Monthly Archives: February 2012

Where did this passion come from?

Posted by Jess Sutera in fitness, family, healthy eating, sisters, barre n9ne, paying it forward

As I sat in Terminal B at Logan Airport yesterday waiting for my flight to San Jose to board, I flipped through blog comments from my post. I smiled at the words “inspiration” and “passion” that seemed to be popular themes among the comments.

…and, as I settled into my seat on the plane, I got to thinking.

Where did this passion (for healthy living) come from?

I mean, I know that passion tends to be ingrained, but it’s got to start from somewhere, or something, right? I sat and turned the question over in my mind and suddenly, my mind returned to a childhood memory.

Of opening my lunchbox to find applesauce and “ants on a log” (celery with peanut butter in the middle as the “log” and raisins as the “ants” – to this day, I still love this snack!) sitting there staring back at me. Looking around at my fellow classmates, who chomped on bags of chips and cookies, and I knew my snacks were “different” than everyone else’s but that was ok (mostly) by me.

I remember looking back at that time and thinking, “wow, my mom really buckled down on the healthy eating thing when we were little. I dig that.”

Fast forward to middle school.  My parents had split up. My mom was now raising her triplet daughters on her own. She did so with one income and not much in the way of child support, all while putting herself through college and working full-time. She was (and still is) supermom. I admire her strength, perseverance and commitment to giving us the best possible life she could at that time while working on giving us a better life by finishing her degree (she later graduated summa cum laude from Wellesley College – go mom!!).

But it was during that time, when money was extremely tight, that I first experienced what it was like to be unable. Unable to choose the healthiest and highest quality foods to eat. Unable to dedicate large chunks of time (and money) to physical activity (we weren’t the “typical” kids who were granted the luxury of taking ballet, dance, or gymnastics classes or participating in school sports).  Unable to do many of the “typical” things most kids our age totally took for granted,  having no idea what it was like to be unable.

It was also during this time, that I distinctly recall feeling extremely grateful. That I had a mom who worked her tail off to put food, any food, on the table for us. That we had incredible grandparents who routinely made us dinners and carted us around while mom was busy with school. That my sisters and I had each other – to look after one another every single day, taking turns making dinners (which is a whole post in and of itself, lots of funny stories from that time), and being our own mini-family when mom was in school or at work or at home but distracted with homework.

Sure, we didn’t have the best options for meals – Chef Boyardee beefaroni made regular appearances at the dinner table, as did Tuna Helper and other quick-fix meals that offered nourishment of sorts, but very little in the way of fresh, healthy, wholesome ingredients, to say the least. But at that point in time? We didn’t care – it was food, it didn’t matter where it came from or what was in it.

Fast forward to high school and then college. My mom finished her degree, got herself an excellent job at an area school as a technology director, and the money strain lessened a bit. Fresh ingredients returned to the table. I started going to the YMCA, and then the gym at my college, and I started to see just how incredible the world of healthy living was again. I had it as a child, missed out on it as a pre-teen/teen and had it back in my life in my early-20s and onward.  

…and the rest, as they say, is history. My passion for healthy living took center stage in my life for good.

I say all of this not to create some sort of pity party that we endured a bit of a “rough patch” growing up (because honestly, during that time my sisters and I didn’t really even recognize how tough we had it until years and years later and we looked back in comparison one day…). I say all of this, sharing this bit of history with you, because I now see that this is where my passion comes from.

I’ve seen both sides of the equation. The inability to choose to be healthy. And then the ability to make my own choices and to naturally find myself gravitating towards a  healthy, fit and energetic lifestyle. One that I completely credit to the early years when my mom insisted on raisins over m&ms, bananas over bags of chips and tree climbing and fort building outside over hours spent motionless in front of the TV.

This is why I am who I am.

Because I’ve seen both sides. Experienced both sides. And now I can fully appreciate the ability to choose healthy. Gratefully so. Yet another reason why this journey towards becoming barre n9ne-certified means the world to me. Just like I said before, it’s my chance to pay it forward. In way more ways than one.

So next time someone asks me: Where did your passion come from? I’ll say – it’s a long story, shall we chat over coffee? ;-)

Packed / Not Packed

Posted by Jess Sutera in healthy eating, barre n9ne, career

Packed:

Not Packed:


Yup, you read that right – I did not pack my running sneakers for this trip out to Cali for work. I’m not planning to run at all while I’m there. No running? Me?? Who is this person??

