Runners' top stashes stuff

If you run, you know the issues: What do I do with my keys? Where can I put my iPod? The power gel? The asthma inhaler? Lauren Grace Updyke knew it so well, she decided to do something about it. Earlier this year, Updyke, a fitness trainer who lives in Apex, created a new sports bra called the Power Pouch, which has an easy-access, zippered storage pocket with three compartments on the front, designed to comfortably carry all the workout essentials.

Updyke came up with the idea while training for the Boston Marathon several years ago. During long runs, she would store packets of power gel under the strap of her sports bra. "I'd end up getting chafed," she said. She also had to come up with clever tricks for hiding her car keys.

"They're minor irritations, but the goal was to take them away," she said.

So she teamed up with her mother, who sews, to come up with a sports bra with a pouch that didn't chafe when loaded down with an iPod or keys. Then she tracked down an apparel manufacturing company to make the bra. She launched the Power Pouch this year.

While it's ideal for storage, the bra doesn't leave out other elements of a good sports bra. It's made of a spandex/polyester blend fabric that wicks away moisture, and it comes in three traditional sports bra styles: a long tank, a short top and a cami. The long tank costs $38, and the two smaller tops cost $33. They come in black, blue, green or pink.

Buy them at www.graciesgearandtraining.com or at one of the many running expos she'll be showing at this year, including the expos before the Chicago and New York City marathons.

Updyke also is selling them at the two Triangle Pilates & Cary Yoga Centers in Cary. She eventually hopes to get them in locally owned and national sporting goods stores.

Tackling a small problem

For petites, it's never been easy shopping for clothes.

Now, for some, it could be getting tougher with Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdale's trimming their petite offerings, which cater to women who are 5-foot-4-inches and smaller.

Susan Coker wants to help.

Coker, who owns Dina Porter women's boutique in University Mall in Chapel Hill, two weeks ago started carrying Eileen Fisher's petite line of clothing, in addition to Eileen Fisher misses and plus sizes.

It's a big step for the store, which traditionally hasn't stocked petites. Not that Coker didn't want to. She simply couldn't find clothing lines that were taking a chance on petites. "We've had requests for years, but couldn't find small vendors to do it," she said.

Coker says she'd liked to add more petite lines, but at this point, there are few out there. She's still looking, though.

Tie on one

We know what happened. You bought a sarong on vacation and came back home with no idea how to tie it so it looks right.

Now it sits in the back of the closet.

Ten Thousand Villages, the non-profit fair trade store in Raleigh's Cameron Village, wants to teach you. The store will have a demonstration on sarong tying at 2 p.m. Saturday.

Of course, if you didn't get a sarong on a fabulous, exotic vacation, buy one at the store. They stock Blue Hand sarongs, which are hand batiked by artisan women from Bali.