You Can't Handle the Truth

QT: Is It Worth It? Gear Top Gloves, XO Skin Socks, Arm Warmers

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One of the perks of my job is that, from time to time, companies will send me goodies to use/try/have in hopes that I’ll give a glowing review of their products either here, on the podcast, or on the social medias.

I appreciate getting to try some stuff, but one thing that I’m 100% firm about is that I will only speak honestly about the products that I receive.

You Can't Handle the Truth

If a company wants me to talk about their product favorably? Make a good product.

Send me something that sucks? I’ll tell my audience it sucks.

Y’all remember the Soleus watch review, right?

So today, I’m going to deliver the good, the bad, and the ugly about a couple accessories that I used for the first time in Kansas and/or in Tenessee.

Get ready, because I’m about to unleash some truth today y’all. Read more

Not Exactly Gear for Winter Running

The Best Gear for Winter Running

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Running in the cold is no fun, y’all.

I know this first hand: yesterday morning it must have been in the mid-50s during our run!

Not Exactly the Best Gear for Winter Running

Not Exactly the Best Gear for Winter Running

Seriously though, in parts of the world where cold weather is actually a thing, this time of the year can be a tough one for some runners.

Sure, you’ve got the die hards/crazies that say to just get your ass out the door and go run no matter how cold it is. And if you’re still cold after running for 10 minutes, just run faster to generate enough heat.

If you’re one of those people, this post probably isn’t for you.

Look, cold is one of those relative things where what is too cold to run for one person is absolutely perfect weather for another.

(And please don’t confuse this with “freezing”. The freezing point is not relative, it’s scientific! And if I hear one more Floridian talk about it being “freezing” outside when the temperature is 52°F I might snap! Freezing is below 32° (or 0° if you’re worldly) and that’s it!)

Rant over, I think. (No promises though) Read more

Best Gifts for Runners

Give The Gift They Really Want: The Best Gifts for Runners

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When you’re shopping for a runner, what is a gift they are sure to love?

Best Gifts for Runners

The Reaction You’re Going For…

On the surface, that sounds like a pretty easy question.

As an example, runners need shoes, so a new pair of running shoes would make a great gift, right?

Well…

If you get the “right” shoes for the runner that you’re shopping for, then a new pair of shoes is an amazing gift! The problem is, there are roughly 4,723,289 different running shoes available and only 1 or 2 of those would be the “right” shoe.

As a runner, I can confidently say that if you got me a brand new pair of shoes that weren’t one or two specific styles of a particular brand I would NEVER wear them running.

As runners, we are peculiar like that.

And here’s the really bad news, we are peculiar about all of our gear that we use on a regular basis.

Clothes, gels, shoes, drinks…

There are, however, some gifts that work for most runners no matter what their particular peculiarities happen to be.

Some of the Best Gift Ideas for Runners (For Any Gift Giving Occasion)

(For legal sake, please assume that all links in this post are affiliate links. Some are, some aren’t. As a reminder, making a purchase using an affiliate link provides me with a small commission for every item purchased and it doesn’t cost you a penny more. The links are provided for your convenience, affiliate or not.) Read more

2014 Christmas Gifts for Runners-Training Aids

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Christmas 2014

As the holidays approach, the search for the perfect gift for each person on your list will only intensify. If you are shopping for a runner this year, over the next few weeks I’ll continue to give you dozens of gift ideas for runners in a number of different running categories. To revisit the categories I’ve already talked about, click here.

Best Gifts for Runners

Today, I will be looking at some of the training aids that many runners can use to help them get faster/run farther/stay healthy/become better overall runners.

If you’d like to download a list of all of the items listed on this post (with clickable links to make shopping easy) and talked about in the podcast episode, simply click here.

