Want to learn more about She Runs Boston? Meet the Run Leaders!

What the heck is She Runs Boston you may be asking???? Well….

Are you a Boston area lady runner?

Have you been looking for a new running buddy? Or two? Or 10?

Do you need some extra accountability to get out at least once a week and log some miles?

Is having fun during a run a priority?

Then She Runs Boston (Facebook, Instagram and Twitter) will be for you!

She Runs Boston, formerly known as Boston LUNA Chix, will be running out of the Athleta on Newbury Street on Tuesday nights at 6:30pm - BEGINNING April 14. The group will meet in the back of the Athleta store, where there is a bathroom to use, a water fountain and a place to store your bag during the run (yes someone is watching it while you are out on the town).

You may be worried about not finding someone in their pace at a group run – not a problem here at She Runs Boston. The group will run the gamut of paces. There are speedsters, run/walk method, middle-of-the-packers, back-of-the-packers, folks that like to take pictures while running, selfies, etc.

Also She Runs Boston has a no drop policy so a sweep will stay with the final participants on both distances.

There will be two distance options – 3 of 4 miles – and you can choose whichever you want.

So let's meet the other eight ladies that will be leading these runs... shall we?

Since you read this blog so you know enough about me! ;) (For those that aren't normal readers, I'm Dani and SUPER excited to be a team lead!)

Ashley (Captain)

Why Did You Start Running: I wanted to run the JP Morgan Corporate Challenge with coworkers so I trained and fell in love with it. In 2009 I went from running a 5K to a marathon in a year! After a few setbacks with injuries, I haven't been running distance but I hope to get back to it later this year!

Most Enjoyable Distance To Race: 10K, just long enough to balance speed and distance and manageable training wise

Favorite Thing About She Runs Boston: It's a great group of women who run at various paces and we don't leave anyone behind, everyone feels comfortable running their own pace, knowing they will have a buddy!

Jessie (Captain)

Why Did You Start Running: I had just had ACL surgery, and everyone told me that I'd never be able to run pain-free. I took it as a challenge! 10 years, 3 marathons, 13 half marathons and countless other races later -- I think I've proved them all wrong!

Most Enjoyable Distance To Race: Half Marathon -- it's always a challenge, but training for it doesn't have to take over your entire life as it does with a marathon.

Favorite Thing About She Runs Boston: The people! It's so wonderful knowing that I have this amazing group of women for weekly runs. Some of my best friends are women I've met through this run group!

Susan

Why Did You Start Running: I started running in college, probably to make up for all the beer I was drinking. I will still run for beer today!

Favorite distance: 10K

Favorite thing about She Runs Boston: I've met some great people who share my interests.

Blaire

Why Did You Start Running: When I first starting working out with a personal trainer, the trainer had me set some fitness goals. One of my goals was to run a 5k as I was not a runner. My first 5k was the St. Patrick's Day race in Davis Square in 2013. From there, I became addicted to running since I competed mostly with myself on distance and speed.

Favorite distance: I don't have a favorite distance as I use running to escape reality and just think. I have ran a couple 5k's and a 10k. I would like to run a half marathon this year.

Favorite thing about She Runs Boston: My favorite thing about She Runs Boston is meeting new ladies that run different paces and make sure no one is left behind.

Danielle

Why Did You Start Running: 1. In college Honestly - to lose weight 2. I started calling myself a runner/racer after college when I no longer had field hockey and needed an outlet to compete and feel mentally and physically complete

Most Enjoyable Distance To Race: Half Marathon

Favorite Thing About She Runs Boston: My favorite thing about SRB is that I have weekly accountability because I know that there will be a group of awesome, motivated and really fun women who are taking their time to just show up and run - so why not push myself to get there and be present with them!

Julia

Why Did You Start Running: 1. After college- I was burned out from Swimming and I wanted to meet new people in my new city, Boston :) 2. I didn't think I was a good runner (swim coaches always told me I wasn't built to run). So I took it slowly and didn't care about times, just putting one foot in front of another. I was challenged to run a long-distance relay race (reach the beach) only weeks after I started running outside and after a creative "training day"- I determined I could at least try it. I did it and loved it!

Most Enjoyable Distance To Race: Half Marathon

Favorite Thing About She Runs Boston: My favorite thing about SRB is the collaborative, cooperative, peer (fun) pressure to get to the run, say hi, smile, and think about others while getting in a workout. It gets me OUT of my own head, and into having fun with great people.

Emma

Why Did You Start Running: I ran track and field in high school, but after college I needed an outlet for staying active. A friend of mine invited me to go running and after that I was hooked

Most Enjoyable Distance To Race: Half Marathon! Great distance and the training is manageable with a hectic schedule!

Favorite Thing About She Runs Boston: I love connecting with fabulous lady runners in the Boston area. Some of my closest friends have come from running with this team. I also love running with ladies who are new to the sport and discover that yes, they can CRUSH 3 Miles :)

Suzannah

Why Did You Start Running: My high school did not have girls varsity soccer team, so I started running cross-country in 10th grade to take the place of soccer; been running forward ever since.

Most Enjoyable Distance To Race: 10K

Favorite Thing About She Runs Boston: My favorite thing about SRB is the awesome group of women of all levels that I have meet over the past few years; bringing women together to stay active and encouraging others to get out and run or participate in any outdoor activity.

