I headed out to The Cheesecake Factory to meet up with Ryan and some of his coworkers for a goodbye lunch in Ryan’s honor.
Our group included three of Ryan’s closest coworkers and I felt honored to receive an invite!
Lunch began with the bread basket.
I had two pieces of brown bread that was warm and delicious.
Then our entrees were served.
I ordered the fresh vegetable salad.
Can you believe that salad is a small? It was bigger than the large salad from Greens & Grille!
A couple of years ago one of my former coworkers and I were talking about the ridiculous portion sizes at Cheesecake Factory when she told me to order one of their “small” salads as my entrée because they’re big enough to fill you up, but not too big that you leave the restaurant feeling like a bus.
She was totally right and the small salad portion was perfect!
I also snuck a few bites of Ryan’s meal, as always.
Now I’m back at home where I will be working as a realtor shows four different people our apartment. Not my ideal afternoon, but at least I have something fun to look forward to this evening… An engagement party for my friend Laurel!
My Favorite Running Gear
Yesterday I received an email from a blog reader asking me about my favorite running gear. After I replied, I figured it might make a decent post topic! I am obviously not an expert runner by any means, but I’ve grown to love the following gear as I’ve trained for two half marathons and run for fun in between.
My favorites include:
- Nike tempo running shorts: These shorts are perfect because they don’t ride up and cause chafing and they wick away sweat and don’t cling to your body.
- Garmin Forerunner 305: When I first opened this watch, I felt like it looked like a giant calculator and would feel big and bulky on runs. Luckily, I don’t even notice it! Sure it’s a bit bulky, but it does a great job of tracking pace, mileage, calories burned, etc. Wearing this watch helps motivate me to run a little faster and gives me freedom to just take off running without charting out a route of the exact mileage I wish to cover.
- BIC Bands: These are my favorite headbands to run in because they honestly don’t slip! Hallelujah!
- Thorlo padded running socks: Slightly thicker than other socks, these socks protect my feet from blisters but aren’t so thick that they cause extra sweating. The padding is along the heel and the ball of the foot, making them extra comfortable.
- Mizuno Wave Rider running shoe: I first purchased these shoes when I was training for my first half marathon and they worked so well that I purchased another pair when I started training for my started training for my second half. Lots of support + no blisters = Winner!
Question of the Afternoon
- What workout clothing items or accessories are your favorites?
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Love my Mizunos. I will never try another running shoe again! Going to try your Nike tempo shorts recommendation — thanks!
BIC Bands.
I am obsessed…can’t hit the gym without one.
I lost my glitter skinnie minnie recently, I mourned that loss! 🙁
1stly, that brown bread at Cheese Cake Factory is my absolutely FAVORITE bread of all time! Did you love? I love it!
2ndly, I have been wanting to get some kind of Garmin/watch that will track my running … and I’m scared. I’m not too tech savvy and I want one that is good and will get the job done, but not take me forever to figure out how to work it!!! I don’t want to read a directions manual forever to understand what to do; is that bad?
3rdly, I want to get your socks! Those look awesome! As for me, my brand loyalty is with Saucony w/running shoes. They’re the only ones that have worked for me (no blisters). Brooks shoes would be 2nd place.
Hope you’re having a good day 🙂
-Caroline
I LOVE the Nike Tempo shorts, Zappos had a sale on a couple of them recently and I bought several! Haha
Lululemon Speed Shorts – The best running shorts ever! Functional, flattering, and they have a really comfortable liner.
I also cant live without my Garmin, my CEP compression socks, and my Newton running shoes. I had the same Mizunos as you until they upgraded them to the 14s. The new mizunos crushed the top of my feet so I had to get refitted for shoes.
Love your list, Julie!
My workout must-haves:
– Lulu Wunder Unders (for the gym)
– Lulu or Nike running (or tennis) skirts for running
– Lulu Cool racerback tanks
– Polar heartrate monitor (for gym workouts only)
– Garmin 405 for running
– Neutrogena Sport Face sunscreen- SPF 70!!!
– Target C9 sports bras–bright colors, good quality, low price!
– cheap running sunglasses…suuuper ugly but necessary
good to know about the salads at cheesecake factory! i’ll have to try one next time i’m there. for working out, i am a fan of cute fitted tops with wicking. i have a bunch from the nike outlet. i also love, love, love marika crops. for shoes, right now i am loving the saucony gridraiders. i don’t run marathons, but these hold up great on my runs and at the gym!
I suprised I really like Old Navy’s workout gear… and it’s really affordable!
Wow who is the hunk in the navy polo? so cute. Hook a sista up Julie!
So glad I saw this post! I just asked earlier on twitter if anyone had any running shorts that don’t ride up! haha! Now I finally found some, woohoo 🙂
I just got Mizuno Wave Nirvana shoes and love them! I haven’t had any pain while running since I put those babies on.