Training Aids for Runners

  • Coaching–One of the quickest ways for a runner to improve his or her performance is to work with a running coach. Hiring a coach may seem like something that is for elite runners only, but there are a lot of reasons why new runners can benefit from working with a coach, as well as those that have been running for awhile. A good coaching program will help all runners improve, while minimizing risk of injury or burnout, faster than many runners will be able to improve on their own.
  • TRX System–For whatever reason, there is still a large portion of the running community that thinks that strength training isn’t important. I can’t stress the importance of strength training enough, and the TRX System is the perfect piece of equipment for runners to work their entire body from the comfort of their own homes. There is literally nothing you can’t work with the TRX, and I believe that all runners will improve if they start working the muscles in their entire body.
  • Resistance Bands–Another great option for runners to get a whole body workout is to use resistance bands. Buy a pack with a few different levels of resistance to work different muscle groups and to progress as they build strength.
  • Exercise Ball–An exercise ball is a great tool for working the entire core, and it can also be used to work the upper and lower body as well. Core stability is vital for runners, especially those running longer distances, and doing work on an exercise ball is much more difficult than doing many of the same exercises on the floor.
  • Namaste Yoga DVD–Most runners have poor flexibility. A great way to improve as a runner, and to feel better overall, is to do yoga on a regular basis. Most yoga videos have a stigma about being long and boring, but the Namaste Yoga series is my absolute favorite because each yoga routine is only 22 minutes and there is constant movement throughout each session. I’ve tried a handful of other yoga DVDs, and this is hands down the best I’ve ever used.
  • Gift Card to Local Running Store–I love supporting small businesses, and the local running store is perhaps my favorite place to support. And believe me, every runner on your list has something at the running store they’d love to buy but haven’t, so a gift card makes a great gift!
  • Membership for Gym/Pool/Yoga Studio–Another way to support local business and help your runner improve is to give a gift certificate/membership to one of these options. All offer great cross training opportunities for runners, and also a chance to improve their all around fitness.

Click here for a downloadable list of my favorite training aids, with clickable Amazon links, to make your holiday shopping as easy as possible!

2014 Christmas Gifts for Runners–Electronics

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Christmas 2014

As the holidays approach, the search for the perfect gift for each person on your list will only intensify. If you are shopping for a runner this year, over the next few weeks I’ll continue to give you dozens of gift ideas for runners in a number of different running categories. To revisit the categories I’ve already talked about, click here.

POSTAGE-3

Today, I will be looking at some of the electronics that many runners appreciate having/using during their runs.

If you’d like to download a list of all of the items listed on this post (with clickable links to make shopping easy) and talked about in the podcast episode, simply click here.

Electronics for the Runner on Your List

  •  Garmin–A good Garmin, or any other quality GPS Watch, is something that many runners use on a regular basis. I use my Garmin to keep track of my distance, my speed, average pace, overall time, and heart rate. While that may seem like a lot of information to be keeping track of, it is just the tip of the ice berg in terms of what different data fields can be monitored. Anything that you want to measure can probably be measured with a  quality Garmin.
  •  Heart Rate Monitor–If you only want to keep an eye on your heart rate, you can get just a heart rate monitor at a fraction of the price of a Garmin. Sometimes, we think our workouts are harder (or easier) than they really are, and a heart rate monitor is a great way to keep you honest about the effort you are putting in.
  •  iPod Shuffle–I love my shuffle because it’s small, cheap, and doesn’t bounce around at all while I’m running. There are other options, both Apple and non-Apple, but I can’t recommend a shuffle enough.
  •  Yurbuds–Best headphones for running (or any type of exercise) by far. Why? They don’t fall out of your ears. It’s really that simple.
  •  Arm Bands–A popular way to carry a phone or other music device is with an arm band. With an adjustable velcro strap, you can guarantee that your phone/mp3 player stays in place and that you can see the screen to switch songs or access other information without taking the phone out of the pouch each time.

Runners love their electronics, so if you give one of these items as a gift, there is a pretty good chance it will be VERY well received!

Click here for a downloadable list of my favorites, with clickable Amazon links, to make your holiday shopping as easy as possible!