Category: Gear

Berlei Underwired Running Bra

One comment

When I first started running, my clothes lacked a certain elegance. Okay, they lacked any elegance. I wore a cheapy £10 pair of trainers, a pair of thick heavy tracksuit bottoms and a thick heavy hooded fleece, under which I wore a normal cotton t-shirt and under that I wore two normal bras at the same time. I did eventually upgrade to some proper running shoes and a pair of running tights after plucking up the courage to go into the Runner’s Need near my workplace and I bought a couple of sports bras on eBay.

Most of my early sports bras were the crop top type but they seem to have gone out of fashion and since then they’ve been made of a variety of clips and straps and stuff that I can’t do up, so my usual method of putting on a sports bra is to do all the clips and straps and stuff up and pull it over my head, crop top stylee. I’m sure that’s the best way to damage a sports bra but needs must and all that.

I do have one sports bra that has a zip up the front and you’d think that would be super simple to put on but that still requires a certain amount of tugging and pulling.

Recently, Berlei sent me a running bra to try. It looked so pretty and unsportsbra-like it stayed in the packaging for a while. The bra also didn’t look like it was up to much support-wise as it just looks like and does up like a normal bra. Still, I eventually put it on and gave it a go. Despite its flimsy looks, it has all the support you could want. It’s also as simple as a normal bra to put on and is so comfortable, you don’t even feel it’s there when you’re running. There is also a matching pair of knickers and I was going to post a selfie when I remembered there was already a photo of me modelling the set on the Berlei website.

berlei-sports-bra

The Berlei underwired running bra is £32 and the matching knickers are £16. Both are available on the Berlei website in a range of colours.

Review: Camelbak Mule Hydration Backpack

Leave a comment

When I used to do a running commute, I needed a running rucksack. I’d tried running to the gym with the free rucksack I’d got from the gym but soon realised a waistband is a must, unless you like a bag full of kit bouncing up and down on your back.

My first running commute rucksack purchase was a cheapy Puma one – I think it cost about a tenner – which doubled up as a hydration backpack; it just came without the bladder. I didn’t have any need of a bladder until taking part in the Three Peaks Challenge in 2008, so I bought one on eBay to save me having to keep stopping to take my drinks bottle out of my rucksack.

puma-rucksack

The Puma rucksack has been used dozens, if not hundreds of times and although it’s the perfect size to put a few small things in, I want to do some long cycle rides over the summer and it’s not going to be big enough for a full bladder and anything else I want to take with me such as a lock and also leaving room for anything I might want to buy on my travels (for example, I can’t go past the Pilgrims Hospice Bookshop in Dymchurch without popping in and buying books).

So, an upgrade was needed and the upgrade came in the form of the Camelbak Mule Hydration Backpack.Poppy-Orange

Okay, I’m cheating and using the photo from the website. Here’s my not-so-glamorous pic.

mule-camelbak

Pretty though, isn’t it? I love the colour and I love that it’s not too big and I especially love that it has about a zillion pockets in it. It’s even got pockets in pockets and ‘integrated helmet hooks that utilize chinstraps to carry a variety of styles’ (I think that means you can carry your hat on it).

mule-camelbak-back

It comes with a bladder and I’m not going to pretend I know much about bladders other than they hold a drink and you suck it through a hose thing because that’d be lying and we all know lying’s bad, don’t we? But according to the blurb, the bladder has a 100oz/3L capacity, 1/4 turn cap, a low profile design, dryer arms and a quick link system.

camelbak-bladder

I used the rucksack on the recent 55 mile Pilgrims Hospice Cycle Challenge and it was light and comfy and it held what I wanted it to and I didn’t notice I was wearing it, which is all I want from a rucksack really.

pilgrims-challenge

If you want a pretty orange Camelbak like mine, or perhaps one in a different colour or style, you can get one at the Blackleaf website.

The Sock Mine: Running and Cycling Socks

Leave a comment

I have real trouble finding decent running socks. My favourite are my Reebok ones but they’re so old and hard now, they can almost stand up by themselves and are only my favourite because they a) fit; b) don’t give me blisters; and c) don’t fall down at the back. I bought a few pairs of Puma which were supposedly in my size but are way too big; other running socks I have either give me blisters or are too short and fall down at the back into my trainers.