I am a Brooks Glycerin fan – I have run in those shoes for years. I also like to wear spandex when I run. I never get chaffed, and I like how it doesn’t get heavy when I get really sweaty!
Love Lululemon Speed Shorts, all their running skirts AND Nike Tempo Shorts.
The Garmin 305 is my old faithful since I am too cheap to upgrade.
Running shoes change A LOT, but I work in the biz and have access to all brands/models. Mizuno is a FAV of mine, although not for everyone.
LOVE Headsweats hats/visors more than any other hat! Seriously been using them since I started running 7 years ago.
Both Asics, Feetures and RRS Drymax socks are tied for favorite socks.
Gosh running is SO simple that it’s nice to not have too much gear to reference. 🙂
I love my LuLuLemon speed shorts and racerback tops…best comfortable work out gear! And my ipod is a definite must too 🙂
I love the imapmyrun app for my iPhone! What would you recommend for keeping hydrated during a half marathon? I am training for one but hit a dehydration wall around mile 7.
during the race i fast walked through EVERY water station and took a few gulps of water. during my first half i drank gatorade at one of the water stations and cramped up immediately. i learned quickly to only drink what you drink during training!
I’m loving my LuLuLemon Run Speed shorts & Under Armor Heat Gear Capris to beat the summer heat! I also actually love the Danskin built-in-bra sweat wicking tanks from Walmart – DEAL!
Nike! I live in Portland where Nike is headquartered and I have family members who work there….translation….I get Nike schwag for super-cheap or even FREE! I love their running tops with the built-in bras. Super comfy.
Also, Newton running shoes are clutch. I ran my first half and first full marathon in them and they completely change the way you run for the better. Highly recommend!
I love my runphones! They are the only headphones that work without falling out of my sweaty ears!
I want those socks and shorts! Thanks 🙂
I like Nike shoes as well, they are great for running and some Zumba action (the lighter shoes).
I really love my spi belt. Yes, it does somewhat resemble a fanny pack, BUT it allows me to bring my iphone for emergencies and to listen to audiobooks without feeling like I have extra bulk.
I’m with you on the Garmin. I feel like I didn’t truly know what running was like until I had it 🙂
Oooh! I NEED to get those socks! Nike Tempo shorts are my favorite too! I have so many pairs and luckily am able to find them at TJMaxx!
i LOVE it when i find them at marshalls or tjmaxx. it’s like hitting the jackpot!
I love my garmin too but sometimes it can take forever to find a satellite even though I leave from the same place every time!
I love Nike Tempo shorts! I have at least 15 pairs.
I love Brooks Ravennas, champion shorts, lululemon tanks, and lululemon bras. Can’t live without em!!
I love Lululemon capris and tanks and Asics shoes! My newest discovery on a recent trip to Target was the C9 by Champion® Women’s Seamless Cami Sports Bra. It is very comfortable!
Once my husband and I made leftovers from one meal from Cheesecake Factory into about five meals/snacks afterward. I’m not complaining, though–when you divide it all out, the price isn’t too bad! 😉
Running Must Haves:
Garmin!! I am training for my first marathon and ABSOLUTELY live by this!! I started with the Nike chip and it was really inaccurate.
Lululemon shorts for every-day running
and my absolute favorite for recovery are my CWX compression socks!
LOVE lulu speed shorts as much as everyone else apparently 🙂 they have all sorts of little vents to keep you cool and don’t ride up at all! I feel as if tempos ride up quite a bit but it may be how i run.
AOT!
I love:
Lulu speed shorts
Nike sports bra
Asics running shoes (they support my super flat feet)
Superfeet inserts (again, for the flat feet)
Nike plus app for iPhone to track my runs (I’m to cheap to buy a garmin)
Lulu head band
Neutrogena dry touch sunscreen
Cheap Sunglasses for outdoors
I love the Nike tempo running shorts as well! I’ve also been into running shorts lately and I love my Nike Training Camp app for my iPhone.
Seriously good call on the small salad from Cheesecake Factory. Their entrees are huge and have a million calories!
Favorites:
Brooks shorts (fit me better than Nike)
Brooks Adrenaline shoes
BIC bands!
Garmin 405 (smaller than the 305)
Road Runner Sports brand DRYMAX socks
Realllly want to try some Lulu stuff!
LuLu Speed Shorts — & LuLu Racerback tanks — love them — and I can’t run anywhere without my favorite bright orange sneakers!!
I love Under Armor everything – running shorts, skirts, and running tops. They are super-wicking and their Cold Gear is top-notch. Keeps me warm in the freezing temps of winter.
