Event of the Week Urban Environmental Challenge

Hi Ladies,

Please check out this week's event. For more info click on title for link to vctc web page.

Who: Van Cortland Track Club

What: Urban Environmental Challenge 10K trail race

Where: Van cortlandt park

251st & B'way northeast corner of park

Bronx, NY 10471

When: Sunday, April 5th @ 10am

Cost: 15 dollars

Runner of the Week: Kate Pavlovich

Q:What is your most memoriable running moment?

A: So many memories: Slogging through the monsoon that was Grete’s Half Marathon in October 2006; running through farmland or along the Mississippi at peak bloom in Minnesota; the semi-inappropriate shouting by residents of Riker’s Island during their annual 5K; getting lost in unknown neighborhoods while exploring new places at home and abroad... my most memorable moment however is the most bittersweet: my first marathon in Washington DC, October 2007. Whoever thought it was a good idea to put a steep(ish) hill the last quarter mile of a marathon is a cruel person. I thought I had trained well and wouldn’t need to worry about hitting the infamous “wall”... I really don’t remember much past mile 22, but I do recall the frustration as at least 25 people passed me on that hill to Iwo Jima. I had worn my name on my shirt and heard many distinct voices urging me onward as I tried valiantly to will one leg in front of the other, but I’ve never felt that kind of complete immobilizing physical and mental anguish before (and I had swum long distance competitively for 12 years!) After all the pain and not reaching my goal, I thought I would never run a marathon again. But these things are transient. I was so happy I got to share the experience with my Mom who had flown out to watch her oldest daughter race just as her father had done so many times, the same man who had proudly served his country in the Navy. That weekend was huge in terms of mother-daughter bonding. And overall, it taught me to truly appreciate the process of training as opposed to the end result, because seriously: who really prefers the way they feel the last 3 miles of a marathon when compared to the friendships formed and solidified during 10 or 20 mile runs?

Q:What race are you training for?

A:

I’m running the Cherry Blossom 10 miler in DC on April 5th which I’m excited about just because I have so many friends running and I’ve heard the city is gorgeous. But my next big race is the inaugural Stillwater Marathon along the St. Croix river in Stillwater, Minnesota on May 24th. I’m running for my Dad, who can watch me run for the first time as he battles with his own health issues and looks to a brighter future.

Q:What do you think is missing in running apparel?

A:Without a doubt, a better place to store keys, metrocards, money, etc. Everyone knows my sweaty money story (straight out of “Curb Your Enthusiasm”) and living in NYC means there are too many things to carry that don’t fit in the tiny pockets they stick in running shorts and tights, or are so heavy they pull the tights down! A pocket on the side or back of a sports bra would actualize what I and many others already do on a daily basis and be far more stylish.

Item of the Week-Circuit Tank

Hi Ladies, Once again it is time for the "item of the week" My fellow blogger and I tried on this amazing running top at the Lululemon at Union Square (also available online) It comes in this salmon color (pictured here), white and yellow and retails at about 49 dollars. Available in sizes 4-12

What we thought:

1) Nice cut for the bust, makes you chest (big or small) look amazing

2) No built in sportsbra

3) Super lightweight

4) This is top has small silver threads woven into it to make it anti-microbial (no stinky smells) and anti static

5)Flattering lines at the bust, and check website for slimming back view photo as well.

Now... we'd like to see what you readers think.

1) Would you buy this top at this price if you were pleased with the fit? yes or no

2) Out of all the benefits we listed and website listed, which benefit was your favorite:

a-styling

b-technical details

c-comfort

d-other (please list!)

3) Any additional comments?

(Click on the "item of the week" title for the direct link to the Lululemon page with this product)

Event of the Week

It's that time of the year again. Time for the annual spring Mudder's and Grunters trail race (the muddiest 5 mile cross country race in New York state) This is one of my personal favorite races. Who says "fashionable runners" can't get muddy? After running this one three years in a row, I'm throwing in the towel this year because of another race schedule conflict in New Jersey.

Best of luck to all my teammates and friends out there, may there be an abundance of mud for you to run in.

What:Mudder's and Grunters 5 mile race

When: Sunday, March 29th 10AM

Where: FDR State Park

How much: 15 dollars Taconic club members, 17 dollars for non members

Tip: Duct tape your shoes on to avoid them getting sucked off your feet in mud/water crossings.


For more race info, please click on the title "event of the week "

Runner of the Week: Katie Heineken

Q:What is your most memoriable running moment?

A: My most memorable experience to me was running over the Queensboro Bridge in the New York City Marathon and hearing the thunderous roar of the crowd on First Avenue. Fellow runners and teammates alike have told me about the spectators on First Avenue however hearing about it and experiencing it are two completely different things. My once tired legs sprung into action and my feet had a extra kick in their step. As I exited the bridge, turned the corner and ran onto First Ave I felt like a local celebrity waving to all her fans. This was the experience of a lifetime, this was worth every single early morning run, this truly was a "runners high."

Q:What race are you training for?

