Fit Fashion Friday: Hot Race Day: Shirt On? Shirt Off?

This is the scandalous dilemma I am facing 10 days out from my first half marathon.

Training is basically in the bag at this point, and if it's not, I'm screwed. I am pretty positive it is though, based off of everything I've read and other runners I've been chatting with.

I've been keeping up with all of the Marine Corps Historic Half updates; downloaded the app, printed my Bib # and read the event program. It's all making me really excited and anxious for this thing, and of course am deliberating on what to wear!

If it isn't enough to think of looking cute for your post race photo you take on your iPhone, there will be actual photographers taking photos throughout the course. I can see this being awesome, or well, not so awesome. I have NO idea how I look running, but I imagine at mile 10 - hospital hill, it will not be pretty - so I at least need a good outfit.

I have many "options" and the weather on race day will of course be a factor in my decision. Nick & I went out to Fredericksburg last weekend to run the infamous hospital hill to wrap my mind and body around actually doing it. It went really well; my legs didn't fall off getting up the hill and I was able to tweak some of my mechanics. It was a beautiful mid 70 degree afternoon and after 2 runs up the hill, I was SO sweaty! I took off my tank and did the hill 2 more times in my sports bra and shorts which was much more comfortable!  I'm toying with entertaining this as a possibility for race day and heres how I'm weighing both sides of the argument.

Shirt On 

CONS -

• Sweating through. It's understood that I'm going to sweat, I'd rather it not be displayed.
• Getting too warm

PROS - 

• I won't be thinking about "sucking it in" or my tummy jiggling - I'm in good shape, but I can't flex my abs for 13.1 miles.
• I won't be a rookie posing as a "real runner"

Shirt Off

CONS -

• I can't flex my abs for 13.1 miles
• I look tougher than I am

PROS -

• Dressing the part always boosts confidence, even if I'm a rookie runner - posing like a "real runner" might up my mental game.
• I am in shape, so I can dress like it. It's me after all, and I'm not hiding anything.
• Less likely to overheat.

What do you guys think? Can this rookie runner pull off going without a shirt? Suns out guns out? Stay dressed? Or do both?

(This post is written with optimism that race day will be beautiful, sunny and a bit warm. Play along and maybe we can influence mother nature)

TooFitSpot: Dance Trance D.C.

Too Fit Spot: these will highlight various classes, exercises and fun fitness activities I've checked out. A little background on the activity and then a recap of my experience!

I am a "gym freak" with a passion for dancing.

I danced as a peanut, through middle school, high school and college. Any opportunity that has come up to get in a class, or perform I jump to. So jump I did upon discovering Dance Trance D.C.

My experience:

Cinco de mayo was on a Monday this year and I was excited to shake it in celebration with DTDC. (I had chips, guac and margs on Sunday, don't worry.)  Even better was that I got to team up with my fav D.C. Fitness Blogger - D.C Fit Crasher. 

The class we took powered through about 17 choreographed songs to AWESOME music, even a song by Shaggy. I'm not sure if it was my favorite, but it's definitely up there. There was no break down of choreography and I think I looked a little silly trying to catch on but that was part of the fun of it! Don't get me wrong, I still got down with my bad, sassy self and I broke a good sweat! 

Also part of the fun, was watching the class crush the choreography, which was really good (I've found some dance fitness classes to have "ehh" choreography). While this class was more of a "follow the leader" and didn't break anything down, DTDC does have break down classes where they go over each song move by move.

I loved feeding off of the buzz of energy, funky lights and smiles that filled the studio. Definitely a "feel good" fitness experience. It exemplifies the "Too Fit" philosophy by empowering participants to let loose and just enjoy their fitness! 

There is certainly a huge sense of family, community and support amongst the DTDC group. The instructor hosted a little party after class with chips and dip and Mexican beers for Cinco de Mayo and we all got to laugh, munch and enjoy meeting each other. It was so fun, comfortable, encouraging and a really great time. Events and things like this add an extra boost to making fitness fun, and DTDC does this frequently!

This was a fantastic first Too Fit Spot and a HUGE thank you to DT for hosting me! I will definitely be back! Dance Trance D.C. is Too Fit!

More on Dance Trance D.C

Prior to the class, I had the privilege of chatting with the leading lady at DTDC to get a little more background on the whole program. Check it out!

What is it?

