Mom in the Mtns

Hey everyone!  This snowy weather in Philly is really putting me in the Christmas spirit!  And I’m not going to lie, most of my Christmas list is filled with running items.  Now that I’m running longer, doing more races, and running outside in all sorts of weather I need a few more running items to make my runs absolutely perfect.  And because I’ve done a ton of research on the items that I want to ask Santa to bring me, I wanted to share my list with you!  Here are my top picks for any runner:

Cold Weather Gear:

The Buff:  This item can be used in at least 13 different ways to keep you comfortable on your run!  I would most likely use this as a scarf/face mask for winter running, but it’s versatile enough to be used to keep you cool in the summer too!  And it comes in a million different colors and patterns!

Brooks Infiniti Headband:  Everyone needs a running headband in the winter to keep your ears warm, and this one is super cute and functional!  This cold weather headband is made with moisture-wicking fabric with a fleece liner.  The headband comes in tons of colors to match every running outfit you could wear.  It should be a winter running staple in your wardrobe – you can never have too many running headbands!  I personally can’t be outside in the winter if my ears aren’t covered so this is definitely at the top of my Christmas list!

Nike Women’s Thermal Tech Gloves:  As anyone who regularly reads my blog already knows, I am on a serious hunt for some good running gloves.  After reading tons of reviews and consulting a list of Runner’s World top picks, I decided to put the Nike Women’s Thermal Tech Gloves on my list!  They are made of warm fleece and have a water and wind resistant layer on the back of your hand to fight the elements.  Plus they have a hidden key pocket in the palm!

Brooks Adrenaline ASR 10 GTX Trail Shoes:  Although I have a pair of Yaktrax Run to strap onto my current running shoes, I will still have difficulty running in snowy/wet conditions.  The Brooks Adrenaline ASR 10 GTX trail shoes are the perfect solution for anyone who needs to get that wet, cold run done!  I’m that girl who says “I can’t run in this weather, I’ll ruin my expensive shoes!” but there is no amount of rain or snow that can ruin these!  Plus, they’re kind of cute and have stability!  Win.

Gear Packs:

The Flip Belt:  I’ve been looking for a cute, non-bouncy gear belt for a while, and I think I’ve finally found it!  This belt is one continuous loop with 4 openings for storing all your gear.  It comes in a bunch of colors, is machine washable, and best of all it doesn’t look like a fanny pack!  This would be perfect for races or other times when you don’t need to carry water.

The Roo Sport:  This could possibly be the most genius invention ever!  It’s a pouch that folds over the waist band of your pants and stays in place with high powered magnets.  Even though I’m dying for the Flip Belt, this little pouch is cheaper yet big enough for my iPhone, car key, and ID!  It’s non bouncy and so tiny that people say they forget they’re wearing it!  If you don’t need water/gels for your run, this is a great option!

Reading Material:

Runner’s World Magazine:  I subscribed to this magazine last January and I loved finding it in my mailbox each month!  They’ve got great tips on gear and advice on training that really helped me during my first year of running.  I love reading The Newbie Chronicles because I can totally relate!

Runner’s World Cookbook:  Sometimes I’m not sure what to eat before a run to boost performance or after a run to maximize recovery.  The Runner’s World Cookbook solves this problem!  Each recipe specifies if it is good for recovery, low cal, easy to make, etc. and the recipes sound so yummy!  I need to get better at fueling myself for running so I was so excited to find this cookbook!

Fun Stuff:

I Run For Donuts Tank:  I literally do run just to burn off donut calories!  Possibly the best tank ever.  The Etsy shop also has shirts that share the other reasons why you might run (cupcakes, bacon, etc.).

Foot Rubz Massage Ball:  I blogged last week about how my foam roller is my bff, so if you don’t have a foam roller that should be at the top of your Christmas list!  But since I’m already massaging my legs every day I’m looking for even more products to make my body feel better post-run.  This little massage ball promises to make your feet feel amazing after a run.  Who doesn’t want a foot massage after logging some miles?

A Race Entry:  Every runner hates shelling out money for races, but they love participating in them!  Help your favorite runner out by taking care of the registration fees for them!  I’m currently debating signing up for the Love Run half marathon in Philly next spring – who wants to sign me up?

Running Fuel:  I’m going to need to start experimenting with fuel soon, so I’d love a stocking filled with various types of fuel to try!  I’ve been eyeing some Nuun hydration tabs but I also want to try some gels and chews!  Some suggestions of your favorites would be super helpful!

You can see the rest of my Christmas wish list here!  Santa, pleeeeease bring me that North Face Parka!

Now that I’ve shared my top gift items with you all, I’d like one of my readers to get an early Christmas gift from my list!  I’ve signed up for Runaway Bridal Planner‘s Health and Fitness Holiday Giveaway Hop and I’m so excited to host my very first giveaway!  One lucky winner will win one of my top wish list items, a Brooks Infiniti Headband!

Sign up using the Rafflecopter link below.  After you enter my giveaway, hop on over to the next link below!  There are 28 other blogs that are in the giveaway hop, so you have the chance to win tons of prizes!  Good luck!

Powered by Linky Tools

Click here to enter your link and view this Linky Tools list…

What’s on your running Christmas list?  Or on your non-running Christmas list?  We have 15 shopping days left!