A:At the moment I am training for the Los Angeles Marathon on May 25, 2009. However, the real goal occurs next September in Berlin when I hope to put forth my fastest time yet. As my favorite motto reads, impossible is nothing.

Q:What do you think is missing in running apparel?

A:As an avid runner I feel the industry lacks funky, feminine running apparel. I would love a running top that can function from Central Park to Central Bar. In training my weekends revolve around running and I would love a cute top that could easily transition from an evening (long) run to dinner/drinks. After all, aren't runners always on the run?

Katie's Quote to live by:

Running is a big question mark that's there each and every day. It asks you, "Are you going to be a wimp, or are you going to be strong today?"

focus group

As some of you may have known, we had our 1st Focus group this past Monday night. I just wanted to give a big thanks to all the girls who came out and shared their thoughts and opinions with us. Katie H. was the winner of the doorprize (gift certificate to barnes and noble) Congrats Katie. We look forward to getting everyone's email surveys in soon for our drawing at the end of the month for 2 spa gift certificates!!! Good luck girls...

Item of the week: Run Performance Tank

This tank was designed by Stella McCartney for her Adidas line. To find out more, click on the title "item of the week" for the link to her site. My fellow blogger and I tried it on last weekend at Equinox (72nd and 2nd ave) and this is how we felt:

Pros:
1) We both agreed that the diagonal lines done on the side and seaming created a "slimmer figure" Always a plus in our book!
2)The length was fairly reasonable (not too short and not too long) and could work for shorter and a longer torso.
3) Built in bra, good for small bust sizes.
Cons:
1) The stripe "cut out" that you see down the center front was made of a mesh material and a little too see-through for my taste.
2)The strap design in the back is cute, but if you were in the sun, you might end up with a funky tan line. Also the larger busted person, would have to wear a sportsbra underneath and we weren't sure how this design would go with that (seeing extra straps underneath the racer back)

Now here's where you tell us what you think? Would you buy this item if you saw it in a store? Why or why not??

Monday's Event of the Week

Hey Girls,

Check this race out! It's a newbie.

What: THE INAUGURAL FUGGETABOUTIT 5K (3.1 mi)

Where: Prospect Park Willink Entrance Off of FlatbushFlatbush Ave. & Empire Blvd.Brooklyn, NY 11225-3707

When: Saturday, March 21st

Time: 8:30 AM

You can read more details on active.com:

http://www.active.com/page/Event_Details.htm?event_id=1711858&assetId=97A5D579-EFC9-4177-8908-B16566F7CD44

New Format for readers

Happy Monday runners!

We are still in the early stages of our blog. We hope to make it better over time with your input. In addition to updates, we are going to have a rotation of topics we hope that you, the readers, will find interesting and helpful.

*MONDAYS we will post the "event or events of the week." These will be local races in the New York area as well as some nationwide events we hear about that are coming up.
*WEDNESDAYS we will post the "item of the week" These are current products on the running apparel market that you can buy on the web or in select stores.
*FRIDAYS we will post "Runner of the Week" which will highlight on some of the runners we have interviewed from our questionnaires and focus groups. You can also nominate yourself.

We want to make this blog interactive as possible. So...please feel free to share races, items, runner info and maybe it will appear on our blog. Just drop us an email.

Calling all fashionable runners!

We are having our first focus group this Monday March 16th at Ryan's Daughter in NYC! We'll start at 8:30 pm and hope you can come! If you're unable to attend, but would still like to help us: email us at thefashionablerunner@gmail.com and we will send you an attachment of the questionnaire. Yes, you can make a difference in women's running fashion if you share your opinions with us!!!!

thanks for your interest and support

First Focus Group - We need your opinions

Who: Jill Krebsbach(Rez Dogs) & Molly B. Hogan (New York Harriers)

What: A funfilled night to discuss fashion and running - what could be better?

Where: Ryans Daughter 350 E. 85th St. between 1st and 2nd

When: Monday March 16th at 8:30pm

Why: We're looking to launch a womens luxury running appareal line created specifically for the fashionable runner and need your ideas.There will be door prizes, drinks specials and light snacks!
Please RSVP to thefashionablerunner@gmail.com - this way we know how much yummy goodies to bring! Everybody is invited as long as you don't mind us talking about fashion:)

Welcome Fashionable Runners

Welcome Fashionable Runner

As two fashion conscious social runners from New York City we've started realizing that we're spending more times logging miles in Central Park than we are at work or even socializing with our girlfriends. Our Herve Ledger dresses and Hermes silk scarves are starting to wonder why we're reaching for our running shirts and tights more than we are for them.

After repeated trips to our local running shops trying to find that classic yet sophisticated running outfit we've started to realize it just doesn't exist. What’s a girl to do??

Solution: We've decided to launch a women’s luxury running apparel line created specifically for the fashionable runner. And we need your help! We've created this blog to generate some ideas and to figure out what you, the consumer, want. What is your favorite running apparel? What piece of running clothing can’t you live without? We all have that favorite running top we feel oh so good in, but what do you wish was out there? Now is your time to voice your opinion, to tell us what you love and what you hate. After all, running is just another way to define our fashion. We greatly appreciate all of your feedback.