I cannot believe how chilly is has been the last two weeks in London! Don’t get me wrong, I love winter and have all the right kit to stay warm, but in the 6 years I have lived in London I don’t remember it ever being so cold for so long. While I was home in New York for Thanksgiving, I saw warm sports kit (merino wool, thermal, fleece lined) in all the shops, but I knew (or so I thought) that it would never be cold enough in London to wear it more than once or twice a year.
It was fortuitous that SKINS Compression got in touch soon after and offered for me to test out their compression kit. I chose the A400 line because it features Adaptive Technology that helps regulate body temps. This seemed like a good compromise as London often has cool/windy weather, rather than hot or cold extremes. The leggings feature 360 degree reflectivity and have a pocket in the back of the waistband.
The A400 long sleeve top has similar features to the leggings, such as 360 degre reflectivity, moisture wicking, and dynamic gradiant compression. The other unique feature is silicone gripper on the hem of the top which keeps it in place as you run, bend, or stretch, meaning you don’t need to worry about flashing some skin but rather focus on your workout.
I have worn the A400’s on long runs, trail runs, parkrun, and a, eight mile run commute. I never felt too warm or too cold on my run, which was amazing to think how versitile . The compression is supposed to help with blood circulation and recovery. (You can read more about compression technology here.) Obviously, the only downside to compression gear is how tight it is. You need to be confident in your body shape as SKINS leave nothing to the imagination. Every curve gets a form fitting hug.
The other tips I have for staying warm are wearing light-weight running gloves. This is something I always do to help my hands from developing more severe eczema. I have a pair of sport E-Gloves that I really like to wearing when running. They don’t get sweaty or damp, even on long runs, meaning my hands don’t get cold. They also dry quickly so I can wear them a few hours later.
As you will see in my photos here and on Instagram, I am always wearing a snood in the winter. For some reason, as soon as I step outside in weather that is a bit cool, my nose runs. In the summer, I think I have allergies too which also cause excess mucus production. So I wear a snood in the winter to easily wipe my nose (don’t worry, I wash it regularly). It also helps warm you breathe when it is so cold outside, your nose hair freezes. You can bring the snood over your face and breathe in air that is warmed by your body temp first.
Finally, I wear a lightweight handband to cover my ears when it is really cold. It is also a bright High-Vis color to help me be seen. I would advise accessorizing with lights and reflective wear too if running in low light conditions. Yes, the clothes have 360 degree reflective bits but you want to ensure that all traffic and cyclists definitely see you coming.
I am so happy to say that SKINS is offering my readers a 20% discount using the promo code PTMOLLIE-SKINS20 on all full-priced items. Offer expires 31st January so head on over and pick up some kit today to beat the winter blues.
Thanks to SKINS for gifting me the A400 top and leggings. As always, all opinions are honest and my own.
This morning, in the chilly sunshine, I ran 12 miles with the Advent Running crew. The gang were chatty and supportive as always as I brought up the rear at my 9:30-10 minute mile pace. After some food and a hot shower, I am now recovering on the couch under a warm blanket in my thermals. I thought it would be a good time to catch you up on what has been happening with me lately.
December– It was a busy month with me at work, which meant my husband took the lead with Christmas planning and decorating. Unfortunately, this is the second year he has done so and I really hope 2017 will be different. I had eight weeks where I was either working or travelling and then really took a toll by New Year’s. We were away at a wedding, which usually I enjoy, but all I wanted to do was sleep. I figured it was down to stress and overcommitting, but I was also considering increasing my anxiety medication temporarily to get me over this hump. I am stilll struggling at the moment, but rather than change my medication, I am aiming to leave work on time every day.
Whole30– To help me reset my body and mind, I gave myself this clean eating challenge. I have done this before (twice successfully and twice I quit) so I knew what was involved to succeed. I am hapy to say I have 8 days to go! I am still longing for the forbidden foods, but I am feeling good overall and lost 5 pounds so I now fit into an old dress for an upcoming wedding. I still don’t think I have experienced ‘tiger’s blood’ but maybe my metabolism is too slow to make a change in only a month’s time.
Marathon training– As you know, I am running the London Marathon in April. Training started at the end of December and I am chugging along. My goal is to run 9:30 min miles which means I need to get faster. Track Tuesdays with Advent Running are booked in the diary until the race. I am also pushing myself a bit more on the shorter routes to get my body used to being (un)comfortable at a faster pace. I still have goals to add in strength training and yoga/stretching but there never seems to be enough time in the day. When my training volume goes up, my sleep requirements do too. I am being more choosey about which blogging assignments I accept in the hopes to continue to bring you info on how to lead healthy happy lives while I practice what I preach!
Fundraising– I am nearly 1/2 way to my target of £1000 for Plantlife. The raffle was very successful and the next step is a run and yoga event in just a few weeks time. I look forward to reaching my target asap so I can devote all of my attention to my running.
