Above Jana, Jenny, and Bridey, the ladies opening up our ivivva athletica stores, give us the inside ivivva scoop!

What is your role at ivivva?

Jana: Assistant Manager of Community, ivivva athletica West 4th location

Jenny: Business Manager of ivivva athletica – basically I oversee store operations, people & training for the new brand

Bridey: Product Manager

What is a typical Wednesday like for you?

Jana: Last Wednesday? hmmmm...last Wednesday I was shadowing Charlotte, the manager of Park Royal, the Wednesday before that I was making community contacts with the local gymnastics clubs.

Jenny: Get up, go for a run, work on emails in the morning, meet with Bridey and Jana to get updates, meet with our store designer to go over final fixture choices, drive to a coffee shop to meet with potential store manager candidates, meet up with the ivivva girls at a local gymnastics or dance studio to hold a focus group, then home to have dinner with Matt, take our dog Olive out for a walk, check emails again and then bed!

Bridey: Wednesdays are never typical, never a dull moment! Last Wednesday we reviewed our new store floor plans with our Store Design team, but the majority of my time is spent overseeing the direction of the product line. It's pretty cool to see the last couple of months start to come to life!

What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?

Jana: It's a close battle between Haagen-Dazs coffee ice cream and pepperoni pizza. Both A-MAZING!

Jenny: Peanut M&Ms. Especially the pink breast cancer ones.

Bridey: Sunglasses - I can never have enough. Now if only Vancouver had more sun

If you could trade places with someone in the company who would it be and why?

Jana: Whose job would I want? Tracy Keough because I love community and she gets to be at the heart of it in all of our stores throughout North America.

Jenny: Allison Forsyth (our elite athlete coordinator). Right now she is working hard connecting with elite athletes and getting our Vancouver stores ready to host some pretty cool events, which is something that I am passionate about!

Bridey: Chip. No explanation needed

What's your Big Hairy Audacious Goal?

Jana: ivivva guests are lined up around the block for the West 4th store opening.

Jenny: To complete Ironman Canada by August 2011.

Bridey: Ivivva is the favourite brand of girls aged 6-12.

Why do you have the best job in the world?

Jana: Because we get to be healthy, positive influencers for young girls.

Jenny: I work with incredible people who are my friends…we have been given this very cool opportunity to be a part of ivivva from the beginning, which is so exciting! I have been working at lululemon for 5 years, and have loved every minute of it… things are always changing and it’s so amazing to see the company grow and innovate!

Bridey: I'm surrounded by amazing people that do amazing things.

What is the best way to describe ivivva?

Jana: FUN!

Jenny: Technical, cool product for young, active girls.

Bridey: Just plain fun!

Why are you excited about ivivva?

Jana: I am excited because our guest is so cool. Our target girls are confident, smart, funny, and love to share their opinions. You Go Girl!

Jenny: Because the product is amazing, I can’t wait to share it with our guests. I wish ivivva was around when I was 10 years old!

Bridey: We have an opportunity to truly inspire kids.

Are you inspired to join the team? We have amazing opportunities in Vancouver, Victoria, and Calgary!

I was inspired to blog about the many conversations I keep overhearing between my boyfriend and his friends. I can’t even count how many times I’ve heard someone say “that’s lululemon?!” when talking about something Justin is wearing. Sometimes I have to bite my tongue, as I want to go off about how “we make more than black stretchy pants!” (though we are pretty good at that, too!).

After working for lululemon for almost two years now, my wardrobe is understandably about 80% luon. To many people’s surprise, my boyfriend’s closet is comparably stocked with lululemon, though you wouldn’t guess so at first glance.

I think the best thing about our men’s line is its versatility. Justin is no pro-athlete, but he is extremely active and our men’s product meets all of his needs.

I asked Justin what his favourite features of his lululemon pieces are, and have shared some images of these features in action below:

I. “Pockets! I love all of the pockets in my clothing… coin pockets are key so you don’t have to empty your pockets every time you’re active.”

II.“I like that I can throw on lululemon in the morning and know that I’m set for the rest of the day… no matter how it unfolds.”

