Skirt Sports Ambassador

It's no secret that I love running in skirts.  That wasn't always the case.

When I first stared running, I didn't even know there was such a thing. A skirt made for running didn't make sense to me.

As I was "becoming" a runner, I read books, blogs and random FB posts all about running.  I started seeing more and more women running in skirts. They all looked damn cute too!

My first skirts came from Marshall's.  They were cute but not really functional.  They are hanging in my closet waiting for a good home.

Then I ordered three skirts from a better known skirt company but found that the sizing was off and the pockets were too small.  They too are hanging in my closet waiting for a good home.

I don't know how I discovered Skirt Sports.  But once I did, I knew I found the skirt that would work for me.  Sizing was right on and the pockets fit more than what I needed.  And cute, well yeah, you have seen my pictures.

Now, I don't always run in a skirt. Today it was 33 degrees on my run. Luckily, Skirt Sports also makes pants, capris, tanks, short and long sleeve shirts, bras, and socks.  I have tried them all and have never been disappointed.  There is something for everyone.

I know there is a lot of controversy among the skirt lovers and the non skirt lovers.  But honestly who cares.  Run in what you love and just keep moving forward.

Now, the skirt is only as good as the shorts underneath. If the shorts move, ride up, then that will make for a miserable run.  My Skirt Sports stay put. I never have to adjust them. I have run numerous races and distances in them, including a marathon and never once was the skirt an issue.

I have been pretty vocal on their FB page and Instagram. I have helped promote some of their races and giveaways and now, I am excited to announce that I have been asked to be one of their Ambassadors.  What an honor!

I am now part of a team of women who will inspire and motivate runners everywhere.  Included in this group you will find Kathrine Switzer,  Jenny Hadfield, and Rachel Toor.  Yeah, I am just a little ecstatic here.

I am looking forward to getting to know all of them. I know for some it will just be virtually but I am sure there will be opportunities to meet and run with some of them in person.  That, I am really looking forward to.

You can read about each of the ambassadors here.

So what does being an ambassador mean? Well, I get to spread the love of the skirt to everyone I know. I get to help promote their awesome races and products.  And I have discounts to share with you!

If you are lucky enough to live close enough to do one of their actual races, well, I have to admit, I may be a little jealous.  However, for those of us who can't be there in person, we can still run together, virtually.  Here is the link to the races they have coming up.  I will be signing up for all of them.  I will keep you updated on all the events as they come up.

For those of you who are ready to sign up now and start training, you can us RWM25AMB to get 25% off your race entry.  Don't worry, you still get the full gift certificate even with the discount.  Can you say awesome deal!

Now for those of you who are just here for the pictures, this is for you.

Cutest little running girl ever in her Skirt Sports Dress!

Gym Girl

Vixen Capri

Tri Tank and Tri Shorts

Tri Tank and Tri Shorts

Gym Girl and Eclipse Tank for me and Beth is in a Gym Girl and Tri Tank.

Gym Girl

Gym Girl

Free Me Long Sleeve and Lotta Breeze Capri

Runners Dream long sleeve

Redemption Capri

Gym Girl and Eclipse Tank

So there you have it! These are a few of my favorites.  Are you a skirt lover? Share your pictures with me on my FaceBook page.  Let me know which races you will be doing so I can run "with" you.

If there is anything you want to know about Skirt Sports, please don't hesitate to ask. There are just a couple products I haven't tried yet, so if I don't know the answer, I will find out for you.

And just an FYI, I am officially registered the the Philadelphia Broad Street run. I have been eyeing this race for some time now and so excited to be doing it in 2015. I joined Andy's team and we are raising money for the American Cancer Society DetermiNation team.  Happy to be fundraising again!  Anyone else planing on Broad Street?  I would love to meet you!

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving.  Who is running a Thanksgiving race? I will be running a 5k the Saturday after Thanksgiving.  It should be a really fun time!

Run Strong, Think Big! ~ Nicole

What's Just One More Race

Yeah, so you know how I said I was finished with races this year? Well, I am not.  I just registered for race number seventeen.  I know, I know, what the hell was I thinking?  Well, I wanted to do a fun race on Thanksgiving morning.  I couldn't make that work but my friend Diane said she was running a 5K at her daughters school the Saturday after Thanksgiving.  I wanted to run and I wanted to see Diane.  So, that's it. I registered.

