We can’t wait to yoga, run and party through Vancouver’s beaches, mountains and city streets with you again this summer. Last year, we created an app to help you with all things half-marathon related: training, a city guide to help you maximize your weekend in Vancity, run playlists and more. We listened to your feedback that you loved the app and that you wanted even more features added for this year’s event.

Drumroll please…

Please meet our brand new SeaWheeze app! We have added a ton of cool stuff designed to make your SeaWheeze 2013 experience as good as, oh, I don’t know, eating Oreo ice cream and getting a foot massage at the same time (*Editor’s Note: Alexis’ creepy idea of a good time does not reflect the views of this blog or 99% of the human population).

Let’s get into the nitty gritty of what features have been added to the app.

makeover alert: my training section

We heard you say that you wanted to track your progress up to the big day. Now you can check the boxes of which runs, yoga and cross-training you've completed per week and the app will compile your progress for you.

We’ve also added new training videos featuring this year's SeaWheeze trainers (runners Jenn Howard-Brown, Chris McClung and Blue Benadum and yogi Kerri Kelly) so you can get instruction on-the-go.

let’s get physical accountable

You can now share and interact with friends on Facebook who are also training – you can see their progress and they can see yours.

Things just got serious.

say cheese!

There's a Photo Booth with different frames so that you can share all your SeaWheeze memories with friends on Facebook, Twitter and more. There’s also a live Instagram feed of anything hashtagged #SeaWheeze so you can keep up with all the yoga.run.party times happening during the weekend!

get down on it

Playlists are now listed in the main navigation for easy reference.

My apologies in advance for multiple Mariah tracks...I was surrounded by butterflies and wearing denim cutoffs when I put them together.  #notreallysorry

live goal crushing

We will now be publishing live finishing times via the app on race day. These will still also be offered via desktop and tablet. Get those goals!

it’s the freakin’ weekend

Weekend events are now broken out by day to make weekend planning easy breezy.

We are counting down the days until August 10^th! This app is available in the App Store as of May 17^th. What part of the SeaWheeze weekend are you most excited for?

Many of us run with a personal best or goal in mind. However, for three long-time runners with big plans for 2013, a PB isn’t a factor at all.

Laurel, Tara and Alicia are three pals who have a lot (and we mean A LOT) of running experience between the three of them. Sometime this year, they were chatting about this year’s race plans when they mutually stumbled on a realization and created a very cool concept called Not Running For Gold. Their summer of running for fun and adventure is culminating with a trip to Mongolia, where they will run through mountains and the Gobi Desert in the month of July. Not exactly your typical marathon season!

alexis: so tell me how you ladies – all accomplished sub 1:30 marathoners – came up with this idea?

laurel: One day Alicia and I were talking, and we realized that we have a similar philosophy on running and life. We decided to start Not Running For Gold to represent what parts of running we actually love: the camaraderie, the spontaneous friendships, the cool ways to discover a new city. Because we have all been so competitive for so long, we realized that we needed to re-focus our efforts on the parts of running that mattered most – and that doesn’t necessarily include a personal best.

alexis: that’s pretty radical stuff for girls like you…I know you kids, and you race all the time.

alicia: Simply put, we realized we are missing out on 90% of the joy of running. We want to recreate what running means for us. It started a few months ago. On a whim, we all bought gold shorts and ran the Gorge Falls 50k race together. The day before we bought t-shirts and cut them at the thrift store – and we had an incredible time. People were coming up to us and they wanted to be friends with us! After we finished, we thought “what else can we say yes to?” We then got serious and created a summer of fun and exciting challenges.

________

summer 2013 itinerary for the not running for gold crew

Rim To Rim To Rim

alicia: We’re going to the Grand Canyon, for a week and a day. We are doing the course, not the actual race – it’s considered an "Ultra Pilgramage" for diehard runners. Think of it as the Burning Man of the running community. We’ll be camping in the wild and running all day in the desert. We will end the trip by celebrating in Vegas on the last night.

How To Not Die: Training For Mongolia

laurel: That’s right: this is our training series for prep us for our upcoming run trip to Mongolia. Think training in the trails, testing gear, trying travel food and compasses. We’ll be interviewing people with wilderness skills. Some of the places we’re going to include the West Coast Trail, Sunshine Coast Trail and Gambier Island! (Editor’s Note: that’s West Coast-speak for lots of mountains, steep hills and remote terrain.)

