Zensah Fitness Bra Review ...

When it comes to sports bras, I can wear pretty much anything. I've been blessed (or cursed) with an extremely small chest (36AA, maybe a 36A on a good day), so even if a bra offers minimal support, I can usually get away with it.

With that said, there are still some things I look for when making a bra purchase:

• Style - Cute colors and cuts are a plus, especially on the rare days when I run "clear."
• Price - Running clothes are expensive. I'd rather not spend a fortune on an item people aren't going to see.
• Fit - Bras that give me unsightly bulges need not apply.

Recently, I was given the opportunity to test and review the Zensah Fitness Bra, a medium-impact bra designed specifically for smaller chested women (sizes range from 30AB - 36A). At first, I laughed. It humored me that the people at Zensah realized that this bra would actually fit me. But, once I checked out the Fitness Bra, I was really excited.

From the site:

"Zensah has developed the most comfortable fitness bra. The innovative fitness bra is made with Zensah Fabric which is thermal regulating. This allows you to never feel too hot or too cold, providing increased while you are engaged in fitness. This is an ideal fitness top for all levels.

The Zensah Fitness Bra has moisture wicking technology that keeps you dry. With a seamless construction and Zensah fabric, the Zensah Fitness Bra is the best fitness bra on the market. This high-performance fitness bra offers superior comfort and support."

I was intrigued. Plus, I love my Zensah compression socks and the Fitness Bra is wicked cute. Sign me up.

(Front and Rear views, post 10 miler)

Pros:

• Ultra comfortable - Zensah's compression technology was supportive without being restrictive.
• Stylish - Available in black and pink, the Fitness Bra matches 90% of my wardrobe.
• Sweat Wicking - Despite the 75 degree tempertures and 90% humidity, I remained comfortable.
• Price - At $31.99, the Fitness Bra is competitively priced and fits in my budget.
• Design - The thin straps and seamless design were some of my favorite features of this bra. Plus, it looks good under a wide range of tops from tanks to compression gear.
• Functionality - Although the Fitness Bra is marketed as a medium-impact bra, I was able to run in it for distances of over 10 miles.

Cons:

• Minimizing - The compression technology of the Fitness Bra made me look smaller than I already am.
• Hot Spot - Despite the seamless design, I chafed where the bra hit on my left side. A minor inconvenience that was ultimately corrected with a little Body Glide on subsequent runs.

Overall, I loved this bra and would definitely recommend it for the smaller-chested runner.

Note: I was provided this item for free. However, the opinions stated here are solely my own.

Zensah Compression Sock Winner ...

I love socks. They give my outfits that extra splash of flavor. Yesterday, I found these for $1.23.

And now, one of my readers is going to win a pair of these from the people at Zensah.

There were 473 entries and thanks to random.org the winner is ...

# 175 - Roggia @ Beautiful Exhaustion

Congrats! Please email me your size, color choice and contact info to claim your prize!

Three Things Squared Thursday ...

Lots of random thoughts going on in my head today, so we are taking a slight departure from Three Things Thursday. Instead, I present to you, Three Things Squared Thursday ...

1. We are headed home from New Jersey today. The drive here last week was rather interesting. I'm sure today's drive will be just as exciting or horrifying, depending on how you look at it.

2. Shortly after we arrive home, I will be graced with a visit from my best bloggy buddy, Katye. She is coming in for the weekend and G and I are going to show her how moms of three rock it out. And if that doesn't go to plan, we will probably serve as really good birth control.

3. We have a ton of plans for this weekend. On Friday, we are waking up before the sun to run G's Half and Half Virtual Race. Just wait until you see our outfits. I promise they are super.

After we finish the half marathon, we are going to head to Busch Gardens for the day. Katye is in for a big surprise with this one. Busch Gardens with a bunch of children is not exactly Busch Gardens with a bunch of friends. Again, this could turn out to be a great form of birth control.

At this point, Saturday is one big possibility and on Sunday, we are going to round out the weekend with a MTT training run with G. Lots of good times.

4. So, you know how I always wear those awesome socks? And how I LOVE the attention they get? Well, on my run on Monday, I had my first real creep-out moment because of them. I was halfway through my run when a white pick-up truck pulled up beside me. Then the creepy old dude in the front seat said to me ... "My kingdom for your socks."

