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Last year, I had the opportunity to attend Wanderlust Whistler, where I yoga piled with complete strangers (thanks Eoin Finn!), danced and jumped evenings away with Michael Franti and MC Yogi, made some new friends and walked away with a new found respect for yoga and what it can bring into my life. I also learned that there were more than a few things I just had to bring along for the ride.

YOGA MAT AND STRAP
This time around I would leave The Mat at home and travel lightly with The Pure Mat 3mm held together with the Loop It Up Mat Strap. Bonus: if I’m in a bind, the mat strap can double as a stretching belt.

NO LIMITS TANK
It has a built in bra for support, flowy circle mesh coverage and the style has major street appeal to pair with my favorite denim cutoffs.

WILL CROP
My go to bottoms for any outdoor yoga moves are crops and the Will Crop flows easily from street to sweat. The convertible waistband allows me to choose the look I want: high-waisted with the Energy Bra, alternatively a loose tee or tank half tucked into the folded down band. Even the length of the crops allows for further customization – roll the hem of the pant once or twice to achieve a true capri look if you’re a shorty like me (5’2”!).

LIP BALM
Mine has been Smith’s Rosebud Salve forever and I’d love to find one that has sunscreen and isn’t drying. If you have a favorite you’d like to recommend, please share it in the comments section below!

WATER BOTTLE
H20 is your friend. Always. Every outdoor event planner in the world should take note: watering stations are genuinely appreciated by attendees and Mother Earth.

BAG
I didn’t need a lot with me as I navigated each day. Some snacks, money, water bottle, iPhone and my hotel key. This year’s aptly named Festival Bag will hold all that and more.

SUNSCREEN
Like H20, this is also your friend.

SUNGLASSES
No-brainer.

ARM PARTY
So fun!

DRY SHAMPOO
This is no longer a dirty little secret. I always stash a travel-sized bottle in my gym bag or purse if I know I might be getting a little sweaty but don’t have time (or the energy) to wash my hair.

HAIR STUFF
High buns and ponytails will always be my go-to but I love finding fresh (and EASY) ways to keep my hair away from my face in downdog. Check it:

Roll it up in the Bang Buster Headband (I LOVE this one. I’ve been able to achieve beach waves every time. Best post yoga hair, ever.)

The Milkmaid: pull hair into two pigtails, braid and wrap the ends up and over the top of your head with bobby pins. Imperfect braiding and fly-aways are welcome (you don’t want to actually look like a milkmaid).

We couldn't resist her love for her Dad (and his SeaWheeze shorts) and thought it would be pretty cool to have her author our Father's Day blog. One problem – we wanted it to be a surprise and weren't sure how to reach out and make this happen. After some thorough internet exploration (read: creeping) by our Social Media team, we were able to connect with Clara's mom and get these two odes to Dad from her daughters – SURPRISE!

Without further adieu, we present the literary debut of Emma and Clara :

From Clara:

From Emma:

Happy Father's Day!

Picture this: 310km of pavement ahead, sleeping in a van with six other sweaty people, and starting a 10km run at 2am.

Not exactly what most people would envision as an ideal way to spend a weekend but for 12 members of our lululemon family in Toronto, that's exactly what it is.

The Ragnar Relay has come to Canada, and our Toronto team is excited to celebrate their run community by running the 310km from Cobourg to Niagara, along the shores of Lake Ontario.

We’ll be following this amazing 30 hour journey on @lululemonlive and on our Twitter, Facebook and Instagram channels. Here’s a sneak peek at the 12 men and women who are coming together to crush some serious goals.

Meet the team:

Jonas "Jonosapien" Caruana, 30

Run Ambassador alumni, Key Leader and Community Connector (and the brainpower behind this team)
10k PR time: 39:00
why Ragnar: I love adventure! Running 311km around the lake to Niagara Falls with a bunch of random people racing around the clock? That's my kind of adventure!
one goal you're working towards: Swimming 1500m freestyle in under 30mins by July 21st, 2013.
what you are most proud of in life: Starting a social fitness community called Training Mobs that brought a healthier lifestyle to tens of thousands of people.

Ricardo Araujo, 30

lululemon guest
10k PR time: 38:30
what makes you unique: I ran my first 10km race at 8 years old
why Ragnar: Because I have never tried anything like it
one goal you're working towards: run a half marathon in 1:15 (umm, that’s fast)

Sue Quenneville, 45

Educator at lululemon Masonville London, ON, Alumni Run Ambassador
10km PR time: 40 minutes
why Ragnar: An amazing physical, mental and emotional challenge, a wonderful opportunity to connect and run as a team with other super star lemons, and celebrate running in life.
favourite lululemon piece to run in: Run Speed Shorts
one goal you're working towards: at age 50 when my triplet daughters are 18 to run the Dublin marathon with them.

