A Runner's Guide to Gift Giving

I figure Christmas is kind of my favorite time of year, so why not make a comeback at the most appropriate time? Let me wipe the spiderwebs off Run Megan Run here and while I promise I'll do a quick post later this week about where I've been the last FIVE months, 'tis the season of Secret Santas, ornament exchanges, and all kinds of holiday fun - so it's time to bring this blog back to life and talk about some of my favorite things that you might want to give the runner in your life this holiday season!

Gifts Under $25

Sparkly Soul Headbands - www.sparklysoul.com
If you follow me anywhere, you know I love my Sparkly Soul headbands (some of my most favorites are below). These no-slip, no-headache headbands are soft, stylish and have pretty much every color and pattern you could ever want - and they're still coming up with more! Right now, all orderes over $50 earn free shipping. The wides ($17) are my personal preference for working out, but I'll use the thin ($15) ones to dress up a ponytail when I don't feel like actually doing my hair. :) 

RoadID - www.roadID.com

It's wintertime, and winter means dark all the time. Okay, not really, but I hate. Despite that, I feel like safety only becomes a thing during these dark months, but there are products in place with runner safety in mind all year round - Road ID being one of those. Whenever I'm out on a run, my Road ID comes with me. Even when I do run with a phone, what happens if I were to get injured, or my phone battery dies? Someone can help you out. Prices range from $19.99 - 24.99, and you can add all kinds of fun badges to personalize and customize your runner's ID band. 

Momentum Wraps - www.momentumjewelry.com

Also a new discovery to me this year, Momentum Jewelry has become one of my favorite sublte hints of motivation. Share a spark with a friend, buy one for yourself with your personal mantra or favorite saying, but know that these cute and functional little gems are all kinds of fun and your runner will love one! 

They're running a few deals the next few weeks, so you have time to stock up and save on their weekly specials too! 

Gifts $25 - 50

PRO Compression  - www.procompression.com 

There's no doubt that PRO Compression would be on my list of favorite things in the history of ever. I recently learned that my aunt loves them too - the lows for walking and going to the gym, but she also wears the marathon socks for long flights and international travel to keep her legs fresh! These socks are awesome - colors, patterns, designs, special Socks of the Month? You name it, they've got it. While there are a number of awesome designs and solids to chose from right now, be on the look out tomorrow for the release of the 2016 Ugly Sweater sock. You don't want to miss it, trust me. 

The 2016 Ugly Sweater sock! Who's in?

Abundant Heart Apparel - www.abundantheartapparel.com 

I was introduced to Abundant Heart earlier this year and some of my favorite mantras this year have come from Jenna's designs. Not only does she carry some of the cutest, softest tanks ever in all kinds of colors and cuts, but you can do a totally custom order too. 

Check out this one, another one inspired by Shelby and designed for me - but now you can get it too! 

Running Mile After Mile tank / $26

Gifts $50 and Up 

Project Repat T-Shirt Quilts​ - www.projectrepat.com

Project Repat is one of my favorite finds from the past year - a company that started up in areas of the country (North Carolina and Massachusetts) where textile industries were dying off, in an attempt to restart the economy and create jobs for those who lost them. Amazing. How does it help you? Well, if you're like Doug, you're probably tired of seeing drawers overflowing or buckets and boxes of t-shirts bursting at the seams because this runner in your life can't keep count of how many shirts they own, and better yet - do they ever wear them? I rarely wear mine, and even if I do, I definitely have some favorites over others. Enter Project Repat. Purchase a blanket for your runner, and they can pick and choose which shirts to send off to be made into one of these beauties:

I've had one blanket made of t-shirts from my undergraduate life in my office (it's a great conversation piece!) and am working on a second queen size of running and race t-shirts that I can't WAIT to share with you!

Race Entries 

Find out if there's a huge race on your runner's bucket list that you can help cross off. Or even if they've entered, maybe you can help with some of the travel costs (assuming it's a destination race from wherever you are). Help them pay in part of their entry. While it may not be a surprise, feel free to ask and find out what their dream race would be that you can get them into and help them with their 50 states quest a little at a time! 

Gift CertificatesLet's be real, running ain't cheap. Between shoes, and gear, and race entries any of the fun stuff I've mentioned above (needs v. wants aside!), it's not a cheap endeavor!

Find out where your runner loves to shop, whether a local favorite running store or online shop, and help support their healthy habit!

What's on your list this year? Happy shopping! 

Merry Christmas!

Wishing you and yours the happiest of holidays. Enjoy your time with family, or friends, or wherever you might be and be grateful for another great year. This year hasn't been the best, hasn't been the easiest, but Christmastime is always a happy time of year for me, regardless of what the year has brung. I'm looking forward to celebrating today with tons of people around me! 