This person is thisclose to teaching the first of two “demo” classes at barre n9ne in preparation for her barre n9ne certification.

Which means that every single second of every single day that I have a moment to spare? This girl will be practicing, prepping and counting her way to March 9th (class #1) and March 12th (class #2).

<eeeek>

I figured if I even attempted to fit my sneakers into my suitcase along with those weights, resistance band and all of my cute outfit options for this trip out, I’d be very tempted to run in the morning before work versus using that 90 minutes or so before work to practice, b9-style.

And honestly? Even though traveling the week before my big debut at barre n9ne stresses me out a shitton wee bit, the fact that I’ve got 90 minutes every single morning this week to devote to barre n9ne practice in my room? HUGE opportunity. And I’m determined as all hell to make the best possible use of that time.

Because this girl? Yeah, she’s chasing that dream: of becoming not just any barre n9ne instructor, but one of the best there is. Because this is my dream. And I’m here to grab it, and when I do? I’m holding on tight and never letting go.

Wish me luck this week — it’s bound to be filled to the brim with long, long days and nights but I’m gonna do my best to embrace it like a pro, un-routine and all.

And don’t you worry – I have my healthy snacks packed and ready to go, just like last time around.

Packed:

Let’s do this.

Foodie Friday — food repeats

Posted by Jess Sutera in foodie friday, healthy eating

Hill repeats, speed repeats…food repeats?

Yup, food repeats. They’ve been happening a lot up in here for the latter half of this week since returning from Little Rock (where wine was on repeat, above all else, hah). And it’s not because I don’t have plenty of food options to choose from,  I’ve just been gravitating towards certain foods this week. I think it’s mainly because I’m back on the traveling bandwagon next week for work so I’m trying like hell to fit in as many of my favorite healthy foods as possible before I’m back in un-routine mode again.

So what types of food repeats are going on over here? Well, why don’t I show you? ;-P

Coffee — homemade and lots of it. (working from home has saved me a bundle due to lack of Starbucks runs! I now reserve those for “venti Friday” for the most part, hehe).  This pic is actually from the cute little diner we found in the Baltimore airport en route to Little Rock last Saturday. I couldn’t help myself – there is just *something* about diner coffee (it’s gotta be the mugs!) that does it for me…

Flatout wraps filled with yummy goodness. My body must be craving iron because I’ve been stealing the deli roast beef from Scott’s stash for my own sandwiches this week. With a laughing cow herb-flavored cheese, lots of baby romaine and a side of fresh-cut cantaloupe, strawberries and blackberries. In a word: drool.

Bananas. Perfectly ripe. Bright yellow with a hint of green at the stem. Perfect. On their own. Paired with peanut butter (shocker). Or sliced into my oatmeal. <3

Other items in heavy rotation? Salads at dinner. I eat one with every dinner for the most part, come to think of it. And Chobani – with some chia seeds on top to keep me full. Annnnd oatmeal, obviously. That’s a daily occurrence around here – I even got to enjoy Heather‘s version of oatmeal while in Little Rock, twas lovely. ;-)

Even though I love variety in the foods that I eat, there’s also something to be said for certain food repeats, the good ‘ol standbys, if you will. Can be so very comforting and nourishing all at once. Exactly why I’ll miss it SO MUCH next week while in Cali for work. At least we all know by now that I come prepared for situations such as this – got my plain instant oatmeal, mini-packs of peanut butter, protein bars for in-a-pinch quick meals, and apples, all practically packed already in my carry-on, why yes, indeed!

…but I digress…((un-routine)) right??

Happy foodie friday friends – eat up! ;-P

On quieting the mind.

Posted by Jess Sutera in breathe, challenge, dream, inspiration

So after getting back from Little Rock on Tuesday night, I ended up feeling very restless.
…and anxious.

I could not quiet my mind.

There were a ton of reasons for all that chatter going on in my head, but mostly — my mind kept going back to those dreams of mine I’ve been chasing. My mind was gravitating towards fear. Not exactly an emotion you’d typically equate with dream catching, right?

And then it dawned on me (with a little help from the hubs – he gives the best ‘tough love’ pep talks, I swear): why let fear hold me back from reaching my true potential? Why is my immediate reaction to get scared and want to step back, far away from my dreams instead of racing towards them?

…because chasing dreams is hard. It goes back to getting outside comfort zones, getting way outside of your cozy little life and putting yourself out there. Like really out there.

But then, isn’t that what dreams are made of? Your dreams are little bits and pieces of all the things you’ve always hoped your life could be and making them a reality. Your reality.

