Browsing Tag

turkey trot

  • Lace Up with the Best Turkey Trot Gear of 2023

    Turkey Trot, Gobble Wobble, and Dog Jog in This Running Gear!

    Turkey Trot races have become a favorite Thanksgiving Day tradition for many, including my family. This year, we’re excited to take our Golden Retriever, Bodhi, on his first “Dog Jog,” a 1 mile fun run on Thanksgiving Day. It will be his first race ever! Whether a Turkey Trot is in your future, or you just need some good cold weather running gear, it’s all here.

     

    Turkey Trot Running Gear

    Get ready to trot in the best running gear this Thanksgiving!

    The most important piece of gear for any runner is shoes. If you’re in need of some new ones, I’m still swearing by my Hoka Cliftons. I’ve worn them for years and years–not this specific  pair, though: make sure you change shoes every 400 miles or 12 months, whichever is sooner. Shop around for some Black Friday deals; Amazon has both Men’s and Women’s styles.


    Socks are another staple, and having the right pair can make a big difference to your run! Pick a pair that feels good in the shoes you plan to run, that doesn’t bunch around your toes or slip down your ankles. It should also be a synthetic material so that it wicks sweat away from your feet to dry. Running in cotton is a recipe for blisters.

    Stance makes my favorite running socks at the moment! Their Cyber Sale is happening 11/17-11/23, where you can get up to 40% off and free shipping on orders $49+. Pick up these performance tab socks, which come in multiple thicknesses and tons of colors.

    Stance Performance Tab Socks

    I like the Light and Ultralight cushion best for running, and the Medium cushion for everyday wear. But this really depends on your shoes and personal preference for fit!

    Cold Weather Running Staples

    As the weather gets colder, this Notch Thermal Headband from Brooks is my go-to. It keeps my ears warm, without interfering with a ponytail, and it doesn’t ride up or gap like other running headbands do. Pictured here is proof that I do wear it in LA– I wore it to last year’s Turkey Trot! Ryan is wearing the Brooks Notch Thermal Beanie, too. Both are on sale for 25% off on Amazon as of this post!

    Gloves are also a necessity for me. Since Manhattan Beach is seaside, we do get some chilly winter weather. It’s still very benign compared to other parts of the US, but temps below 60 can definitely cause chapped, cracked hands, and no one wants that. I’m still running in these Nike gloves I’ve had for years. Last year I bought some Patagonia gloves that are great for everyday, running, and dog walking. Speaking of our four-legged friends…

    Running Gear for Your Dog

    To prep for Bodhi’s first Dog Jog, we bought him a new harness and new leash from Ruffwear. These are specially designed for running so they are lightweight and less likely to chafe! A new harness was a must for us because his current harness is a martingale type, meaning it could accidentally constrict him when he running, which we don’t want! We picked the Hi & Light Harness.

    We also needed a different leash because his current one is pretty heavy. It’s great for daily walks, but for running, we picked the Roamer Bungee Leash. It has a hands-free option, stretchiness for a smoother run, and a traffic handle in case we need to keep him close.

    We debated buying some dog shoes, but since this is such a short run (only 1 mile!) we’re going without them. If he really loves running and we start to do some higher mileage with him, we’ll try out some running shoes from Ruffwear. They’re pretty adorable, it was hard to not get them!
     
    Wherever you’re trotting, this year,  have a fun one!
     
    Ready to level up your running? Reach out for a free consultation for individualized, virtual, 1:1 coaching!


    Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a small commission if you make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This income goes to supporting this website. As always, ideas and opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own.

  • 2022 Running Gift Guide

    It’s still sunny in Southern California, but winter is around the corner, and the holidays are almost here. Whether you’re gearing up for a Turkey Trot, training for an early 2023 race, or just excited for Black Friday, I’ve rounded up the best running gifts for every runner on your list, including yourself!

