I get the more I appreciate quality over quantity. I’d rather own fewer things and have those few things be high-quality pieces that I love and wear all the time. So I’m not frustrated by this fix–I’m excited by the caliber!

That being said, I should only buy one of the five items from my fix. Which one?? Help me decide!

Greylin Tremaine Off The Shoulder Top ($118)

Such a cute warm-weather top! The boho-meets-preppy vibe is the perfect mix of my personal style with classic New England summer attire. If I’m being picky though, I don’t think it’s super flattering from the side? I don’t have big boobs by any means, but I find that having any sort of chest in flowy tops like this can make you look bigger than you are. Not a big deal I guess if you pair it with a skinny jean/shorts or have your hair up to show off your shoulders.

Yumi Kim Hidee Silk Midi Dress ($228)

Stitch Fix carries Yumi Kim?? I usually don’t recognize the brands I get in my fixes so this was a cool surprise! The dress is gorgeous and could be a good option for a wedding/bridal shower/other event that requires me to dress on the conservative side (haha). Usually when I spend over $200 on a dress, I’m drawn to stand-out pieces though. Something that has a wow-factor (unique cut-out, open back, bold slit, etc.). This doesn’t have that, but on the plus side, I could definitely wear it on more than one occasion.

Rory Beca Alecia Off Shoulder Dress ($184)

Hmm I adore this dress is pictures. In person I found it to be a little shapeless though? But now I love it??

Cooper & Ella Bakari Lace Back Detail Blouse ($158)

I think this blouse is one of the front runners for me? The pictures don’t do the quality of the material justice–it’s awesome. And I think I’d get a ton of use from it because it can be dressed up or down pretty easily. But my entire wardrobe is black and white. Maybe I should switch it up?

Lavender Brown Elanor Lace Overlay Top ($134)

Another boho-preppy piece. This would be a great summer go-to and could be paired with a blazer for dressier occasions so I know I’d get a ton of wear from it. But it’s not a “wow” piece so maybe I stick to one of the other items? Decisions, decisions.

Side note: If you’re a Stitch Fix member and want to request any of these items, the best way to do it is to pin one of the above images to the Pinterest board to which your SF account is linked. I’ve included the item name in the picture description so that when you pin it should automatically fill in the info.

Which one of the five pieces should I keep??

Heads up! Links to Stitch Fix in this post are affiliate. 🙂

Filed Under: Day Outfits, Events & Occasions, Fashion, Night Outfits, Stitch Fix

Bodyweight Pyramid Workout Targeting Obliques

May 3, 2016 by Nicole 4 Comments

You may have seen another post (unfinished, without pictures) pop on here this morning about a BOSU ball workout–sorry about that! I messed up my scheduling and a draft got published.

It’s a gloomy, rainy day here in Boston, but no complaints–I’ll be in sunny southern California soon enough! On Thursday I’m heading out to LA and then Friday through Sunday will be spent in Palm Springs for a bachelorette party. It’s the first time all my college BFFs and I will be together in years (after graduation we all seemed to move to different corners of the country) so I feel like a little kid waiting for Christmas. I’ll do a blog post about the weekend in case any of you are thinking of doing a destination bachelorette party or just have a Palm Springs getaway in your sights. If you’ve been there and have restaurant/activity recommendations, let me know in the comments!

Bodyweight Pyramid Workout Targeting Obliques

Since this is a pyramid workout and you’re going through it at your own pace, the quick video I made for it just demos the exercises rather than going through the whole thing in real time. As always, full description with pictures below!

We’re mixing a pyramid structure of reps with 20-second isometric holds. There are three exercises which will be performed on the right and then the left. The first two will be done using a pyramid of reps, the third exercise is just a side plank hold (20 seconds EVERY time). Your rep numbers start and 10 and get reduced by 2 each time through the circuit. So here’s the breakdown:

10 reps exercise 1 right / 10 reps exercise 1 left
10 reps exercise 2 right / 10 reps exercise 2 left
20 second hold right / 20 second hold left

8 reps exercise 1 right / 8 reps exercise 1 left
8 reps exercise 2 right / 8 reps exercise 2 left
20 second hold right / 20 second hold left

… continue until you get to 2 reps each …

Your goal is to complete this workout as fast as you can without sacrificing proper form. It’s better (and way more effective) to go slow and nail the correct form than to rush it sloppily.

Rotating Crunch to Side V Up

For these, you just alternate between a full-body crunch and a side v-up crunch on the target side, rolling from center to your side, back and forth. For the reps on the right, start laying on your left side with your left arm stretched outwards on the ground for support. For comfortable positioning, you want to be on the side of your butt rather than directly on the hip bone. Do a side v up, lifting your legs up straight to meet your right elbow and raised torso. Lower down and roll onto your back with arms overhead and legs straight out, hovering a couple inches off the floor (to make these challenging, try your best to never let your feet rest on the floor, even while rolling from side to side). From this position, do a full-body crunch, bending your knees in as you sit up through the torso, chest coming up and in to meet knees. Slowly release back down onto your back and roll over to your left side for your next side v up.

The side v up + full body crunch in center = 1 rep. You’ll do the given number of reps, rolling to the left hip for each side v up. You’ll then repeat, rolling to the right hip for each side v up.

Windshield Wiper Sliders in Plank

Start in a plank position, hands stacked under shoulders. From here, you’re going to crunch the right knee in towards the right wrist. This is your starting position. Keeping the knee in as close to the arm as possible (make physical contact if you can), slide the knee up towards the elbow. From there, swish it across to the left elbow (touch it if possible). Swish the knee back to the right elbow and then slide it back down to wrist height. That’s 1 rep.

Side Plank Bottom Knee Crunch Hold

In a side plank position with your bottom hand stacked under the shoulder, press your top foot into the floor for support and then crunch the bottom knee into your chest. Hold it there for 20 seconds. The key is to keep the hips stacked as you do this–don’t let the top hop roll forward!

MODIFY: If your wrists are burnt out from holding a high plank in the previous exercise, you can totally do this one on your forearm!

WEARING | leggings c/o Terez (get 25% off with code nicole25) // Athleta tank (old but you can shop their current tank selection here) // Nike sneakers

Side note: I LOVE the skull leggings I’m wearing in today’s post! If you look closely at the pattern it almost looks like someone beadazzled jeggings. Which actually sounds awful, but it’s not haha. You can get 25% off ANY Terez leggings or apparel with code nicole25.

Filed Under: Abs, Bodyweight, Pyramid, Video, Workouts