Chris McFarlane, 27

lululemon guest
10k PR time: 35:20
what running means to you: Freedom
why Ragnar: I usually don't sleep much on Friday nights anyway
favourite lululemon piece to run in: my lululemon tights. When it becomes as acceptible for men to wear them as casually as women do I'll be all over that.

Gillian Tweedie, 32

lululemon Store Manager, Cumberland
10k PR time: 36:15
what makes you unique: My penchant for steak tartare
what running means to you: Peace of mind
what you are most proud of in life: I am proud of my recent effort to create a peace run in Toronto following the events of the Boston Marathon. The run brought together Toronto's running community and was a sign of solidarity within this global community.

Sasha Gollish, 31

lululemon guest
10k PR time: 35:55
what makes you unique: This summer, I am the sole Canadian woman competing in the Maccabi triathlon event at the Maccabi Games in Israel.
why Ragnar: Why not?! Beautiful scenery. Good friends. Great running.
what you are most proud of in life: Never giving up on a goal

Vince Cheng, 35

lululemon run ambassador alumni
10k PR time: 39:33
what running means to you: freedom, focus
why Ragnar: an awesome and amazing experience with incredible people
favourite song to run to: Kanye West - POWER
what you are most proud of in life: Quitting smoking (was a daily smoker for 13 years)

Sarah Lillian Vingoe (Vings), 34

lululemon guest
10k PR time: 41:17 – If I break 40 minutes the CEO of my company will buy me a case of Dom Perignon. Boom.
what makes you unique: My never ending energy and positive outlook on life. I am a relentless positive force and try to find the fun in every situation.
what running means to you: Pure love and joy.

Nate Tsang, 22

Educator at Promenade, Thornhill, ON
10k PR time: 36:10
why Ragnar: I love what I do at lululemon, I have so much fun with the people I work with, and I am absolutely passionate about long distance running - so why not combine all those elements and see what can happen?
what you are most proud of in life: I'm starting my Masters in Physical Therapy at Queen's University in Kingston, ON this September!

Jesper Wahlberg, 41

lululemon guest
10k PR time: 41 min
why Ragnar: I have done lots of 24 hr races, so this seemed like a ton of fun with a great group of people. PUMPED!
one goal you're working towards: Keeping my mind and body fit
favourite song to run to: No noise, run clean!

Emma Darling, 28

Key Leader Queen St Store
10k PR time: 39.53
what makes you unique: I often run to the same song on repeat and I eat kiwis whole, skin and all.
what running means to you: Bliss, and sometimes pain
why Ragnar: Because it's a test of mental capacity and endurance and you do it as a team! #wicked

Grace Sweeney, 26

lululemon Guest
10k PR time: 42:30
what makes you unique: I survived a South African baboon attack (wha?!?!)
why Ragnar: What better way for a newly minted Ontarian to see the sights than a 2-day, 310km relay race?
one goal you're working towards: getting my pilot's license.

The first in a series of "Ask Britt" videos with our Lead Product Educator Britt answering your questions no matter how small, big, or weird. Check out our Facebook page and YouTube channel also for her most recent answers.

Check out our updated fit guide for your recommended fit.

Meet our accessories designer Katie and see how your feedback has changed lululemon design:

Meet spencer our expert colour designer on what to expect for men's colour summer 2013:

SeaWheeze training is officially underway and we know you are killing your runs and yoga sessions. But one area of training that is easy to skip on (trust us, we know) is the nutrition… aka, what to put in your body to make you even stronger and faster. Our friends at Vega are helping us out, and have put together this SeaWheeze Nutrition Guide to get you fueled up for your runs.

Timing is Everything. What you eat is almost as important as when.

Follow these guidelines for successful fueling during training and race day.

Prepare

Maximize your running experience when you’re in the zone with energy to burn.

1-2 hours before
Avoid dairy, or meals with large amounts of protein which can be difficult to digest in time for your run, leaving you bloated or cramping.

Pre-Run Meal Ideas:

1. Oatmeal: Mix in dried fruits, and nut butter or raw nuts & seeds
2. Fruit smoothie: Choose 1-2 cups of your favorite fruits and blend with a non-dairy milk, ice and 1-2 tbsp of hemp, flax or chia seeds. For the most nutrient dense option, try adding leafy greens like spinach or kale!
3. Toast with nut butter and jam or sliced fruit such as a banana. For the most digestible option, look for sprouted whole grain bread.

20-30 minutes before
To maximize your energy (and therefore your intensity) consider topping up your tanks with a small piece of fruit (fresh or dried), or ½-1cup of a carbohydrate based sports drink. Look for an option that’s made with natural flavors and sweeteners; artificial ingredients can irritate your digestive system.

