Must Pack Running Essentials

Moving my family across the country is a new experience for me.  I've never done anything like this really.  I mean, not counting my college adventures.  Moving when you have a family of five requires a lot more work and thought.  We have to pack light enough to fly to North Carolina but liberal enough to where we can live comfortably without the rest of our stuff for up to a month.  For me, this means my ESSENTIALS...clothes, journal, a few books, my computer, and my RUNNING things.  Running is what will make everything else in life WAY BETTER!  If you're a runner then you get this.  When I first started running, I suppose I only needed my old running shoes (that I also used for every day use) and a few t-shirts and pairs of shorts or sweat pants.  HA!  My how things have changed.  I've become such a spoiled runner.  Part of this is because I'm kind of still marathon training. I say kind of because I really am just training enough to be able to run Boston so that I don't feel like I'm going to DIE.  A marathon cannot be "fun" unless you are conditioned to run 26.2 miles.  Otherwise, it would probably be hell-like.  Anyway, moving and living in hotels for up to a month means that I need to be prepared for all sorts of runs, different kinds of weather, fueling properly, hydrating, preventing injuries (KTTape and Tiger Tail roller), and alternating shoes just because that's something I like to do.  My husband made fun of me for having a big extra bag just for running gear.  But a runner has to do what a runner has to do.  And for me, I'd rather be prepared and have packed too much than find myself wishing I would have brought more.

Some essentials to pack so that I'm prepared for the weeks leading up to Boston while being in a BIG life transition:

• Brooks Running Shoes!  Of course.  This time I packed my Pure Cadence 2, Two pairs of Ravenna 3's, and a pair of PureFlow2's in the car that I'm still waiting to try out.  I also have my every day "run errands" shoes that are also Brooks shoes that I no longer run in.  
• Tiger Tail massage stick.
• Nuun
• Nuun and Brooks visors (gotta represent!)
• Nathan water/fuel belt for my longer runs coming up
• Honey Stinger Gels and Waffles 
• KTTape.  Gotta keep these legs in tact.  And oh how they are not happy some days lately.  :(  
• Compression tights, shorts, Brooks Essential Run Vests (these are a STAPLE for me even when I'm not running!  LOVE), socks, tanks, etc. etc.  
• Garmin (even though I'm trying to not use it as much)
• Hats, arm warmers, calf compression sleeves, and other various accessories

So, what are YOUR Running Essentials that you would pack if you were moving far away and needed to pack for up to a month??  What's your MUST HAVE Running Gear list?  

Amanda 

StrideBox Review and Giveaway

There are so many things out there in our world today that make things easier on people.  Online shopping, drive thru coffee shops, getting your groceries delivered, etc.  One of the things I've been especially interested in is getting organic produce delivered to my house once a month.  I've heard of friends who have this service where they get a box delivered every month with an assortment of organic vegetables and some fruits.  They don't know what they are getting so they are sure to try out a variety of things they might not otherwise have bought from the store.

But what about Running Specific Deliveries??!  

When I was contacted by a company called StrideBox about doing a review of their service, I was excited to hear what they had to offer.  Instead of getting organic produce delivered to your door every month, how fun and useful would it be to get a box full of RUNNING related (and other endurance-related sports) goodies to try out?!

Here's some quick facts about StrideBox that they sent on a Quick Fact Sheet in my February Box:

Who's It For?
StrideBox is specifically curated for runners, but could be used for other endurance athletes and active people as well.

What's In It?  
The contents are different each month.  Subscribers can expect nutrition products, running accessories and other cool stuff.

How Much Is It?
StrideBox is $15/month (includes shipping)

It was fun getting my February StrideBox in the mail.  I know it might seem silly to some but even the way it was wrapped up so nicely in tissue paper made it feel special.  It was like getting a present!  Again, each month your StrideBox will be filled with different products to try out.  Every month has a card telling you what is included and offering you discount codes some of those products if you decided you liked them enough to buy more.

Here's what StrideBox had to say about February's box on their StrideBox Blog:

We stuffed this box full of cool running nutrition and accessories… here’s what was in the February 2013 StrideBox:

• Gu Chomps Energy Chews, Lemon Flavor
• Hammer Bar Ultimate Energy Bar, Cranberry Flavor
• Hammer Nutrition Endurolytes Fizz, Peach Flavor
• Honey Stinger Organic Energy Gel, Acai Pomegranate Flavor
• Mazama Bar High Performance Energy Bar, Various Flavors
• Skratch Labs Exercise Hydration Mix (2), Lemons And Limes, Oranges
• Dr. Hoy’s Natural Pain Relief Gel
• Lock Laces – Shoe Lace System
• On The Go Towels (3), Unscented, Am Rush, and After Hours Scents
• StrideBox Bend-A-Bottle Soft Water Bottle

One of my favorite things to try out in this box is certainly my new favorite gel:  Honey Stinger Organic Energy Gel and the Lock Laces for my shoes!  I'm sure I'll try out all the other products very shortly too...they are things that I will use...or at least try.  Some of the contents are new brands that I've never heard of and some are my favorite things.  I can add them all to my Running Fuel "STASH".

StrideBox would like to give one of YOU an opportunity to try out their March Box.   I'm changing things up a bit here with how I do this giveaway thing since I want to give you an opportunity to comment on here AND on Facebook...whatever works for you.  I know some of you don't like to use Facebook but some of you don't like to or can't leave comments on the blog post for some reason.  So, follow me here...Trust me..I'm all about making these things EASY.  Good grief, how many hoops does one want to jump through just to enter a giveaway, right?  :)  All this requires is thinking of a number from 1 to 1000 before your comment or comments (depending on how many you leave..only one required).

So...for every comment (here or on the link to this giveaway on Runninghood's facebook page) just preface it with a number from 1 to 1000.  I'm going to use a random generator to choose a number and the person closest in number to my number I choose will WIN!  If you choose the same number as another person then I'll draw from a hat old school style.  Sounds good to me.

Mandatory:  

• Follow StrideBox on Facebook or Twitter.  Then let me know you did (on here or on Runninghood's facebook link to this giveaway)!  Just give me that number between 1 and 1000 first.  Example:  "356.  I followed StrideBox on Facebook."

Extra Entry: 

• Tell me (on here or Runninghood's FB wall) WHY you think you'd love STRIDEBOX!  Again, remember to preface it with another number.  Example: "432.  I'd love StrideBox because I'm new to running and racing and this gives me a chance to be introduced to some great running-related products!"  

• Share this review and giveaway about StrideBox on Facebook or Twitter and let me know you did in a comment (either here or on Runninghood's FB link to this post).  Again, remember to preface your comment with a number from 1 to 1000 (different from before).  Example:  "999.  I shared on Facebook."  

Easy Peezy.  Good Luck to you!  I'm looking forward to hearing what you guys think about this service.  I haven't seen anything like it.  

Giveaway ends on February 18th.  

Amanda