November 17, 2014

Introducing the 2015 LUNA Chix PDX Run Team!

A few weeks ago I wrote about launching the LUNA Chix Run Team in Portland for 2015, and I’m thrilled to announce our inaugural members for the upcoming season, which runs April through October.

We had a lot of interest, and it was tough to narrow it down to just 10 people — but the good news is that, since this is a non-competitive, community-oriented team, we look forward to opening up our workouts to everyone who is interested in attending.

So mark your calendars! Our regular workouts will take place on Mondays from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in a location that rotates each week (follow our team’s Facebook and Twitter pages for updates). Our first one is slated for Monday, April 6, and we hope to see you (and your friends — come one, come all) there.

And, without further do, here’s our official roster for the 2015 team:

Katie Phillips: Eye doc, mom of two kiddos, just rocked Hood to Coast and the Fueled by Fine Wine half marathon this summer
Kristin Minto: When not working alongside oral surgeons, you can find her at Burncycle, on the philanthropy circuit or with her cute pooch
Tiffany Henness: Also a proud dog mama, she’s a blogger, RRCA Certified Running Coach, CrossFit Level 1 Trainer & ultramarathoner
Kelsie Adams: May possibly have the most energy out of all of us as a mom to three, led her team in roadkills for this year’s Portland to Coast
Carolyn Domme: My partner in crime for studio-hopping in the city; avid mountain-biker, hiking adventurer and hot yoga connoisseur
Tasha Henderson: Embracer of life, food and a good farmer’s market, blogger who runs marathons, skis double black diamonds and climbs rocks
Sharlene Murphy: Family medicine doc and avid yogi who likes camping, hiking, snowshoeing, running and cycling
Nicole Licking: Neurology doc who cares for patients with movement disorders. Enjoys running, cooking, traveling and watching/playing soccer
Megan Fuetterer: Iron(wo)man triathlete, personal trainer, pediatric dietitian and kick-ass Revocycle instructor. Oh, and she also blogs
Jennifer Hellickson: Yours truly! I work for a fitness start-up & am a workout junkie/wannabe-triathlete who likes to run (far)

As you can see, it’s quite the crew! We’re looking forward to getting to know one another better, logging many miles together and making an impact on the Portland running community while doing some good work for the Breast Cancer Fund in the process.

Stay tuned for updates, follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and don’t forget to join us on Monday evenings for a workout when you’re in the Portland area!

Posted in Community, News, Personalities, Portland, Running, Team Luna Chix
2 Comments

November 14, 2014

I Mustache You Some Questions

I’m doing something a little different here today! Jamie did this survey on her blog last week and tagged me to do it, too. So let’s get to it, shall we?

Four names that people call me, other than my real name:

“JennaFart” …whenever my sister was mad at me growing up
“Ruffhouse”…a high school friend, Corey aka “Brickhouse,” gave me this one during Powderpuff football
“Junior”…I got this one as the young’un during my first college internship
“Denny”…my nephew’s version of “Aunt Jenny”

Four jobs I have had:

Plant-waterer (my first job – I was hired by my parents’ landscaper, who was impressed by my work ethic in the yard)
Personal trainer
Copywriter (I still freelance; hit me up!)
Marketing & PR

Four movies I’ve watched more than once:

The Wizard of Oz
Home Alone
Grease
Legally Blonde

Four books I’d recommend:

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
A Life Worth Living by Chrissie Wellington
Start With Why by Simon Sinek
The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle

Four places I have lived:

Detroit
Chicago
Boston
San Francisco

Four places I have been:

Fiji
Trinidad & Tobago
Italy
Costa Rica

Four places I’d rather be right now:

Someplace, any place, with sun (have you lived through a Portland winter?!)
Home in Michigan with my family
Italy, eating and drinking up a storm
San Francisco, grabbing workouts with my SweatGuru crew & November Project tribe

Four things I don’t eat:

Oysters. Blech.
Chicken McNuggets. Got food poisoning on them as a kid.
Anchovies. Again, blech.
Veal. On principle.

Four of my favorite foods:

Chocolate
Almost anything from the food carts in Portland
BBQ
A good cheeseburger

Four TV shows that I watch:

Stalker
Naked & Afraid
Modern Family
Game of Thrones

Four things I am looking forward to this year:

The holidays with friends & family
Getting to know Oregon even better
Immersing myself in the fitness scene here in Portland
Launching the LUNA Chix PDX Run Team for 2015!