Mongolia: Yurts and Air Horns

laurel: In Mongolia, we will be camping. Some of the supplies we are bringing is an air horn for the Gobi Bear….hats, gators, water, matches, stoves, pots, sleeping bags, food, merino wool, dehydrated meals in a bag, flasks and more. We are leaving on June 21st, aka Summer Solstice. We’ve been doing heat training via Bikram classes to prepare.

alicia: When we were planning this trip, I thought we should go somewhere where the culture is very intact, at risk. Ulan Bator, the capital of Mongolia, houses 50% of the population. Beyond the city limits, traditional people in the countryside people live a very nomadic lifestyle. Global warming is affecting this indigenous way of living and we thought it would be cool to see before it disappears.

_______

After these girls, my friends and co-workers told me about their plans, I was actually speechless (and for anyone who knows me that is a uniquely rare experience). Three girls, stud athletes, taking a summer off of traditional marathoning and going to Mongolia for a cross-country adventure? I think I’m safe to say that this is crazy shit…and it is AWESOME. Talk about taking life by the horns and making power moves! It got me thinking…”am I living big enough? What does risk really look like for me?”

Follow these ladies on the blog they’ve set up chronicling their adventures. We’re also going to sporadically check in to see how they’re doing, so stay tuned. In the meantime…what crazy, wild adventures are you going on this summer? What is your version of going big?

For the second part in our series on entrepreneurship, meet my buddy Craig. He has taken a personal interest in all things wood paired and a desire to be creative and launched one of the West Coast’s hottest furnishing companies, Union Wood Co. All the amazing pieces are crafted in their in-house woodworking studio in Vancouver’s Railtown neighbourhood and people are taking serious notice. Read below to see what makes him tick.

alexis: What is your name and what do you do?

craig: My name is Craig Pearce, and i am the owner, creative director, janitor and emailer at Union Wood Company in Vancouver, BC.

alexis: How did you come up with the idea for your business?

craig: The idea for my business came when i realized that i had very little(zero) traditional "art" skills, but still felt I needed to apply my creativity to something that both looked good, and was functional.

alexis: when did you decide to make it happen? What were some of the challenges involved?

craig: Four years ago I finally had the chance to make it happen.  Some of the biggest challenges at first were explaining to people how & why their friend; a garbageman, a cook and a construction worker would want to be a furniture designer. Aside from this, having the space to do what you want to do is always a challenge in the city.

alexis: What do you love about running your own company? What are some of the challenges?

craig: The best part about running your own company is getting those unique chances to get to live out what you've been dreaming up in your head for months.  Collaborating with other people & businesses to stay on your toes is always an exciting part, too.

alexis: Your shop is in a really cool part of Vancouver – what is the best part of working in a tight community?

craig: We've been so fortunate to be in such a great part of the city.  Its a great cross section of worlds here where in one building, someone is selling the worlds most expensive designer rugs, and right beside that someone is creating some obscure art piece in their brick & beam loft.

alexis: What advice would you give to someone creating their dream job?

craig: Just go out and do it, however you can.

For more on what Craig and the Union Wood Co. gang are up to, follow their awesome Instagram account – be prepared for reclaimed wood heaven, some serious kitsch and even the odd Icing (just one of the side benefits of working with friends).

Many of us have had dreams of working for ourselves. Be it that we have an idea for a business that doesn't yet exist or we wish to simply create our own workplace, it is an exciting proposition...and also sometimes a scary one. How does one get started? What are the challenges ahead? There are many questions, sometimes with complicated answers.

Over the next three series, I am profiling three small businesses that all have three things in common: passionate entrepreneurship, the balls to take chances and the fortitude to make cool sh!t happen. Here's our first installment featuring a local chef who is all the rage in the City of Glass.

christina culver - culver city salads

alexis: What is your name and what do you do?

christina: Christina Magdalena Culver. I am the owner of Culver City Salads and I am also a nail artist on the side!

alexis: How did you come up with the idea for your business?

