Hi Ladies,

As I walked from the park to my building last week, panting, sweating, darn near choking on the few ounces left in my water bottle after running 5 miles, I heard the most unexpected words from an adorable, flirty, and very-girly neighbor, let’s call her Ms. C.

“Hey Tai, I love your shorts! I like your top, too. In fact, I like the whole outfit. Cute! ”

I managed to heave an exhausted, “Thank you,” and told her where I got my fitness get up.

When I got to my apartment, I paused for a minute to check out my fitness attire: shorts, top, and kicks in the mirror. My take, the duds are cute, stylish, and remarkably on trend with summer fashion – bright hued, fitted, functional and transitional. (I could, if I wanted, wear the bottoms to the pool or grocery store or pair the tee with a pair of cargo shorts for a casual day out.)

My, how times have changed, I thought. Remember when women exercising meant doing the Jane Fonda aerobic work out…”and-one-and-two-step-up-and-right-up-and-down-and-turn-left” in a pink leotard atop leopard print leggings and bright pink legwarmers? Ugh! And while I know plenty of 80s fanatics wore the same or similar-looking ensembles out later in the day, I certainly wouldn’t have advised it.  And, unless you’re currently enrolled in ballet, tap or modern dance classes, I think it’s safe to rid your wardrobe of the boat neck onesie all together. No, really.

As I prepare to “officially” train for this year’s ING New York City Marathon (I’m running to raise money for one of my favorite charities, Malaria No More, malarianomore.org), I feel encouraged not only in philanthropy but in fashion.

Though I don’t have a swanky, coveted membership to Equinox, New York Sports Club, or an indie, local, training outpost where the style-conscious go to train (and be seen), I’ll wear my comfortable, well-made, and style-forward gear as I run on the terrain in my suburban ‘hood, in my building’s gym and then all the way to the finish line in Central Park on November 2, 2008. Beauty-fully!

Whether you’re training or working out hard to make your bod it’s best for the summer and beyond, here are a few of my in-fashion get-fit (and on-your-mark-get-set-to eradicate malaria) essentials. 

 

Nike  Graphic Women’s Running Boy Shorts, $35, Nike.com

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

Nike Air Zoom Vomero 3 Women’s Sneaker, $125, Nike.com

 

 

 

 

 

Apple iPod Nano, $199, Apple.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Timex Fitness Tracker, $90, Timex.com

 

 

 

 

Do tell! Do you get “dressed” when working out? What do you look for in fitness attire? Any fitness attire questions…ask away. I have a few trainers ready to answer!

 

Stay tuned for Run [for] Fashion, Run!: Part 2 where I’ll share the best (yes, tested!) beauty products that go the distance of a workout. I mean, if you don’t look good…well… you don’t feel as good. Right?

 

Tai