Travelling– In only a few weeks time, I will be living it up in Cape Town, South Africa. There will be posts on this soon as I have some amazing active travel plans set up that I can’t wait to share. Cape Town has always been on my bucket list, and soon you will know why.
Finding a balance– With all of the above going on, I am trying to fit more in by taking time for me. I treated myself to a pedicure at Christmas time, booked a Champney’s spa break (post coming soon), and didn’t run at all last weekend without feeling too guilty (well, I did think I had broke my toe). Some of these aren’t something I can do all the time, but I am now feeling more comfortable with ‘treating’ myself to a taste of the good life because I am worth it.
More time outside with my boy
I am going to be on the couch a wee bit longer while I rest my legs. Leave a post below and let me knjow how you are doing so far this year. Have you signed up for any races? Any trips planned? Which fitness classes are you loving right now?
This morning, in the chilly sunshine, I ran 12 miles with the Advent Running crew. The gang were chatty and supportive as always as I brought up the rear at my 9:30-10 minute mile pace. After some food and a hot shower, I am now recovering on the couch under a warm blanket in my thermals. I thought it would be a good time to catch you up on what has been happening with me lately.
December– It was a busy month with me at work, which meant my husband took the lead with Christmas planning and decorating. Unfortunately, this is the second year he has done so and I really hope 2017 will be different. I had eight weeks where I was either working or travelling and then really took a toll by New Year’s. We were away at a wedding, which usually I enjoy, but all I wanted to do was sleep. I figured it was down to stress and overcommitting, but I was also considering increasing my anxiety medication temporarily to get me over this hump. I am stilll struggling at the moment, but rather than change my medication, I am aiming to leave work on time every day.
Whole30– To help me reset my body and mind, I gave myself this clean eating challenge. I have done this before (twice successfully and twice I quit) so I knew what was involved to succeed. I am hapy to say I have 8 days to go! I am still longing for the forbidden foods, but I am feeling good overall and lost 5 pounds so I now fit into an old dress for an upcoming wedding. I still don’t think I have experienced ‘tiger’s blood’ but maybe my metabolism is too slow to make a change in only a month’s time.
Marathon training– As you know, I am running the London Marathon in April. Training started at the end of December and I am chugging along. My goal is to run 9:30 min miles which means I need to get faster. Track Tuesdays with Advent Running are booked in the diary until the race. I am also pushing myself a bit more on the shorter routes to get my body used to being (un)comfortable at a faster pace. I still have goals to add in strength training and yoga/stretching but there never seems to be enough time in the day. When my training volume goes up, my sleep requirements do too. I am being more choosey about which blogging assignments I accept in the hopes to continue to bring you info on how to lead healthy happy lives while I practice what I preach!
Fundraising– I am nearly 1/2 way to my target of £1000 for Plantlife. The raffle was very successful and the next step is a run and yoga event in just a few weeks time. I look forward to reaching my target asap so I can devote all of my attention to my running.
Travelling– In only a few weeks time, I will be living it up in Cape Town, South Africa. There will be posts on this soon as I have some amazing active travel plans set up that I can’t wait to share. Cape Town has always been on my bucket list, and soon you will know why.
Finding a balance– With all of the above going on, I am trying to fit more in by taking time for me. I treated myself to a pedicure at Christmas time, booked a Champney’s spa break (post coming soon), and didn’t run at all last weekend without feeling too guilty (well, I did think I had broke my toe). Some of these aren’t something I can do all the time, but I am now feeling more comfortable with ‘treating’ myself to a taste of the good life because I am worth it.
More time outside with my boy
I am going to be on the couch a wee bit longer while I rest my legs. Leave a post below and let me knjow how you are doing so far this year. Have you signed up for any races? Any trips planned? Which fitness classes are you loving right now?
I am so excited to announce my new charity event, benefitting Plantlife as part of my commitment to raise £1000 for the London Marathon. Plantlife gives a voice to the nation’s wildflowers, making all of your trail runs much more enjoyable.
Please join me on Saturday 11th February at Best’s Bootcamp (near Charing Cross tube station in London) at 11am for 11:15am departure for an easy 5K run through the streets of London. This will be a social pace to catch up with friends, see London’s glorious skyline from the riverbank, and explore new streets.
We will come back to Best’s for a 60 minute yoga class with Lauryn Allman. She will lead you through a class for all abilities, targeting the muscles and joints runners use most as a way to stretch out safely.
More about the class: Focusing on relieving tension where runners feel it most, Lauryn will lead you through an all levels Yoga for Runners vinyasa class. Even if yoga isn’t your forte, Lauryn will guide you to feel confident and comfortable in the practice.
More about Lauryn: An actor, writer and life long Anglophile, Lauryn’s dreams came true when she moved to London from Canada in 2014. With nearly a decade of personal practice and study under her belt, Lauryn decided to take her passion for yoga further and completed her 200 hour Vinyasa Flow teacher training with YogaLondon. Yoga and meditation have helped Lauryn to marry her coffee loving, rapid fire brain with her need for quiet and and Sunday nights in with the cat. Her hope is to guide others to find their own balance both on and off the mat.