Four things I’m always saying:

“Wanna grab a workout?”
“Why do I do this, again?” (pre-race jitters) & “I can’t wait to do this again!” (post-race euphoria)
“Yes, I’d like to see the dessert menu, thank you.”
“I just need 5 more minutes…” (when Hubby is trying to tear me away from my computer)

Four People I Tag:

Now it’s your turn…

I want to hear your answers! Share something with me from the list above.

Posted in Community, Interview, Just For Fun, Reflection
6 Comments

October 31, 2014

Link-Up: Best & Worst of Racing

Linking up today with Jessie over at The Right Fits to share some of the best and worst of my racing history! I read about this via my Coeur pal Erin over at SweetSweatLife and enjoyed her post so much that I thought it’d be fun to take a little walk down memory lane.

So without further ado, here are my best and worst…plus a few extra categories I added just for fun!

Best Start Line

Hands-down, the 2014 Detroit Marathon. I mean, c’mon, is there anything better than being in your hometown and hearing Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” blaring over the speakers as they count down to the start?!

Best Finish Line

There’s nothing like crossing the finish line in your first 26.2, so my personal favorite here is the 2002 Chicago Marathon. But if I can also count a race I haven’t run (yet?) but attended, I’d have to go with Boston — an iconic race in a city full of spirit.

The shot above is from 2004 while I was living there and going to grad school; we’d start our day at mile 26 to cheer runners along the last stretch. The shot below isn’t from the actual race (it’s from the Pats Superbowl parade), but gives a good idea of the crowd support at the end; I worked at Boston Sports Club Copley at the time, and we’d finish the day standing on that very same rooftop to watch people cross the finish line.

Best Expo

Nobody puts on a pre-race party quite like Nike, which is why the expotique from the 2013 Nike Women’s Marathon takes the cake for this category. From live DJ, fashion show, social media integration and a host of other activities, it’s something that ever runner should experience at least once.

Oh, and if your gut can handle it, they have a pretty sweet spread there, too. Care to carb-load with a macaroon, anyone?

Best Crowd Support

Hm, this one’s a tough call. While 2002’s Chicago Marathon will always hold a special place in my heart for the thousands of people lined up along the route, it’s probably a close tie with this year’s Detroit Marathon.

Why? Well, anytime you can run through the wall (and not hit it) while running 26.2 is a win.

Hottest Race

No question, I was burning up for most of the 2014 HITS Napa Olympic triathlon. Not only were we battling hot temps while on a course with little shade, but I also found out later that I was racing with a low-grade fever.

Coldest Race

Hubby and I rang in the start of the holiday season with the 2010 Walnut Creek Turkey Trot…and froze our buns off in the process. At the last minute, I threw on an ill-fitting vest to try to keep warm, but ended up tugging at it for most of the 10K. Outfit fail!

Most Beautiful Course

I’ll let the picture from the 2014 Lake Chabot Trail Run 30K speak for itself. You can see why it’s so easy to get hooked on the trails!

Most Coordinated Outfits

Put a hot glue gun in my hand, and I’m not responsible for what’ll happen next. Case in point: I got a little crafty before the 2013 Turkey Trail Trot XI and made Hubby and myself some matching outfits to get into the spirit of this wacky race.

Funniest Memory

Easily the 2011 Detroit Half Marathon. Here’s the before, with my sister, whom I was going to pace for her second half marathon.

And the during, in which I proceeded to not only chatter incessantly in an attempt to keep her mind off the pain, but also take a bunch of pictures along the way to document our experience. She was clearly not amused.

Best New Experience

Running a new distance (especially an ultra) can be scary. But tackling it with a friend, who just so happens to be an accomplished trail runner and fabulous pacer? Awesome, as you can see from this shot from 2014’s Canyon Meadow 50K.

Best People Watching

Bay to Breakers. Every year. ‘Nuff said.

Hilliest Course

While it may not rank as my hilliest race in terms of actual elevation, I remember the hills in the 2005 U.S. Half Marathon in San Francisco shocking me the most mid-race. Not only was it my very first 13.1, but I’d never run over the Golden Gate Bridge before, so the steep ascent, steady climb over and switchbacks on the Marin side were a rude awakening to Bay Area running!

Flattest Course

I’m sure I’ve run on many a pancake-flat course, but the 2011 Oakland Running Festival Half Marathon sticks out as a particularly level one. It also helped me snag my second sub-two-hour time!