Honestly it was very organic (ha!). I've always been the resident cook within my friend group. A few years ago I was between jobs and to be frank, things were a little tight. A good friend told me that she would pay me to make her lunches, so I started playing around with the idea. Soon thereafter another friend approached me and told me he'd like to partner up and help me officially launch Culver City Salads. We are now just a little over a year deep and are now gearing up to put our very own food truck on the street in June!

alexis: How and when did you decide to make it happen? What were some of the challenges involved?

christina: In the beginning it was more of a means to an end, so I guess I didn't really take it that seriously. When my partner Jesse let me know how much he loved the product and how excited he was to get involved, it started to set in that this could really be "a thing." Honestly, everything has been a challenge, not all necessarily bad...just a ton of learning curves. I'm not a trained chef, and I didn't go to business school - I went to fashion design school! Getting started - getting into a commissary kitchen, figuring out how to run it, getting all of the appropriate permits, managing deliveries and social media as well as ordering produce and packaging have been things I needed to figure out. But I am really enjoying it all! That thing about every day being different is true. There is never a dull moment.

alexis: What do you love about running your own company? What are some of the challenges? 

christina: I really love working for myself. Entrepreneurship runs in my family and I have to say it just feels right for me. I love that I get to collaborate with other amazing local talents (like The Juice Truck who retails my salads, Alex Mazerolle who I just did a urban retreat with, trainers Carley Mendez & Keighty Gallagher who I am starting a 3 week challenge with called "The Tight Life" (it is bikini season, after all!) and Camil Dumont of Inner City Farms. I love that I get to make it my job to have fun, get creative and make truly nourishing food that makes people so happy and feel great. How cool is that? I would say that the biggest challenge is that there just aren't enough hours in the day. It can be a little overwhelming to wear so many hats and adjust to bouncing between the different roles I need to own in a day. Sometimes I get caught up in the not so fun stuff and have to remind myself why I'm doing this. I've also realized that I am a bit of a freak when it comes to delegating. As much as I'd like to take a holiday at some point I like to have my hand in everything and make sure that is it up to my standards and consistent. I need to work on this.

alexis: I've known you for a long time and you have had a pretty interesting life! Tell us something random about you.

christina: In 2007 I was burning out on designing (I started my own fashion label "Christina Darling" when I was 21). I was in New York with my girls and decided to try painting some of my favorite prints that I would usually turn into dresses on everyone's finger nails. Before I knew it, I was signed with an agent, doing fashion editorials (NYLON, Z!NK & Flare to name a few) shoots, celebrity nails for Interview! magazine and keying the shows at New York Fashion Week. My nails actually ended up on the Australian stamp. I often get asked if I'm "the girl that does the nails and salads". I guess I'm a bit of a juxtaposition.

alexis: What is your favourite way to sweat?

christina: I can't really say that I have a favorite. I grew up in North Vancouver and have always enjoyed the seasons through sports. I bike year round, it is my main form of transport and exercise I would say. It's the perfect way to get me in gear as I head to the kitchen and blow off steam at the end of a busy day. In the winter I love to ski and snowboard as much as I possibly can! In the drier months, I love running in nature (seawall and the forest). I try to do yoga a few times a week to unwind, and in the summer I can't get enough of the ocean. I become a bit of a mermaid (*Editor's Note: I can verify this. She has the perfect hair). I love wakeboarding and water skiing, and I'm hoping to get back into dancing and rowing this summer/fall.

The path to entrepreneurial glory is paved with fun, hard work and ingenuity! Look forward to two more stories of people who created their dream jobs...in the meantime, what job / business would you create for yourself if you couldn't fail?

it's kind of nice out today in vancouver.

You might be wondering, "what is that weird blue square?" Well kids, it's the sky outside of the lululemon Store Support Centre right now, no joke. Raincouver? More like LeaveWorkEarlyAndGoToTheBeachCouver...or something like that. You get the point.

The weather has officially turned and training season is in full effect. It's time to load up your iPod and make some serious inroads in your marathon training! We put this playlist together (mostly electro with a little cheese for good measure) to get your legs moving and a smile on your face.

What are your favourite songs to crank up when the sun is shining?

Working at lululemon is amazing for many reasons. Not only is Vancouver absolutely stunning, the work inspiring...but the people here are cool. Like REALLY cool. I am always amazed when I go to a friend's house for dinner - all of my pals live in the coolest places!