Before you go, grab your goody bag and enjoy some light refreshments.
Best’s Bootcamp has graciously offered us full use of their facilities, including lockers and showers. I am so grateful for their support! The studio is brand new, with plugs to charge your phone in your locker, amazing instructor cam, treadmills that have a down hills (sadly, we won’t be using them) as well as a spin studio.
Only 25 spaces available so book in today!
Tickets
Big thanks to the following companies for donating to the goody bags (more to come!):
I am so excited to announce that I have joined Plantlife’s London Marathon team for 2017. This will be my 5th marathon and 2nd World Major race. I cannot wait to run the streets of the city I now call home and take part in a race I have watched so many times from the sidelines.
Proper training will start in January so for now I will continue on strength training (you can start for free!), Friday mornings with Adidas Runners London, and developing my fundraising strategy. I have pledged to raise £1000 for Plantlife by 20 April 2017 and would love your support. There are a few ways to get involved:
2. Buy a limited edition 2017 wall calendar* PRICE REDUCED (21 x 28 cm) for £8 plus £2 shipping to UK addresses only or a desk calendar for £6 plus £2 shipping to UK addresses only.
Sizes
2. Order wildflower seed packets* PRICE REDUCED(£1.50 plus 50p for postage) or boxes (SOLD OUT) which make the perfect stocking stuffer.
Big thanks to Wildflower Favours for supporting me on this aspect of my fundraiser.
Check back on 9th December for a full list of prizes. Drawing to take place 20th December so prizes can be posted in time for Christmas. Prizes will only be posted to UK addresses.
4. Attend the Winchelsea Christmas Fare in Forest Gate on Sunday 4th December, where I will be selling the calendars, seeds, Krispy Kreme donuts, raffle tickets, and other goodies. Stop by The Wanstead Tap, 352 Winchelsea Road Forest Gate, London E7 0AQ between 12pm and 8pm and say hello.
5. Attend a health workshop with yoga, running, and goal setting tips in Central London in January and March 2017, co-hosted by my friend, Emma Heald. Register your interest here.
Plantlife is the organisation that is speaking up for our wild flowers, plants and fungi. From the open spaces of our nature reserves to the corridors of government, we’re here to raise their profile, to celebrate their beauty, and to protect their future. HRH The Prince of Wales is our patron. Wild flowers and plants play a fundamental role for wildlife, and their colour and character light up our landscapes. But without our help, this priceless natural heritage is in danger of being lost. Join us in enjoying the very best that nature has to offer. Britain’s countryside. Save it with flowers. *All proceeds to go to Plantlife.
I am so excited to announce that I have joined Plantlife’s London Marathon team for 2017. This will be my 5th marathon and 2nd World Major race. I cannot wait to run the streets of the city I now call home and take part in a race I have watched so many times from the sidelines.
Proper training will start in January so for now I will continue on strength training (you can start for free!), Friday mornings with Adidas Runners London, and developing my fundraising strategy. I have pledged to raise £1000 for Plantlife by 20 April 2017 and would love your support. There are a few ways to get involved:
2. Buy a limited edition 2017 wall calendar* PRICE REDUCED (21 x 28 cm) for £8 plus £2 shipping to UK addresses only or a desk calendar for £6 plus £2 shipping to UK addresses only.
Sizes
2. Order wildflower seed packets* PRICE REDUCED(£1.50 plus 50p for postage) or boxes (SOLD OUT) which make the perfect stocking stuffer.
Big thanks to Wildflower Favours for supporting me on this aspect of my fundraiser.
Check back on 9th December for a full list of prizes. Drawing to take place 20th December so prizes can be posted in time for Christmas. Prizes will only be posted to UK addresses.
4. Attend the Winchelsea Christmas Fare in Forest Gate on Sunday 4th December, where I will be selling the calendars, seeds, Krispy Kreme donuts, raffle tickets, and other goodies. Stop by The Wanstead Tap, 352 Winchelsea Road Forest Gate, London E7 0AQ between 12pm and 8pm and say hello.
5. Attend a health workshop with yoga, running, and goal setting tips in Central London in January and March 2017, co-hosted by my friend, Emma Heald. Register your interest here.
Plantlife is the organisation that is speaking up for our wild flowers, plants and fungi. From the open spaces of our nature reserves to the corridors of government, we’re here to raise their profile, to celebrate their beauty, and to protect their future. HRH The Prince of Wales is our patron. Wild flowers and plants play a fundamental role for wildlife, and their colour and character light up our landscapes. But without our help, this priceless natural heritage is in danger of being lost. Join us in enjoying the very best that nature has to offer. Britain’s countryside. Save it with flowers. *All proceeds to go to Plantlife.
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