Course That Took the Most Mental Strength

The picture below is from this year’s HITS Napa Olympic triathlon, and it’s also one of my toughest racing moments to-date.

Those other guys in the shot? Yeah, they’re done with their swims and headed out on the bike. Me, not so much — I’ve still got my second lap, and I’m pretty much trying A) to force myself back into the water for round two, and B) not to cry.

Most Disappointing Start

Making a rookie racing mistake at the 2009 Nike Women’s Half Marathon meant that I had to run it without a time chip (forgot it in the hotel room), effectively meaning I didn’t do it (i.e. there’s no official record of my participation).

Lesson learned: Now I always put my timing chip on my shoe or bib the night before the race, and make sure to double-check it on race morning!

Most Disappointing Finish

My face says it all in the shot below: Try not to puke.

In 2007, I ran the Big Sur Half Marathon and didn’t respect the distance. Not only was I under-trained and went out too quickly, but I was also coming down with a cold and mistakenly experimented with some Airborne and cold medicine that morning.

Big mistake. My poor friend Marlene was such as saint as I slammed into the wall at mile six, then proceeded to poorly manage gastrointestinal issues and leg cramps for the rest of the race before ending up in the fetal position at the finish line.

Crappiest Weather

Despite Oregon’s reputation for rain, they say that it’s only been wet once or twice during the city’s very popular fall marathon. So, of course, my 2010 Portland Half Marathon was one of those lucky years where we experienced a downpour.

And, in case you were wondering, that’s not happiness on my face to be running, soaked and chilled to the bone.

Most Surprising

My very first triathlon — a sprint in the local quarry — was 2010’s Tri for Fun in Pleasanton, Calif. My goggles leaked, the water was warm and full of goose poop, my bike was a poor-fitting Craigslist purchase, and my legs cramped on the run…but I finished with a smile and enjoyed every moment!

Most Rewarding Race

Helping my sister cross her first 13.1 finish line in the 2009 Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicago Half Marathon holds a special place in my heart. Not only is the city one of our favorites, but to share that experience with her was also something I’ll always remember.

Coolest Medal

No one will argue with the Nike Women’s Marathon “medal” (below is last year’s version). As far as bling goes, you can’t do much better than that pretty Tiffany necklace!

Best Worst Experience

A friend joked with me that Hood to Coast was the “best-worst race experience,” and after running this year’s event, I couldn’t agree more. It’s exhausting, intense and overwhelming at times, but so worth it for the 200-mile bonding experience…and getting to cross that sand-filled finish line!

Got a best (or worst) race memory? I’d love to hear!

Posted in Boston Marathon, Community, Detroit Marathon, Events, marathon, Nike Women's Marathon, Portland Marathon, Racing, Reflection, Running, Trail Running, Ultramarathon
17 Comments

October 29, 2014

An exciting announcement for 2015!

With the Detroit Marathon behind me, it’s time to take a short (and much-needed) break from running. But resting up my legs for the next few weeks doesn’t mean we can’t start planning ahead for next year’s adventures!

Case in point: If you remember, I was invited to the LUNA Chix Summit last spring by friend, LUNA Sponsored Athlete and Detroit Tough endurance coach Terra Castro. What started as a mission to profile the group, though, ended up being so much more; I didn’t just want to write about them, I wanted to get involved.

Fast-forward through this past year, where I had set my sights on accomplishing a few personal goals: First Olympic triathlon? Check. First ultramarathon? Check. 10k PR? Check. First overnight relay? Check. Sub-four marathon? Nope, but still on the list. Yeah, it’s been a busy race season.

But as I look toward 2015, instead of going faster and further (although there may be some of that), I want to change focus a bit and help others achieve their goals. Inspiring each other is a huge part of why I got into this “blogging thing,” and facilitating that feeling of pride in accomplishing something new, tacking a tough obstacle or achieving something someone never thought possible, is rewarding for everyone involved.

So when LUNA put out a call for team leader applications, it was a no-brainer. Not only would launching the LUNA Chix Portland Run Team allow me to get to know people in a new community even better, but we’d also have a chance to give back through the organization’s work with the Breast Cancer Fund (ok, and the yummy bars are a bonus).

What, exactly, is Team Luna Chix? The company has a few tiers of athletes — from professional to sponsored to local — and here’s a little background on this program at the local level:

Our season runs from April to October 2015, and we’re actively recruiting for the 10-person team. If you know anyone who might be interested, please let me know; we’re not necessarily looking for the fastest or most accomplished runners, but you’ve gotta have heart — a desire to inspire, support and motivate others, as well as set an example in the community.

