[32] Bouncing Back

In my previous post, I rationalized my three week vacation, but reading it over, it sounded like I was simply making excuses. This morning, I woke up with a charley horse in my left calf. It's been a while since I've had one of those mornings, and after talking with one of my running partners, I realized that it was a signal from my body to get moving. Did I run today? No. Will I run tomorrow? Definitely.

Last night, I went to Manhattan for the first time in a while that wasn't merely for transit. I stopped by the Times Square Alliance Visitors' Center and picked up my Revlon Run/Walk 5K T-shirt which means one less thing to schlep around on Saturday. I can't believe race day is almost here. I added my donation to the pile, pushing my total to $420! According to their rewards scale, I not only get the swank black-and-khaki totebag with pockets-a-plenty, but also the black gym bag. Not too shabby. When I handed my bib to the race volunteer, she showed the other ladies how I decorated it. The bib was smaller than what I anticipated, so I was thankful that I managed to have a fine point Sharpie in my desk. Yes, I wrote each name on it, and added some hearts because who doesn't love hearts?

Thank you to everyone who donated! I'm so thankful!!

I have a nifty Instagram (LoMo Style) photo I also took, but it crops out some of the names with its square formatting. I wanted to make sure that every name was visible. Hopefully, I can get someone to take a picture of me wearing it. According to my weather app, the high for Saturday will be 67 degrees and partially cloudy (though it might be closer to the 50s in the morning when I leave for NYC).

I contacted NYRR today about my Membership Information. The online registration system for the summer races (July-September) goes live Monday, May 2nd at noon. If I have to hold off on lunch until I can register, I will. Last year, the Queens and Bronx halves sold out in less than 24 hours, so I can't sit on it at all. I need to get moving not only on my guaranteed entry plan, but also on my 3-by-33 plan. This segues into my my next dilemma: The Tinkerbell Half-Marathon at Disneyland.

Oh, Run Disney.

It would figure after having a spectacular time at the Disney Princess Half, that I would be bitten by the ESPN Endurance Series bug. I already promised my girlfriends that I would run the Princess Half with them next February as my college gal pal, Meredith, is turning 30 (finally!!). The benefits of the TB1/2 would be that 1) it's the inaugural year, 2) I've never been to Disneyland, and 3) I potentially completing the Coast-to-Coast Challenge medal for running a half-marathon (two races, one on each coast in a calendar year). The flipside would be 1) convincing my friends to shift to the west coast, 2) possibly running the race alone, 3) not recovering before the Princess Half, and 4) the Manhattan Marathon potentially being scheduled the weekend before. I'll e-mail them and see what the verdict is.

[o2] Busted

Despite losing 25 pounds in the last year, I am still a large busted runner. Today, I read an article by Women's Running Magazine, and found it rather informative. I have difficulty shopping for sports bras, as the local sports shops primarily carry sizes A through D. If I am lucky, I can find a nice and unflattering in one of three color choices: black, white, or nude. I get rather uspet that athletic clothing designers, especially the larger name companies, do not make athletic bras for larger athletes.

You know, more larger ladies would be inclined to work out, if they have effective and strong support. One of the things that has hindered my playing sports and staying consistently active has been my chest. Thankfully, as a result of running, I have gone down a cup size (from 3D/F to DD), but it still isn't enough for high impact sports like running or volleyball. I love these sports as well as tennis and swimming, but the added heft and pulling makes it difficult to enjoy the sports. Many say "pain is temporary, but pride is forever," but I feel there are certain limitations to this addage.

Unfortunately, the best advice I have received about bras for larger breasted women has only been at specialty shops. Though I enjoy shopping at mall boutiques like Victoria's Secret, I have been misfitted for bras on several occasions by their 'specially trained staff'. I do not even bother talking the sales staff at large sporting good stores like Sports Authority and the like as I rarely find an individual who is knowledgable about sports bras. They can sell me shoes, camping gear, string a tennis racket, and show me how to improve my putt, but you ask about sports bras, and they will pass the buck to the one female staff member who is at most a B cup and basically tells me "just find your regular size".

One qualm I have with sports bras for larger chests is the bigger price tag that comes with them. Granted, it isn't Nike, adidas, UnderArmour, Champion or the other large name companies churning out these items, so I guess a higher price is to be paid. In the article, Moving Comfort VP Julie Baxter gives rather informative advice about sizing, fit and maintenance for sports bras. I actually learned a couple of things that I had not known before. I have kept sports bras for years and worn them into threads, but it turns out that's pretty much the worst thing one can do. The best piece of advice for full figured, sports bra wearers:

"Sports bras shouldn't have birthdays."

Looks like one of mine shall be getting the ole heave ho ASAP! I hope I can find a specialty shop in my area for a consultation. If not, I shall wait until Christmas when I am home to go to my beloved friends at The Bra Boutique in Coral Springs, Florida. They sold me a fantastic sports bra by Freya when I was home over the summer time. It was worth every penny I paid for it. I need to find a stocker of MC's line of sports bras. I love how they have color!