Sports Bra Review – Sturdy Girl

It’s been a minute since I asked my fellow IGers for sport bra recommendations, but never fear… It’s here!! I wanted to wear the Sturdy Girl Santa Monica a few times before I gave my two cents!!

Let me just say…I was/still am a Brooks Juno Girl (I don’t remember who made it before Brooks!).  Currently, I have been chaffing like crazy with this bra and thought I would ask for recommendations/alternatives.

First I ordered the Sturdy Girl Las Vegas style in my ‘regular’ day to day bra size, 36 D, as recommended.  It took about four days to receive my order, these ladies are quick!  I must have had this bra off and on about ten times…I just didn’t know.  The bra came with instructions on how to put it on and adjust the girls once in the bra, it even said that it would stretch to fit??

Well, I finally decided that this was just not going to work.  If I was not comfortable just standing still in it, there was no way it would work for a run.  I felt VERY constricted.  I looked uncomfortable, I was overflowing from the front and under the arms (I wish I would have taken a picture of that!).

Then…it sat on my dresser for, ummmm about 2 weeks.  They have a 30 day return policy!!  But, I received an email for their Summer Sale and bras were 30% off!!  Let’s give this another try!!

This time I ordered the Santa Monica style.  I went up a cup and band size, 38DD!!!

I’m in love…

I wore the bra for several short runs around the neighborhood before I took it to the races!!

It stood the test of rain at the Anchors Away 6k.

Anchors Away 6k

Hotlanta – Front View

Hotlanta – Action Shot

And I was really impressed by it’s performance during the Hotlanta Half Marathon…heat, humidity and hills!!

 

You can see by the pictures that this bra is no kidding Full Coverage, it’s viewable under my tanks.  I love that it covers more of the under/side arm area!!  Minimal BOUNCE…bonus!! I also wanted you to see what it looked like from the back…I’m diggin’ it!

 

 

And…the one that didn’t work that I eventually returned, they’re just as speedy with that.  My return was processed and the funds deposited to my account within the week…Thank you!!

Just a few more things… My IG/IRL Runner Buds, erica.runs31 and icecteamrunner both ordered their regular bra size (not sure of the style) and it worked for them.  I paid $64 for the non-sale bra and $44.80 for the sale bra, I also received free shipping on both.

A few snaps from Global #SportsBraSquad Day!!

I see a few more of the Sturdy Girls Santa Monica style bra in my future.

 

Let me know… Do you have a sports bra that you would recommend??  How long is the life expectancy of your sports bra??  What is your price limit for a sports bra??

 

Week 1 – Chicago Marathon Training

Let’s see how the week went…

Monday – 3 Run and Upper Body

Tuesday – Rest and Stretch (Yoga)

Wednesday – 4 Mile Run

This was my first TM run in YEARS!!!!  I had to play with the buttons to figure out my pace and the other techy things, but it worked!!  I plan to incorporate a TM run or two a week during training just to get out of the Florida heat and humidity!

Thursday – 3 Mile Run and Lower Body

Friday – Rest and Stretch

Today was Search and Rescue in my son’s room!!  He cleaned it, but it still needs a little help!!  I flipped the mattress and changed the sheets, dusted, vacuumed and did a little reorganization for a little more floor space.

Saturday – Longish Run (we’ll work back up to this)

This was also #SportsBraSquad day!!  This is what I posted to my IG account:

Went for a run…

• I am a mom, sister, daughter, friend and soon to be wife
• I have a frown on my midsection that I received as a gift 18 yrs ago
• I run with Hashimoto’s, I run with Hypothyroidism, I run for my health
• I am a social RUNNER and proud member of the #SportsBraSquad

Sunday – Rest and Reset

I’ll say Sunday was a success!!  Two loads of laundry, a 2 hr nap, food prep and about a 15 min scroll through Instagram (goal is no Social Media on Sunday!!)

I was going to make Avocados Chicken Salad for this week, but the avocados were not ripe enough for smashing!!  Never fear, it will get made, but I will have leftover Baked Rigatoni for lunch on Monday!!

On the Menu:  Baked Rigatoni, Avocado Chicken Salad, Roasted Zucchini / Yellow Squash, Strawberries and an Anti-Inflammatory Smoothie.

Avocado Chicken Salad

Baked Rigatoni

Roasted Squash

Anti-Inflammtory Smoothie

Sooooo… I managed 9/15 miles for my first week of training.  Let’s see if I can get on the train and step it up in Week 2!!

Are you training for a Fall Marathon??  If so, which one??

 

It’s here, it’s here…

After learning six months ago that I was selected…

Today was the day for the start of my 16 week Chicago Marathon training!!

I am using a Marathon Rookie hybrid plan.  I have used this plan for the two marathons that I have ran and love that I am only running 4 days a week!!