Over the next two weeks, we are going to take a peek into some of the homes of the people who work here. From modern to vintage, hippie to urban, there's a little bit of everything lurking behind closed doors.

jen's crib

The first person we are profiling is our Digital Production Manager, Jen. Her days are spent organizing all the crazy (I can say this, I am one of the crazies) creative peeps and delivering awesome work. She also happens to be my best pal (cue awwww noises) and a seriously stylish cat. Without further ado, let's take a peek into Jen's place!

alexis: Tell us how you found your place and what you were looking for.
jen: I was living in another part of town and I was living in a glass box. I felt uninspired by my home and my neighborhood. I started looking at heritage buildings and it turned out that a friend of mine lived in my dream building. I called the manager on the first of every month for seven months until there was an opening (hello, dedication!) It's the best move I've ever made - this felt like my home the second I walked in.

alexis: How would you describe your taste?

jen: Eclectic. A real mix of vintage, antique modern and industrial...and a little bit of garage sale! We like our interests to be reflected in the things we bring into our home.

alexis: What are three things you've found that you are most pumped about?
jen: The dresser in our bedroom - I found it on Craigslist and restored it to its original Maple finish this winter. It's from the 20's and is mint. There is a painting my fiancé and I found in Paris that is an early 19th century portrait - we saw it in a lovely antiques store in the Marais district and I absolutely love it. Lastly, our record collection - it is such a mix of Jeff and I. It's our biggest passion and also how we met.

alexis: What do you love about your neighborhood?

jen: I love that it feels like an actual neighborhood. The people in my building are amazing - I'm friends with almost everyone who lives here! There's a great sense of community.

alexis: If there was a fire, what three things would you grab?

jen: I'd grab Jeff and go. I love my home and I think it's also important to realize that no matter how lovely our things are, they are still just things.

What is your personal style at home? Keep an eye out...the homes of some of our other people will be appearing soon!

Bette Calman is a revelation: yoga teacher, positivity machine and lifetime advocate of all things breathing and bendy. We asked her a few questions about what her yoga practice means to her.

alexis: how and when did you begin practicing yoga?

bette: Once when I was very young, I saw yogi standing on his head. I tried it and liked the sensations it gave me, particularly taking the tiredness in the legs and feet and how it made me feel mentally alert. From time to time I would belt myself against the wall and do it for a little while, always with the same good results. Years later, I was working in the hotel business which required me to be on my feet for long hours every day; at night I would do a headstand against the wall to relieve my tiredness. Then one day, I saw an advertisement for Hatha Yoga in Sydney and I went along. I liked everything I saw and what the man called Michael Volin was saying. I went and I never stopped attending classes. There were seven people in that first class.

alexis: has your practice changed over the years?

bette: Not greatly, because a class is involved with every part of the body, mind, emotions and spirituality. My body is still the same only I can do the postures better all the time! Yoga is not only physical - it helps us on every level. It helps us look at life more positively.

alexis: how has yoga affected your vitality?

bette: Everyone who gets onto the "Yoga Road" improves on every level if they really apply themselves. I believe yoga offers a high level of health and vitality.

alexis: what would you tell someone of any age who wants to take up yoga?

bette: I would advise them to try and also not to be in a hurry - Rome wasn't built in a day! In the long years of teaching classes to people of every age, including classes to the blind and disabled, as long as they attend class they improve. It's when people overdo things that their path is slower. I've never seen Hatha yoga hurt anyone if they are sensible.

I'm 87 on May 3rd. I don't have one stiff part of my body. I can do what I've always done, in some instances not as well and in other cases better. Yoga breathing is the most important aspect in every part of my life.

We have one word: wow. Thanks for sharing your practice with us, Bette! 

I love the Run: Speed Short for many reasons. The wide waistband is made of soft and moisture-wicking Luxtreme (no muffin top here thankyouverymuch) and the seams are flat to reduce chafing. There's a little zippered pocket on the back of the waistband for a key and cards so you can grab mimosas coffee after your run. The 2 1/2" inseam is an ideal length for both quick training runs and on the day of your half marathon. I also like to wear these bad boys during summer at the beach - they are perfect to throw on over your bikini bottoms after a long day on the sand.

In order to celebrate Leg Season (that's what we're calling it now, right?) we have put together four run outfits featuring the Run: Speed Short in some of our favourite hues of the season: Aquamarine, We Are From Space, Parfait Pink and Beach Blanket Blue.

aquamarine

1. Run: Speed Short in Aquamarine (coming very soon...check back!)

2. Mizuno Wave Runner 15 - I LOVE these running shoes...good for mild pronators.

3. Pure Balance Water Bottle - the grippy handle is perfect during sweaty workouts.

4. Rosebud Perfume Co. Smith's Menthol & Eucalyptus Lip Salve - no chapping allowed!

5. Cool Racerback in Aquamarine (also coming soon!)

6. Run From Work Backpack II - color blocked and über functional.

7. Fly Away Tamer Headband in Aquamarine (yes, this is also coming very soon)

we are from space

1. Run: Speed Short in We Are From Space (coming soon!)

2. Shape Magazine - the recipes and tips in here are always on point.

3. Dense Foam Block - always good for deep stretches post-run.

4. iPhone 5 in White - let's be honest, this puppy never leaves our side.

