Running is such a beautiful thing. With each step and each breath, you power yourself to move forward.

Everyone's run form and cadence are very different. We are all moving forward, but in a unique way. Some shuffle, some prance with short or long strides, but it's all for the same reason: to move forward, to stay healthy, to feel free.

Nothing makes me feel better than running. When I run, I feel a sense of peace and freedom. I especially love running during the fall. Fall weather throughout the world varies, but in many parts of the US we have a brisk, crisp air with chilly mornings and slightly warmer afternoons. I love crunching the leaves beneath me as I run during cool fall mornings as the sun is rising.

During this beautiful time of year, layering my run clothing is essential to stay comfortable during my run.

I always start with a base layer. An awesome base layer that I use to keep my core dry and warm is the Run Swiftly Tech. It wicks the moisture away with its mesh venting in just the perfect spots, arm pits, back, and belly. The flexibility in this top is amazing. I can't even tell I'm wearing a top. It has 4-way stretch, which means the shirt moves with you with every step, leap, jump you make. If you tend to sweat a lot, not to worry... this base layer is made with Silverescent with anti-stink properties.

Over my base layer, I either put on a shell, the Run Velocity Jacket if it is wet out OR I love to pull on the Run Trail Tech mesh LS for cold, dry days. The Run Velocity Jacket is waterproof and even its zippers and taped seams keep you super dry. I love the hand warmers and cuffins to keep my fingers warm. To top it off, the super wicking and stretching component keep you smelling good and moving with freedom. The Run Trail Tech Mesh is the layer to use when you are looking for warmth on a cold day. It's incredibly soft and smooth against your skin and feels almost buttery. It has a shawl collar with adjustable height for warming and cooling down which I love to take advantage of. You never know when you'll warm up and need to adjust your collar down. This is by far my favorite long sleeve run top!

To keep my legs nice and warm but not too restrictive, I really like to wear my Run Empower Crops for temperatures under 50 degrees. If the weather looks to be over 50, I always opt for my speed shorts. The Empower Crops can be worn when it is wet out as well. They are made with amazing 4-way stretch power luxtreme. The luxtreme holds your muscles for the "no bounce" effect. Your muscles are supported and you feel strong!

Eileen, both an ambassador and an educator at lululemon Walnut Creek, with her final installment on the Best Buddies 100 Mile Bike Ride. You can read her other entries on training for the challenge here:

Cycling 100 Miles: Step One
Cycling + Nutrition

After weeks of training, I had the opportunity to join Team KCBS/KPIX Channel 5 to ride in the Audi Best Buddies Challenge 100 mile bike ride alongside my good friend, Channel 5 weatherwoman Roberta Gonzales. Best Buddies is an organization that supports individuals with intellectual disabilities and Maria Shriver is the spokesperson for this event. I am happy to report that this year with the help of so many amazing individuals, Best Buddies raised over $4 million. People are amazing!

The ride was absolutely breathtaking, and an unbelievable experience. 100 miles with 7,000 feet of climbing! A couple of Garmin Slipstream professional cyclists were in attendance to make the ride even that much more fun. The Tibco pro women’s cycling team was also there and wanted to get in a good 'hard' ride.

The first nine miles of the ride started off very controlled with two escort Audi TTs leading the way. My husband Reid, fellow triathlete Steve Cramer and I quickly moved up to the front of the pack with the pro riders. The pro cyclists were so cool and fun to ride with.  We had a good pack of about 30 strong riders, moving along at a good fast pace along rolling terrain. It was not until we passed through Big Sur, Ventana hill that the pace got a bit too fast for my hill climbing. Reid, Cramer and the pro riders were putting the hurt on the rest of us. But I was lucky to have a couple nice guys slow up for me so that I could pace off of them up that crazy climb! At the top of the climb, Reid and Cramer were waiting for me. Reid asked if I was ready to work hard to catch back on to the lead group. I knew this would be challenging and I am always up for a challenge! 

We were flying up and down the California coast, trying so hard to catch back on to the fast moving peleton. It hurt and we were all working hard, breathing extra hard, and feeling the serious burn in our legs. Within a couple of miles, we were back on and so happy to sit in and draft. Phew! It is incredible what our strong minds can help us accomplish. Believing in yourself can take you to reach new heights once thought unimaginable.

On to the crazy part. A mile after catching the group, we hit some big rollers and I once again was in the red zone. My legs were screaming, my lungs were burning, but my mind was fresh and willing to deal with it all. I stayed on pace for as long as I could until I felt like I was going to pass out. I backed off at that point, only to have a California Highway Patrol officer on his motorcycle tell me to hold on and pointed to a part of his motorcycle that I could actually hold on to. Super cool! When does this ever happen!?