So rather than fear that new reality, why not embrace it with joy and excitement and enthusiasm? Versus letting fear steal away the joy that chasing and catching a dream should be all about?

Afterall…not many people get the chance to make their dreams a reality. If ever.

So this is me – banishing fear in favor of joy and making those dreams of mine a reality. My reality.

*****This post brought to you by one of the most mind-quieting runs I’ve ever had. Seven solid miles. 40 degree temps at 7am in February in Boston. My favorite running partner by my side. The cool air rushing past my face. My mind quieting with every step I took. An incredibly quiet, but amazing runner’s high. One my mind needed even more than my body.*****

Disconnecting and (re) connecting – blogger style

Posted by Jess Sutera in breathe

I’m back from Little Rock after what can only be described as the most disconnected yet (re) connecting weekend away. Who knew that was even possible when that weekend away revolved around a long overdue blogger meet-up with fab friend Heather from Where’s the Beach??

Because let’s be honest – the first thing you’d think of when envisioning an entire weekend together as bloggers is lots of blogging, tweeting, facebooking, etc. Uber-connectivity, to say the least.

But that was not what this weekend was about. Instead, it was about re-connecting, being present…jamming as much fun into four days as possible.

While Heather did a much better job detailing our weekend in her weekend recap post (which I LOVED reading when I landed last night in Boston!), I’m here to share sights and sounds (yes, sounds!) from our weekend in Little Rock.

Sights and sounds – Little Rock blogger meet-up style:

…there was laughter, most often shared over a glass (or two, or three, or, er…) of wine.

(Zin Wine Bar – in a word: awesome)

(post-shoe shopping glass ‘o wine – genius idea, really)

…there were lots of new experiences, including a visit to the horse track where Scott made out like a bandit and where I finally got to meet Heather’s sis, Sarah (who is awesome btw); and new foods to try like Heather’s enchiladas (Scott loved them which is huge for my meat-loving husband!). But oops, no pics of our dinner – see? We weren’t true bloggers this weekend, snapping food pics left and right. I wasn’t kidding – disconnecting all over the place!

(wine in a plastic cup – keeping it classy!)

…there was sight-seeing thanks to Heather’s husband who made a fabulous tour guide. My favorite was seeing the Two Rivers and Big Dam bridges as well as the River Market, two areas that Heather likes to go running. It was so cool to see where she spends lots of time!

….there were lots of puppy snuggles with Maddie and Heath, seriously the cutest dogs ever. We won them over pretty quickly, especially Heath – who loves to give hugs and I *love* to receive them!

…and there was one very bloggy thing to do — our first-ever vlog. Done together since it scared the sh*t out of us intimidated us to do solo and it was done over wine since well, wine makes everything better, no? This was our attempt at a blogger PSA – if you haven’t seen it yet, I’d urge you to give it a quick viewing, but more importantly – I’d urge you to attempt a weekend like this. Of disconnecting, staying present, and truly re-connecting.

I could go on and on and ON about this weekend – it was that much fun. But most of all? It gave us all a much-needed break from routine, from our own little realities, giving us a chance to experience life together in a new way which I totally dig.

And might I add? Heather and Jason are phenomenal hosts! The bar is set awfully high for their visit up here at some point this summer. My wheels are already spinning like crazy — there’s so much I want to show them, they may as well come up for an entire month. ;-)

Finding your healthy (happy) place

Posted by Jess Sutera in 60 day transformation, barre n9ne, body image, confidence, guest blog, healthy eating, journey

One of my all-time-besties is Steph. We first became friends when we decided to train to become Group Kick certified a year or so ago and since then, have run half marathons together, bonded over our now-shared obsession love of barre n9ne and have become super duper close. I heart her so. She is such a great friend with a huge, huge heart. And she’s gorgeous to boot.

Oh! And she just started blogging as she prepares for her final year of acupuncture school – she’s going to be an incredible acupuncturist one day soon, this much I know. So give her a little love today, will ya? She’s blogging for me here while I’m off hanging with the super-fab Heather in Little Rock. Thank you, Steph!! <3

**********

Finding your healthy (happy) place

I absolutely LOVE living a healthy life.

This is something fairly new for me. For the last 8 years I have been striving for a healthy life. Working out most days, eating well during the week, then too much on the weekends. I thought I was doing everything right, I mean how could I work out so much, be careful about what I ate most days and not look the way I wanted?? It made me so frustrated. I would see people who NEVER worked out, always went out to dinner, or ate what they wanted, and granted they were more overweight than I was at the time, but they didn’t seem to be gaining any weight. So why was I doing so much work just to stay the same??