Sustain

Push harder, last longer. Take it to the next level!

For longer duration running/racing (60 minutes or more)
Avoid “hitting the wall” by refueling often. Take advantage of the fuel stations along the course, appearing every 3-4 km’s, or carry your own handheld or hip belt bottle/s during training runs.

Electrolyte water will help prevent cramping, and is absorbed quickly. At each aid station or every 15-20 minutes through-out your run, aim for a half cup of fluids. Vega Sport Electrolyte Hydrator will be at each aid station during the SeaWheeze. Note: exact rates of replenishment will vary depending on your weight and fitness levels.

Consuming additional carbohydrates such as a gel or chews will help keep your energy steady, and your legs energized! Vega Sport Gels will be available at several aid stations during the SeaWheeze; aim to refuel 1-2X during the run, typically around the 7 and 15km mark. Gels are best when consumed with a few sips of water. And make sure you train with the gels or chews that you plan on using on race day – there are some surprises that we don’t want during the race.

Recover

Recharge and repair. So you can do it all again!

The speed at which you recover post-run is one of the greatest determining factors of athletic success. Reduce recovery time between your training workouts through your post-run nutrition. This will have a big impact on your overall performance for race day.

Within 20 minutes of completing your run
Have a snack or drink with a higher proportion of carbohydrates. This repairs your muscle cells by replenishing muscle glycogen. This will begin the regeneration of new muscle tissue.

Post Run Fuel Up:
Dried fruit and nuts (4 parts fruit to 1 part nuts), or a plant based sports recovery drink or smoothie.

DIY Recovery Smoothie:

• ¼ cup rolled oats
• 1 ½ cups almond milk
• 1 cup of frozen berries
• 1 tbsp ground flax seeds
• 1 banana, sliced
• Blend until smooth, makes one serving

Recovery Recipe from www.thriveforward.com

1-2 hours post-run
Fuel up with quality protein. It may seem counter-intuitive, but endurance athletes actually have higher protein needs than our strength training counterparts. While carbohydrates are the best fuel source for intense training, including generous portions of protein in your diet as an endurance athlete can help prevent muscle breakdown during extended duration activity.

Midway through her physiotherapy degree 18 months ago, Mikaela realized it was the overall holistic nutrition of the physical body she was most passionate about. Since then, Mikaela has traveled the world as a chef, conducted health clinics and acted as a nutrition coach to clients all over North America. Her greatest gift is making healthy food taste so good that even the most dedicated junk food addict wants a second helping (*Editor's Note: that junk food addict would be me. Ahem).

What is your name and what do you do?

My name is Mikaela Reuben and I am a Nutrition specialist, focusing on health coaching and nutritional cooking.

How did you come up with the idea for your business? Why did you decide to be your own boss?

I had always been obsessed with cooking, nutrition, human physiology, travel, health, and food. But most of all, the effects of food on health and the adventure behind each meal.

I found myself taking my Masters in Physiotherapy, half way through the masters program, one day when I was driving to school. I snapped. Realized I was unhappy and decided to jump off the safe path I was on. I packed up my stuff in the next few days, withdrew from school and bought a one way ticket to Europe, carrying 10 yrs of University debt with me, where I went to explore more of the food world and myself. During this next chapter I was trained as a nutritional chef and began working privately for celebrities, and yet again found myself wanting more.

Both of the jobs allowed me to only deal with just one of the things I loved but not all.

In my business I am able to passionately design healthy recipes and life strategies for my clients, using food as a tool to affect overall health, healing, and happiness.

I decided to be my own boss because I was able to create a job that I was passionate about that didn’t really exist with the expansiveness and freedom that I desired. And in some ways I needed to create something that encompassed who I was because I didn’t seem to fit in the molds that I was told to work in.  What I put in, I get back, a cause and effect for my science nerd brain which keeps me inspired.

Why is nutrition and health important to you?

I have seen people’s lives change because of alterations to their nutrition and health and I think it is important to honour the health we have before we lose it. I first became aware of it as I watched my father heal himself after a heart attack when he educated himself and took responsibility for how he was choosing to treat his body.

It inspired me and I started focusing more on how food is our fuel and can really alter all aspects of life, from mood, to immunity, to weight, to beauty, to inflammation, to clarity, and overall quality of living. He is now the healthiest person I know.

If you had only five (or fine, six) ingredients in your kitchen, what would they be and why?

This might be the hardest question, ever. I am going to assume that I have a good quality olive oil, sea salt and pepper in this sad, bare kitchen, and maybe some quinoa, smoked paprika powder, and turmeric...