And stay tuned for updates, including the official roster, our weekly workouts (open to everyone and all levels; come join us), plus other activities, such as clinics and support at local events, as the season progresses. I hope you’ll join us as we encourage each other to stay active and inspire others to do the same!

Calling all female runners in the Portland area: I’m currently taking applications for our 2015 run team. We have just a few spots left, so if you love getting sweaty, making new friends and working for a good cause, give me a shout at info(at)kineticfix(dot)com for an application. Thanks!

Posted in Community, Philanthropy, Portland, Running, Team Luna Chix
8 Comments

August 18, 2014

Highlights from last week’s IDEA World BlogFest with SweatPink

As I sat down to write this post yesterday, I saw that my sister had forwarded me an article from the Detroit Free Press about how a specific group is sparking the nation’s running craze. And what started off as a way to procrastinate for a few minutes to cure my writers’ block actually ended up giving me a clearer perspective on the past few days.

According to the article, Running USA recently released some interesting stats: A record-setting 19 million people finished U.S. running events last year, which is great news because it’s an increase of 300 percent since 1990. But the best part? Women made up 10.8 million, or 57 percent of participants, the highest ever.

Some other fun facts from Running USA: For the first time in 2013, 61 percent of U.S. half marathon finishers were women. Women also competed in record-high numbers in full marathon events, making up 43 percent of finishers.

So what, exactly, does this have to do with me heading down to Anaheim last week with the SweatGuru/FitApproach team to co-host the first-ever Blogfest with SweatPink? Well, there are a few insights and observations from the event that I thought were worth sharing:

Women are stepping up to the plate and inspiring others to live healthier lives
We truly are redefining the phrase “like a girl” through actions, not just words
Using fitness as a tool, women can empower themselves, as well as each other
Living a healthy lifestyle doesn’t have to be an exercise in restraint; it can be fun
Wellness is going social: Being active is “cool,” and workouts are the new “it” activity

That’s why I’m proud to be part of the SweatPink community, and it’s also why we wanted to be a part of the world’s largest fitness conference, IDEA World. Regardless of gender (see top photo with my buddy, Pavement Runner, who knows that real men “sweat pink”), we’re’re all for the thrill of the challenge, for looking great, but feeling even better. And we’re committed to finding our best “fit,” whatever that may be, and making it stick.

Throughout the past few days we had the chance to connect with bloggers, fit pros and healthy living mavens and exercise enthusiasts. Of course, this all began with a group fun run, which wouldn’t be complete without a few mega-selfies to document our route through downtown Disney.

Later at the convention kickoff, we heard from some pretty amazing speakers. One particular pair — Lynne and Augie Nieto — moved the entire audience to tears with their story. Augie is the founder of Life Fitness, a leading fitness equipment company, and was diagnosed with ALS in 2005. Despite a grim prognosis, however, he’s beat the odds and since doubled his life expectancy. His wife Lynne spoke about their project, Augie’s Quest, which strives to drive awareness and raise funds for ALS research.

And after Diana Nyad was presented with the Jack LaLanne Award, she walked us through her journey of how, at age 62 and after four failed attempts, she finally conquered the 100+ mile swim Cuba to Florida, sans shark cage. She was once challenged to swim as if she couldn’t go a “fingernail’s length faster” in the pool, and it’s clear she lives her life with that very same mission, so she encouraged us to do the same.

One of BlogFest’s highlights was keynote speaker Jillian Michaels, who shared the story of her fitness journey, along with some many awesome tidbits of advice during her Q&A. Some of my favorite snippets:

“Fitness isn’t about building a better body. It’s a tool that helps us build a better life.”
“Follow the 80/20 rule for food. Don’t be extreme, eat real food!”
“There’s a big difference in singing your own praises versus thinking you’re better than someone else.”
“Empower, don’t repress to get kids to eat healthy!”
“Regret is the jump we didn’t make, the leap we didn’t take.”
“Every failure is an entry point of learning.”
“Work with purpose is passion. Work without passion is punishment. What is the WHY?”
“I got where I got because I think I DESERVE IT….we are all worth it. We have to work for it.”

Oh, and did I mention that the entire room fell in love with her? She’s not at ALL like the personality portrayed on TV; she’s hilarious, irreverent and real…and the entire room had a #girlcrush on her by the end of the hour. Including me and Bianca.

