Exercise breakthrough moment: I can run in just a sports bra.

I never run in just a sports bra. On a rare occasion, I will whip off my tank top mid-run, but only if I’m really hot and sweaty. It doesn’t matter if I’m in peak condition or playing around with a few extra pounds. It may sound silly, but it’s been a life long hang-up.

Yesterday was hot and humid. My plan was to run outside on my favorite trail along the railroad tracks. I had brand new, beautiful running shoes to road-test as motivation to run. At the last minute I decided to go sans shirt right out of the gate. I had a moment of elation and liberation – a sneaking out after curfew when you’re 16 kind of feeling. Onlookers didn’t stop and gasp, no snickers from my neighbors. I was optimistic.

It was one of the worst runs I can remember. I was dehydrated from my morning coffee, immediately over-heated and I kept tripping over my new shoes. Oddly enough, my sports bra attire was the least of my running issues. So while my first time out of the gate wasn’t a success, I wasn’t overly preoccupied by what passing cars, surfers crossing the railroad tracks or other runners on the path were thinking.

Today, after a tough spin class, I left feeling motivated and determined. I had some juice left so I decided to try another sports bra run, this time with my trusty trail shoes. I put on my ipod and went for it. It was one of the best runs I’ve had in a long time! My sports bra/shorts combo kept me comfortably cool, I felt energetic and I worked up a great sweat. I was so inspired that I immediately sat down and cranked out this blog post.

My lesson: my workout is for me. No one cares, no one is judging so do what feels best!

What was your exercise breakthrough moment?

Thinking about trying a Triathlon? Don't know where to start? Pop into your local lululemon and ask the team!

Hooray, I finished my first triathlon this past weekend! No crashes, leg cramps or tears – success! The ocean was calm, the course was beautiful and there were 5 other lululemon teammates racing. In fact, it was really fun – at least once I was finished.

Thoughts That Go Through Your Head

You have a lot of time to think over the course of a race. Here were the thoughts going through my head:
• I can't believe I'm doing this – amazing, we rock!
• I'm never doing this again, once is enough, people will understand
• Wow, I just passed a 26-year-old, I rock!
• What do you mean we have to do another loop on the bike?
• Mmm, love the color of my new tank top and look, no chafing
• Crap, how are those old guys running by me? They left 2 heats after me
• I need a mani/pedi
• Finish line, thank goodness!
• Whoa, that was cool, maybe I should do another one?

Highs and Lows

The high point of my race was finding out I got 3rd in my age group in the swim. All those master swim sessions paid off. The low was loop two of the run. I felt dizzy because I don't have the skills to drink water and bike at the same time. My friend and stud Tri Babe, Rachel Ross made me feel lots better by saying "if you aren't hurting by mile 2 of the run at a sprint triathlon, you aren't trying." Thanks Rach!

Try a Tri

Thinking about a triathlon? Do it, sign up! Grab some friends and get it done. It's an amazing feeling to cross a finish line. People will help you. You can have a swim buddy. You can be part of a relay. You are done by 10am and can eat all the pancakes you want! Don't know where to start? Go into your local lululemon and ask the team. If they aren’t doing one already, chances are you'll inspire them to do it with you!

View run clothing:

• Run: Swiftly Racerback
• Run: Speed Short
• Challenge Crop

When I first started triathlon training, I liked to joke that I support my local growers by eating everything in sight! My farmer's market in Leucadia, California was thrilled, my Mom was proud of me for cooking and Seaside Market in Cardiff, CA was happily selling me coconut water by the case. I was expending all this energy training and I didn't know how to refuel to keep my body moving – so I just ate a lot and often.

It took a lot of trial and error to figure out the mechanics of eating, but I am starting to get it down. I found that when I got too hungry, I made bad choices and portion control went out the window. So now I break my meals into 5 to 6 a day. I time my biggest meal after my biggest workout (usually lunch after my noon master swim).

Here are some of my favorite pre/post workout foods:

• Avocado toast – Who needs butter? (So delicious and great for the heart, cholesterol, breast health)
• Tuna fish, cucumber, chopped heirloom tomatoes mixed with Annie's Lemon Chive dressing, cracked pepper and crumbled goat cheese (my protein revival meal!)
• Coconut water (Nature's Gatorade, coconut water naturally hydrates the body)
• Banana, almond butter w/ a sprinkle of flax seed (protein, Omega3s, a powerhouse breakfast or snack)
• Oatmeal with fresh berries and agave (heart healthy and filling)
• Frozen Yogurt – only if I get toppings!!!
• Beans, brown rice, tomatillo salsa, lime, crushed red pepper and shrimp in a wheat tortilla – dinner for 3 nights straight last week!
• Fish tacos and a frosty beer (it's all about the balance)

The two best pieces of advice that work for me:

• Hydrate at night. But of course! Score one for more energy, less leg cramping and better digestion.
• Up your protein intake. I don't eat meat so this was a tricky one. I do eat fish so I upped my intake (yippee, more fish tacos!) and added chopped hard-boiled egg to salads. The protein gave me energy and kept me fuller longer.

