New Half Marathon!

Looking to reward your hard training efforts with a race and a trip of a lifetime? Well, I've got just the race for you. One of my favorite running apparel companies, lululemon athletica, invites you to Yoga, Run, and Party at their inaugural half-marathon event–The Sea Wheeze Half Marathon in Vancouver, Canada on Saturday, August 11, 2012.


The SeaWheeze aims to celebrate the beauty of lululemon’s hometown of Vancouver and bring communities together while combining three things the yoga-inspired athletic apparel company is passionate about: Yoga. Run. Party.


The customized half-marathon training program will encourage runners to develop a regular yoga practice and in true lululemon fashion the event itself will include festivities throughout the weekend. A website dedicated to the event has been launched at SeaWheeze.com, featuring online registration and inspiring content to help participants meet their training goals.

Vancouver, Canada

“We are thrilled to invite our guests, ambassadors and extended lululemon family to come run with us at our inaugural half-marathon,” said Christine Day, CEO, lululemon athletica. “This event will celebrate Vancouver and showcase everything we love about our hometown. Our goal is to host an incredibly fun race and bring our passion for goal setting and our commitment to living a life we love to all of our communities.”


“This is going to be one of the raddest races Vancouver has ever seen,” said Eric Petersen, Director of Brand Innovation at lululemon athletica. “We want to host a party and a race that will excite the run community like never before. The place to be on Saturday, August 11th is Vancouver, BC running the SeaWheeze.”

Lululemon is committed to supporting the Vancouver community through the SeaWheeze. Registration fees will cover less than half the cost of the event, and lululemon will sponsor the rest. The organization has also committed to $25,000 in grant funding for charitable organizations at their 2012 Ambassador Summit. Additionally, as a thank you to the city for hosting the event, $15,000 will be donated to the downtown YMCA in support of programs geared toward promoting healthy living and helping people live a life they love.


More known for their yoga apparel, I came to know lululemon when a running buddy of mine was sporting a pair of their running shorts. He raved about the fit and feel. So, I had to check out the company. I discovered that lululemon did in fact have running apparel for men and women. I've tested several of their products and I have to say they are best in class.  From the feel of the fabric, to the thoughtful design and construction (including premium lightweight technical fabric, pocket storage and flat stitching), these clothes are awesome to run in.


One extra bonus for the SeaWheeze participants is that if they sign up by May 1st, 2012, they'll receive a "special package."  Included in the package will be a piece of lululemon technical gear (hint: running shorts for the women and a running shirt for the men!) along with some other surprises. Remember that you'll only receive the garment early if you sign up by May 1st. Your SeaWheeze package will be shipped to the address provided at registration. (You'll still need to pick up your timing chip at the race expo.) If you sign up after May 1st, 2012, you will be able to pick up your entire package at the run expo on Friday, August 10th.


Another "extra" that participants will get is training support. This training "TackleBox" will have all the tools you need to get prepped and ready to go for August 11. In order to follow the TackleBox training program, you'll already need to be in decent shape. Not Usain-Bolt-personal-best-Ironman shape...but you will at least need to be able to comfortably run for about 45-50 minutes. 


The TackleBox training program will begin on May 11th. Lululemon knows how you like to plan your workouts in advance, so they'll be releasing the program online on April 27th so you can put together a plan. In the meantime check out their GSGR (Get Sweaty Get Ready) pre-training training program. (Click on the chart to go to the website for a larger image.)

You'll notice that the plan includes yoga. An integral part of a balance half-marathon training program involves practicing yoga for recovery, strength and stretching. Lululemon's run ambassadors report lower levels of injury and improved energy when regularly incorporating yoga into their training routines. 

Lululemon has built this half-marathon route to be a challenging, fun and beautiful love letter to Vancouver. The course is dynamic and varied; from the Douglas firs and ocean views in Stanley Park to the jet-set seawall of modern False Creek, the route is engineered to showcase the beauty and vibrancy of Vancouver. The elevations and course will keep you on your toes with hills to test your resilience and plenty of flat and downhill terrain to bring out your inner speed demon.


Stay tuned for more information regarding the race!  

Support Team USA in Vancouver!

Team USA contacted me to see if I'd mind spreading the word about Team USA and the upcoming Winter Olympics in Vancouver. While there's not much running going on in the winter Olympics, if you're like me you're still glued to the TV watching the skiing, luge, bobsled, and ice skating, just to name a few. So, of course I said, "Sure!" They have some really cool ways for you to participate and be updated on the events during the games.

On February 12, the world will gather to watch top athletes from around the globe compete in the Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver. Athletes from Team USA, who have been training their entire lives will take the stage to represent our country. Anyone who registers on Teamusa.org will have access to the latest info and will receive exclusive updates throughout the games.

During the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, the U.S. Olympic Committee invites you to be part of the action! Sign up now to receive exclusive access information, previously available only to the U.S. Olympic delegation.You will receive the following insider information during the Games and beyond:

• Daily Report (via e-mail) of the latest sports performances and athletes to look out for in the coming days during the Games
• Mobile text alerts, including updated medal tallies during Vancouver 2010 and invitations to the USOC retail store located at the USA House in Vancouver
• The latest on Team USA hopefuls as they strive for Vancouver, London and beyond

Victory in Vancouver is a state-by-state, hometown-by-hometown effort to help the U.S. athletes who are our fellow Americans and neighbors achieve their dreams of winning top honors at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, Canada!

It's been almost 80 years since Team USA won the most gold medals at the Olympic Winter Games, and they're ready to do it again. Your gift today can bring the United States to Victory in Vancouver! Be a part of this historic bid for Olympic glory with your gift to the U.S. Olympic Committee.
SPECIAL OFFER:
Receive a Team USA fleece jacket FREE with a donation of $20 or more. For America's Olympic and Paralympic Teams, the Olympic and Paralympic Games don't take place every four years — they're every day! When you give to Team USA, you help all of our athletes: Olympic and Paralympic. They use your support to get ready for the world's most intense competition.

Proudly display your support for Team USA with this U.S. Olympic fleece jacket! To donate, just click on the banner below!