It went on like this for a while…then I found my happy (healthy) place.

With the help of Jessica and Jolene of course!

Over May, June and July of last year, I learned all about their barre n9ne challenge. At first I couldn’t figure out why they were so obsessed with this place. What could be so great about it??

…then I took my first class.

Bliss.

I loved the format of the class, the people in the class, the instructors, the music, the intensity….everything.

I signed up for the 60-day Challenge and started on August 1st and never stopped.

I lost weight and inches, but even more than that? I gained so much confidence, a love for my body and I finally found my own happy, healthy place. And for that I will be forever grateful.

Barre n9ne has become such a wonderful place for some major “me” time. Of course I love the barre dates I share with Jess and Jo, but for the hour or two that I am there, it’s really all about me. I’ve worked towards that mind-body connection that barre n9ne is built on – it’s about really being able to focus on which muscle I am squeezing (which is harder than it sounds). Finally connecting to my body.

And now, I look at myself in the mirror — I mean really look at my whole body — and am completely amazed at how much I LOVE it. It’s not perfect, nor will it ever be, but it’s strong, it’s healthy, it’s beautiful, and it’s mine.

Barre n9ne is my happy place, but it’s really so much more than that.

My real happy (healthy) place isn’t really a place, but this lifestyle I have made my own. This healthy lifestyle that I love so much — it doesn’t feel like work, it just feels like me.

A happy, healthy me.

And you know what the best thing is?
…anyone can do this! You don’t have to go to barre n9ne. You don’t have to be a runner or a biker. You just have to find what you love! You have to find your own happy (healthy) place. Find a healthy lifestyle that works for you, that you enjoy. That you are downright passionate about.

When people tell me they hate working out, or they can’t do it, I tell them to try something new. Maybe it’s walking and chatting with a friend a few times a week, or trying a new class. Because once you find what makes you happy it will make you healthy too!

It’s so important to get into a habit of being active, and continually working to become stronger and healthier. Adopting an active lifestyle that you look forward to instead of dread makes all the difference. If you hate going to the gym and are just waiting for your workout to be over, instead of enjoying and connecting, is it really even worth it?

If someone tells me they can’t diet because they love to eat, I urge them to try a food log. It’s worked wonders for me, taking responsibility for what I put in mouth, without losing my love for food. Without feeling restricted – like I can’t have certain foods that I love. With the food log, I can have ice cream if I want (I <3 ice cream). Of course, there are days when it’s frustrating to log but those days are few and far between and honestly, it's not meant to be perfect, just like we aren't meant to be perfect all the time. But the food log works for me, it takes away the stress of dieting and the wondering if I'm eating the right amounts of food for what my body needs. It really is an amazing tool for me.

Bottom line: Find your own happy (healthy) place. And embrace it.

…my happy (healthy) place is enjoying classes at barre n9ne, running, using my food log to keep myself in check while learning what my body really needs.

…my happy place is zipping up a pair of size 0 pants and not believing that I was a size 6 just months ago.

…it’s loving what I see in the mirror, and honestly appreciating and loving the strength and beauty (and hotness!) of my own body. Finally.

…it’s knowing that I’m doing good for me. Yes, me. And knowing that this is a lifestyle I will keep because it’s not a diet, it’s not me trying to lose weight, it’s me living. It’s me.

Find a healthy lifestyle that makes you happy and rock it. Find your happy (healthy) place. Find yourself.

On teaching myself to run…for me.

Posted by jobo in running and tagged with , , ,

Hi friends!

When my sis asked me to guest post for her while she’s away, my mind was actually pretty blank, to be honest. But today, it hit me. As I stood at mile 11, waiting for our fabulous bloggy friend Samantha to pass us (meeting up with Meaghan, who is supremely awesome!) as she ran the Hampton Half Marathon, it hit me. As I saw the runners whizzing past, at all paces, and seeing some faces scrunched up in struggle, while others had their eye on the prize, I just saw something in their faces: they were running for themselves…above all else, they were running for them, and nobody else. Sure, some were intent on finishing first, or PRing or breaking an old PR, but the common thread was that it was for them. The run. 

