An Officer and A Geek: INKnBURN

Update: I got selected as an ambassador!! WOOHOO!!!

I am an Introvert. That's why I like swimming, biking, and running. I can do it alone, get in touch with myself, and I don't have to rely on anyone else. But, that doesn't mean I'm a wallflower. I like to wear cute outfits when I train and "race" ... or at least that's what some people call it. I have fun. I enjoy setting a PR as much as I enjoy hanging out with the back of the pack and being inspired. Anyway, about a year and a half ago, I joined a running group. Every day, someone mentioned my outfits. I want more than just shorts and a tank. Coach J asked me if I had heard of InkNBurn (She is a recent transplant from the West Coast). This girl in Texas had not ... yet

I checked it out and became hooked immediately. First, I just wanted the skeleton kit because I like my skeletons and skulls and I thought it was cute. THEN I GOT IT!!! OMIGOD, the fabric is so comfortable. And the styling makes me look great. I have curves. (And, ssshhh, I'll admit it ... the capris made my butt look good and I admired myself in the mirror). My first run in these (training on Halloween) I had people stop their cars to ask me where I got my kit ... and men stopped to tell me how good I looked in it. Teehee!!!! Blush!!!! Since that time, I've been hooked. And yes, I don't just wear my InkNBurn for running.

I thought this was an interesting, unplanned, justaposition

I've attracted enough attention from
my InkNBurn to be asked out a time or two
by younger men ... If I weren't married, I
could be a couger, but not the
Bride of Sasquatch

I was hooked ... so I kept my eye on other cool designs and found myself in SteamPunk and Dragonflies. I wear my SteamPunk ALL the time, so I don't know why I don't have more pictures it in. And WOW, the top gives me curves. I've worn my Peacock skirt in several races, but for some reason ... I don't know where the pictures are ... but, still wearing these for running ... and not for running. The amazing thing is that when I wear just the top ... the colors don't fade in the wash and the kit still matches. Yea!!!

OK ... you can't see it well, but it's really cute!!!

I became more obsessed when the Halloween line for 2014 came out. So, yes, I bought the Radioactive Skeleton. Comments from the Zombie Run ... "Best skeleton all day" and "I love the way your butt bones wiggle when you run (that came from a girl and was meant as a compliment and not a pick-up line).

And the Muscle Kit, which I LOVE ... Comments from my first race (it was too hot to wear tights and arms) included many many "where can I get that?" and "great anatomy lesson.." Actually, "where can I get that?" happens a lot. Some days I feel like I need to print up cards with InkNBurn website because I have to tell so many people where they, too, can find a really awesome kit.

Last year, I would see just a smattering of InkNBurn at races, now I am seeing them much more often.But, honestly, I don't see a whole lot of folks wearing the fun "body" lines which seem to get the most attention ... at least for me.

I don't think it was even an option NOT to wear the Patriot design for a Veteran's Day Race. And, I got butt compliments on my denim tights. Seems that butt compliments are a theme when I wear InkNBurn tights ... but not other times, I promise. I think the cut and the designs improves my assets (Did you get that?)

I was out of town a few months and when I returned, I learned a few fun things. My favorite running store carries InkNBurn. (I like to say it's, at least partly, because of the compliments I've gotten when wearing InkNBurn on our training runs from the store. But, who knows? Coach J may have finally persuaded them.) Almost every single person in my running group now owns at least one InB item. And yes, we talk about them ... a lot.

Holidays rolled around, so I had to wear the Holiday "Sweater" and the super funky Cable Knit tights. Two races, one day, one outfit. Don't tell anyone ... I didn't wash the outfit in between. But, it didn't stink, either, so that's OK, right?

Just before Black Friday, InkNBurn had a massive sale liquidating their old lines. The new business model is a few very special designs that won't be replicated or expanded. When they are gone ... they are gone. Soooo ... I bought A LOT. Follow my blog and I'm sure you'll see them at some point: Flutter Skirt and Tank, Dark Denim pants, Cherry Blossom T (for the Cherry Blossom 10-miler), Current Tank, Sugar Skull T, and a lot of Dragonfly (Skirt, Tank, Capri, and T). Am I addicted? NOOOOOOO!!!!! Read a few blog posts and I guarantee, you will eventually find yourself witnessing a fashion show of InkNBurn.

I do a few geeky and space-themed races and last year I searched high and low for something comfortable in an R2D2 design. No luck. I don't wear children's and I don't want to run a long race in cotton. Couldn't resist the Robot design and knew it wouldn't last long. Wore it today (not a space-themed race, but the last cool day I'm expecting in Texas for awhile and too warm for tights). Once again, the usual ...caught the eye of a cute, fast, guy (sorry Musician) and was approached by many people asking where they can get one too.

So, here is a few things that InkNBurn says to describe their clothing ...

Sure, our art sets us apart from almost any other apparel out there. Not only is it striking and vibrant, we also choose subject matter that is meaningful to us. It isn't just a picture; it says something about what is important to us.

We design for people that don't feel the need to blend in with the crowd.

So ... why am I writing this post? Well, obviously, I am an addict. I suppose I could be addicted to worse things. But, honestly, not only cute, but really comfortable running clothes. And durable ... I've worn them a lot without any fading or piling. I would recommend them to anyone. I really really really like that they are made in the good ole' USA.

Aaaannnddd ... shameless plug. I was too slow when the applications for the Ambassador Program came out. But, I think I'm a really darn good Ambassador, don't you? I'm hoping they will still consider me. They probably won't because it wouldn't be fair to all those (many many many) folks who were much more timely than I was. But, I figure, what the heck? Even if the answer is no, I have no shame in asking and I will still wear them and tell everyone about them. So ... dang it, I'll still be an ambassador, of sorts. And I'll just say ... Take Flight, Rock On, and Namaste