Monday, October 1, 2012

Important Decision-Making Time, People!

Recently Jeff and I were walking through Academy, and I told him I wanted to take a quick look at their running clothes for my race day outfit.  His exact words, and I quote, were "you're not going to BUY a new outfit, are you?"  My response: "have you MET ME?"  I mean, really...of course I'm going to have a new outfit for race day.  Silly man.  I think he's forgotten that to me, finally being able to run a half marathon two years after my first, is a major celebration.  And hell's yes, I'll be dressing up for it!

The race is in San Antonio, and if you've lived (or visited) there, you probably think Fiesta when you think of San Antonio.  (Backstory - San Antonio is about the most partying, parade-throwing, celebrating city in the U.S., and I believe they even beat out New Orleans, because Mardi Gras is just once a year, while SA seems to have a parade every time you turn around.  When we lived there, I was shocked that they actually have a city holiday - Battle of Flowers day - where schools, businesses and banks close - for, yes, a parade.  Too funny.)  Anyway, I'm thinking an outfit with lots of fun colors would be fitting.

I have these fantastic new neon pink Newtons, which I'll wear unless it's raining - don't want to get them messed up right away.  But since the race is in early November, in south Texas, it'll most likely be hot, so I'm planning my outfit with that in mind.  I can make adjustments (like swapping out liner shorts for capris, or wear a long-sleeved shirt under my short-sleeved one) if I need to, without really changing the outfit.
A limited edition color for Newton, these are my reward shoes for when I run 10 miles (scheduled for October 13th, in case you're wondering) - until then, they're sitting in a box in my closet.

Socks will, of course, be a pair of my beloved Thorlo Experias - I have them in just most colors, so I'm sure I can coordinated them to my outfit.
Just some of the colors I own - I have to say, these things LAST.  I've had the turquoise pair for over 2.5 years, and they are still in great condition.

For a skirt, I'm thinking about wearing a sparkle skirt, in either purple or turquoise.  I've never worn one, but they seem to be quite popular, so I guess there isn't an issue with scratchiness from the fabric (if you've worn one, please let me know in the comments what you think of them).  It's just a skirt, so you wear it over your own liner shorts.  I'm looking at buying one from either Team Sparkle or Sparkle Skirts - the price is similar, but I think I like the cut of the Team Sparkle skirt a bit more - it looks like my current favorite Adidas running skirt.  The Team Sparkle skirts look sheer; I can't tell by the pictures if the Sparkle Skirts are, too.
Team Sparkle  skirts in my top color choices (photo swiped from their Facebook page)
Sparkle Skirts (photo swiped from their web page) - too bad they didn't have purple with this shot, but you can see the difference in the cut of their skirts vs. the Team Sparkle skirts.

For the top, I could wear something I already own (I know, shocking!) - either a turquoise top if I go with the purple skirt, or a purple top if I go with the turquoise skirt.
 
...and honestly, I have three more purple tops in my closet.  But these are the only two turquoise - maybe I DO need to shop more! ;)

Yes, between the pink shoes, purple and turquoise clothes and a sparkly Sweaty Band, I will be a riot of color.  But why not - it's a fiesta!!!
Sweaty Bands - Viva Diva sparklers.  (photos swiped from their website).  I've seen the purple one in person and it was so pretty - caught the eye of several ladies in my running club when we saw the sweet Kim wearing it!

OK, I know that having a fancy outfit will not make or break my race.  But I like to have fun with my running, and part of the fun comes with the clothes.  So why not go for it?  Any suggestions on things I might have missed to complete the outfit?

26 comments:

  1. How did I not know about Sparkle Skirts? Oh my. Those Newtons are adorable and will be the crowning, albeit on the bottom, touch. I love how you dress up for these things and you should celebrate them any way you want! Yes, Jeff, she NEEDS a new outfit. Sheesh. Men.

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  2. you KNOW I LOOOOVE SPARKLE SKIRTS!!!
    but yeah.
    I think you need a MizFit skirt :-)

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  3. I agree with your preference on the cut and look of the Team Sparkle skirts...they are too cute! I CANNOT wait to see you all duded (or dolled) up for the big run. Girlfriend is going to be the toast of San Antonio!!