III. “Durability. I need things that are easy to wash and can take some wear."

So guys, next time your girlfriend/wife is dragging you into your local store, rather than finding the closest reading material, take a wander through our men’s section – you may be surprised at what you find! Or check out our men’s section online: http://shop.lululemon.com/men/pl/c/700.html

Above: Our lululemon race volunteers and cheer squad keep the energy high!

Usually on race day, I'd get up early to eat a small breakfast, get dressed, and get stretched for the kilometres ahead. Yesterday, I woke up earlier than usual on race day, but with none of the same concerns that I would normally have as a runner. That's because yesterday I wasn't a spectator or a runner, but I was at a race for the first time as a volunteer.

Coffee in hand, I was excited to be part of the first ever Toronto Women's Half Marathon and 5K race, a highly anticipated event by runners of all levels. The organizers, volunteers and partners setting up generated a buzz like no other – it was like being backstage at your favourite concert!

Bag check was where I was at, securing participants' backpacks and jackets while they were on their run. With an ample supply of caffeine, we were hands down some of the most hyper bag checkers you'd ever meet. Our station wasn't as exciting as the post race chocolate station, but it was a great opportunity for me to support where needed and meet some incredible women.

A good handful of the 1,300 women that ran were first time half marathon runners. Ranging from age 18 to 75, it was inspiring to hear some of their journeys that had led them to this event. Many of the runners were drawn to this specific race solely because it was a supportive and friendly environment to be active with other women. I had never seen so many strangers congratulate and selflessly share running tips with each other.

The most inspiring moment? A young mother of two shaking my hand after I handed her bag back to her. It was her first half marathon since the birth of her second child, and she was grinning ear to ear. "See you next year! Thanks for your time and help!" she said as her kids dragged her away. All I had done was given her bag back, but for her, she was able to run and didn’t have to think about being responsible for anything but herself for two hours.

Seeing how all the little details mean so much to the big picture of a race was a phenomenal experience. The volunteering side was just as rewarding and fun as running the race. The next time you catch the running buzz, try supporting another runner through her journey by helping out at your community’s next race.

Above, Lori Moretti from Yatra Yoga takes our running gear for a spin. 

Conquer your head games

You've wanted to do a race and excuses are top of mind to rationalize your way out. I've heard: I'm not in shape, I am not competitive, and I don't have money.

Together, we're going conquer the head games, because this is the year you will race. I'm here to give you the inspiration, how-tos and tips to get ready for your first, fifteenth or five-hundredth race.

Find the race for you

Online magazines such as Active.com, Runner's World, Bicycling, and Triathlete are hubs for event listings and training tips.

Check the community board or website at your local lululemon store for training groups and buddies, tips, and run clubs.

Add athletes' blogs to your blog reader and check out their upcoming race schedule (see our blogroll on the right side of this page for a list of athletes' blogs).

If you’re still not sure what you want to do (a 5K vs. a half marathon or a sprint triathlon vs. an international/Olympic distance) go watch one! Not only will you be inspired, you have a chance to network, sign up for upcoming races and talk through your questions with professionals and athletes.

I cheered on local athletes and our ambassador Rachel Challis at the Oceanside Ironman 70.3 with fellow blogger Kirsten and our ambassador Beth Gerdes and realized that if I want, and start training, I can do this race next year!

There are a variety of opps to volunteer at races and race EXPOS as well, both will connect you to people also interested in the sport.

Create a goal

Perhaps your goal is a PR (personal record). Maybe it's to meet new friends in a new town. Just finishing an event is an incredible fete. Some other ideas:

• start small: a 2 mile walk is amazing. We aren't all Ironman triathletes, and that is okay
• align yourself with a charity and create a fundraising goal (Will your company sponsor you? Can you fundraise your way to the registration fee - plus some - through your contacts, friends and family?
• join a relay and make a mini time goal for your leg
• think big: as long as you train, rest, eat and condition your body and mind properly, you can be an Ironman!

Just sign up

No more excuses.

What race did you sign up for? I've started training for the Lighthouse Century Ride in San Luis Obispo County, California.

I'm off to try on the new lululemon bathing suits just delivered to the store!