Seaweeds – I love seaweed. All types. I always keep dehydrated Wakame on me to throw into salads and soups. I consume spirulina everyday and Kelp noodles are my new favorite! I couldn’t live without seaweed, they have unlimited positive affects on the body and are easy to use, prepare, and take with me.

Avocado – I could add avocado to almost anything. It has beneficial fats and protein and is diverse in its uses, adding creaminess to sauces, smoothies and salads.

Apple Cider Vinegar – I use apple cider vinegar for dressings, to flavour vegetables, and to make morning tonics with. I make an amazing spicy garlic chili sauce with apple cider vinegar that I put on everything. Apple cider vinegar has been linked to better metabolism and fat breakdown.

Lemon – I like to put lemon in my water, in my smoothies, in my morning tonics, in my dressings, and on my vegetables. Full of vitamin C and has an alkalizing affect in the body.

Kale – Kale makes me feel satisfied. When I eat kale salads I stay noticeably full for a long period of time. I guess it is my favorite way to get fiber and essential minerals, along with chia.

Canned sardines (or wild salmon) – I crave fish. I don’t eat a ton of other meats but I do love fish. Must be a west coast thing but I like to know that I have access to a high quality, omega3 packed, protein. Sardines are a go to for me because they are full of vitamin D, and other major minerals.

What is your favorite way to sweat?

I like yoga for the stress relief component of it. I live in my head a lot so it is good to focus inwards whenever I can.

I also love running, preferably in the woods, hopping over logs and over rocks. And if there is a game to play, any sport, and type of ball chasing, ground wrestling game, I am in. I love most physical activity especially when it is in the form of a game, hide and seek, kick the can, soccer or baseball, doesn’t matter.

Meet Elizabeth Crisci, an ambassador at our Westport, CT store and our Wanderlust Vermont host. She’ll be sharing her story across our channels and live tweeting at @lululemonlive.

The coolest part of Wanderlust and yoga in general – the journey. You show up at the studio, at a big white tent, on the top of a mountain, on a hotel room floor, in your living room. This summer we’ll be sharing our yoga story with the hashtag #justmymat. 

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Summer is fast approaching and for some, that means barbecues and beach time. For me, it means Wanderlust Vermont - my all-time favorite weekend of the year!

This is my third year attending Wanderlust as a student but my first year as a teacher. I’m so incredibly honoured by this opportunity and I just can’t wait to share this experience with you through @lululemonlive.

With so many teachers, classes, and everyone bringing their very best, how can you possibly choose? Now that I’ve been to a few festivals, I’ve learned the art of scheduling my time but for Wanderlust rookies, creating a weekend schedule can be overwhelming.

Here are some tips for creating the perfect itinerary:

Be careful of overscheduling
You’ll need to put your physical self through multiple classes a day so balance it out with some speakeasy talks, meditation, or a gentle hike to break up your day. This will help you tip your scales more toward bliss than ouch!

Challenge yourself
Are you eyeballing an Inversions workshop thinking, “But I’ve never even tried handstand without a wall!” Well, now is the time. The teachers at Wanderlust are some of the best and the energy of the festival is just the boost you need to try something that scares you.

Get a blend of familiar and new faces
There are so many teachers that I look forward to seeing again, but Wanderlust is all about meeting a new teacher and falling in love. The lineup at Wanderlust was hand-selected to bring a diverse offering of awesome teachers from the local area. Be sure to add a few workshops that catch your eye from someone you’ve never practiced with.

My can’t-miss workshops:

Strength and Compassion, The Practice of Being a Woman
Teacher: Elena Brower with Tiffany Cruikshank and Schuyler Grant.
Each an amazing teacher in their own right, I can’t wait to check out what they create together.

Stalking Your Fear
Teacher: Ana Forrest
This will be my first practice after leading an 8 am hike. Ana is known for her challenging asana practice but this all-level workshop can help anyone let go of the tension caused by fear and start the festival with an open heart and mind.

Becoming a Miracle Magnet
Teacher: Gabrielle Bernstein
A new face at the festival this year but you may have read one of her books (be sure to read Spirit Junkie). Gabrielle believes in miracles and has made it her mission to show you that you can believe in them too. Gabrielle is also giving a Speakeasy Talk, an awesome way to introduce yourself to her work.

Sunset Meditation Hike
Teacher: Garth Stevenson
He is an amazing musician as well as a teacher of meditation. Garth is leading several hikes at the festival, any one of them will be a delight.

Hooping and Slackline
Give yourself a chance to check out something new. Hoop dance and Yoga Slackers’ workshops will challenge you in a totally new way, and may just open up your traditional practice.

These are just some of the things I’m most looking forward to but there’s so much more to explore. What are you most looking forward to?

Until next time! Namaste.