So, hurrah for The Sock Mine. The Sock Mine are a family-run UK-based manufacturer and have just launched a range of technical running and cycling socks. And guess what? Yep, they fit and they don’t fall down into my trainers and they don’t give me blisters and they’re comfy and they have that left and right thing going on which only serves to make me spend more time than necessary putting socks on as I try and remember my left from my right.

 

sock-mine-running-socks

 

I wore my running socks again today (I use the word ‘running’ loosely) and they still had that soft-and-clean-new-socks feeling (although anything has a soft-and-clean-new-socks feeling compared to my crusty old Reebok socks) despite having been through the washing machine.

If you’re into your technical blurb that accompanies a lot of socks, you’ll find plenty on the Sock Mine website. For example, these Cool Runner socks “provide soft cushioning in major contact areas, whilst the moisture management system from the COOLMAX yarn wicks away moisture from the skin leaving feet comfortable and dry”.

There’s even a little diagram for people like me who, when they see the technical blurb, actually see, ‘blahblahblahstuffnooneunderstands’.

technical-blurb

Ah, it all makes sense now.

Win £25 to spend at Tony Pryce Sports (no minimum purchase necessary)

24 comments

tony-pryce-sports

Tony Pryce Retail Ltd is one of the largest independent sports retailers in the South West of England and has been trading since 1978.

They sell gear for running, badminton, football, hockey, rugby, squash and general fitness for men, women and children by all the big brands including – amongst many others – Asics, Brooks, adidas, New Balance and Reebok.

Win a £25 voucher to spend at Tony Pryce Sports

If you’d like a £25 voucher to spend at the Tony Pryce website, just leave a comment below and I’ll pick a winner at random after the closing date of midnight, Saturday 23 November 2013.

There’s no minimum purchase necessary, so you’ve got nothing to lose!

It’s not a condition of entering the competition, but Tony Pryce Sports would really like it if you could like their Facebook Page and follow them on Twitter.

Locklaces – cures untied laces and having your bum stared at

2 comments

My parents taught me a few things when I was a child. Amongst these things were reading, writing, telling the time, knowing my left and right, and tying my laces. I can – at the age of 43 – still do all of these things; admittedly, some of them better than others (please don’t ask me for directions. All my rights will be left and vice versa).

Thanks to spending the last twenty years wearing either DMs or Converse, I’ve had plenty of practice tying laces. However, when it comes to running shoes, my laces never stay tied. Which is why Locklaces are ace. They’re so ace, they should have the slogan:

Locklaces are so ace

when you’re running a race,

you’ll have a smiley face

with these lace-s

innit.

They come in loads of pretty colours, including purple and pink and yellow and orange and blue and green and red and black.

Locklaces asked me if I’d like to try some. As I couldn’t decide which colour to have out of purple or pink or yellow or orange or red, I threw caution to the lace-based wind and let them decide. They decided to send me a black pair and a blue pair. Ho hum.

On the back of the packet are instructions.

lock-laces-back

Also on the back of the packet it says who the laces are suitable for. I’m not sure which category I fit into.

lock-laces-who-for

You lace them through your shoes like normal laces, squeeze the lock and thread each lace through the lock. Cut the ends of the laces off and insert the laces into the clip. The remaining lace will dangle annoyingly.

lock-laces-up

But you can tuck them under the tied lace bit, and because the laces are elastic, it’s really simple.

lock-laces-under

With the laces being elastic, they take a bit of trial and error tying them to the right tightness. When I first tested them, I started getting cramp in my calf, which is unusual for me, so I diagnosed myself with ‘too-tight-lacesness’ and loosened them and yay, the cramp was cured – just call me Dr White. (Actually, on second thoughts, don’t, as I’d sound like something you’d find in the feminine hygiene aisle in the supermarket.)

The most definite good thing about the laces being elastic though is, when you get home, you can be really lazy and just slip them off without untying them and get on with telling Facebook and Twitter you’ve just been for a run stretching. Obviously though, the most most definite good thing about them is the laces stay done up. No more bending over to tie up your laces and hoping no one’s staring at your bum. Hooray for Locklaces and their amazing bum-staring prevention properties.

