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A Few of Our Favorite Things
Have you ever heard someone say, “Running is a cheap and easy sport. All you have to do is lace up your shoes and go”? So have we and we laugh every time. Runners need gear- ALL the gear! Typically finding the perfect items requires wading a myriad of options before settling on the perfect one.
The Marathon Mind coaches have thousands upon thousands of combined hours spent on the road and trail and a small fortune tied up in running gear. We thought it would be fun to share with you some of our favorite running essentials. Of course we had overlap because we tend to copy each other when one of us finds something amazing and some of our favorite items are not available anymore or cannot be linked online, so we narrowed it down as best we could. Enjoy!
Camie Draxler
These are a few of my favorite things…running is actually one of my most favorite things! There are a few things that I really love that make running even more enjoyable! One of my most recent finds is chocolate mint flavored GU. I have really struggled to find a flavor of GU that I could stomach especially when the training requires a lot of them. This flavor reminds me of a thin mint Girl Scout cookie and who can go wrong there!? I also really enjoy the s’mores flavored GU. A little reminder of summer fun!
Another fairly recent find is my Salomon handheld water bottle. It has a collapsible bladder that makes it fit easily in your hand and is very easy to carry. It also has a zipper pocket to put things. It’s big enough to put multiple GU’s or even car keys. It is a little bit tricky to fill, but after doing it a few times it becomes easy!
I have been running in Altra shoes for the last few years. I am not exactly sure how I stumbled upon them, other than I had heard about them and that they were a local company and were fairly new to the market. The story of how they came to be also caught my attention. I have tried their trail shoes and many different types of road shoes. The shoe I have been running and racing in mostly is the Altra Escalante. I love them SO much! They feel like I am wearing slippers all day! They are light and I think they are FAST! I love wearing them for speed workouts and for races!
My last favorite thing I want to mention is my Oiselle Roga running shorts. The long Rogas are the best. They are so soft and have multiple pockets for things you may need to carry. I love that they have a longer inseam. I have found it hard to find shorts long enough that I feel comfortable in them. These are the best length for me. They do also come in a shorter version for those who want them shorter. I have always felt confident that I wouldn’t have to worry about chaffing on long runs or races.
Carrie Fredin
I really hate to shop. I avoid malls. When I absolutely have to buy something and I can’t get it on Amazon I hurry in and out as fast as possible. However, I can spend hours in running stores and looking at running gear online. I love imagining how an item will help me run farther and faster. I love thinking about the terrain I can cover in a pair of shoes. Here are a couple of items that have helped me chase goals, cover ground and rack up the miles:
Winter or rainy running requires special socks. I love Costco’s Merino Wool Trail socks. The Boston Marathon in 2018 was a monsoon. My feet came through it unscathed with the help of these socks, which kept me warm and moving. I wear them on snowy trails, on cold wood floors and rainy streets. They have never let me down.
I have tried many different types of running shoes. The model that I come back to again and again is the Brooks Ghost. It’s great on the track, on the roads and has carried me through many marathons. On the trails I love the Brooks Casacadia GTX. It’s a similar feel to the Ghosts but with the support and grip I need for the trail. The Gore-tex is a game changer for snowy or wet trails. This past winter my husband and I spent a lot of time on snowy mountains with our rambunctious puppy . My husband’s feet would be frozen after a few miles and mine would be toasty.
I run in the early morning. For two blessed months I get to see the sunshine during my runs. For the other ten months I need a headlamp to light the way and make me visible to others. After a lot of research I came across the Black Diamond Sprinter. It’s bright, rechargeable and helps me see the world and the world see me before the sun comes up. It doesn’t bounce or slip and is always comfortable. The biggest selling point, however, is its red back light so I’m always visible from behind.
Sherrie Shepherd
I’m pretty easy to please when it comes to running gear. When I find what I like, I use it forever until it wears out.
I love my Fitletic Belt. It holds my phone, which I always carry while I run, and my keys and a few packs of GU to fuel my runs. I’ve had it for so long, that the zipper has broken. I’ve purchased other belts to replace them and yet keep using my Fitletic because I just like it best.
My absolute favorite shorts are my Nike Drifit Running shorts. They have a wide comfort waist band, the fabric is so soft and breathable and the fit is great for a girl with leg muscles! I have 3 pair and often borrow my teen daughter’s pair as well.
For shoes, I’m a Saucony girl, through and through. I rotate between 4 different models. For trail, I love my Peregrine. For training, Saucony Ride, for speed work and tempos and rotate between Saucony Kinvara and Freedom.
I can’t go up the mountain without my Skye Mountain hat and my Tierra Sunglasses! They keep the sun off my face and I feel comfortable and protected! Plus they fit great, stay in place and look super cute! Use code piano.runner5off for $5 off any pair Tierra Sunglasses!
Emily Riddle
I am a person who tends to do a lot of research before I purchase a product, reading reviews and searching out all the options. Naturally, I could spend hours looking for all the running goodies available and weighing whether they are worth my dollars.
I have a small head and thin hair and really struggle to find hats that stay in place and don’t look ridiculous. But when running in the summer sun and winter snow a hat is a definite necessity. The Oiselle Runner Trucker Hat is perfection. Lightweight, wide mesh, fun designs, great fit and an elastic toggle adjustment in the back. I wear it nearly every day.
I searched for months and months to find a trail running vest that fit all my specifications and budget. I finally found the perfect one and I’m in love. The Ultraspire Momentum vest has all the pockets in all the right places, it’s comfortable, doesn’t chafe, and isn’t bulky or awkward.
I have a sensitive tummy and struggle with nausea if my electrolytes get low in races. I can’t drink sports drink and traditional gels make me sick. After much trial and error I found what works for me. Tailwind is easy on the tummy, has everything you need to keep your body going, and comes in unflavored powder. Sometimes it can be tricky to carry enough liquid during longer runs and races, so I use Huma gels to supplement. They are naturally made with chia seeds and fruit, so I can feel good about putting them in my body.
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