Jessica E., international community manager

Rad dad: David

My dad taught me how to water-ski when I was 5.  He slipped on his skis, placed me at the tip of the skis, told me to hold on to the rope as tight as I could, and then he gave me a great big 'o' bear hug.  We popped up and flew across the water together.

Christine, senior production manager

Rad dad: Jim

Some of my fondest memories are out in the boat, fishing with my dad… although these slacks are before my time. He IS the best dad in the world, and I know this because he baited my hook first… and brought Oreos.

Jessica R., brand experience – production manager

Rad dad: Ernest

This is a shot of my dad on his Honda, cruising around Bali in '72. My dad taught me how to read a map, how to use a compass and that back roads are the best way to get anywhere. Honestly, he is the best.

Lesia, director, brand strategy

Rad dad: Tom, father of 5 girls (seriously)

Don't sweat the small stuff, and it's all small stuff. My dad always has a way of putting things into perspective. I still go to him for advice all the time. I am going to have a son in a few months and the best way I can explain how much I love and admire my dad is to tell you that I hope this little man is just as awesome, loving and thoughtful as my dad (not sure I'm down with the matching 69 t-shirts but playing golf is all good though). xo

Sairah, social media manager

Rad dad: Phil

There are a lot of awesome things about my Dad, but first and foremost I have him to thank for my sense of humor and my love of sports. He's responsible for teaching me how to throw a perfect spiral (tomboy much?) and he also probably plays the worlds best air guitar. Now, if only I had inherited his ability to organize an email inbox I'd be set!

BeyondLuon is an evening of inspiration and powerful sharing created because of the remarkable people we all work beside every day with so many incredible stories. Eight passionate lululemon employees will share what they're up to outside of the walls of lululemon.

We’re giving you a peek behind the curtain of BeyondLuon and sharing what Bucktown Store Manager Stacy Greanias is up to outside our luon walls.

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I L.O.V.E. lululemon. So much so that burying myself in work at the store would be the easiest way to distract myself. This is a 157.2 mile journey of self-love & declaration.

I had recently moved back home to Chicago following the end of a relationship that I anticipated would result in vows, rings, and babies.

My marriage vision has always been clear: My husband and I share a devoted marriage that is based in partnership, affection, support, and fun. Our walk-up home is on a quiet street within an active city and nearby water. My husband adores me and our children. We both continue to be driven and motivated, while maintaining an equal balance of time for our family.

After 4 years, a move to Washington, DC, and co-habitation, my reality was not matching up with my vision and I moved back to Chicago. My heart broke wide open, beautifully wide open. As a Store Manager, I share myself fully with my team and choose to lead by living as an example of our culture. And, yes, I cried and broke down when emotional waves hit.

I was alone. I ran. I was overwhelmed. I biked. I was scared. I started dating.

Who was I outside of my career and on my own? My spirit knew it needed to be in action and reclaim the possibility of my vision. Running with a clear head and heart, stripping away my fears allowed me to replace them with possibility.

My goal was declared: I would run 12 half-marathons by February 2013.

Racy-Stacy. The repetition month after month forced me to prioritize and plan my time outside of work. Each race offered 13.1 miles for self-reflection and time to remain committed to my vision for my life. Each race carried a distinct emotion - butterflies, challenges, setbacks, support, and celebrations.

When I crossed finish line #12 in New Orleans this past February, a new goal was set: 24 half-marathons in 24 months by February 2014.

104.8 miles remain on course. With confidence, I know the miles ahead will be the sweetest. By putting my personal work at the forefront, my vision is becoming a reality on the ultimate course that is my life.

One Mile. Every day. For one month. No – it’s not a lot (or at least it didn't seem like a lot) when our international brand coordinator, Allessia, set off on a 31-day running challenge (also known as #mileadaymay) but she ended up covering a whole lot of ground and learned a thing or two in the process.

When I decided to embark on #mileadaymay I didn’t really know what I was in for. The copywriter in me thought the name was clever, the designer in me thought a collage of 31 photos of my feet might look cool (but wait, there’s only 30 photos! more on that later), the blogger in me thought “good content” and the athlete in me was all “psh” but thankfully I silenced her real fast.

so why would I want to run one mile every day?

Despite the name, the distance was never important. It was always about getting out there. It takes the average person 10-12 minutes to run a mile. I consider myself to be a pretty active person but I sensed I was getting all too comfortable with the “not enough time” excuse and I had a feeling I was using it more than I realized. If I couldn’t find at least 10-12 minutes a day to break a sweat I knew I had some serious re-prioritizing to do.

lessons learned from 31 runs

1. Turns out there is enough time in the day. You may have to wake up earlier than you’d like or leave your friends and a half finished brew on a patio or get dropped off a mile away from your volleyball game but there is time – you just have to want to make it. On day 10 I effed up (this is where the 30 photos comes in). I didn’t plan my day out properly and I couldn’t make it happen. I was mad at myself for it but I knew I had to let it go. I considered throwing in the towel right then because I thought I’d failed. Instead I learned that Friday and Saturday mornings were made for workouts (Friday and Saturday nights, not so much). The next day I got back out there and since then, didn’t miss a beat.

