sportstyle

+ State-Of-The-Art Citric Technology + Commercially Proven and Tested + 50x Wash Durability Rating + EPA Registered with Pending Certifications + Permanent Silver Yarn Technology + Professional Athlete Grade Performance + Industrial Wash Rating. Does Not Wash Out + EPA Registered, OEKO-TEX, Bluesign TOPICAL BOTANICAL ANTIMICROBIAL + ODOR CONTROL PERMANENT MINER AL ANTIMICROBIAL + ODOR CONTROL THINK LIFE CYCLE. NOT WASH CYCLE. NOBLEBIOMATERIALS.COM sales@noblebiomaterials.com ODOR CONTROL FABRICS REQUIRE LESS WASHING. THE LESS YOU WASH, THE LONGER FABRICS LAST. THIS MEANS KEEPING COLOR AND PERFORMANCE AND E XTENDING THE LIFE OF A GARMENT. WE CALL THIS BEING PLANE T POSITIVE. W hether training on a treadmill, doing laps around a high school track, or hitting the trail, odds are the estimated 50 million people in the United States defined as new, casual or recreational runners are not going for gold. "I am a better version of myself when I am running frequently!" says Katie Brennan, who dips in and out of running as life dictates. "Being able to lace up my shoes and knock out a very slow walk/run for five miles is a huge part of my well-being." Community is a primary motivator for rookie runner Cassidy Chassagne, a twenty-something who also enjoys cycling and recently purchased an e-bike. "I run with my running club and my partner. A lot of times, the only reason I get out the door is because they are holding me accountable to do so," explains Chassagne, who got serious about running in September of last year. Leslie Aguilar, a three-times-per-week trail runner, originally from Los Angeles who works at the Department of Energy in DC, defines her goals as "stress relief and health/fitness." Reading online reviews is Aguilar's go-to for educating herself on run products. ese women are representative of many mainstream running consumers — they have a modern, healthy outlook on running that is reflected in their product purchases and fabric choices. "I've run races, casually, where my clothes feel uncomfortable and that is all I can think about," comments Chassagne, a member of the Pacers Running Club in DC, who hit her goal of running a 5K. Brennan, who is in her early thirties, tells us, "When the fabrics used in garments feel good, it helps me run better. And it's hugely motivating to get out the door when I like my running outfit too." In the winter her running wardrobe of choice includes leggings, merino layering pieces and a jacket with big pockets. In the summer, biker shorts and a t-shirt are her go-to running apparel item of choice. Cassagne, Brennan and Aguilar namechecked Athleta, Tracksmith (for its focus on natural fibers), Outdoor Voices, Under Armour (joggers) and Brooks as current favorite apparel brands. Get Out & Run Kickstarted by lifestyle changes during Covid, the past few years have ushered in a tidal wave of new runners, eager to get outside and exercise. At the same time, comfort clothes became the new uniform for people stuck at home, giving way to a surge in sales of sweatpants, loungewear and all things categorized as athleisure. Indeed, "jogger" emerged as a style statement. Catherine Adams, a sales associate at Marathon Sports in sportstylemag.com • sportstyle March/April 2024 • 11

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