Thank you all for making my blog such an amazing part of my life this year and I'm looking forward to more in 2015 with some new projects, endeavors, and opportunities along the way! 

A very, merry Christmas to you each!

Gifts for the Runner in Your Life

As I shop around for some running friends + blends + fitness enthusiasts in my life, it always amazes me how many new things show up every year - new technology, new shoes, new everything that I always want to buy for them... and myself. As you're shopping for the runner in your life, bear in mind that every runner has their particulars when it comes to shoes, type/brand of clothing, and even their prefered kind of headphones! Know your runner... but also know that gift cards to their favorite local running store or online shop!

But if you want to get them something 'real' and not just a card, here's my fave ideas for your favorite runner this year.

1. Runners World Subscription
RW was one of the best gifts I bought myself a few summers ago. Full of tips, tricks, and some pretty amazing stories, it's a great resource and source of motivation and inspiration. Right now, a 2-year subscription is just $32 - a pretty freaking sweet deal, if you ask me!

2. Bulk Run Fuel
Again, this is when it's pretty crucial to know their fueling preferences - beans? Goo? Chews? Snoop in their kitchen cabinets, find their fave, and buy it in bulk for them! I know I'd sure love someone who saved me $40 and stocked me up for most of the next few months' worth of marathon training!

3. Road ID
These days, I feel like it's more and more important to have some sort of identification on your person while you're out and about. While I now run around streets I know, I also run when no one is home, so if I were to have a problem, I'm not sure who would get information first. Road ID is an awesome (and pretty customizable!) ID band in a few forms - and now there's a new electronic tracking version too! Make sure your runner is safe and sound as they're out and about around town!

4. Runner Ornament
I absolutely love these and think they're beyond adorable. Especially if your runner is celebrating a first big milestone like their first 13.1 or 26.2, this is a great way to commemorate that! Gone for a Run has some super cute ones, both men and women, and are customizable with hair color and bib on the runner!

5. Medal Rack
This is actually one of the things that's on my list this year! I made my own medal rack a few years ago, and once I pull all my medals out of storage, that rack is going to be way overloaded. There are shops all over Etsy and the interwebz, and tons are customizable with names, phrases, or inspirational quotes. Below is one of my faves from Strut Your Stuff Sign Co. on Etsy. LOVE.

6. Sparkly Soul 
I know I talk about these all the time - but I seriously mean it when I say that Sparkly Soul is the only headbands I wear and the only ones that work for me. It's just a super added bonus that they're sparkly - but if your runner isn't into the whole sparkly game, there's a satin line too! Follow SS on all social media, as there are regular deals and extra special packages out there. Holiday packs are new as of a few weeks ago and I'm beyond tempted to buy myself a few combinations...

7. Pedicure Package
Runners have ugly feet. That's a fact of life. We attempt to keep them pretty, but that really only hides bruised toenails, if we have them at all. And best yet, this isn't limited to just women... any runner would appreciate having their feet get a little love for a bit.

8. Race Registration
You will blow the socks off your runner if you surprise them with a gift to that race they've been eye-balling and have been oh-so-casually talking about. (Dear whoever's reading this: I haven't registered for Surf City 2015 yet). If there is a race you know they'll love, have been waiting to register for, you'll get bonus points for paying that much attention and doing the registration - no better gift!

9. Pro Compression
Especially for those running long distances regularly, compression socks are a must-have. Pro Compression happens to be my personal fave - while they started with solid, bold colors, they've released some pretty adorable patterns and designs lately that I am loving. Bonus: through 12/19, use code "2014" for 42% off everything. Yep, everything. Do it. Now.

I hope I've provided you at least a few ideas to check someone off your shopping list! Happy shopping!

Have other ideas? Share them below!

Santa Claus is Coming to... Dallas?

No, he's not. But I am! I am Dallas-bound this afternoon for some lovely business time with my sorority executive board and hopefully some fun-times, too.

But Santa IS coming to Southern California, and he's bringing me a new half marathon as a present! I've wanted to race the Santa Hustle series since I saw it in Tennessee while I was living in Georgia (and then I could have crossed Tennessee off my states raced list), but I never got that far, so high fives for me.

But when SH announced they're bringing their races to Southern California (finally!), I jumped on their Facebook and immediately started talking their page for updates. It's coming! December 14, Santa Hustle Buena Park is coming to Knotts Berry Farm and other fun, flat-lying local areas. I'm so, so, so excited!

See Buena Park unlike ever before as thousands of Santas race along the streets and throughout Knott’s Berry Farm.  Jingle all the way through the course with candy and cookies, festive music, creative Christmas images, and so much more, it is all designed to get you in the perfect holiday mood. It is bound to be a Christmas tradition you do with your family and friends year after year.