Finally, what would a fitness convention be without some amazing workouts? Thanks to Stephanie Ring (yoga), Chalene Johnson (piyo), Tara Stiles (yoga), Shauna Harrison (bootcamp) and Moe & Caroline (bootcamp), we got to break a sweat between the expo and educational sessions. Here we are doing the famous “piyo flip” with Chalene.

So there you have it — and incredible few days working and working out alongside some of the most passionate people in the business. We were beyond honored to be a part of it, and I hope that seeing the shots of everyone in action inspired you, as well.

I also took with me a renewed commitment to share this passion via my little corner of the Internet here at KineticFix. My hope is to not only hold myself accountable in making healthier choices and redefining my own limits, but also to challenge you to think about how you can find whatever that best “fit” is in your life, as well.

How will YOU empower yourself to live a healthier life and, in turn, inspire others?

Posted in Community, Events, Fitness, Inspiration, Personalities, Travel
18 Comments

June 27, 2014

Win an entry into the 2014 Nike Women’s Half Marathon

Hey, runner friends! How would you like to race to support lifesaving blood cancer research this fall at the Nike Women’s Half Marathon in San Francisco?

Team in Training (TNT) has partnered with our friends at Fit Approach to offer one FREE entry to the 2014 Nike Women’s Half Marathon. Opportunities as unique & powerful as this only come around once in a while!

Team in Training is a race training program that also serves as the main fundraising campaign for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the world’s largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancer.

Over the past 25 years, TNT has raised more than $1.4 billion to support LLS’s mission to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the lives of patients and their families.

Each mile you run will impact the lives of loved ones across the country.

In exchange for raising funds, TNT provides four months of marathon training with world-class trainers as well as clinics on nutrition and injury prevention.

Not to mention, you’ll get to run the Nike Women’s Half Marathon with 25,000 new friends through the iconic streets of San Francisco…

Enter today…and good luck!

Learn more about Team in Training

Enter the Rafflecopter giveaway

Posted in Community, Events, Giveaway, half marathon, Inspiration, Nike Women's Marathon, Philanthropy, Running, San Francisco
2 Comments

June 7, 2014

IRUNLIKEAGIRL…do you?

What do you get when you mix a few friends with great active apparel, a camera, some flattering lighting and bit of running and biking around the most scenic spots in San Francisco?

Well, if you’re me (aka the one doing the running and biking; that Twin Peaks hill is no joke), the answer is ‘pretty sweaty’ — otherwise the result is a really fun and hopefully inspiring photo shoot for IRUNLIKEAGIRL women’s activewear.

Kelly McCloskey, a friend and creative director of the brand, teamed up with the fabulous duo of Cody and Natalie at C+N Creative to catch me in action while training for my first Olympic triathlon. Check out the write-up on it here.

But I also decided to turn the tables on Kelly and interview her here so you can get to know her brand and the incredible dedication and passion she brings to every hand-picked piece in the line.

We caught up recently, and here are a few of her thoughts on the importance of friends, fitness and female empowerment when it comes to both getting active and getting down to business.

KineticFix: Thanks so much for inviting me to be a part of your new campaign! So tell us about the inspiration behind IRUNLIKEAGIRL. What does it mean to you?

Kelly McCloskey: IRUNLIKEAGIRL is all about heart. It’s about going after something that makes you feel alive. And then being able to share that ‘moment’ with a friend. For me, IRUNLIKEAGIRL lives at the intersection of my love for running and dream to run my own business. We’re driven to create fun, flattering and functional active apparel that you can identify with; it’s like wearing a feeling. The ‘I’m going to make this happen’ feeling.

KF: You’re big on empowering and encouraging females to get active and involved in the running community. How does IRLAG facilitate this?

KM: My favorite thing about running is racing. The training, the long runs with friends, the buildup, the having a goal that gets you out of bed to run when you just want to sleep– it never really gets old to me. I’ve met and continue to meet incredible people through running which is why I started Team IRUNLIKEAGIRL.

It’s an international program; our team of IRUNLIKEAGIRL ambassadors each select a goal race in their city and recruit local runners to train for the race together. I’ve experienced nothing quite like working towards a common goal with friends and teammates. When we get together and push each other forward we challenge the limits of our comfort zone and rise up to our best.

KF: I love that! Can you tell us a little bit about your own running – what are you training for, current race goals, etc?