DTDC is a high-energy, highly-positive, cardio dance fitness class for women and men (who are brave/smart enough- lots of pretty gals in this class) looking for both a great workout and a great time. The program itself features beautifully choreographed dance routines to today's most popular music and club-like beats. Every class is hosted by an accomplished instructor who will lead the class through a high-energy, high-cardio dance-club-like set of 15-17 songs/hour. 

Classes are held in Washington, D.C. at  Balance Gym – Thomas Circle (1111 14^th ST NW, WDC 20005).

Not in D.C and want to try it out? Never fear, Dance Trance has over 50 locations across the U.S!

Where did it come from?

DTDC was established by Sarah Spear Sands, and her story with it is pretty awesome. Before Dance Trance, she worked as a tax attorney and lobbyist on Capitol Hill. After she met and married her husband Ben, who was also in the corporate world they both decided to shift their priorities and improve their quality of life. In my book, that is hugely admirable and certainly a Too Fit move. I believe that if you love what you do, you never "work" a day in your life, and seeing people take risks and leaps to do what they love is inspiring. Sarah had discovered Dance Trance when she was in law school and wanted to share what it did for her with others. DTDC has now become a community of men and women supporting each other on and off the dance floor. With her team of instructors, Sarah creates a club environment with loud music, dance hits and DJ lights. 

What is the Goal/Mission of DTDC?

At DTDC we strive to give everyone a PEAK EXPERIENCE every time they walk into our classroom. While it takes a little bit of magic, there are a few KEY INGREDIENTS that we can follow to set the stage for an UNFORGETTABLE class.

ENERGY + EXCITEMENT + EMPOWERMENT = PEAK EXPERIENCE

How many calories can be burned during one class?

It’s not uncommon for attendees to burn between 500 and 900 calories per hour of a high-cardio Dance Trance class. DTDC is a full-body aerobic workout. 

Fitness/Wellness Challenges or Activities?

We are hosting a special 60-Day Summer Slim Down from May 15^th thru July 14^th. Contestants can enter to win a free month unlimited to Dance Trance DC; we’ll have a high attendance award and a slim down award.  In conjunction with the contest, we are offering a new student promotion of $99 for 60-days of unlimited Dance Trance. New members can purchase the sales promotion between now and May 15^th.

What is the best part of Dance Trance?

Dance Trance is all about making fitness fun – so we regularly do special events to keep the spice in our life! To stay abreast of what we are doing please sign up for our weekly newsletter because it includes information on specialty classes, happy hours, parties, and community events.

For more information check out their website! And if any Too fit followers want to check out a class, I will be more than happy to join! 

Too Fit Tunes: Tooms

Too Fit Tunes will highlight some of the tunes and music with which I connect, for working out, winding down and everything in between. Here's the first one, and it's extra special.

I have a younger brother, and he is a rock star. His name is Michael, but we call him Tooms.

Tooms authentically creates his music, and the tunes rock. Yes, I'm a biased sister, but I would dig these songs even if the bro didn't create them. Everything that goes into each one is done by Tooms -down to playing every instrument and syncing it with his own original lyrics and vocals. Hearing his song creations and seeing him perform is beyond amazing. For those close to Tooms, both experiences have revealed a side that no one knew existed - but a side with which all have fallen in love..

The first time he performed, we all held our breath as the quiet, introverted kid we knew stepped on stage in front of a large crowd. He grabbed the mic and told the audience, "You all look beautiful!" Then he jammed into his first track. As Tooms rocked his gig and fed off the crowd, I jumped around in the front row in a state of dazed shock and awe at my brother. 

"Who is this kid?" was the common question from those of us who knew him well (or so we thought). We had been completely blown away. The high he felt was radiant and was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen in my brother. This happens every time he plays at both large and small venues, and even when I'd have him pull out his guitar for my friends and me. As a proud sister, when I lived at home, I fan-girled it out at many of his shows, as often as I could. 

Living a couple hundred miles away makes that stuff a little more difficult now, so you can imagine that something such as a new track release gets me very excited. Today, Tooms released a new and improved version of my FAVORITE song of his - also his first song ever.

The original version of this song was the first of my brother’s that I'd ever heard. I remember putting on the headphones and saying, "Hey, bud, I think this is just the radio." Tooms took the headphones, listened and said, "Nope, that’s me." My jaw dropped, and I had tears as I took in a side of my brother I had never known before. Since then, it has been my favorite Tooms tune!

I'm not sure it is possible for you all to enjoy it as much as I do, but give it a try :-)

Mike Toomey Music Facebook Page

#TooFitTunes

Know a rockstar? Send their stuff my way so I can check them out!