Locklaces are available online from the Locklaces website or from Amazon UK, Chain Reaction Cycles and probably lots of other places in the UK.

As Seen On TV – The Running Mat

4 comments

the-running-mat

If you watched Dragons’ Den last night, you’ll have seen The Running Mat (if you didn’t watch it, you can see it on iPlayer from about 14:30 onwards). The grumpy Scottish one wasn’t impressed; he said, ‘is this a joke?’, ‘you can not be serious’ and ‘are you taking the mick?’ while the tall one was equally unimpressed and called the nice blonde Geordie girl who brought in the Running Mat a ‘numpty’.

Still, that didn’t matter, as the new Dragon who looks like Chrissie in Eastenders (you know, the one that was married to Den and helped murder him) and Deborah liked it  and made her an offer so now she’s got two Dragons on board (although, personally, my favourite Dragon is the tall one and not just because he’s tall. *is totally because he’s tall*).

Because I am soooooo bang on trend, I already have a The Running Mat. Not that I’ve used it as I don’t usually stop to do floor exercises when I’m out for a run. Shaun said it would be handy for people who do BMF but then we thought if people turned up with mats, the BMF army boy twats would shout at them, take their mats away and make them do press ups in a muddy puddle. I’ve never been to BMF, so if it’s not run by army boy twats who make you do press ups in a muddy puddle, my apologies. I bet it is though.

Anyway, here I am demonstrating The Running Mat. As you can see, you can run with it

the-running-mat-running

Do press ups on it (handy for ‘athons, eh?)

the-running-mat-press-up

And do crunches on it.

the-running-mat-crunches

I like The Running Mat, don’t listen to that grumpy Scottish man.

 

 

 

Kalenji Kiprun medium distance running shoes

Leave a comment

Kalenji (sold exclusively through Decathlon stores) have introduced a new range, the Kiprun. Kiprun is a range so simple there are only three to choose from:

  • Kiprun SD (Short Distance) for 10km
  • Kiprun MD (Medium Distance) for half marathon
  • Kiprun LD (Long Distance) for marathon

I like simple, so, when they asked me if I’d like to review a pair, bearing in mind I’ve got the Great South Run coming up, I chose the half-marathon ones. These medium distance shoes also come in a choice of neutral or pronation so, as I – despite being undoubtedly wonky in places – am a neutral runner, I chose those.

kalenji-running-shoes

Considering how light they are, they’re surprisingly cushioned and comfy. If I tried these on in a shop, I’d think ‘yes, these are the shoes for me’ (and then obviously trying on six more pairs before going back to the first pair and buying those).

I love these shoes. They’re light and springy and a perfect fit. My original thought on their appearance was they were a bit on the dull side, but when I got outside the pink bits were glowing neon. My last pair of running shoes cost £130, these are £69.99. I know which I’ll be buying next time.

So, today, I had the perfect shoes and the perfect running weather – warm but with a cooling breeze and a touch of drizzle.

Still did a shit time though. Ho hum.

For more information on the Kalejni Kiprun medium distance running shoes, visit their website.




Creak

4 comments

Creak. That’s the sound of my joints aching or the noise of the seams of my clothes bursting, take your pick. I’ve been a bit lax taking my glucosamine (I’ve been buying vegetarian ones from Health Span for a few years as they’re much cheaper than Holland & Barrett) – I know people say supplements are a con, but I know my joints creak when I stop taking them and stop creaking when I do. So, it’s either the supplements or I walk round in sports braces all day and I know what I’d rather do.

The seams of my clothes bursting is all my fault though, so I went to the gym this morning. Plus, I had a new sports bra to try out. Shock Absorber has always been my number one favourite sports bra and now they’ve done something amazing. They’ve made one you don’t need a degree in mechanical engineering to get in and out of.

The Shock Absorber Zipped Plunge Sports Bra has – unsurprisingly – a zip down the front. That’s it. No hooks and clasps to fiddle with and swear at, so even when you’re dripping in sweat, you just unzip it and it’s off. Another bonus with the lack of hooks and clasps is that it’s wonderfully comfortable. It’s only £25 which I think is a bit of a bargain.

