Miles and Memories: A Journey of Love and Running in Lululemon

In 2005, I met the man who would become my husband on a 50-mile trail run on Catalina Island, off the coast of Southern California. Brent was an ultra marathon runner; I ran mostly road races and dabbled in triathlon. Our connection was instant, fueled by a shared love for the outdoors and the profound sense of peace that running gives us. We’ve since conquered nearly 200 ultras, marathons, and shorter races—and somehow found time to get married along the way. These days we share at least two five-to-six-mile road runs during the week, and then hit the trails with our friends for longer runs on the weekends. For us, running together isn’t just a hobby—it’s our sanctuary, escape, and therapy.

So when Brent and I were given the chance to take the latest lululemon running gear for a series of demo runs, we were giddy. It has long been my preferred workout apparel, and now that the brand had finally released its first men’s running shoe, Brent could test-run alongside me! (In fact, when I informed him about this, he high-fived me and asked, “When do we go shopping?”)

Our Outfits

lululemon Beyondfeel Men’s Running Shoe

$158 at Lululemon

Brent and I live in a mountainous region where winter hasn’t quite thawed yet in early spring, so we prioritized outfits that provide flexibility for the ever-fluctuating temperatures. Brent landed on the Zeroed In Short Sleeve T-shirt, Pace Breaker Lined Short, and Pace Breaker Jacket, while I excitedly donned the Fast and Free Tight, Energy Longline Bra, and Mist Over Windbreaker. We completed our outfits with matching Fast and Free Running Hats, Power Stride Crew Socks, and Beyondfeel running shoes. Decked out in lululemon from head to toe, we were ready for our first run.

Running Diary

Run #1

We wake up for our first five-miler of the week. The past few months of mornings have been frigid, but today the air is merely cold rather than bone-chilling. Within 10 minutes of setting out, Brent compares running in his Beyondfeel shoes to a foot massage, waxing poetic about the security and flexibility that the supportive heel and mesh upper-body provide. The added cushioning makes a noticeable difference when compared to his trainers, he says, while the spacious toe box gives his often-cramped digits room to roam.

My Free High-Rise Tights, meanwhile, are achieving an ideal blend of warmth and compression, but my windbreaker is the one stealing the show. Unlike many other packable jackets, the Mist Over provides remarkable breathability without sacrificing wind protection. I’m pleasantly surprised that as light and airy as this jacket is, I remain warm in the crisp morning air.

Run #2

On our eight-mile run this morning, Brent and I chat about how happy we are that spring is making its presence known. The last remnants of snow have melted, the sun feels good on our backs, and, as I take a long look at my husband, I admire the color of his khaki Pace Breaker shorts and lilac Zeroed In shirt. He looks good! I’m legit sweaty by the time we get home, but when I kick off my shoes, I notice my socks feel dry. I’m also pleased to realize there’s no visible crotch or back-waistband sweat on my Fast and Free leggings. Bonus points to the Energy Longline bra, which doesn’t rise up or feel soggy at any point on the run.

Run #3

We’re visiting my dad’s house in the city, so today’s run takes place in warmer and flatter conditions than usual. We’re wearing our Fast and Free hats, and Brent is skeptical that his can withstand his sweaty head. As we run, I can hear music blaring through his headphones. He turns to me and playfully belts the lyrics to a popular country love song from years back. We finish our five miles, and I lean in for our usual finish-line kiss. I’m used to dodging the sweat dripping off Brent’s brim—but not today, thanks to his quick-drying hat!

lululemon Beyondfeel Women’s Running Shoe

$158 at Lululemon

Run #4

We plan a longer run today: 12 miles out and back on the mountain roads. Brent is at least 100 yards ahead of me by mile two, but he slows to match my pace and sweetly stays on my right as we face traffic. I ask him how long he thinks it’ll be until we can run Baden-Powell, our local “big mountain,” since the trail is still buried under snow. “At least another month,” he says. Then we’re quiet, and my mind drifts back to when we first began dating, all those years ago. Every date was a run—road, trail, or track—and we couldn’t help falling in love while doing what we loved.

Run #5

For our final run, we do a six-mile loop through our small town. Brent expands on his experience with his Beyondfeel shoes: “The heel-to-toe transition is smooth,” he says, “and the ventilation and flexibility of the mesh upper provide awesome breathability.” We’re both wary of cushioned shoes being too bulky, so we appreciate how lululemon incorporated impact-absorbing technology without unnecessary weight. As we cool down, Brent points at the liner pockets of his Pace Breaker shorts and beams. This man loves pockets, especially in his running clothes: “Are you jealous? Look at this zippered pocket!” I roll my eyes and shake my head before darting past him and smacking his behind as if to say, “Catch up!”

Final Thoughts

Finding the right shoe for Brent can be challenging. He’s particular about fit, and wants both stability and flexibility. For him to give his seal of approval to the Beyondfeel is a big deal—to me, at least! As for the clothes, we both loved how the lightweight moisture-wicking fabrics provided unrestricted freedom. Brent, who sweats a lot, especially appreciated how the clothes stayed dry. Personally, I kept coming back to the compression materials. Each piece of apparel offered a cozy fit without bunching up and disrupting my natural motion. We both left our demo runs excited to keep running in lululemon—though of course, any opportunity for us to run together is always a dream come true.