KM: I’ve been running since I was 12, and competed on the XC/track teams for the University of New Hampshire. I was always more of a hurdler and middle-distance runner but post-college I met my love for the marathon. Next goal: Boston, baby! And to break the 1:30 barrier in the half marathon. Right now I’m training for the Santa Rosa marathon in August in effort to run a new marathon PR/qualify for Boston 2015.

KF: What inspires the IRLAG line, and what’s your favorite piece at the moment?

KM: There are a few things about apparel features and fit that I’m fanatical about, and I focused on them while designing this line. Fun color, extra length, flattering fit and soft-yet-functional fabric. I’m all about the little things too, like adding thumbholes, playing around with where we feature the logo and adding an armsleeve pocket that can fit an iPhone.

My favorite piece in the line is the Racer Girl tank. I wanted to make something for race days that brought to life those special feelings of anticipation and excitement. Its bright colors are unique, and the supportive, soft and super quick-drying fabric all came together nicely. If you look good you feel good, and you need to feel good on race morning, right?!

KF: Couldn’t agree more! So, where do you hope to take the company from here?

KM: My long term dream is to have an IRUNLIKEAGIRL truck that travels around the country to different races. We’d drive in and meet with our ambassadors and local runners. The pre-race energy would be high with music, laughter, friends and IRUNLIKEAGIRL active apparel, of course. It would be a ‘fitfashion’ truck. And this truck would also serve cupcakes. Because cupcakes and running are the perfect pair.

Kelly, I like where your head is at 🙂 Huge thanks for sitting down to chat!

KineticFix readers: Get a 20% discount on IRUNLIKEAGIRL apparel through 6/25/14 (valid site-wide) with the code “save20percentKF”

Posted in Community, Fashion, Favorite Products, Gear, Inspiration, Interview, Running
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May 18, 2014

Celebrating SF: Getting a little “Dirty” at this year’s Bay to Breakers

There was no better way to cap off a picture-perfect week of summer weather here in Northern California than with a race that’s so quintessentially San Francisco: Bay to Breakers.

If you’re not familiar with it, B2B is the oldest consecutively run annual footrace in the world (since May 1912). Quirky and boisterous, the event is quite literally interwoven into the fabric of the city as the course weaves through it — a true reflection and celebration of life between the breakers and the Bay.

Coming Full Circle

The first and only other time I ran B2B was a few months after I moved to San Francisco from Boston in 2005, so this year’s run was special for two reasons: First, Hubby and I got to run it together this time; and second, we figured it’d be a fitting way to celebrate as our time here comes to a close (more on that soon…stay tuned!).

As a total newbie almost a decade ago, I was expecting your usual footrace…but was instead greeted by flying tortillas at the start line and a crazy array of outfits — from elaborate team costumes to full nudity (rollerblades and top hat optional) — not to mention fun traditions like a group of runners dressed as salmon “swimming upstream” (against the flow of traffic).

This time around, I knew it’d be a tamer affair because there was a no-tolerance policy for alcohol or wheeled floats. But Hubby and I were still excited to partake in the festivities with a few of our friends and 40,000 other ~~runners~~ revelers.

The Race

Because the 12K race starts near the San Francisco Bay, a few blocks from The Embarcadero, and runs west through the city to finish at the Great Highway where breakers crash onto the Pacific Coast’s Ocean Beach, the logistics can take some work.

But with my 50K coming up in just a few weeks, we decided to kill two birds with one stone and jog from home to the start, do the race, then jog/walk home from the finish to make it our weekend long run.

The race started about 25 minutes late, but — in true B2B fashion — did not disappoint.

From the costumes, the people-watching and the photo ops (see below; I’ll spare you the rest of the shot), we were three miles in before we knew it.

By the time we were about halfway, the crowds started to thin out a bit — or rather, the runners separated from the rest of the pack.

Word to the wise: This isn’t a PR-friendly race! Expect to do a lot of bobbing and weaving, but that’s the whole point — to go slow and savor every moment.

I’m not even sure what our finish time was (update – 1:37:45), and guess what? I don’t care!

It was such a blast to do a race like this for a change, complete with stops to say hi to friends, bathroom breaks, scenic detours and picture taking.

Speaking of…this was one of my favorite scenes of the day. This family’s costumes were a fan-favorite, and the kid up front was just hamming it up!

The Attire

Although there’s a whole contingent of racers for whom it’s customary NOT to wear pants for B2B, that was one tradition I was ok ignoring. Instead, I wanted to take the opportunity to support a local brand: DDCC (aka “Dirty Diana’s Clean Clothes).

