Product review: YMX running Tee

I'd see the YMX brand on occasion in my Athleta catalogs that I always thought their designs were so unique.  The price tag stopped me in my tracks since they were always priced on the high end for me.  I tend to outfit myself in the Target C9 collection, with exception to my runningskirts.com obsession.

So,when a blogger I read dawnieslife.com had a contest, I joined in on the chance of winning.  Well, I didn't win. :-( but I had "friended" YMX on Facebook.  Later, they had a chance of buying their products for $25 for 3 days, then they'd have another product for $25 for 3 days.  Anyways, I jumped on the chance to try out these shirts for $25 over the normal $69.

If you don't know about YMX here is a little about what they say on their website.

"ABOUT YMX

YMX (acronym for YellowMan Expression) was launched in 2009 as an extension of the original, high-end tattoo clothing brand, YellowMan (founded in 2004). Built on an extensive library of original tattoo artwork collected around the globe, YellowMan offers collectible, limited wearable art prints. YMX was created to offer an alternative to YellowMan in a broader, commercial market, while still preserving the authenticity of its origins.

Back, love the pocket!

YMX offers multifunctional garments that bridge the gap between athletic and fashion garments. Featuring high-comfort, lightweight MadKool fabrics and detailed, original prints, YMX garments can be worn for athletic use, or for casual wear. As a matter of fact, because of the moisture-wicking properties of the fabric, many people wear YMX in both active and leisure activities without having to change!"

Front

Tribal Sea Running Tee
 Product description according to their website:
"Not just for running, this sport tee offers beautiful tribal art, moisture wicking fabric, UPF 50+ sun protection, and silky-soft comfort. 

Fabric: MadKool ® 88% Polyester 12% Spandex

Properties: "UV protection SPF 30+, moisture-wicking, lightweight, wrinkle-resistant"

Fit: "slim fit, wear one size up for relaxed fit"

Uses: "running, casual, workout, cycling, travel"

 PRICE:  $69.00"

I've been using this shirt and the pink/orange version for about 2 months now.  They are always the first shirt I grab now for spinning and for running.  

Pros:

• It is so light weight and feels like a stretchy silk. I used to always wear tanks for spinning since tees just tended to be too hot, but this is so light weight that you hardly notice it.

• Unique design- I'm sure I'm not the only one out there who has "fat days".  It's nice to have a shirt that is busy (a very cool busy) that tends to cover up the slight muffin top when you put on your shorts/capris.  Nothing I hate more than a solid color shirt that shows your rolls!
• Nice length.  Long enough that it isn't going pull up and show tummy if you are stretching.  
• Slim design- feminine cut 
• Extra pocket on the back-I've never tried it out so don't know if it would bug me to have something there- maybe kleenex or tp or something light?  
• UPF 50+ sun protection- wow! didn't realize that til now!
• Washes up beautifully.  No smelly shirts!
• smooth seams, no chafing!

Cons:

• Price- $69 is a bit pricey 

• no v-neck
  

Last week before the PIG! gulp.

So, I haven't been blogging lately since our family schedule has been crazy.  I think we ate at home once last week.  Between soccer practices, games, and being gone a weekend, then guests the next weekend...you get the idea.  Ok, so here's what I've been doing for the Flying Pig (which is next weekend!!!!)

 

Pig training:

Last Sunday-ll miler which sucked.  I had been dreading it, since it was the distance I got hurt on in the fall.  I procrastinated on Saturday and finally ended up doing it on Sunday.  It was not a good run.  My hips hurt, my knees hurt, my heel (gulp) started hurting the last mile or so.  I was just happy to get it out of the way!  **Good thing** heel didn't bother me at all the rest of the day, so it wasn't plantar fasciitis- thank God!

Monday- Spinning class 20 miles with lots of hills.

Tuesday-  Multitasking day- Tempo run during soccer practice.  Did 5.8 miles at 7:50 pace. I'd started out for just an easy run, but I wore my Kinvaras, which always make me feel speedy. Plus, all the soccer moms watching me, made me push myself a bit more.  It was super windy as well, so good resistance training.

Wednesday- Spinning class, 22 miles, hills- a PR of sorts- burned 700 calories!  I say that- but I doubt it's true, since you can't put in your age or weight.  I like to use the calories to see how hard of a workout it was, since if you have low resistance but high mileage you won't get many calories burned.  you have to have high resistance and miles.  Normally, I try for 20 miles and 600 calories.