       

    WINTER RUN-DERLAND

    The temperatures are dropping, but that doesn’t stop runners from getting outside and getting those miles. Stay cozy in any weather with these cold weather running gifts.

     

    OUTERWEAR

    This headband from Brooks is my absolute favorite. It’s soft and the perfect weight for chilly evening runs. It’s unisex and comes in black, navy, and light blue. Some headbands gap around the ears or slip down; this one stays in place and fits like a glove! 

    Speaking of gloves…mine are so old that they aren’t for sale anymore. They’re Nike and still going strong! The link below is for an updated version of the gloves. These are lightweight, so they’re perfect for a mild California winter run.

     

    PEAK PERFORMANCE

    These gifts are for the runner that’s looking to push their performance. From my favorite clean protein powder, to wearables that track more than your mileage, to injury prevention tools, you’ll find it here.

    PROTEIN POWDER

    This is the cleanest protein powder I’ve found. It’s from pasture-raised, grass-fed cows, and free of fillers and additives. It’s cold microfiltered and ultrafiltration processed. Best of all, it’s Labdoor certified for label accuracy and purity. Many supplements and especially proteins contain heavy metals–some have levels high enough to require the CA Prop 65 Warning on them! That’s why I review my supplements to make sure they’re third party tested for label accuracy and purity of ingredients. This one checks all the boxes.
    I get the Unflavored variety and mix it with some cinnamon and vanilla extract, or add it to a smoothie. The Chocolate version is also good, containing cocoa and Stevia Reb A. 


    OURA RING

    If you’re a fan of biohacking, several wearables can track your sleep stages, sleep quality, and other biometrics to analyze your recovery and ability to perform. I’m using the Oura Ring and it’s really helped me understand how I’m sleeping, and what impacts my sleep and overall performance readiness, so I can adjust accordingly. After more than 6 months of using mine, I can say it lives up to the hype and the cost is well worth it! 

     

    GARMIN FORERUNNER

    The Forerunner series is my favorite, and Garmin just released the Forerunner 955 which includes the “Body Battery” readiness indicator. This is something I can’t wait to purchase, and I’m hoping for a Black Friday discount!

     

    INJURY PREVENTION

    Having the right tools can make all the difference. Add these to your toolkit for running injury prevention.
     

    CALF SLEEVES

    Calf sleeves have saved me during long runs, high mileage weeks, endurance races, or tweaking a muscle while walking (being pulled by) my Golden Retriever. They’re also a great remedy for shin splints! I’m a Zensah ambassador, and their compression products are my go-to for just about any minor running issue. Their sleeves are unisex and come in both traditional colors, and some pretty fun prints.

     


     

    FOAM ROLLERS

    A foam roller should be in every runner’s toolkit. For more on foam rolling, check out this blog post on Preventing Running Injuries.
     I like this foam roller by Trigger Point for a deeper massage.
     

     For a lighter, daily massage, I prefer a smooth foam roller, and it becomes softer with use, which has been great for helping me recover from Piriformis Syndrome (more on that in a future blog post). This cork one is a sustainable alternative to traditional foam. 

    This handheld roller by Pro-Tec Athletics is one of my favorites. Its small size makes it great for on-the-go and targeting any problem spots. It’s helped me target my piriformis muscle gently as I recover from Piriformis Syndrome!

     

    STOCKING STUFFERS

    Stocking stuffer, but make it running. These smaller items are a great way to fill your runner’s stocking.

    SNACKS

    Healthy, portable, and tasty, these Honey Stingers will fuel your runner before, during, and after their next run.


    Gu Energy Gels will fuel your runner on those longer runs. The sun may be setting alarmingly early these days, but their energy levels will stay high with these gels.

    Skratch is my favorite hydration drink. Clean and simple, it’s perfect after a long, hard run. This sampler pack comes with different flavors in portable packets–perfect for a stocking stuffer.

     

    Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a small commission if you make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This income goes to supporting this website. As always, ideas and opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own.