I first spoke to owner/designer Diana Mitchell last fall when she was in the midst of her Kickstarter campaign. Since then, her business has been going like gangbusters, so I thought it’d be fun to create a B2B outfit around one of Mitchell’s most popular styles — the Fly Girl Capris — and check in with her to see how things are going.

Not only did the capris perform beautifully (and that’s not always an easy task when you throw in a tutu and lots of miles), but they were comfortable, breathable and — best of all — flattering. On a side note, Mitchell also ran in today’s race, so it was the perfect time to catch up!

Kinetic Fix: Last time we chatted, you were raising funds on Kickstarter to launch the line. You reached your goal (congrats!), but can you give us an update on where you’re at & what you’re doing with DDCC now?

Diana Mitchell: Thanks, Jen! The post-Kickstarter production was a success with most of our rewards shipped on time. We’ve been receiving awesome feedback and requests for new products, which I was able to incorporate into the Fall 2014 collection. While the spring line was launching, I was designing and fitting fall, and shot the sample line for our lookbooks.

I’ve also been working on growing the wholesale side of the business in order to expand the customer base and get the product in more cities. We were picked up by several Dailey Method locations, who like to feature women-owned and -made in USA lines. It’s been great to see people reacting to and loving the products, and it’s exciting to see the business continue to grow.

KF: So feedback has been good? I know you’ve been hard at work, testing the line on the streets & studios of San Francisco.

DM: Everyone loves the V Capris. Customers constantly tell me they can no longer buy pants without a zipper pocket, either because they store their phone in it while lifting weights, or their keys/id while out running.

They also go crazy for the V wasitband and love that it’s anti-muffin top. The Bustier Bra is a big hit for yoga and for wearing every day, and our Obi Cover-Ups have been flying off of the shelves due to the cute design and crazy softness!

KF: I don’t doubt it! So let’s talk design because you’ve nailed it – I’m particularly loving the anti-muffin top waistband and slimming seams on my capris. What was the inspiration there?

DM: I’m 50% Greek, and I like to say that it shows 100% in my love handles. Normal waistbands with elastic often pinch and create an unflattering, spill-over-the-sides appearance, which you can see even on skinny models. I regularly struggle with finding the motivation to work out, and if I put on something that makes me feel ugly that’s it!

As soon as I experienced a crossover waistband, I felt more confident and inspired to work out, and knew all of my future pants would have to incorporate that design. There are so many obstacles for women when it comes to fitness, and I truly believe that feeling and looking good in what you’re wearing shouldn’t be one of them!

KF: I completely agree. Switching gears…time to pay it forward: Where are your favorite places to work out in SF & why?

DM: For me nothing quite beats running outside. I love seeing what’s going on near my house and beyond and keeping in touch with the seasons while getting some fresh air. Glen Canyon Park near my home was recently made over, and I love doing my short runs on the trails there and then adding in some hill running through Diamond Heights.

For Yoga I follow my favorite teachers, Ana-Mari Hamada and Cynthia Bates, who teach at the Abode of Iyengar, the Iyengar Institute and the Yoga Tree Potrero, respectively. Ana-Mari was my first yoga teacher, and her warmth and intuitiveness cannot be matched. Cynthia has has a no-nonsense teaching style while still being playful and fun. I love going to both of their classes.

I’m always on the hunt for new workouts, though, and I’m hoping to try out the Dailey Method soon, as I hear great things about their classes!

KF: So one final question: What’s next in terms of both your work and workout plans?

DM: For workout plans, I plan on running the City Beer Runs 5k’s monthly, and will be doing the Rock and Roll Half Marathon in October. My goal is to get under 2:00, so I’ve got my work cut out for me since I have trouble running for long periods without hills.

In terms of DDCC, we’re just starting to order fabric and gear up for our fall production. You can look forward to our popular items offered in fall/winter colors, along with new products based off of customer requests.

I’m also producing a new zip-up hoodie, which is a big deal since that is the first product that DDCC launched. You can expect that line to arrive in August/September this year, and we’ll be planning some fun events, trunk shows and giveaways!

Want to see more of Diana’s designs — and read all about her running adventures? Check out the DDCC site here.

Posted in Community, Events, Gear, Race Recap, Running, San Francisco
4 Comments

April 26, 2014

Liebster Award: Sharing the Blog Love

When I first started blogging a little over a year ago, I wasn’t sure where it would take me. But through it, I’ve met so many fascinating and inspiring people…one of them being Kecia, who recently nominated me for the Liebster Award (thank you!).

