On a slightly different tack to the one revolving around clothing; I was talking about what makes athletes happy. I think its fairly easy to understand the importance of happiness. Of course, the burning need to constantly improve upon ourselves, looked at closely probably doesn't resemble the classic ideal of 'happiness'. I'm talking more about the state of mind which I can see the best athletes achieving when they are at the top of their game. Is this happy? I would say that in the act of trying to achieve this, and getting better at canoeing, I am happy. At races I feel challenged and comfortable; I'm in a place with lots of people who like the same thing as me, who want the same outcome as me, which is strangely comforting. So I'm happy at races too. But one of my favourite things about the athlete lifestyle is the routines. This might sound a bit weird, because as far as 'normal' routines go ours are fairly removed. 

My day goes something a bit like this:

First breakfast (usually a creation in my NutriBullet: I'm getting better at these, but for the love of God don't put carrots in with pineapple.)
First session 
Second breakfast (something a bit more filling, of the toast and eggs variety)
University/sleep/study (not all at once. Unfortunately.)
Lunch (something I know is going to get me through to dinner)
Second session
Study
Dinner
Household THINGS (food shopping, cleaning, chilling out etc...)

It definitely makes things easier living with two people who understand the routines, one who is also a full time athlete and another who makes time to exercise almost as regularly as we do. One of my favourite things during the week is food shopping. There's something intensely satisfying about planning the meals for the week ahead and searching out the best ingredients for them (usually late at night in the flood of discount-shoppers). 
The routines of weekday life are a little different from those of training camps - which are almost exclusively about training, eating, sleeping and studying. People who are friends with canoeists will know how hard it is to get a consistent conversation going with one of us during a training camp. Time kind of passes in a blur, coming into focus properly during sessions, then passing again in a whirl of maintenance until the next one. I love it - its an environment I get to control, in situations I am familiar with. Although there is always an element of newness, learning things about the places I am training and how to deal with the problems they present. A lot of athletes I know at university struggle with the fact that it's hard to really socialise during term time. It does get a bit wearing, constantly having to say 'no' to things that are pretty normal for the average person. But I would say that the people we get to meet on camps and at races, and the benefits we feel from sessions, more than make up for anything 'lost' in social life. I guess thats just personality, and what your preferences are. I guess I feel like just the right kind of anti-social! 

So the general rule as athletes; we like what feels good. We like canoeing because being fast feels good, we like racing because getting results under pressure feels good, we like working being athletes because, put simply, it feels good. Now, there are a lot of factors that go into this bubble of 'feeling good'. It is a state of mind that we can manipulate using external triggers and mental exercises. In fact, we're really good at it. I would say the best athletes I know are the ones who can make themselves instantaneously calm and happy. 

Some people seem to be naturally happy ALL the time. I definitely have my phases, but quite often all it takes to switch me into happy mode is a good chat, a nice meal, a long, relaxed play session, or...clothes. In terms of feeling good, one of my main triggers is feeling as though I look good in what I'm wearing. I know, canoeing was a great choice for that one... But during the winter, when about 50% of my training is either in the gym or running or physio, I have a little more control over my workout look. I know its different for everybody, but I feel happier in the gym when I like what I'm wearing, and the happier I am, the better the session!

So, when TLC sportswear agreed to send me an outfit to 'test' in the gym, naturally I had my reservations. I know the kind of clothing I like, and as a slightly OCD athlete I can say my preferences are often a bit difficult to cater for. ESPECIALLY when it comes to leggings. But, the package came, the leggings were applied. And there they have pretty much stayed ever since. They are ALWAYS on my wash pile, because I wear them for almost everything. Black, and about twice as thick as the average legging, they are warm enough to make running in Scottish weather bearable, but breathable enough to make weightlifting in a sweaty gym perfectly comfortable. They are SHAPED. Not usually a feature I would go for in activewear, but in a gym surrounded by mirrors, I fully appreciate the benefits of this mysterious function. The leggings fit my waist and my overly muscly legs; AND they stay put! 

On a scale of one to perfect leggings, I would say these are the closest to the mark that I have ever used. I want three more. I think my jeans feel slightly neglected, when there is a comfier, better looking pair of bottoms taking over my wardrobe. They make me feel good, and that is what I look for in gym kit. Like it or not, feeling is what being an athlete is all about, whether it is an external awareness of muscular and joint movement, or a mental awareness of your mood and general wellbeing. You have to figure out what your 'happy' triggers are, and use them for everything they are worth! 

If you like the sound or the look of them, check out www.tlcsport.co.uk for comfortable leggings and tops :)