Shock-Absorber-Active-Zipped-Plunge-back

Another bargain bit of kit I got recently was my US Pro leggings. I don’t like short shorts, or ones that are just under the knee. My preferred length, any time of year, is three-quarters and these are fab. A great length that doesn’t ride up, a waist band that’s high enough and stays up and all for £12.00.

US-Pro-leggings

 

I’ve got a new running app to try out tomorrow so I’m going to have to go for a run. I probably should anyway, seeing as I’ve got the London Duathlon and the Great South Run coming up. With all that running, maybe I should get some new shoes too. Perhaps some nice bright purple Asics, like these one here?

Go-ID Personal Emergency ID Kit

Leave a comment

I used to have the Cram Alert ID, but that’s a subscription based ID and it expired aaaaaaaaaaaaages ago and I wasn’t going to renew it, especially as I could never do the stupid thing up. I looked at other IDs but didn’t get around to buying one, which means I go running ID-less.

Then I got the chance to try out Go-ID which lets you create your own ID online, then print it out in your own home.

When you buy your ID kit, you’ll be sent a metal fob that you can either affix to your running watch, or tie to your shoelace or hang on your zip or backpack. You’ll also get everything you need (except the printer) to print your label; the label (including extra labels in case you mess it up), the laminate to cover and protect it, velcro for affixing it to your watch and a silicon cover and metal hook for attaching it to your shoes or zip.

Sounds like a bit of a faff? Yeah, it is. It totally is, but I managed to print off my label with emergency contact details the first time I tried, albeit after a bit of tweaking to make it fit nicely (you can preview the label before printing).

go-id-label

go-id-hook

I really can’t be bothered to tie ID to my shoelaces, partly because I then spend most of the run looking down to see if it’s still there and partly because if I wanted to wear a different pair of shoes, I’d have to untie it and retie it and meh to that. So I used the supplied velcro to attach it to my Garmin.

go-id-garmin

However you want to use it, there’s plenty of instructions and diagrams on the website, which will walk you through step-by-step to make your ID.

The Go-ID kit costs $18.95 and is available in four different colours.

AWDis Girlie Cool T-Shirt

3 comments

I only did half an hour of weights yesterday, but I’m aching today. That’s what you get for not doing any exercise for a month, I suppose.

Today I went to the gym and not just because I had a new AWDis Girlie Cool T-shirt from Qtag.com I wanted to try out.

awdis-girlie-cool-t-shirt

I like this t-shirt. It fits well, it’s red (I like red), it’s got wickability, it’s comfortable and, best of all, it doesn’t cost much over six quid. Yeah, six quid for a proper technical wicking t-shirt without having to go into that well known high street shop that does cheapy sportswear but has a layout like a van backed into the shop, ejected its contents and left it there in a muddled heap. 

You don’t have to get a red one; you can get a black one, a yellow one, a purple one, a white one, a one-of-their-three-different-shades-of-blue one, a fluorescent pink one and even a kelly green one (whatever that is).

By the way, ‘AWDis’ stands for All We Do Is. I’m not sure what it is they only do. Make decent cheap t-shirts, maybe.

I got to the gym and as I got there a girl was going in and she held the door open for me and then there she was in the changing room and it’s only a small room and there was only two of us in there and so I thought I should probably make conversation or something but all I could think of to say was ‘cold, innit?’ and I’d already had the ‘cold, innit?’ conversation with the girl on reception, so I just smiled at her, hung up my coat and went out and did some gym stuff.

After being on the rowing machine and cross-trainer, I wanted to do an Audiofuel Thru the Gears session on the treadmill but I hadn’t run for nearly four weeks when I did three miles with a running group. Yes, a running group. Me, out running with other people on purpose and not just accidentally because I got caught up in a bunch of schoolkids running for the bus. Get me, Miss Social Runner.

Anyway, I managed a whole Thru the Gears session without any walking bits and felt knackered but great after.

I’m quite enjoying this Operation Stop Being a Fat Lazy Cow. I’ve still got university assignments to do though, bah.

Operation Stop Being a Fat Lazy Cow day 3
Rowing machine: 20 minutes
Cross-trainer: 20 minutes
Treadmill: 15 minutes
New t-shirts: 1
‘Cold, innit?’ dilemmas: 1

1 2 3 4 … 6