Thursday- Rest day- soccer practice and soccer game = rest day for mommy

Friday- quick 3 miler after work before getting the boys

Saturday- 2 rained out soccer games = extra time in the am for spinning class, 18.5 miles (586 calories).
Today- 12 miles on the trails with my running bud, Carrie.  Hips, knees felt fine, heel bothered me a bit the last 3 mile loop.  I've been using my spikey golf ball and icing today. Hoping tomorrow it will be fine, like last Monday.



Now, time for "Taper Tantrums".  This week should be pretty easy on the training.  Planning on Spinning on Monday, 3 easy miles Tuesday, off Wednesday, 2 on Thursday, off on Friday & Saturday.

Now, I get to worry about the weather on Sunday morning, the perfect racing outfit, and dealing with the insane time of getting up for a 6:30 am race time, which I have to drive an hour, etc.  I'm thinking a 3:30 am wake up.  Yuck.  Next year, hotel in Cinci.  

Visiting OU

Last weekend my dh and I had an opportunity to go visit our alma mater, Ohio University.  We'd been back one other time since graduation but it was nice to see that some things had stayed the same and others had been changed. 
My dh was busy the whole weekend doing his stuff (why were there in the first place) so I got to just kinda hang out and enjoy reminiscing without having to really do anything at all.

 Ok, well, I had to get my long run in but other than that, I was free.  I took a lovely 10.5 mile run on the bikepath and around campus on Saturday morning.  It was cold and raining when I started but it was perfect for running.  Just me, my music and my memories.  Loved every mile of it. 

for my fellow Bobcats- here's were I went!

I started off running the bikepath starting by the Kroger's on E. State street then ran the path past the hospital to W. Union, then I turned back and headed towards Richland Ave.  I wish I'd taken pictures but my phone was in my arm band it was going to be a pain to get it back in after it was already sweaty. 

From Richland, I ran past Peden stadium, past Ping Rec Center, past Klipinger lab, up the hill past Gordy Hall (my old haunts) then down Morton Hill, through East Green and up Jeff Hill, then around College green, down Richland- then I did it again! The second time through I hopped back on the bikepath and back to the Kroger's on E. State. 

If you didn't go to Ohio University-this means nothing to you, but it was so great!  Here are some pictures from the day before.

McGuffey Hall

Galbreath Chapel (where dh and I were married)

back of Cutler Hall

Good Old Ellis Hall- I spent most of my undergrad in that building

Morton Hill- looking down the hill (ran down this)

Tiffin Hall on East Green- my freshman dorm

East Green- ran down this

Bryan Hall- always loved the staircase

Jeff Hill- hated walking up this in school- ran up it x2 this time!

College Green and Mem Aud

Cutler Hall from the front (and College Green)

College Gate (I have wedding pictures here too!)

Me! tried out my new running skirt w/ my fav running tee

Feeling pretty good with my splits- what could I do with adrenaline and people?

 Of course, as soon as I got back to the hotel, I break my toe getting into the bathtub! I had to laugh at myself. What  a dork!  I've taped it and it hardly hurts now a week later! yay!

compression socks under the boots that night! :-)

Attempt at blogger app post

I ran 10.5 miles this morning at OU. I did most of it on the bike path past the campus. Weather was great cool upper 40s so it was a refreshing run.
I'm feeling good about the pig half at this point. I ran 10.5 in 1 hour 31 mins with a pace of 8:43. After I went back to the hotel I slammed my toe on the edge of the tub while getting in, crack! Nice sound to hear with pain! So it's definitely broken I'm hoping a few days rest will cure it. It's taped and I'm hoping it won't interfere wih training. Nothing planned til Tuesday .here's some pix from my run more later !

Back to life, back to reality

Vacation is over.  I had a great time wasting time.  I did nothing I planned to do.  But I did go shopping, ran and saw the Hunger Games so I suppose it wasn't a complete waste of a vacation.  I felt refreshed and ready to head back to work until my alarm clock when off at 5:15am and I realized I slept in my contacts.  Great way to start the week! 