I'm always looking or new ideas, recipes, meal plans. Check out my friends' James and Beth's food blog (pictured below). They put the yummiest stuff on there!

left to right: Kirsten, Katya, James, Rachel (Tri Babe) and Beth (Tri Babe)

What are your favorite things to eat pre- and post-training? (p.s., thanks for the Clif Shot Blok Margarita suggestion, yum!!!)

As community project manager for lululemon, I bop around different stores and events hanging out with amazing people far and wide. In essence, I get paid to spend time with my lululemon friends, make new friends with athletes, yogis and people changing the world for better and staying in shape. It's pretty much the greatest job ever.

I thought it would be fun to share my three most favorite things I’m working on this month:

The Tri Babe Initiative

Pull together 8 strong, beautiful, smart pro and elite amateur female triathletes. These girls are training 6-7 days a weeks. They're incredible athletes and influencers in their communities. They lead run groups, teach spin classes, lap us regular peeps in master swims and inspire women all over the world to take a stab at participating in triathlons, duathlons and marathons. They put our run shorts, swimsuits and cross training products to the test! I'll be talking about them more as the triathlon season continues.

The Shop Nude Roadshow

Kerry Brown (my east coast lululemon partner-in-crime) and I will drive from NYC to San Diego to spread the word about shopping online at lululemon! Armed with our wit, charm and a killer hybrid SUV, we'll be blogging, tweeting and facebooking as we go! Route to be unveiled soon… Stay tuned!

On the Run Design Meeting

A design meeting for the serious runners and triathletes in North County San Diego. I am always pleasantly surprised at how many people across all kinds of athletic discipline are familiar with lululemon. People were actually calling to see how they could get invited to this design meeting. How cool is that? So we'll be collecting design feedback and info on what we're hitting out of the park, where we can improve and what we can create that is missing in the market today! (Run Romper, anyone?)

So that is the gist! Not a bad way to earn a living if I do say so myself. Got an idea of something fun we can do? I'm always open for a good brainstorm. Let me hear it!

A lululemon conference call, to be exact. It goes a little something like this…"Hey guys, we're going to make some swimsuits. We need some peeps to test them out. Any of you swim?".

It'd been a while, but I swam in high school. 'Perfect', I thought to myself. I'd been trying to figure out a way to reach out to the triathlete crowd in my new hometown, North County San Diego. So armed with a borrowed pair of goggles, my lululemon polka dot one-piece and butterflies in my stomach, I walked into my first master swim.

Flash-forward a year, I’m swimming 10-12 miles a week, running and now biking! Who would have thought it?? Certainly not me. But the truth is, it's fun. Really fun. The people are great, the community's tight, and you get a ton of opportunities to be out in nature. Granted, sometimes nature is windy and cranky, but most of the time she's sunny, warm and happy to have your company (at least in San Diego).

things are a changin’

Now, it’s not all fun and games. I'm tired…a lot! I go to bed earlier. I bought a foam roller. And, depending on how you look at it, my yoga practice has suffered some serious setbacks.

things i’m picking up on

• Recovery Day – hands down, the best day of the week
• GU – at first I had to choke it down, now its my sweet friend
• ART – Active Release Technique, it hurts so good
• If invited to a triathlete party that starts at 7:30pm, show up on time. They’re gone by 9:45pm
• Run stairs, what?

things i wasn’t prepared for

• Falling into bed at 9:30pm
• Ever-shrinking hamstrings
• Chlorine-green highlights
• Wanting to eat everything in sight, all of the time

The funny thing is that I’m a yogi at heart. I’m so NOT hard-core. (I watch people do Cross Fit and shudder!) I love the union of breath and movement and how balanced I feel when my practice is consistent. See this picture?

This is me in one of my favorite yoga poses. My biggest goal of the year is two-fold - finish 3 triathlons and STILL be able to do this pose by Oct 1, 2009. Stay tuned to see how it goes! Any tips for me? I’m all ears!