Goals:  Follow the plan, remain injury free, and FINISH the Chicago Marathon!!

I plan to use Sunday as a REST/RESET day.  I hope to use the day to enjoy some of the summer with family, prep my meals for the week, prepare for the upcoming training week, and NO Social Media (we’ll see how this plays out)!!

Speaking of food prep, I’ll share this week’s menu with you…

Instant Pot HB Eggs and Baked Bacon

Instant Pot Chicken Breast – The saute breast 3-4 minutes on each side, remove from pot and place on trivet, add 1 cup of water to pot, return chicken breast to pot on trivet, cook on poultry setting for 10 minutes, natural release for 5 minutes, remove from pot, let stand 10 minutes before slicing.  I use salt, pepper and whatever other seasoning I feel like adding!!

Add asparagus, broccoli, and riced cauliflower.  I also have been prepping smoothie packs for an Anti-Imflamatory Smoothie.

I’ll check in next week with how Week 1 training went…

What are you training for??  Do you have any Instant Pot recipes to share??  What is your favorite smoothie recipe??

Discount Code… Nuun Hydration!!

 

I’m a NUUN Believer…

and with summer training approaching, you should be too!!

Use code hydratefriends2017 for 25% at nuunlife.com!!

Code valid through June 23, 2017

 

Trying to Play Catch-Up!!

Hello Faithful Followers, it has been THREE  months since my last post!!

No, I did not fall off the face of the Earth, but… I have been running… ALOT!!  I have been trying to figure out what I want to do with this blog, if I even want to do this blog!!!  Soooooo, here is my attempt to quickly catch up on the last 5 1/2 months (because I have not recapped any races that I’ve ran this year) and get ready to start marathon training, which by the way I plan to share along with other life happenings!!  Cuz after all, there is more to life than running!!!

January – 2 Events / 3  2 Races

 

I was going to get to run a race on my Birthday…until weather happened!!  Our WDW Half Marathon was cancelled due to weather and we were able to defer to the Wind and Dine Half Marathon in November.

 

 

 

Later in the month, we went back to Louisiana to our favorite race weekend…The Louisiana Marathon.  This year we ran the Quarter Note and Half Marathon.  We also picked up our Beach to Bayou Challenge medals for completing a Gulf Coast Mississippi and Louisiana race distance!!

Quarter Note

The Half @ The Louisiana Marathon

Beach to Bayou Challenge Medal

We love running in LA, we were able to visit with so many friends this year and hope to do so again in 2018!!

February – 3 Events / 6 Races

The first weekend of the month we took on the Pensacola Double Bridge Run 15k and RnR New Orleans!!  First up was the DBR 15k…

Team RWB

Crossing the line @ DBR

Finishers!!!

Then we were in the car and headed to NOLA for Sunday’s Half Marathon…

Packet Pick-Up

On course…

When you get reposted on IG!!

Later that month, we headed to Tampa for our second year running the Gasparilla Ultra Challenge… 15k / 5k / 13.1 / 8k!!

Day 1…15k

Day 1…15k/5k Finished

Day 2…13.1 miles

Day2…13.1/8k Finished

Challenge Complete…31.4 miles

March – 3 Events / 3 Races

We ventured to Tennessee for the Chattanooga Half Marathon…

Chattanooga Half

Chattanooga Half

Chattanooga Half

back to Florida for Rock n’ Fly…

Rock n Fly

Rock n Fly

Rock n Fly

and back to Louisiana for The Best Damn Race!!

BDR New Orleans

BDR New Orleans

BDR New Orleans

April – 1 Event / 1 Race

It was back to Tennessee for the RnR Nashville!!

May – 2 Events / 2 Races

Slowing things down a little with the Fit2Fight 10k in Dothan, Alabama…

Fit2Fight 10k

Fit2Fight 10k

Fit2Fight 10k

and the Graffiti Bridge 5k in Pensacola, Florida!!

Graffiti Bridge 5k

Graffiti Bridge 5k

Graffiti Bridge 5k

June – 3 Events / 3 Races

Anchors Away 6k…

Anchors Away 6k

AG Awards

Hotlanta Half Marathon...

Packet Pick Up

Start

Mile 1

Somewhere in Downtown ATL

Icee at Mile 7

In Piedmont Park

Finished

ECJWC SuperHero 5k… to be run 17 June, but I want to get this posted so I’m not waiting until Saturday for pictures!!  You can see it all on my IG account!!

The first half the year has been a whirlwind and it doesn’t look to slow down in the second half!!  We have enjoyed meeting so many fellow runners during our travels and hope to continue to meet so many more this fall/winter!!   Chicago Marathon training starts next week and …

A Vegas Wedding in July!!!