What is the definition of a race addict? I don't think I am addicted to racing, I just want to see my friends.  It seems that this is the easiest way.  I still plan on toning it down for next year, but I know I won't be able to say, "no", to these fun races with friends. Especially the friends I only get to see once a year.

Mr. RWM will come with me and the kids will be with my parents. Kids are psyched for that.  I can't really say what I plan to do, race it or not.  I think I will just see how I feel in the morning and take Diane's lead.  Plus, I know nothing about the course.

The last several runs have all been good.  No pressure runs.  Today, the fog was killer but it was fun to run in.  It got hot and I was dressed to warm. Hoping it stays warm the next couple days. I have new shorts from Skirt Sports that I want to try out.

You can't even see the Towers behind the the surfers.

So tell me, how many races do you typically run a year? How do you choose what ones you want to do?  

Run Strong, Think Big! ~ Nicole

Because Volunteering in a Nor'easter is Fun!

I belong to a running group that I really never run with.  It's not that I don't like them, in fact, there are a few that I would really like to get to know better.  It's a timing thing. I don't run very early in the morning, which most of them do, and my long runs are usually done on a Monday.  They have a fun run on Thursday night that I have been able to do in the past, but now it is filled with Gymnastics with Gracie.

When they announced that they will be organizing a half marathon in our town and were looking for help, I jumped on it.  I was able to attend most of the meetings and gather some of the gift cards for the prize table that we had for the people who placed in their age group.  Thank you to my friends who donated!

Knowing the race was going to be well run and on a beautiful course that I am more than familiar with, I had to decide if I wanted to run it or just help and volunteer that morning.  I really went back and fourth with this because I really did want to run it.  However, once I finished my sixteenth race of the year and fourth half marathon, five if you include the HIM, I just decided that I didn't need another race. I was good.

I was assigned water stop B. This was a stop on both sides of the street that ends up being mile four and mile 10.

The race had an 11 o'clock start and I had to check in by ten. I was early, so I helped point runners in the right direction to check in.  It was nice that we were able to do this in the hotel and there was plenty of room for everyone to stay in there to keep warm.  The weather was not good. So cold, rain and wind.

Once more volunteers showed up, I had one help me load my truck and we took the supplies to our water stop to start the set up.  Man it was cold. The wind was blowing cups all over the place.  My gloves got wet and my hands started to freeze. I was really mad that I didn't bring my warmer gloves.

One of the volunteers at my stop, had a pop-up tent in her car. With a little help, we got it up and found large rocks to hold it in place. It was so nice to stand under it and wait. Especially, when it started to rain and snow at the same time.

Under the tent and smiling.

Once we saw the first runner, and ultimately the winner of the race, the fun started!  I loved seeing everyone run by and cheer them on. This was not a good running day.  People had to really dig deep to keep moving forward.  The last runner was basically a walker, and once she passed mile four, the lead runners were hitting mile ten.  Some of them at this point, had pained looks on their faces.  This is tough under normal conditions, here they were battling wind, cold, rain and snow.  I was inspired by each and every one of them.  I was also amazed by my fellow volunteers. No complaints, we just did what we had to do and it was a wonderful experience.

One of the highlights, I have to admit, was when the race director arrived with hot chocolate for all of us.  Man, that really hit the spot!

People started cleaning up as we were nearing the end.  We had people driving the course and was told just about twenty more runners to go.  I actually started counting as they passed by.  I was also so happy to see that most of them still had smiles on their faces.  I am not so sure I would have.

I think for the most part, we are a tough and crazy bunch of people.  My thoughts went to my friends running NYC.  They also dealt with cold, rain and wind but for 26.2 miles.  They all had fantastic races!

Once the final runner passed us, we hopped in our warm cars and heading back to the hotel for a pasta lunch.  I was so happy to feel the heat.  I was pleasantly surprised that the food was still hot.  I ate a little and watch the end of the awards ceremony.  I was able to chat with a few friends and then couldn't stand my wet clothes anymore.  I headed home for a hot shower and my fire place.

There's no place like home...

For a first year race, this was a huge success.  There were over 600 people registered and 486 that showed up, braved the elements and finished.  I have been smiling from ear to ear reading all the great comments on the Gansett Half FB page.  I am sure this will just get better and better every year.

I hope I can be involved with this race again next year. I may even run it.

Did you run Gansett today?  Have you ever volunteered?  You should!

Run Strong, Think Big! ~ Nicole