Marketing Awry

I know I am not the world's most typical consumer. Half the time I don't even know what product a commercial is trying to sell. Jeans? A car? Oh, life insurance. I'm the kind of gal who was totally weirded out when they started putting mini-billboards in bathroom stalls. It would have never occurred to me to target a captive audience like that. While still not ad exec material, I seem to have gotten more used to gonzo marketing strategies. Sunday, I was only mildly startled and somewhat amused to discover I am now being marketed to from the bottom of the bins in the security line at the airport. (Probably won't surprise you if I admit I remembered the Zappos name but couldn't remember what they sold. I'm a fashion hound, can't you tell?)

<---Which brings me to my thoughts on this ad. Granted, this model has a lovely butt. Were it mine, I'd show it off too. However, I have to question the company's claim of "full cheek coverage" for these particular panties. Makes me wonder about their claims for other undies. (Also makes me wonder who could run in that outfit. Might as well wear a thong.) Which is all beside the point as I'm not even sort of considering that outfit. I'm looking for something for September's oly. I've tried on the race belt skirt and it is to die for cute. I want the trikini bottoms for underneath, but I need them not to ride up! Ladies, what do you think ... should I believe the claim (from a company whose definition of "coverage" is perhaps radically different from my own) that the grippers will hold these puppies down? Anyone have personal experience with this line? I LOVE that it was created by a professional triathlete. I WANT to believe the claims. But even more, I want not to have my tri-panties in a bunch come race day!


For "everyday" running (AKA plain running, no triathlon), here is the skirt I bought yesterday. Remember my Nike skirt? In addition to the bunching issues necessitating under armour, it has now shrunk. I met another gal who had the same thing happen to hers. She has switched and runs exclusively in New Balance Bonita skirts. She has four of them! I've seen her run in one. It looks darling on her. While she's smaller than I am, she's no skeleton. She's got strong, soccer player thighs. Here's hoping the NB Bonita works for me, too! When I first tried it on, I was a bit worried about the thin, almost unnoticeable waist band. It's very different from the wide, almost tummy support belt style of the Nike skirt I'm used to. I asked the sales lady if people had any trouble keeping the skirt up. She took one look at me and said, "Not if they get the right size skirt. That one's way too big for you." Huh. So I swapped the XL I had automatically picked up for a plain ole L. Lo, and behold...it fit perfectly! I love the slits in the front and the way it hangs. The "compression" shorts still don't feel particularly compressiony to me, but from the limited stretching and moving I was able to do in the dressing room, they don't seem to ride up.
I was all excited about my new smaller size until I got home. On reading the label, I discovered that while I'm considered a plain ole Large woman in places like the US, Kangaroo-a-Go-Go Land, and the Land of Micro Bikini's (explain that to me), in most other parts of the world I'm still considered "extra" big and in Japan I'm practically Godzilla sized. Sad. (Reminded me I have a cookbook of traditional Japanese recipes. Under serving size it says things like, "Serves 2-4 Americans or 4-8 Japanese." )



I have one more piece of new gear: a Muse hydration belt from Nathan Sports. Feedback on what people liked/disliked about their fuel belts helped me a lot. Here are some of the things that went into my consideration: I sweat more than the average bear. I am in general a thirsty girl and staying hydrated even when not training is a challenge for me. I think there's just not a comfortable way for me to carry ALL of the fluid with me for optimal hydration when I get to the point I'm running actual long runs. I'll probably have to find a way to re-fill my bottle(s) no matter what. Realizing this made it easier to think about comfort and not just volume. I had been tempted by the 6-bottle, 48 oz belt but it felt bulky and busy on my hips when empty! What I like about the Muse is that it is women specific and fits my hips well. I like only having one bottle to wash. (I'm lazy like that!) I like that it's lavender. (Superficial I know - but I like pretty!) I also like the way it's completely adjustable. I can wear it lower or higher depending on how my tummy is feeling at the moment and when I lose weight (eternally optimistic=me) I won't have to buy a smaller, new one. Also? It was $10 cheaper than the Fuel Belt brand.

I promise to report back on how the new gear performs under training conditions (as opposed to the not-so-rigorous conditions of swishing around delightedly in front of the mirror in my room.) Today is a swim day (natch) so that report will have to wait for later in the week. Happy training to all!