Yesterday, the CDC recommended canceling events of 50 or more people. Last week, I received an email from the Boston Athletic Association stating that the Boston Marathon would be postponed. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back.
Silent rage bubbled and then simmered after I checked myself (and hastily Instagram-storied my declaration of war against COVID-19). Canceled races are a small hiccup compared to the real-life situations people in my life now face. Friends are no longer receiving income because employers have closed shop. One of them, who lives in Brooklyn, has experienced mild racism. On a lighter note, my dad is lamenting about baseball and wondering if and when they’ll scrap the entire season.
At the very least, I’m not sad that I’ll miss another Mets’ losing streak (sorry, Dad), and I don’t engage in a sport that requires a certain amount of players. However, as solitary as running is, we still have that communal aspect: the postrun brunches, office lunch runs, races where we’re either spectating or pinning a bib on our singlets.
For Boston, I had planned to make a last-minute decision on two race kits that I and a team of local runners were currently testing: Janji’s Pace Short and Sports Bra and Rabbit’s First Place Shorts and Crop Hop Built-In Sports Bra from their PR Collection (a nod to the Olympics, which are We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back). I had seen the latter worn by runners at the Olympic Marathon Trials in Atlanta, not knowing that was the last race weekend I would be both watching and participating in (the Publix Half Marathon was the day after) for awhile.
Working from home, we were given this suggestion from our Runner-in-Chief, Jeff Dengate: “Go out for your run at lunch, like normal. Take in the fresh air and maintain your usual routine.” Another colleague, Daisy Hernandez, chimed in, “It helps to get dressed, too, instead of staying in pjs.”
I took their advice to heart. While I may not be attaching a number on the Pace Bra or Crop Hop for months to come, I’m still going to wear those kits as the weather gets warmer and my mind needs that moment of clarity I can only get on a run. It’s that mindset that can transform “solitary” into “solidarity.” Apps like Strava exist for virtual group runs. We can still livestream or Facetime, and set our sights on even loftier goals. For me: A return to long-run training, and perhaps PR’ing a sub-3 marathon instead of the originally planned sub-3:05 when Boston comes around.
I’ll continue to test gear and go out for my midday workouts. While everything else is on hold—events, businesses, graduations, weddings—it’s the simple fact that when I run I’m still moving, which gives me comfort. It reminds me to keep pushing forward.
Janji Pace Kit
Pros
- Flattering scoop neck cut and interwoven crossback
- Supportive for A to D cups
Cons
- Band may be too tight—consider sizing up
The shorts have a 6-inch inseam that has just the right amount of thigh coverage to protect you from chafing without wandering into cropped pants or capris territory. They’re an all-season “bike short” with a high, smooth waistband that has an interior infinity string.
Some of our testers desired larger pockets. The single, hidden non-zipper pocket in the waistband was too small to fit anything inside with the exception of a small key, one tester said.
The bra has a flattering crossback string weave and provides high impact support for A to D cups. The underband was a little too tight for some, which is why we recommend trying a size up.
Each new collection by Janji features a country—in this case, the Philippines. The company donates to a clean water nonprofit within the country and collaborates with local artists who design patterns for the apparel. The floral design on these shorts and bra was created by Manila-based graphic designer and illustrator Raxenne Maniquiz.
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Rabbit PR Collection
Pros
- Band may be too tightconsider sizing up
- Men’s available as well
Cons
- Limited supplies
- Men’s Shorteez and women’s First Place bottoms may be just too uncomfortably short for some
The PR Collection includes a couple of favorites from both Rabbit’s men’s and women’s lines. The collection is made of a lightweight material with bonded seam construction to eliminate chafing; this apparel was made for racing and fast finishes.
The men’s Shorteez were not well-received from our testers, who preferred just a little more support and coverage. “The lining was a little uncomfortable on my undercarriage,” said one. They’re ideal for runners who want a featherlight, barely there bottom. We recommend going a size up, as another complaint was that these shorts ran, well, short.
As for the women’s offerings, I’ve described the First Place as “those bootie shorts when you’ve yet to commit to running briefs.” They’re teeny, with a 2.5-inch inseam, but Rabbit made sure to include two small waistband pockets to slip in gels, and a zippered back pocket, which I appreciated while racing the Atlanta half (ID: check; debit card in case I DNF and need to hail a cab: check).
The men’s and women’s RunTee long-sleeve and short-sleeve, and Speedeez singlet, are laser cut and made of fast-drying RabbitSpeed fabric (a poly/spandex blend that’s super lightweight). But the top that looked especially sharp during the Trials is the women’s Crop Hop, which has built-in support and removal cups.
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Amanda is a test editor at Runner’s World who has run the Boston Marathon every year since 2013; she's a former professional baker with a master’s in gastronomy and she carb-loads on snickerdoodles.