And that is something I have very much struggled with over the last year. Why I run. For awhile, I lost sight of that, and ran because I thought I should. And trained for two half marathons because I thought I should, because my sister and my friend Steph were running them, but after a second half marathon that just didn’t go nearly as planned, I knew I needed to throw that book out the window and start clean.

Thus, I proclaimed that I love to run, but I do not love to race. And born from that was my 6-month run challenge (read up on it here) that I built for myself to sustain some distance during the cold winter months (complete with challenging myself to run outside in the cold, something I’d never really done in seasons past) and to maybe even build up my pace a bit from my usual 10mm that I can’t seem to break.

What I didn’t expect to gain from this challenge, now, 3 months in, was this: it has helped me re-inspire and re-capture why I run and more importantly, why I like to run. I’m conquering the breathing problems that have plagued me, I am gaining some speed, I am running consistently, and I have even embraced my aforementioned abhorrence for intervals.

And in the process? I’ve learned to love running again and to ultimately run for me, and only me. In this bloggy world filled with runners of all varieties, it’s so easy for me to get caught up in what everyone else is doing…but for the first time in a long time, I’m really just focused on what I am doing, and nothing else. The way it should be.

And that, my friends, is how I’ve taught myself to run…for me. 

For anyone out there that is struggling with this very thing – running for you and not letting anything else affect that…take it from me, it can be done. I am proof and I am thrilled with how far I’ve come, moreso mentally even, than physically.

So, take that gamble, get your head in the game and figure out why you run, and then just go for it. You’ll probably surprise yourself with what you’re actually capable of when you’re focusing on just you, just running.

Foodie Friday – interrupted!

Posted by Jess Sutera in breathe

**Alert! Alert!! This edition of Foodie Friday interrupted for a very important message from your EatDrinkBreatheSweat editor***

Sooooo – about Foodie Friday today. Let’s just say this girl found herself just a wee bit distracted by a pretty big event coming up this weekend and did NOT get her post together on her *other* favorite topic (other than sweat!) — food.

What could that “big event” possibly be?

Welllllll — as I mentioned to you at the start of the month, this month includes a fair bit of travel. Some for work. Some for pleasure.

The fun trip? I am FINALLY going to visit my blog bestie Heather who I have not seen in almost two years. She is a kindred spirit – I swear we share a brain 99.9999% of the time. We leave on Saturday (at the wee early hour of 6:30 am at an airport that’s almost an hour from us, great planning on my part *yawn*) — which means last night was all about packing for the trip.

…now a word about packing. It gives me GREAT anxiety. As in it keeps me awake at night. Literally. Let me give you a case in point. This is my brain whilst in packing mode, while laying in bed the other night trying, very unsuccessfully, to fall asleep:

…I can’t forget to bring a hoodie to wear to that spin class Heather wants to go to on Monday.

…oh! speaking of workouts, I better not wear that new pair of Victoria’s Secret knockout crops to the studio tomorrow. I want to wear them to that spinning class.

…I think I’ll bring that cardigan and tank that I wore on Christmas Eve. I haven’t worn that in awhile.

…or maybe I’ll bring that black and white polka-dot top I wore the day after Christmas instead. I’ve only worn that one once and I love that top.

…crap. Shoes. I need options. Hm.

…hm, what about jeans. I’ll wear skinnies and boots on the flight, easier to wear vs. packing, but what do I want to wear home. Jeans? An old pair of lulu pants I used to wear when I taught Kick? Ohh, my I Heart Sweat shirt would be great on the plane, I won’t get hot.

…repeat this little monologue for no less than an hour, and you’d be in my brain the other night.

So what’s a needlessly anxiety-ridden girl to do when faced with packing for a wicked fun trip? Well — she does what any rationale human being would do. She drinks a glass of wine *while* packing.

It’s genius, really.


My husband was all about that idea — he’ll do anything to get me to chill the f*ck out relax when it comes to picking out outfits and packing them for a trip. So we happily cheers’d before the packing commenced.

And honestly (surprisingly)? It wasn’t nearly as bad as I envisioned. I think it’s probably because I had spent so much time packing and re-packing in my head that when it came to actually DOING it? I was ready to go. Or maybe the glass of wine did the trick. ;-)

Either way — we’re packed and ready to GO, as you can see from Exhibit A:

So after tonight’s barre n9ne teacher training practice run, I’ll be forcing myself to bed as early as I can so that 3:45am wake-up call stings slightly less. Expect some updates from me (and Heather) at some point during this trip.  Lots of tweets. And maybe a vlog. Yup, I said it, a vlog. <—Heather, now we’re on the hook, it’s in writing!