***

Will we see YOU for the first run of the year on April 14 at 6:30pm at Athleta on Newbury St?

Athleta ... After Hours

If only life was like a TV show, right? I'm thinking of the classic Saved By The Bell or some other equally amazing 80s-90s classic TV show where the gang gets trapped in the mall/store - after hours! They try on all the clothes, have some sort of safe mischief transpire and then they escape being arrested for trespassing and go on their way for pizza.

Doesn't anyone else wish that would happen to them?

Well I got the chance ... okay minus A.C. Slater and crew ... to hang at the Athleta Store on Newbury St in Boston - After Hours!

Par-tay!!

I and some other Boston area bloggers were invited to check out Athleta's new Summer Line. Oh yeah sneak peek!!

My love of Athleta has been growing and growing, but I can never find an opportunity to make it into one of the stores.  So I jumped at the opportunity. Plus, it happened at 7pm, which meant I could leave work at my normal time and arrive fashionably late. I know I am never fashionable, but I can OWN fashionably late.

I arrived at Athleta to a nearly empty store, which is a really cool sensation. It is like walking into your personal closet - except you need to pay for the things inside of it before you can wear them. :P Minor detail.

There were a handful of bloggers on site when I arrived, as well as some delish looking wraps being offered by Flatout Bread.

Flatout Bread even sent us home with a bag full of goodies. I know you are all jealous of that.

After grabbing my glass of champagne and snapping a quick "Look Ma! I am in a store after hours. Aren't I cool? Okay I know I am not, but let's pretend" selfie...

... I was off to the races to check out the goods.

Now, if you told me five years ago, that I would be this giddy over checking out workout clothes - I would've told you to go home. But, here I am in 2014, and in heaven.

I mean how cute, right?

Athleta doesn't carry all of their size options in store. I believe you have to go online to purchase some of the larger options (hope they are working to change that). But Athleta does range in sizes from 0-20 or (S-2X). I am not sure if every style is available in all sizes, but playing around on the website helps to figure that out.

As someone who used to be a size 20, I appreciate a brand name taking care of their clients - who range in shapes and sizes. Plus, I love the Athleta message of "power to the she!" Girl Power baby. Oh Spice Girls how I miss thee.

But I digress...

I did a once around the store before targeting the running corner. Are we shocked. The pants (pictured above) caught my eye immediately. They are the Blossoms Be Free Knicker (value $64). I loved the pattern, the drawstring, ventilation behind the knees, the rear pocket AND side pockets (where I could hold my ENERGYBits during a run. Oh they were made for me. I was Oohing and Ahhing over them when I heard: "Do you want me to start a room for you?"

Oh heck yeah!

I've never liked clothes shopping or trying on clothes, but seeing the fun colors and patterns in Athleta that night made me leap at the chance to see how they would look.

The girl helping me asked what size I needed and I immediately wanted to say XL. BUT I already own a pair of Athleta pants so I knew it was a Medium. Can that gut reaction to say XL just go away?

And they fit like a glove. The tag is blocking the side pocket, but it is perfect for your in-run fuel. I had a hard time taking them off. I just wanted to hit the streets in them.

I may or may not have done a lap in the store, while wearing them. I mean you need to test these things out right?

The extra lap also helped me spot some additional pants to try on.

As I mentioned before, I love the relay capris I got during a Fitfluential campaign last year. They are amalfi blue - aka really blue - and were a color choice out of my comfort zone.

I was explaining this to the girls who worked at Athleta and they pulled the same pants off the discount rack ($69 marked down to $44.99), but in coralade (aka pink). I was nervous to try on such a bold flavor, but felt comfortable with the encouragement from the girls in the fitting room so I took the  chance.

How bright are they? :P

Sorry I didn't have time to match my KT Tape to the pants.

While I was doing a little walk around in the relay capris, I noticed Rachel (aka @Healthy_Chicks) rockin' the Chaturanga Capri ($54)in Catalina Green. They were fierce. Can I say fierce? Has Beyoncé trademarked that?

Anywho with some slight prodding by the other ladies in the fitting room, I took the plunge to try them on.

See the fierceness? Ignore my inability to make a normal face.

As soon as I put them on I wanted to live in them. I kid you not. I wanted to make a movement that these be considered business wear. They were flattering - a nice wide waistband which really flatters all body types. They are made of a Pilayo wicking material, which allows the pants to breathe and dry quickly. They even lend "UPF 50+ protection."

While changing back into my normal wear, the three pairs of pants sat in front of me. Taunting me. Calling my name. Saying they wanted to come home with me.

I was not planning on spending money.

Then I remembered. I tucked a $50 Athleta gift card in my pocketbook earlier in the day. Just in case. AND the lovely ladies of Athleta treated all the bloggers to a $25 gift card for being at the event. Pair those $75 gift cards with a 30% off coupon and I walked out of the store with three pairs of pants for $53.

Oh heck yeah!

Even without the gift cards the Athleta pants are reasonably priced compared to some other workout clothing lines that I won't mention (from that country ending in anada).

So if you haven't had the chance to check out the new Athleta Summer line, head to their website or the closest store. You really won't be disappointed.

You just may have to bring your own champagne and snacks... ;)