5. Vega Pre-Workout Energizer - this will put a little vrooom into your engine!

6. Nike Free 5.0 in Black - these are a gamechanger. Buy a pair and thank me later.

7. Mula Bandhawear Thong in White - the most comfy thong on the planet.

parfait pink

1. Run: Speed Short in Parfait Pink (coming soon!)

2. Kate Spade Mikas Pond Lacey Wallet in Zinnia Pink - worth blowing your budget on.

3. Mula Bandhawear Bikini in Parfait Pink - I have junk in my trunk and these gave me zero VPL.

4. Run: Tame Me Tank - great for those with larger busts who want a little more coverage.

5. Pure Balance Water Bottle in Parfait Pink - hydrate, hydrate and then hydrate some more.

6. Nike Free 3.0 - I saw one of our managers wearing these and fell in love...vintage!

beach blanket blue

1. Run: Speed Short in Beach Blanket Blue (coming soon!)

2. Women's Ultimate Padded Run Sock in Beach Blanket Blue (ALSO coming soon)

3. Bath and Body Works Body Cream in Sea Island Cotton - this stuff smells good.

4. Run: Swiftly Tech Long Sleeve in Beach Blanket Blue (yup, you guess it...coming soon)

5. Zico Coconut Water - electrolytes are our friend in training season.

6. Light As Air Thong - so light you'll forget you're even wearing underwear.

New colours AND warm weather = good times ahead! See you on the streets, trails and seawall soon...remember to give the "runner's wave and smile."

We have told you about our incredible friend Jonathan (stylist, blogger and overall amazing human) who runs the must-follow blog Guest Etc. out of Toronto. A couple of weeks ago he featured the fabulous Melissa (who is a talented blogger in her own right) mixing and matching her pique Wunder Unders and Cool Racerback with other eclectic pieces for a day spent with friends on the town, going from yoga to brunch and beyond.

Sundays are our favourite day to spend doing the things that make us feel great. Tell us - what makes up your Sunday Funday uniform?

meet our new best friend: om finder

here's the nitty gritty

• mobile app to help you find yoga classes, studios and teachers
• iPhone and iPod touch only (for now!)
• it's free, baby!
• this is the first incarnation - this puppy is going to keep evolving based on your feedback

Do you wonder where to practice yoga when you travel? Do you want to discover new studios in your hometown? If so, we have some majorly exciting news for you! Today we launched our new yoga studio locator app om finder. Now live in the Apple Store, this free mobile app helps you discover new classes, teachers and studios and also lets you plan your yoga schedule. Even more, you'll get to hear from local lululemon yogis about the teachers and studios they love so you know which class to tackle next!

It's simple: go to the App Store on your iPhone and search "om finder" - this link should appear. Once you have finished downloading, open 'er up, sign in and start playing!

Poke around the app - there's lots of different functionalities and a ton of cool features. We have created this for you to find rad yoga classes as easily as possible AND to get more people on Planet Earth doing more yoga. Sounds good, right?

Like any of our products, we love feedback so please send over your thoughts! If you have any cool stories about classes, studios or teachers you've found with om finder, let us know - we want to hear about your adventures.

In the meantime...see you on the mat in Hatha class (or not...now is the time to try that acro yoga class you've always dreamt of!)

q&a with spencer

alexis: where are you from?

spencer: Massillon, Ohio.

alexis: in two sentences or less, tell us what you do.  

spencer: I'm responsible for building and naming our seasonal colours and palettes.

alexis: how do you get inspired to create or choose colours?  

spencer: I am a visual sponge, soaking up the world around me. I often pull colour inspiration from travel, blogs, food, shopping, movies, and trend agencies. People watching is not only a hobby, but a functional aspect of my job. We also have seasonal design themes which I use to filter all my blue sky ideas into intentional colour strategies.

alexis: what is the biggest change about moving from Boston to Vancouver?  

spencer: The food! Sorry Boston, but Vancouver's food scene is to die for!

alexis: who is your style icon?

spencer: Andre 3000, hands down. He is an all-around inspiration.

alexis: has there ever been a colour in nature that you haven't been able to recreate or identify?  

spencer: I find the variety of colours within fire intriguing, yet nearly impossible to generalize into one actual colour.