I was so stoked to have gotten so far with some amazing riders.  Plus this was my longest ride in a year! I couldn’t believe how great I was feeling despite all the crazy hard efforts. Reid, on the other hand, was still looking fresh and ready for another 100 miles. Our ride time was just a bit over five hours. This is my fastest 100 miles ever and I am coming off a 6-month injury. It must have been the great company, the amazing goal setting team at lululemon and great cause that inspired me to ride fast. What an unforgettable experience!

In preparing for the Best Buddies Challenge 100 mile ride in 3 weeks, I have been asked by many about how and what to eat on the bike. The answer I give is pretty simple. I eat what fuels me and what settles in my stomach the best. It is all about trial and error. I have played around with different foods and liquids over the past several years and have finally found a good combination that works for me. Remember that everyone is unique and what works for one may not work for another.

Before I start my training for the day, I like to start out with eating a well balanced nutritious meal - oatmeal with walnuts and raisins, a splash of skim milk, and a dash of sweetener. This is my all time favorite pre-training breakfast. It gives me the energy I need to get going and fuel my body for the hard work to come.

During a long training ride, I consume 200 cals per hour in the form of liquid as well as gels. Throughout the duration of the ride I also eat solid food in energy bars, nuts, or sometimes a PB&J sandwich. I like to make sure that I am never at any point super hungry. Once you hit this point of being overly hungry, you risk the chance of bonking. Bonking, also know as "hitting the wall", is not fun. To avoid this, I monitor how much I eat by keeping track of the time I am out on my bike. Make sure to hydrate even more if it is hot out.

Have fun out there....Cheers to safe riding!!

Suited up for my ride

Over the next four weeks I am going to fine-tune my cycling training for a great cause and an exciting event. I am joining the local CBS television affiliate, Team KCBS, to raise money for and participate in the Audi Best Buddies Challenge which raises money for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Each week I will share a different aspect of my training and event preparation. I will highlight my training plan, nutrition and lululemon clothing I use while riding!

My awesome bike mechanics, Reid and Belle

This week I would like to talk about goal setting. Goals should be SMART: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Timely. My goal is to ride my bike 100 miles down the beautiful California coast, from Carmel to Hearst Castle in San Simeon, on September 12th with my husband and KCBS team.

The route for the 100 mile challenge!

By following my training plan, staying healthy and determined, my goal will be reached. I will enjoy every amazing step of the way!

The first step to achieving your goals is to write them down. Dream big, stay focused, and keep moving forward!!

Recently the Biggest Loser teamed up with Tri California to complete an Olympic distance triathlon. Eileen Swanson, a lululemon ambassador and educator at our Walnut Creek store, and her husband had the amazing opportunity to work as the Biggest Loser's coaches for this race! Read about their experiences below:

Reid and I were honored to have the amazing opportunity to change the lives of 16 inspiring individuals (Biggest Loser finalists and winners from the past 7 seasons) by coaching them to be able to complete the San Francisco Triathlon on July 12th. We sent them each a training plan to get ready for this race in 6 weeks. Not much time, but we knew they could do it!

The day before the triathlon, Reid and I did a walk-through of the course with all the athletes. This was so much fun. I love answering question from first-time athletes. They were all so excited, it was refreshing. Each and every former BL contestant we met was super friendly, sweet, and eager to listen and learn.

After the walk-through we were off to a media lunch at Joe’s Grill in the city. It was a delicious lunch and great time to get to know each other better. I sat with Heba & Ed (finalists season 6), Coleen (season 5), Ali (winner season 5), Pete (at home winner season 4), Suzy (2nd place season 2) and Holly (finalist season 4). It was interesting and inspiring to hear how each individual ended up on the TV show and to hear how motivated they were to compete in a triathlon.

The triathlon morning came quicker than expected for all. Reid and I helped each athlete get set up in the transition area, worked on their bikes, helped put on wetsuits and gave some last minute advice. Whoa, there was some serious energy in the transition area. We all had an amazing time watching these newbies get ready for an experience of a lifetime!

The swim start was unreal. I was brought to tears watching all of these athletes giving each other high fives in the water, screaming with joy, and seeing the happiness written all over their faces.

The run was an incredible sight to watch. Heba, Ed, Matt, Pete, Bernie, Blaine, Coleen and Dane looked strong and were always so happy to be out there on the run course and loved the cheers from everyone. Nothing explains this better than some pics of those big smiles. The best part of this amazing weekend was watching each one of these amazing individuals cross the finish line with so much joy! Incredible! It was an absolutely surreal moment. We, as coaches, could not have asked for a better fairytale ending. Congratulations to all Biggest Losers! You truly are inspiring, amazing individuals. Anything really is possible. Keep it going…