2. You can run off a bad day. Holy – running does wonders to clear your mind. That endorphin thing? Not a gimmick. On one particular day I had run in the morning before work and then came home feeling “blah” and threw myself an epic pity party. Right before hitting rock bottom I decided I needed to hit the pavement and I used my frustrations to fuel a second run. By the end of my run my mood and mindset had done a total 180. This two-a-day also brought me back up to 31 runs by the end of the month which made me feel less guilty about missing Day 10.

3. There is nothing more refreshing than a run in the rain. I love it. It’s so serene and you feel completely badass cause you’re like THE ONLY PERSON OUTSIDE RUNNING.

4. Despite the fact that 30% of my runs started with “arrrrgh I don’t want to do this” 100% of my runs ended glad that I did. Also – I surprised myself that for most of my runs I was eager to get out there. I had anticipated a lot more dread than I actually experienced.

5. There are a lot of skunks in my neighbourhood. One day I crossed paths with 4 skunks. That’s got to be a record (note: I managed to make it out without getting sprayed).

6. Not every workout has to be an epic workout. Some days I only ran a mile other days I went to yoga, soccer and got in a 5K run. If you only have 10 minutes to be active then only workout for 10 minutes. It all counts and it all adds up. By the end of May I had clocked 100K. I covered more distance in a single month doing small runs every day than in the peak month of my half-marathon training last year.

7. Enroll others to hold you accountable. This is true for any goal you set for yourself. I enrolled my blog readers, my family, my friends, coworkers and my social media following.  People kept telling me how inspired they were by what I was up to or that my photos on Instagram had convinced them to lace up too (see there is a time and a place for feet shots after all). There were even a few strangers who picked up the challenge (via the internet) and completed it with me! What no one probably knows is that they were, in turn, inspiring me too. I didn’t want to let anyone down – people were so invested in my success and I'm so thankful for the ongoing support I received.

what's next?

People keep asking me “so now what?” and I’m like… uh, hello! Wasn’t running every day in May enough? I feel like when you complete something like this you’re afraid to stop and break the habit. I think in June I’ll take my “there is enough time” mentality and commit to sweating every day but not necessarily through running. There are so many different activities I love to do and I don’t want to restrict myself.

As for those photos - I'm thinking I'll do a little StickyGram action on them and make them into magnets! Unless, of course, you have a better idea?

I’m Britt and I have the scoop on black stretchy pants

You guys ask us great questions and we love it. Getting your feedback on what you love (and don’t love) helps us design and innovate for you.

We're kicking it up a notch with personal responses to anything that’s on your mind. I want to hear all your feedback and questions, even the weird ones. (Especially the weird ones.) All you have to do is ask on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or here on the blog, and I’ll get you answers face to face. Well, my face to your screen.

Black luon bottoms are arriving back in stores in June. They’re a hot topic, so here’s what’s up:

in case you were under a rock...

You may have missed that we had some issues with our black luon bottoms. The luon setback allowed us to take a hard look at every aspect of this fabric and how we design. Your (extremely) honest feedback made this possible. Thank you!

how did we get black back?

luon is still the moisture-wicking, four-way stretch, high Lycra content, cottony-soft fabric that we want to wear every day. So our recipe for luon hasn't changed. But our testing and checking has, big time.

How? There’s a pretty long list, but here are a few examples.

First, we added tighter new standards and specifications to our testing and development. In fact, your stretchy pants go through about 15 tests to make sure you get great ass coverage (that’s the scientific term).

And speaking of science, we even got some university scientists to help us develop a "sheer-o-metre" to help us measure sheerness in our fabrics.

We’ve also re-engineered our luon bottom patterns in each and every style to minimize the stretching of the fabric. Basically, that means there’s now more fabric across the bum so it's not stretched from the get-go.

let’s get real about sheerness

luon is a knit fabric – if you stretch a knit fabric far enough, it will go sheer. That’s why the right fit is key. (Check out this fit guide I made.) But what makes our bottoms great is the amazing technical benefits they provide. Fit, style, colour, performance, beauty – finding the perfect mix is what keeps us innovating and what makes us love doing what we do.

this is just the beginning

We are innovating around fabric every day, and your feedback is what makes this possible. So tell us what you think! If you have any questions, just ask me!

Starting June 3, we’re 10 weeks away from race day - that's 68 days to be precise!