Happy weekend friends!! And Heather – SEE you soon!!! Wheee!!!

Strength is…

Posted by Jess Sutera in challenge, confidence, growth, inspiration, no limits, strength

Strength is…

…pushing past boundaries. Boundaries you’ve set. Maybe without realizing it. Or maybe you have. Or maybe those boundaries were set by someone or something else. And you push past. That is strength.

…choosing to challenge yourself. With intention. And purpose. Not going halfway and stopping. But taking it all the way. Not just completing a challenge, but crushing it. That is strength.

…embracing discomfort. Stepping way outside of your safe little world and into a world of unknowns. And charging forward. With courage. Even if that means ‘faking it until you make it.’ Because getting uncomfortable enacts change, evolutions. That is strength.

…Dream. Dream. Dream. And then turn those dreams into your reality. That is strength. 

Strength is…

<Editor’s Note: This post came to me after a really solid day at my new job, where I found myself stepping outside of my world and embracing the discomfort. And it was followed by a particularly intention-filled barre n9ne class. Where I felt focused. Sure of myself. And most of all? I felt strong.

…I must say, this ‘year of no limits’ is off to a damn good start. Rock. On. >

Love to run – winter and summer edition

Posted by Jess Sutera in running, sweat, barre n9ne, Chicago Marathon, speed, rundate, Cox Rhode Race half marathon

So, after seeing tons and tons of “why I love to run” style blog posts yesterday in honor or Valentine’s Day thanks to #runchat’s call for posts on the topic on Sunday, I got to thinking about my own lovefest with running.

But rather than talk about why I (love to) run – which I’ve covered a couple of times already here and there (though I feel like I could answer that question differently any day of the week!), I thought I’d take a slightly different slant.

Why I love to run – the winter and summer edition.
(mainly because, up until this winter, I used to despise winter running. And now I don’t (so much). But I digress. Let’s carry on, shall we?)

Winter:

It’s freezing.
…which makes you run faster. As in holy-hell-there-must-be-crazy-angry-polar-bears-chasing-me fast. <—this was how Sunday's run went, thanks to 15 degree temps and mad wind.

…being freezing means two things.
1 – you’re alive and ought to be pretty darn excited about that fact.
2 – you get to pick out wicked cute (and warm) running tights, running hoodies, headbands, etc. And lust after a few items over at Lululemon, wistfully hoping for them to magically appear on the “we made too much” section. Like this:

(I WANT.)

And, winter running means be-friending the dreadmill which for me translates into interval training and hill work. Both equally puketastic. Both equally needed if I want to kill my half marathon in May…and to set me up nicely for Chicago Marathon training which begins in June (um, puke…that’s coming up pretty quick…)

Summer:

You sweat. A LOT. I dig that.
(recycled post-rundate pic from this summer)

You get to run much, much earlier in the AM and outside, not on the treadmill. Which means – birds chirping, bunny sightings, warm summer air and ridiculous runner’s highs. I have such fond memories of summertime rundates with my running buddies Steph and Jo, and many long rundates with Scott. Come to think of it, summertime is actually where most of my half marathon training has taken place, to date. So I guess you can say I’m a big-time summer runner, high heat and muggies, be damned.

…which from what I hear is a good thing given the weather for the Chicago Marathon can be fairly unpredictable (but usually pretty warm). <–so choosing this as my first full marathon was a wicked smaht move, who knew?!

And – it takes far less time to “gear up” for a summertime run than a wintertime run. Don’t get me wrong, I dig all the cute winter running gear I’ve accumulated (or lusted after) this season, but nothing compares to running in nothing but Lululemon run shorts and a tank top.

(after the YuKanRun half marathon with Isabel – she’s so little here!)

…which reminds me of a little goal or “bet” that Jo, Steph and I have. That this summer will be the summer we will throw caution to the wind and run in just shorts and a sports bra. Something none of us has ever been brave enough to do (in public) before. Eek. We promised we’d make it happen this year, that we’d let go of insecurity and own that run. Call it a running bucket list item if you want, but dammit – we’re making it happen this year. Right, ladies??

So, this post turned into a bit of a rambly mess, I hope you don’t mind. Sometimes my mind wanders all over the place when I’m blogging, especially when it comes to running. It’s on my mind a LOT lately. That and barre n9ne, barre n9ne, barre n9ne. Not much room in my brain these days for much else.

…which I don’t consider a bad thing. Not. At. All. ;-)