alexis: what is your favourite album of the moment?

spencer: Outkast's debut album "Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik" is my timeless favorite.

alexis: how do you create colour names each season?  

spencer: I set out to make fun colour names that make our guests smile.  Fresh cut produce tends to be a key source for stimulating colour names.  I may usually add humorous or suggestive adjectives to electrify. I always love colour names that just slide off the tongue like "warm butter."

alexis: if you could travel to any city for a day, where would you go?

spencer: Japan.

alexis: what is your favourite colour this season? 

spencer: Guava Lava, from W13, is still one of my favs thus far, followed by Greyvy, an awesome grey-navy neutral coming in Spring 14.

alexis: tell us about a goal that you have.  

spencer: I am passionate about bringing colour into the peoples' lives, especially in the form of wardrobe accentuating.   This year I will be launching a men's style blog aimed to both inspire and prescribe freshness for gents looking to get the most out their closets.  In the interim I am using my Outfit of the Day (#ootd) as a visual tutorial, on both instagram and Facebook, to showcase my vision for styling men's colour, pattern, and silhouette.  [follow me @moistvelvet on Instagram].

alexis: I heard a crazy small-world story about you and a co-worker. Can you tell us about it?  

spencer: Andrea Cilona, the new colorist here, and I eerily have a lot in common. My father was Andrea's father's industrial arts teacher in high school. Andrea's brother and I nearly shared a birthday (two days apart) but our mother's shared a hospital wall. Lastly, our parents currently live less than a mile away from each other in a one-stoplight town, Waynesburg, Ohio. Yet Andrea and I have never met until moving to Vancouver.

alexis: how do you sweat each day?

spencer: I mainly snowboard, do hot yoga, and push my fixed gear bike to the limits.

We think Spencer has one of the coolest jobs in the world! What would your dream job be if you knew you couldn't fail? Can you create it? And what colour do you want that we haven't made yet? Tell us!

meet jes

alexis: so tell me - how long have you been running for? 

jes: When I was young I lived in Australia and was part of a group called Little Athletics - my love of sport came at a young age.  I have always been athletic - I played volleyball, basketball and was on the track and field team in high school. Once I graduated I got my personal training certificate in Alberta and then moved out to B.C. Once I got here, I never actually launched my personal training business (I became a hair stylist instead...kinda different, I know!) but I maintained my own fitness and running is a big part of how I like to train.

alexis: so...considering you are a certified personal trainer, it's kind of random you've never done a half marathon. what compelled you to sign up for SeaWheeze?

jes: A long time ago I broke my leg in two places and stopped running longer distances because of it - my ligaments had torn and long training runs became very painful. I've done lots of 5 and 10k races, but only in recent years have I started running longer distances again. When I began working at lululemon I set a goal to run SeaWheeze in 2013. I'm super happy that my body is feeling strong enough to do this - I realized that while my injury was real, I didn't have to let it define what I can do. I may not be the speedster I was when I did track and field back in the day but I can still have a great time on August 10th!

alexis: what kind of yoga do you practice to augment your run training?

jes: I go to Hatha class a couple of times a week and it really helps with sore muscles and flexibility. When my IT band is giving me trouble, I always go to Yin class - the long poses are challenging but it's the best thing I've found to fix the tightness in my hip and knee.

alexis: you are a pretty funny cat. are you going to run by yourself or with a friend on race day so you can giggle and take it all in?

jes: I am going to run with a friend! This isn't a "race" for me - I'm not going for a specific time. For me, SeaWheeze is about seeing Vancouver in a cool way, taking in the sights and sounds and people watching! Having a good time and having my body feel strong is celebration enough.

There are many reasons people sign up for races - some have concrete goals they are achieving, whereas others do it for the experience. Why are you running the SeaWheeze this year?

Now that you're good and excited for your trip, it's important to make sure you've packed everything you need for a successful visit to Indio. Let me emphasize this point: strategic packing for music festivals is CRITICAL. You don't want to miss your favourite band because you're burned to a crisp, do you? See the list below to make sure you win at Coachella-ing.

WHAT TO PACK FOR COACHELLA

1. a cross-body bag

A good crossbody bag is crucial for hands-free partying once you get on the Polo Grounds. Not only are they convenient for stashing all your stuff, the crossbody style is still super trendy and you'll end up using it all summer on Sunday Funday bike gang adventures and with maxi dresses. I like this one by Madewell - it's real leather and won't break the bank.