Training this past week for the Pig:

Mon- Spinning class (20 miles)
Tues- 4 mile tempo run (7:40 pace) loops around the park where soccer practice is for my son.
Weds- Running clinic
Thurs- 6 miles on the trails. (8:50 pace)  This was the first time I've really done longish mileage out there by myself.  It went by pretty fast.  I tackled the steep hill and didn't stop and walk it. I just kept telling myself it was like a seated hill to a standing hill in spinning class.
Fri- rest day
Sat- 10k race...a little training run/speed workout (more about that in a bit)
Sun- rest/massive pigging out on jellybeans/ robin eggs
 Total miles:  16 (stepping down week)

Mon- Spinning class (21.5 miles)
Tues (today)- 5 miles (8:34 pace)- with some nice hills and 20 mph winds
Weds- (running clinic- last day) + 3 miles
Thurs- 4-5 miles
Fri- rest
Sat- 10 miles in Athens OH.  I. can. not. wait.- we'll be at Ohio University (OU) for something w/ dh, but it also is alumni weekend (yay! we won't be the oldest people in the bars!) I'm looking forward to taking tons of pics during my run! 
total miles:19-20?


Back to that race...

I won! I won! I won!  Yes, I know I'm bragging but I am so excited! Now, granted, this was a very small race- 35 total in my 10k- more ran the 5k.  I was the first woman overall.  Time was 46:52 with my mile average at 7:40.  The part that I'm really excited about is that I felt great, strong, and I wasn't pushing myself (too much). I was truly surprised to see my time was so close to my PR from last year (46:45) and I did that with lots of track workouts leading up to that race. I haven't done any this spring (unless you count spinning class). There were lots of people and excitement for the Air Force 10k, but this race I ran alone the whole time.  What could I do when I have people pushing me? 

My new favorite running outfit (running skirts "Mums" and Nike Pro combat tank, runlove compression socks)

How was everyone's Spring Break/Easter holiday?  
Any races coming up that you are training for?  

Feel free to comment people (not that I'm begging, or anything!). 
Let me help you...finish this sentence:  My favorite workout clothes are...



Also, do me a favor and follow me! I won't bite! 

Have a great week and look for pictures of OU in the future! Can you tell I'm excited to go back?

Pig training and zoo visit!

Training since last week ummm March 19th:
3/20- attempted a tempo run in 80 degree weather...not fun, when you're not used to it! 2.5 miles at 7:40 pace
3/21- 3.1 miles on the treadmill
3/22- running clinic- plyos, strength training, stretching
3/23- 3 miles in the neighborhood
3/24- Spinning class
3/25- 9 mile trail run with Carrie *No heel bruised feeling*  Yay!

3/26- Spinning
3/27-Tempo run at soccer practice- I love that there is bike path right next to the soccer field that goes around the park for a nice 1.15 mile loop. 3.5 miles overall Yes, I'm one of those moms.
3/28- running clinic- plyos,sprints/working on form, etc
3/29- run 1.5 as warmup, spinning class
3/30- rest day
3/21- rest day
4/1- Longest run in a long time 10.3 miles!!!!!! No problems with my heel again!  (fingers crossed)

4/2- Spinning
4/3-30 min tempo run 4 miles. done.  

So, I've decided that I'm doing Air Force Half Marathon on Sept. 15th.  I had been debating between the 10k and the half.  I got 3rd place in my age group last year in the 10k so I was debating how to train (more speedwork) and still get mileage in for Columbus full or half.   Then the 10k sold out...so the choice was made for me.

That's ok...now it's Columbus Full or Half.  I think, if I'm not forced into committing too early- I'm going to see how the Flying Pig Half goes.  I'm hoping to do as well as I did in Columbus  1hr 49min 07 sec.  But....there are hills and I've not lifted or done much speed work this time around.  So, those are my excuses when I don't make it, ok?

My dad w/Buster.  Gee, wonder what my dad looked like as a boy?

Meanwhile, the real reason I haven't blogged in awhile.  It's been Spring Break and we've had visitors!  My kids have had 2 sets of grandparents visit them this week.  Which has been nice, but there is the stress of having guests (clean, clean, clean) and we don't have a lot of space to visit chez nous.    We managed some how.

Cub with his sheepish smile and a Mexican gray wolf @Cincinnati zoo

We ended up heading to the zoo (actually between grandparent visits).  I hadn't been to the Cincinnati zoo in a long time (in kid years- at least 2 maybe 3 years ago).  Wow! It looks fantastic! And what a difference a few years make, no stroller, potty issues, temper tantrums, etc.  It was just a great time for the boys and for myself. DH had to work. :-(
 Cub has been doing research in school on wolves and (thank goodness) the zoo had Mexican wolves for us to see.  He was so excited.

My favorite picture of the boys at the zoo

There's a penguin in there somewhere