Jenn and I from Rogue Running in Austin, TX (two of your official SeaWheeze Run Ambassadors) are here to help you get there. June 3 marks the start of the official SeaWheeze Tacklebox training, a 10-week, step-by-step guide to preparing for the race and getting ready for SeaWheeze domination on August 10th!

The program is designed for runners of all levels with one common goal in mind: to help you smash through your self-imposed, personal limits to reach places you never thought were possible. That means different things for everyone, but it requires opening your mind and discarding prior expectations.

If you haven’t yet – download the SeaWheeze app so you can track all of your training, or print off the TackleBox program and follow along at home.

As you enter these final 10 weeks of preparation, here are some thoughts to prepare you to get the most out of the Tacklebox program.

“If you have a body, you’re an athlete.” – Bill Bowerman

Own that statement.

If you can breathe, regardless of your size, shape, age, or background, then you are an athlete. If you can move, regardless of your starting point, then you are an athlete and therefore a runner. Own it!

“Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.” – Robert Collier

Contrary to popular belief, improving as a runner is not about big efforts or even running fast more often, it’s about consistency and doing the small things repeatedly that will drive improvement over time.

What does this mean for the Tacklebox program?

1. Consistency is king.

The most important thing you can do is follow the program consistently starting today. The accumulation of consistent training efforts will make you a stronger runner and prepare you for the August 10th.

In addition to supreme discipline, consistency requires supreme patience.

Other than your weekly workouts (shown on Wednesday on the schedule), all of your runs (or run/walks) should be done at an easy, conversational pace. Running easy means that you can speak comfortably in full sentences and ensures that you are in the right aerobic development zone to best develop your fitness.

As we say to our groups at Rogue, “you have to go slow to go fast later”. Running easy also puts less strain on your muscles, tendons, and joints, allowing you to stay healthy throughout the program.

If you remember nothing else from this blog, remember 3 words: Consistent. Easy. Running!

2. The one-percents.

It’s about the running but also about the small things you do to stay healthy and strong as an athlete. Collier called these things “small efforts,” we call them the one-percents.

What are the one-percents in the Tacklebox program? The one percents are the Strength Circuit and Drills from Jenn and I, the Yoga routine from Kerri, and the Dynamic Warm-up routine from Blue.

These small efforts done repeatedly each week over the next 10 weeks will make you a stronger, healthier, and more efficient runner. Do them all weekly if you can. If not, prioritize them based on your weaknesses, but regardless of your situation, make time for the one-percents!

"Out on the roads there is fitness and self-discovery and the persons we were destined to be." – George Sheehan

Ok, let’s do this. We look forward to seeing you on the roads on August 10th, not as the person you are now, but closer to the person you are destined to be! Your journey to be that person starts today!

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I’ll admit it: I’m not a runner. I blame it on the fact that after walking my pup so much (who, while ridiculously adorable, is not a great pace buddy), I don’t have time to run. But, all excuses aside, I’m just not a runner.

That is, until the wonderful Run Club Coordinators for lululemon Briar Hill asked me for some help making a promo video for an exciting new challenge they were planning.  I thought my helping ended at the photo-taking-video-making, but I was wrong. Soon, I was lacing up my shoes and hitting the trails for some running (well, okay, run-walking. But, hey, I’m trying.)

So what is this exciting challenge?

We are running the distance from our store in Toronto to our head office in Vancouver, a solid 4,400 kilometres. Well, we aren’t physically traveling from Toronto to Vancouver but we are accumulating the same distance by July 1st, 2013.

We wanted to take on this challenge to not only get the non-runners like myself running but to inspire our community to come run with us. When runners join us for our weekly run club, their distance is added to our bank, exponentially increasing those km’s. As well, t’is the season for spring races and with that comes lots of training.

But, we need your help.

Over the last few weeks, we’ve realized this is a bigger feat than we thought. And we need you - yes, you! Whether you’re a runner or not, you’re a runner now. Grab your kicks and hit the pavement, and when you do, please post the heck out of it on instagram and twitter. Don’t forget to use our hashtag #irunbhill (with the number of km’s please) so we can add it to the grand total.

We really want to see what you’re up to, what you’re wearing and where you’re running (say that three times fast!), so post pictures! Good places to start: shoe pictures (look up: #mileadaymay), and check out these popular hashtags for inspiration: #thesweatlife), #sceneontherun and #irunbhill (obviously).

What are you waiting for? Let’s get running! Or, you know, run-walk-running!

My confession: yoga annoys me.

Or at least it used to.

In my first yoga class a decade ago, I spent the hour looking around the room cursing under my breath at all the bendy people who could easily touch their toes or sit comfortably cross-legged for 10 minutes. And I particularly hated the fact that it didn’t seem to bother anyone else that others were more flexible or grounded or strong. Where was the sense of competition?