2. sunscreen that actually absorbs w/o making you look like powder

We've all done it: you slather on a good coat of sunscreen before leaving the house with the intention to apply more midday...and then you forget and have a nose redder than a beer league pitcher. Protect yourself from the ruthless desert sun with these 50 SPF sunscreens. I like the ones from Shiseido - they hydrate and don't leave a chalky film. Bonus: Sephora offers travel sizes, perfect for tossing in your bag.

3. a cute suit

Extremely shocking news: Coachella isn't awesome just for the concert. There's a very healthy chance you're going to be logging some serious time at a pool so come prepared. Our Sandy Savasana Bottoms are colour-blocked in very Palm Springs-apropo hues and provide enough coverage to keep you feeling comfy at a DJ set at the Ace.

4. killer shades

If there's one place that I recommend blowing the budget pre-trip, it's on your sunglasses. Think about it: they're going to show up in every one of your photos! Since you'll be wearing them with every outfit throughout the weekend, they'll need to be versatile. These Stella McCartney shades are in a universally-flattering ecru shade and the oversized teardrop shape is on point without being so outrageous that you'll regret them in a year.

5. a bag that's easy to pack

Sure, you'll be strategic when you're going to Indio...but at the end of a long weekend, the last thing you'll want to do is to struggle packing everything into a too-small duffel. The Everyday Gym Bag is roomy enough to easily stow away a weekend's worth of gear AND fits as carry-on on most airlines.

6. wipes!

There's no way to overstate it: having wipes at Coachella is a GAMECHANGER. They are good for so many things: taking makeup off late at night when you're exhausted, taking a layer of desert grime off your face every few hours, cleaning your hands so you don't have an OCD man-down situation after the bathrooms...the list goes on and on. I like these ones from Sephora - they're cheap, they smell inoffensive and they come in small packs so they fit easily into most bags.

7. bright lipstick

It doesn't matter if you wear a plain tank top and cutoffs or an elaborate outfit - bright lips are always fun and less risky that vibrant eyeliner (yeah, it looks good...but once the temperatures start soaring you risk looking like Ke$ha after a night on the town). I love Casablanca from Nars - it's a great consistency and the colour looks good on everyone, guide's honour.

8. comfy pants for the plane ride home

After an amazing weekend of frivolity in the sun, you are going to be tired...really tired. Do yourself a favour and remember to pack comfy pants for the plane ride home. The Work It Out Track Pant is my new MVP for comfort - plus, they look pretty cute with a pair of Chuck Taylors and are warm enough that once you land back home your legs won't freeze.

Are you going to Coachella on Weekend 1 or 2? What bands are you most excited to see? And what are your must-have items for beating the heat in Indio?

Being comfortable on the mat is a must. Each person has their own personal preference about what feels good and there are many different types of practices these days all requiring various levels of coverage and performance. We have a ton of tanks for every taste, practice and body...and because we know there is a lot to choose from, we've done a little comparison to help you find the best yoga top.

practice freely tank

why we love it: The body is made in lightweight Sheer Jersey - this top is perfect for Moksha or Bikram classes, or if you prefer a body-skimming fit as opposed to a tighter-fitting silhouette. The bra portion is made of luon so it has support and four-way stretch.

level of support and coverage: The front has medium coverage and the tank is a longer fit, with cutouts below the bra at the back for ventilation. The bra is low-support.

cool racerback tank

why we love it: This is the MacGyver of yoga tanks - is there anything the Cool Racerback can't do? From Vinyasa Flow class to CrossFit and marathon training, this racerback tank made of moisture-wicking luon is easy to wear on its own or layer under other pieces.

level of support and coverage: This racerback is body-skimming and has medium coverage in the front. As for support, it doesn't have a shelf bra...so we recommend wearing a sports bra underneath (but hey, whatever floats your boat). This tank is ideal if you have a fuller bust and are looking for a basic tank to wear with your preferred bra.

flow and go tank II

why we love it: This tank is perfect for when you want to feel like you're wearing nothing at all. The body is made of anti-stink Micro Diamond Mesh so no matter how many times you sweat in hot class, this tank will smell like fresh as a daisy.

level of support and coverage: This strappy tank has bare(ly) there coverage in the back and medium coverage in the front. The bra is made of luon and is low support.

cardio kick tank

why we love it: Much like the Cool Racerback, the Cardio Kick Tank is great for yoga and also run training, CrossFit and more. What's different? This tank has mesh paneling in the back for ventilation, a built-in bra for support and is made of Power Luxtreme for moisture-wicking.