Other gear I like is Body Glide to help with chafing of my over-sized thighs, my spibelt to keep gels, car keys, and cell phones in, my Race ID in case I get hit by a car, and my Nathan hand held water bottle carrier.
I am training for the Marine Corps Marathon in October and all of these things are coming in handy! I could really use a Forerunner though – or even just a watch.
I love my asics shoes – I have been running in the same style for over ten years and LOVE them.
Oh, and I also love deodorant!
I so want a BIC band! 😀 They look awesome! If I had one they would definitely be a part of my must-have gym gear…so chic and pretty.
Incidentally, I don’t really have any must-haves…I just wear bog standard leggings or stretchy pants, a t-shirt, and a vest top and sports bra underneath. Love those shorts though. Workout gear is sooo expensive! I like to hit up TK Maxx for cheap deals on nice clothes.
Yoga gear is pricey too – but I love the sweaty betty and manduka brands here in England…they have really nice fitness and yoga clothes.
Mmmm…that salad looked delicious – such a generous portion size and veggies galore! 🙂 xyx
I couldn’t live without:
Under Armor High Impact Sports Bra
Lulu Split Shorts (although these don’t come in as many fun colors as the speed shorts)
Lulu Headbands
Polar Heartrate Monitor
Your post on Lululemon really encouraged me to finally give in and buy a pair of the shorts. They are such high quality, I just couldn’t help having a little sticker shock at $54 a pair. I must say they are worth every penny… I love them!
I totally agree with you on the Cheesecake Factory! I love going there for dinner (especially the brown bread–it’s so yummy), but their entrees could feed the five people I go to dinner with, not just me!
Thanks for the awesome peek into your running gear collection. I bookmarked those socks–definitely want to pick up a few pairs. As for me, I love my Aasics running shoes–I haven’t been able to buy any other brand for years now. The same size always fits my feet just right, and the cushion is the perfect amount for my feet (I have flat arches = uh oh in runner’s world, as I’m sure you know–and as Courtney said above!).
I love Nike running shorts (and my sorority running shorts that look just like them), and Champion sport bras. Seriously I am so picky about my sport bras and these are the only ones I wear.
Also I can only run in tank tops. Everything else feels too bulky. It’s a good thing I line in Southern California.
I love my Under Armour cap (keeps my head cool and I don’t have to wear sunglasses with it and my compression shorts — they are Reebok I think, but that doesn’t really matter. I can’t wear those Nike Tempo shorts — they get all bunched up in the crotch (when I wear them at least!)
love my injini toe running socks! they are the only socks i will wear.
I bled into my shoe during my first half marathon due to horrible blisters. I now only wear Injinji toe socks and I love the.
Other must haves include:
-spi-belt (with loops for nutrition)
-sport beans (watermelon is awesome)
-Brooks shoes (defyance, glycerin, cadence – equal opportunity Brooks lover)
-Garmin (910 – best Tri watch on the market)
I absolutely adore the champion sports bras from Target. My ultimate goal is to collect one of each color. I even sleep in them (clean ones of course!). I’m a little crazy like that 🙂
Love this post! I am always on the lookout for good workout clothes!
Like everyone out there, I also love Nike Tempos. The one piece of gear that I literally cannot run without though is my UnderArmour Sports Bra. For us ladies with a little more going on up top, it is amazing. It is sized by cup size and S/M/L which is great. I had found before that with traditional S/M/L sizes, I would need a large for the girls but then the band around the bottom would be loose! Not great for support. This bra is a lifesaver!
Moving comfort sports bras are so comfortable, workout tops with built in bras for yoga, and finding great deals on TJ Maxx or Nordstrom Rack.
I LOVE thorlo socks!! If you like BIC bands you should try out Halo Headbands! http://www.haloheadband.com/
My friend’s dad is kinda like the owner and they are amazinngngngngngnggg
Agreed about the Cheesecake Factory. Their portions are utterly ridiculous. The plates are the size of a torso.
My #1 favourite workout clothing item is my lululemon crop pants. They stay perfectly in place through yoga or running and they are great for keeping everything sucked in.
I loveeeeeeee my Garmin, as well as my Nike tempo shorts! I have way too many pairs, yet still want more!
Hey! Great recipes on Shape’s website! Congrats in getting in there!
Ahhh I run in the same shoes! I LOOOOOOVE my Mizuno Wave Riders and honestly wouldn’t run in any other shoe! <3
I recently had the same salad at Cheesecake, and even though I eat abnormally large salads each day (out of a medium sized mixing bowl sometimes!), I had to take 1/2 of the small salad home with me! Probably had something to do with mass consumption of “brown bread” too… 🙂
Weirdly enough I actually use my work apron to carry my ipod and things, works like a charm!
As someone with a bigger chest, I looooove UnderArmour’s Endure sports bras. For me, they’re even better than Lulu’s TaTa Tamer.