Whether you're doing the 5K or the half marathon, everyone gets some awesome swag too (did I mention the cookies?). 

Tech hoodie? Count me in!

I am super excited to be a part of this new race coming to LA and can't wait to see the course for myself (to be revealed soon!). But for now, registration opened up yesterday and you should get on that action soon. Half marathoners also get a medal in addition to all the Santa-fied goodness you see above AND a 3-day pass to Knotts Berry Farm included in their registration! 5Kers can purchase discounted Knotts tickets, too.

Have a great weekend, everybody!

Will I see you dressed like Santa (or a reindeer) with me in Buena Park? 

Race Report: Ontario Reindeer Run 5K

'Tis the season for reindeer-themed runs. I'm not one to complain.

 

Ontario Reindeer Run 5K | December 14, 2013

Ontario, CA

After last week's stellar 5K, and a couple of even more awesome runs this week, I was really excited to see if I could make some race day magic happen again. Doug and I signed up with my mom for this one, as the race is local and sponsors the Promise Scholars program, partially based in the school district my mom teaches in. The school with the most registered participants would win $1,000 for their school - and what better way than a 5K?

Mom and I!

Compared to the awesomeness of last week's small race, this one was hopping! Later, based on numbers, I learned this was double the size of last week's with almost 700 runners. That explains a lot.

I appreciate Christmas races for a few reasons: a) Yes, I'm a sucker for all things Christmas. b) They're the only ones I'll (generally) dress up for because who doesn't love antlers? (I ditched mine before the race) c) Elves, Santas, reindeers, and rein-dogs abound. Love.

The race was so front-heavy, Doug and I held on to the back and were literally among the last ten people to cross the start line. What's the point in gunning out when it's chip-timed anyway, right? Right.

First mile, 8:29. A little faster than last week, and a little too fast at that. By 1.5, my knee wasn't sore, it was just tired. In fairness to it (and me), I ran harder this week than I have in awhile. It felt great, and felt fine, but you know that it adds up after a while. I walked a bit into mile 2 (but still in 8:52, so I held on pretty well) and walked a bit more into mile 3 -- when was the last time I walked in a 5K? (answer: it's been awhile)

Ah well -- two minutes slower than last week, but I'm happy with a 5th in my age group! Considering the first in my age group ran a 23 flat, and the second and third ran 26:xx, I'd have to have run 3 seconds faster than last week just to finish in third. So with that... 5th is alright.

Done and done! (Doug's not dying, I promise)

Morning breakfast with mom and Doug aftwards, and on to Saturday.

One more 5K this month on December 28 with my sister. She's completing her New Year's resolution of doing a 5K a month, and was determined not to run a below-freezing one again in New York, so we found this one (far, far away) after Christmas before she heads back to the City. So excited!

Do you dress up for Christmas runs? Best costume you've seen?

Merry Christmas!

Wishing you and yours the happiest of holidays. Enjoy your time with family, or friends, or wherever you might be and be grateful for another great year. Me? Looking forward to more family time today with my parents, sister, and grandparents. 

Thank you all for making my blog such an amazing part of my life this year and I'm looking forward to more in 2013!

A very, merry Christmas to you each!

Race Report: Wiseman 5K

3rd Annual Wiseman 5K

Bethlehem, Georgia

December 16, 2012 

I'll start by saying it looked like this most of Sunday morning:

It drizzled on and off as I was doing laundry across my complex, but it hadn't quite poured. It was in the forecast, but the morning was just sort of a tease. The 5K didn't start until 4 pm, and I didn't have plans to meet up at Jennifer's house until 3, so I sort of putzed around, finished cleaning so I don't leave my apartment in shambles come Friday.

The minute - no kidding - I got in my car to head to Jennifer's, it started raining harder. And then a little harder. And by the time we left her house at 3:10, it was pouring. Well, this was going to be interesting. And made for a boring blog entry because obviously I was not running with my phone, and therefore no fun course photos.

I'll leave you with these instead, and you can fill in the blanks:

Jennifer and I, dry, pre-race.

Gotta love Christmas dressing up-age!

Post-run. Soaked, though you can't totally tell. And thus how the term RAIN-deer came to be.

Final place, as of race day - third AG.

7-second PR, as I hit stop just after I got through the finish line corral, so guessing 27:12, really.

Awesome local race = awesome locally made awards.

Woot!

Personally counting this as a few seconds late but DAMN look at my pace! Speedwork works!

 And then we ran to the car, changed into our (awesomely unexpected) 5K tech tees, blasted the heater and drove home. The end!