I was totally caught off guard and kind of convinced he was going to kill me, cut off my legs and hang them in his living room. Anyway, I looked at him and said, "Um, yeah. They are kind of hot." He laughed and drove off. Afterwards, I figured he was probably complementing me. But at the time it was just weird ...

5. I have run over 825 miles this year. And it's July 15th. It took me until the week of November 2nd to reach that mileage last year. So, basically I rock and that elusive 1000 mile mark, I'm kicking it's a**!

6. Speaking of crazy mileage, I am plotting a single day crazy mileage run some time in the next year. There are a lot of logistics involved (finding the right location, travel, training, convincing J that I am not insane), but it's going to happen. And I may have someone else in on my plan ...

7. There are only 16 days until the Rock N Roll Chicago Half. Katye and I are arriving on Saturday morning and will be greeted by Courtney. She is going to pick us up from the airport, take us to our hotel and the race expo and then out to lunch. I'm super excited. So, if you happen to be running this race and want to meet to go to the expo, let one of us know.

8. I think 8 might be my new favorite number. I hit 800 miles this month. I am in corral 8 for the Rock N Roll Half. And my bib number is 8818. How cool is that?

9. Lastly, but perhaps most importantly, you have less than 48 hours to enter my Zensah Compression Socks giveaway HERE. So, go. Do it. Now.

Zensah Compression Sock Review and Giveaway ...

A few weeks back, Suzanne at Zensah contacted me to see if I would be interested in trying out a pair of of their ProGrade Compression Socks in Argyle print (obviously, the people at Zensah are aware of my affinity for cute socks). Never one to turn down a sweet pair of socks, I happily accepted and started my research on the product.

What Zensah says about the ProGrade Compression Sock:

"The Zensah compression sock incorporates ProGrade Compression technology. Developed with the optimal amount of compression for athletes helping to increase oxygen blood flow which can enhance an athlete's performance. The only compression sock to incorporate padded arch support which allows your legs to last longer. Engineered using seamless technology for superior comfort. Graduated compression provides muscle support, increase circulation and reduces edema when traveling. Zensah Fabric is both anti-microbial and thermo-regulating which keeps your legs cool in hot weather and comfortable in cold weather. Great for racing, recovery and traveling. WARNING: May lead to ultra comfort and improved performance."

What I say about the ProGrade Compression Sock:

Well, to begin with, the socks just look good. The Argyle print is fun without being over the top (although, I don't really mind being "over the top." And I would love to see these socks in pink and yellow. Just a suggestion).

Seriously though, I was really impressed with the comfort level of these socks. They were by far the most cushioned socks I have ever put on. And my feet appreciated it. And the compression level was pretty much perfect. The socks were challenging to get on (as they should be) and felt snug, but not tight or restrictive. I first wore them during a mid-week eight miler. And when I finished, my legs still felt fresh.

I retested the socks with a second wear after my 13 miler on Monday (I didn't run in them. I only wore them for recovery). Since that run would bring me to 35 miles in four days and my legs were bound to be shot afterwards, I figured it was the perfect opportunity to check the effectiveness of the compression. The test was easy. Wear the socks all day and if my legs felt good at bedtime and for my run the following morning, these socks were the real deal. And guess what ... I went to bed without a single ache and woke up bright and early for six miles. And with that, I was sold.

And now, thanks to the lovely people at Zensah, one of my readers will win their very own pair of Zensah Compression Socks. Here's how to enter (separate comments please!):

1. Become a follower and comment to let me know (or let me know that you already are).

2. Visit Zensah's website HERE. Then come back and leave me a comment to let me know what other product you would like to try.

3. Become a Facebook Fan of Zensah HERE and comment to let me know.

4. Become a Facebook Fan of Racing With Babes HERE and comment to let me know.

5. Become a follower of Zensah on Twitter HERE and comment to let me know.

6. Repost this giveaway on your blog, Facebook, Twitter or anywhere else you see fit and comment to let me know.

Entries will be accepted until Friday, July 16th. Winner will be selected at random and announced on Saturday, July 17th.