The Liebster award is an internet blogging award that gets passed from blogger to blogger. Here’s how it works:

– The nominator asks you 11 questions
– You answer those questions
– You nominate 11 other bloggers to answer 11 questions you pose

So here are the questions and answers Kecia asked me to answer…

1. How did you choose your blog name?

It took me a while to settle on a name! I didn’t want anything too personal or too feminine because I envisioned it as a mix of a blog and a heath & fitness publication. KineticFix had a nice ring to it, and it spoke to my desire to always be in motion.

2. What is your favorite thing to write about?

Two things, really: First, I enjoy documenting training because it not only holds me accountable, but it’s also a great way to connect with other people who are experiencing the same thing. We’ve created a little community where we swap info and help each other grow. And second, I love interviewing people. It’s fascinating to hear more about why they do what they do, what drives them, what they’re striving for, etc.

3. Why did you start blogging?

I desperately needed a creative outlet! My day job at the time was in high-tech PR, and I wanted a place where I could explore my passions for heath & fitness, connect with others who shared those passions and maybe even inspire a few people in the process. In a great twist of fate, blogging actually led to my current job, which is at SweatGuru, a start-up that merges technology and fitness — the best of both worlds.

4. What kind of workout makes you feel the best after it is all over?

Speed work. It’s easy to go out and run X number of miles and just zone out, but on the track you’ve got to be dialed in and make every lap count. It can be painful, but there’s a great feeling of accomplishment when you hit your goal paces. And it’s also rewarding to see — and feel — improvement over time.

5. What is your favorite post workout recovery food?

When I’m being “good,” I love a nice recovery shake! My current favorite is Osmo Acute Recovery blended with ice, a banana and almond milk. Or if’ I’m in a hurry, I’ll grab chocolate milk and a banana. And when I want to treat myself, I’ll go for brunch, deep-dish Chicago-style pizza or a burrito. As you can see, I’m pretty food-motivated 🙂

6. What motivates you?

Besides all the food I just listed? Well, my immediate gratification is my post-workout morning coffee. Overall, though, I’m extremely competitive — with myself. I love setting a goal and going through the whole process of trying to accomplish it, whether it’s learning a new discipline or going for a new personal record.

7. What is your “A” race or biggest fitness goal for 2014?

I’ve got a few! First, I was hoping to tackle a half Ironman this fall, but after my recent Olympic triathlon, I am resetting expectations and want to work on my open-water swimming technique and confidence. Second, I hope to complete my first ultra-marathon, which I’ll attempt at the end of May. And third, I’m still after that elusive sub-four marathon, which I may shoot for in the fall.

8. What is your favorite motivational song?

Eminem’s “Lose Yourself.” I’m a proud Detroiter!

9. If you could meet anybody (past, present or future), who would it be and why?

Wow, this is a tough one…but, off the top of my head, I’d say Leonardo da Vinci. Centuries after his death, the man is still an enigma. He was a true Renaissance Man, so diversely talented and ahead of his time that he seems almost super-human. I’d love to pick his brain, talk about the stories behind his paintings, how he got the ideas for his inventions, etc.

10. If you could give your 16-year old self a piece of advice, what would it be?

Non-running activities are key to becoming a better runner. Take a more holistic approach with lots of cross-training, stretching, balance work, massage and even an adjusted training schedule. Train smarter, not harder.

Also, don’t be in such a rush to grow up! Listen to your parents, and be a kid for as long as you can 🙂

11. Are you going to pass on the torch and nominate 11 fellow bloggers?

Heck, yeah! Here’s my list:

The Game Plan: Playing to Lose (Weight)

Twenty-Six & Then Some

My questions to each of you:

How did you choose your blog name?
What is your favorite thing to write about?
Why did you start blogging?
What would be your ultimate athletic achievement?
When are you the most nervous while competing?
Describe your most embarrassing athletic moment.
What is your “A” race or biggest fitness goal for 2014?
What one or two things do you currently do in your training that are keys to your success?
How do you set your goals?
What was the best advice you were ever given?
Are you going to pass on the torch and nominate 11 fellow bloggers?

The rules:

Thank the blogger who nominated you.
Answer the 11 questions given to you.
Nominate 11 other bloggers (generally with the same number of followers, though it can be tough to tell; ideally less than 500).
Post 11 questions for your nominees to answer.
Comment on your nominees’ blogs to let them know you nominated them.
Have fun spreading the blogging love!