Do you dress up for Christmas 5Ks? Ever ran a race in the rain? How'd you do?

A Runner's Guide to Christmas 2012

I've seen a dozen lists all around the blogosphere about great gifts for runners for 2012. And some lists I think "Yep, totally want one of those" and some lists I see something and think "Um, really? Every runner wants that?" So while I feel that these posts are all over the place, I'm making my own - partially of things that I've seen are super cool (that I would love to have!) or things that I think you should consider for the runner in your life!

1. Raw Threads Half Marathon Tank
Raw Threads has a ton of cute running stuff, anywhere from headbands to tanks and tees, and some are specific to half marathons, marathons, Boston, you name it! They've also got a couple of great Beer Run and I Run for Wine shirts. Just love their whole collection! I adore this half marathon tank: Live - Love - Run Half Marathons. Adorable.

2.  Women/s Under Armour Fleece Divide Hoodie
I'll admit that I've become a sort of UA snob. I first fell in love with a pair of their tights when I started running in Texas, and now I've got a couple of pairs and a few tees and long sleeve tech tees that I adore. I first saw this hoodie at a Dick's Sporting Goods in Orlando while we were there for Wine and Dine and now I lust over it every time I see it. A few fun colors, but I love this pink one! No surprises there.

Also check out the Charged Cotton Storm hoodie, in even more fun colors and just as adorable.

3. Race Medal/Bib Rack
There are oodles of these floating around the internet, Etsy, and dozens of other blogs. I've made my own medal rack, but frankly... I'm running out of room! I love Running on the Wall because while there's a few pre-made designs and slogans (with still tons of colors to choose from), you can also create your own message to go on yours! You can get a bib rack and a medal rack to match, or just do one or the other. Love them!

4. Road ID
It's one of those things you know you should have... you just haven't gotten around to ordering one yet. That's me and Road ID. Especially since I normally run solo, it's a safety thing (at least I run with my ID!). These are actually super cute, not only functional, and come in a few colors (and a few variations, I just happen to like the Sport band best).

5. Energy Supplements
If you run often, you know that you need these guys - whether Gus, bars, chomps, or sport beans are your chew or goo of choice, they add up and aren't super cheap. With marathon training taking in full force these next few weeks, I looked at the cost of buying a box or two to get me through and was not pleased with what the total would be on these guys! Thankfully Clif also runs an Amazon page and you can get a box about $4 cheaper than you can on their own website - thanks, Clif!

Shot Bloks are my new favorite, and I particularly love Cran-Razz and Tropical Punch. I've heard great things about their Margarita flavor as well, but haven't taken the plunge into trying them. I prefer fruity stuff and I stick to what I know I like.

6. Race Entry
We runners know that race entries aren't cheap - and if you have to add travel on top of that, running is not a cheap hobby. Whoever said that is a liar. What better than to gift the runner in your life a race entry to the race they've been eye-balling for quite some time and are just dying to run? Genius idea! They'll love you for it, and maybe they'll take you along for the run-cation. My current hope:

I'm in the lottery and crossing my fingers that come December 20, I'll get a really happy email in my inbox telling me to prep for DC! Talk with the runner beforehand of course -- unless you want to surprise them with an all-out vacation (are you buying those plane tickets too?!).

7. Tech Finger Gloves
I've wanted a pair of gloves like these for awhile - and they're from Target, so you know they're not going to cost you an arm and a leg. For a girl who runs with her iPhone as an iPod, it's super helpful to not have to take off my mittens as I run so I can change a song. Handy dandy!

8. Compression Socks
Any runner will swear by these, whether their Pro Compression socks (my personal preference) or Zensah (they have tons of patterns and colors) or any other brand. Compression socks are a runner's best friend - whether your runner actually runs in them, or uses them for recovery afterwards, they are some of the best things to own! Pro Compression also just released a super fun pair of holiday socks, so if your runner has a Jingle Jog 5K coming up, this might make a great early present!

9. iTunes Gift Cards
What better way to stay in your best runner friend's head than supplying them the dough to make sure their playlist is up to date? iTunes gift cards are never a poor choice, and you can get them everywhere at this point (online, grocery stores, Best Buy, the locations go on!). Easy peasy, but so useful, your runner will thank you over and over.

10. Sparkly Soul Headband
Y'all know I swear by these -- add a little bit of glitz and sparkly to the sweaty job that running is! Your runner will look super fab in their collection of amazing colors, in both thin and wide widths to fit anyone's head and - I promise - they don't slip! They're lined on the inner layer that prevents any sort of moving around while bobbing along down the road.

I'm also hosting a giveaway through Saturday, December 8, so you have the chance to win your runner one of these beauties!

Is there anything else on your running Christmas wish list? What else would you recommend?