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    1. Thanks, Leslie! I think the Team Sparkle is going to be the one. :)

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  4. Shelley you would disappoint me if you didn't buy a new outfit for your race :) This is you and I like this a lot about you.

    But girl I'm definitely missing something: your undies!
    Would you believe I always wear matching underwear with my clothes? (Not my running clothes, my sports bra's are all black).

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    1. Yeah, the unmentionables goes without saying, LOL!

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  5. OK Ima be the devil's advocate here (and probably Jeff's BIF after this comment) but you should not break the Number One Rule of race day: DO NOT WEAR NEW CLOTHES! That's how people end up chafing and blistering and everything else. So, if you forge ahead with this plan to buy a new outfit, you'll need to wear it prior to the race!

    Oh, and I would totally pick the pink sparkle skirt. In fact, I think I need to order one for myself as a reward for something I'm working on :D

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    1. The only new thing would be the skirt, and I'd definitely give it a test run before the race, for sure. Same for the shoes...

      The sparkle skirts are so fun, aren't they? You definitely should get the pink one!!!

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  6. Love love love your choices. Especially the sparkle, and supposedly purple is the hip color of this coming season.

    Gotta find those socks. Can't find any bright colors in a sock that will last.

    Looking forward to seeing your race-day pic. Vee at http://veegettinghealthy.blogspot.com

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    1. Vee, those Experias are fantastic - well worth the price, because as you can see, they DO last! :)

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  7. I like the Team Sparkle skirt. DO NOT LIKE the other one at all. And I LOVE the sparkly sweaty bands.

    Massive case of Newton-envy going on here.

    I didn't know you used to live in SA. I think it is such a beautiful place to visit. Don't know how it would be to live there. Did you enjoy it?

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    1. ...but how do you REALLY feel about the other skirt? LOL! Love your honesty. And truly, I wonder if the other skirt isn't too full, too much fabric, you know?

      We lived in SA for 8 years when we first moved to Texas. Great place to start our Texas experience...I do miss it, but not the crazy traffic. Glad our kids didn't have to learn to drive in that (or have me in the car with them as they drove the loop, eek!).

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  8. Wow, those Newtons are cool!! Love! Not too long ago you had a post with Newtons in the title. I seriously thought you had a relapse & were discussing fattening cookies. Heehee

    Don't save the shoes for the race, even if you are currently wearing Newtons in same size. Same with the clothes incase of some type of wardrobe malfunction. But I don't think I need to mention that to YOU, the big runner. :)

    I enjoyed seeing all your glitz n glam. No hat?
    Chrissy

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    1. The shoes will definitely get a test run (haha, so punny) several times before the race - yeah, that would be crazy to wear new shoes on race day!

      No hat, but if it's raining I'll need one - thanks for the reminder. Contingencies! ;)

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  9. I had to laugh at "have you met me?!" Hells yes you should get new shit for the race! :D

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  10. I've worn a Team Sparkle skirt over another skirt (red sparkle over white skirt) and over my own compression shorts. My "under layer" is always a bit longer than the sparkle skirt, so no problem with scratching. Plus the skirts aren't that thick anyway. You are going to look fantastic.

    Two years since your last half? This is party time!

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    1. Thanks - glad to hear the scratching isn't an issue. Bet the red/white combo was cute!

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  11. I guess I am the only one who likes the sparkle skirts and not team sparkle! I think the team sparkle ones are just a bit short. The sparkle skirts look like they would look so fun while running with a lot of movement.

    You need to sparkle up the shoes you run in as well.

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    1. I know they look short, but there's only 1/2 an inch difference. I think the Team Sparkle is what I'm going to go with.

      Oh, and sparkling up my shoes??? Hmmm, I should check out bling-y shoelaces!

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  12. I am glad I am not the only one who plans her outfits. Love the shoes!

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  13. I love the look of the Team Sparkle skirts too! I wonder if they have them here in Canada too (or least if they deliver here). Pick the turquoise...just because :-)

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  14. Regarding your comment on my blog: I'm not training for a race. My goal now is to finish the 7 weeks, at the end I should be able to run a 5K without stopping. That's my goal at this moment. But by the time I am finished with the program there's a local race 2 weeks later. I might do the 5K then but not sure and no pressure.

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  15. LOVE the team sparkle skirts!!!!!! And I'm lovin' the shoes too.

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