level of support and coverage: The built-in shelf bra provides moderate support. The tank is fitted, has medium coverage through the bust and the length hits directly at the hip.

power y tank

why we love it: The Power Y features a streamlined cut well-suited for a variety of yoga styles and body types. The simple spaghetti straps come together at the back for no-fuss fit. The body fabric is made of breathable and stretchy luon® light and the built-in shelf bra is made of moisture-wicking COOLMAX® to keep your ladies feelin' fresh.

level of support and coverage: This tank is fitted throughout and has medium coverage through the bust. The built-in bra provides medium support during your practice.

vinyasa surf tank (coming soon!)

why we love it: This surf-inspired tank is made of stretchy and breathable luon to make bending easy peasy. This tank has full coverage in the front and a more bare back for a different feel from some of our other tanks. The high neck is perfect for keeping our ladies under wraps.

level of support: This tank is body-skimming throughout and is cut high in the front (ideal if you sometimes "pop out" during Down Dogs or handstands). The built-in shelf bra provides medium support.

What is your favourite tank to wear during class? 

Tulips are sprouting, cherry trees are blossoming, the air smells sweet....spring is happening in a big way, and not a moment too soon. Some of us have signed up for marathons and now that hibernation is over it's time to get serious about training.

In order to celebrate the longer days and warmer weather, check out this playlist filled with upbeat, dreamy music to match the anticipation of sweet and sweaty days around the corner. Expect some (ahem, a lot of) electro...this playlist may make you want to quit your job, buy a backpack, head to Krabi and start dancing inappropriately with some Australians you met 32 minutes previously in a hostel line up (not that there's anything wrong with that).

- Alexis

spring has sprung playlist

chris malinchak - so good to me

I first heard this song on Hype Machine and was immediately obsessed - it has become the soundtrack to my morning routine before I run out the door each day. Good news: it was just released on iTunes as part of the new Pete Tong album - every track is awesome.

ellie goulding - anything can happen (blood diamonds remix)

I already had a deep love affair with this song - and then I heard this remix at spin class one day. WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER.

disclosure - latch featuring sam smith

90's vocal R&B (I get kind of a Crystal Waters vibe) mixed with ambient electro = major sexy time. Don't blame me if you can't stop putting this on repeat...it has highly addictive properties and has been known to start dance parties. You've been warned.

m83 - reunion (mylo remix)

My favourite M83 song has been remastered by my favourite remix-centric DJ. The results are....mixed. Yes, that just happened.

c2c - delta 

When I first heard this, I wasn't sure if I was diggin' it. Then I played it running one day - the energy of Basement Jaxx with the weirdness of The Flaming Lips kept my interest piqued through two tough hills. Bonus points: they're French (because that counts for something, right?)

two door cinema club - something good can work (rac remix)

Something about this remix is just happy - every time I hear it I am instantly lifted into the clouds. It's the ultimate bad-mood buster if you're having an off-day.

icona pop - i don't care feat. charli xcx

This song has been floating around the zeitgeist for awhile, but ever since it was played on HBO's "Girls" it has hit critical mass. Yes, it's kinda tacky. Yes, the lyrics are juvenile. Yes, it's played out. My rebuttal? Who cares.

rac - hollywood feat. penguin prison

This song is pure cheesy Ibiza-infused good times. Sometimes a little fromage is a good thing.

tegan and sara - i'm not your hero

I know what you're thinking - Tegan and Sara are better for depressing conversations at a coffee shop than on a run playlist. That is, until they got electronic music god David Guetta to produce their latest album. Get into it.

haim - falling

HAIM is my new favourite band, full stop. This track is my current fave...if they'd only do a full tour of North America, I'd be the happiest lady around. Come to Vancouver already!

major lazer - get free feat. amber of the dirty projectors

Okay, full disclosure: I have put this song on a previous playlist. Sometimes, however, a song is so effing incredible that it deserves a double dip. This is one of those rare beauties.

twin shadow - five seconds

If you ever get the chance to see him live, do it. Then message me and we can talk about how your mind is blown and how we can try and put it back together.

bibio -a tout à l'heure

Ambient, swirling bohemia perfect for early summer. Play this on your cool down and dream of sunny days ahead.

Pssst....current state, we are hosting our playlists on 8tracks, but we have something new coming at you soon. Keep your eyes and ears peeled.