My athletic life has always been built around sports or races: hockey, softball, half marathons, and triathlons. I love the feeling of crossing a finish line, or winning a hockey game. And I even like losing games, because at least it gives a clear result.

So, the idea of yoga being a never-ending “practice” blew my mind. What are we practicing for? When’s the event? How do you know if you’ve achieved your goals?

But when I hurt my knee a couple of months ago and couldn’t run, I decided that perhaps it was time to explore the world of yoga to see if it could help me rehab and build my core strength.

This is when I announced to my friends and family that I was going to do a 30-day yoga challenge.

This was a way to put yoga on my terms: I had a clear goal and would know when I accomplished it. So I embarked on a month of exploring all different styles of yoga and really immersing myself in this world of “practice”. And what I discovered amazed me.

The physical benefits were great but the biggest reward was what I learned about myself.

I learned that when you let go of fear, you can do amazing things.

I usually stick to the beginner poses because surely I could never do crow pose, right? Well, doing yoga everyday made me want to try more new things because if I fail, I know I have 7 chances a week to get it right.

And I realized that not only were there some poses that I could do, the act of just trying them was way more fun than not! No, I still can’t do crow pose but I can do a headstand, hold eagle pose endlessly, and can even do Utthita Hasta Padangustasana (google that one…)

I learned why yoga is a practice, and not a game/sport/goal.

There is an amazing amount of peacefulness that comes from giving yourself permission to be exactly where you are. Sports and races are all about getting somewhere and becoming better, faster, and stronger. I found that by giving myself permission to be in my practice every single day, without setting an end result, I felt more confident, proud and in touch with who I really am.

And who I am is awesome, even if I can’t touch my toes.

I learned that commitment is a beautiful thing.

I knew that no matter what else was happening that day, I would find time for yoga. We became friends and I relied on yoga to pull me through some tough days.

It’s scary to commit to something you’re not sure you can accomplish but there is no better feeling than the realization that you’re as strong, passionate, and able as you always thought you could be.

I’m excited that my true yoga journey is only just beginning, and although I will always love the feeling of making a PB in a race, I can’t wait to get back on my mat.

Yoga on top of a mountain (NBD), at Wanderlust Whistler 2012.

Last August, I had a conversation with someone who was nervous about attending her first-ever Wanderlust - the yoga and music festival that has four North American stops in summer 2013.

“I don’t think I’m advanced enough to go,” she said. “Doing that much yoga is scary.”

Seeing as the yoga festival season is now upon us, I thought it was a good time to address her concerns in this blog post in case any of you have similar thoughts when you think about the possibility of attending all-day back-to-back classes at a Wanderlust festival near you.

wanderlust is for everyone

This is what I told my friend. Firstly, you need to know this: Wanderlust, just like all yoga, is for everyone. In any given class there are things you can physically do and things you can’t. Everybody will breathe together, everybody will move together, and if you need to take a time out in Child’s Pose at any time, nobody will judge you. Whether it’s your first class or your 5,000^th, you’ll fit in.

Various stages of handstands, Wanderlust Vermont 2012.

yes, you will be sore

Doing a lot of yoga will make even the most hardcore yogis feel muscles they didn’t know they had. Pro tip: when you build your schedule, balance your classes with meditations & speakeasies. Also, stay hydrated. Rest. Listen to your body, and if it’s telling you to go to the market place for gelato, do it.

like music? they’ve got music

At night, the yoga mats get rolled up and the musicians come out to play. Each festival has a different line up. There is no better way to cap off a day of yoga-ing than under a summer night sky with a community of like-minded folks, many of which will have Total Yoga Hair.

Michael Franti at Wanderlust Whistler 2012.

Don’t go to Wanderlust if you already know everything about yoga you need to know. Don’t go if you’re looking to get uninspired, because that is guaranteed not to happen. Oh, and don’t go if you’re not a little bit nervous about it. Wanderlust can crack you open and teach you whatever you need to learn, but only if you’ll let it.

#justmymat

The coolest part about Wanderlust Festival and yoga in general is that it’s a journey. You show up at the studio, at a big white tent, on the top of a mountain, on a hotel room floor, in your living room. Sometimes you don’t know why but you do it anyways. Join our community this summer and share your yoga journey, whether you’re attending Wanderlust or not. We know your mat has stories to tell.

We’ll be celebrating community with updates from each Wanderlust Festival here on the blog, written by a local host who will share their journey with you. Coming soon: meet our Wanderlust Vermont local host & storyteller, Elizabeth Crisci.

Wanderlust Festival has four festivals in summer 2013:

Vermont, June 20-23.
Colorado, July 4-7.
California, July 18-21.
Whistler, Aug. 1-4.

Learn more at http://wanderlustfestival.com