For someone that craves routine and structure in life, there’s been a surprising amount of variety in my running lately.
Some days I’ll crave an easy catch-up run with a girlfriend, while sometimes I want nothing more than a hard pavement pounding solo. I dig going music-less every now and then after being ipod-dependent forever, and have even ventured outside my standard country playlists a bit. Sometimes I feel like logging miles in a printed skirt, a masculine brown/black pantsuit, or fast non-diaper-butt shorts.
Don’t ask about the bookshelf mural – Eugene is weird
But, regardless of what I’m in the mood to listen to/sweat out/wear, there are some constants in my running world these days. Over the past few months I’ve developed a few pretty serious obsessions, and have openly shouted my fanfare of love notes to them all over the blogworld and race courses.
And I want you to love them as much as I do. Because as much as I dig these things, I dig you guys even more. Your support, humor, and advice while I attempt this transition to “real runner” is sooo appreciated. I’m not super into sentiments, but just know that every comment, email, tweet, and wishful thought you’ve sent mean a lot.
times 10.
So, in a weird way of saying thank you, and because my original plan of “HERE ARE MY THINGS THAT GOT ME TO MY BQ!” is kind of shot to shit…
Sarah OUaL’s Race Day Must-Haves Giveaway!
This picture makes me happy. Well the bottom 5/6ths of it at least.
So, going through the loot from head to toe, here’s what one lucky reader will win…
BIC Bands
I swear to all things holy, these things SERIOUSLY WILL NOT slip. I don’t care how mis-shapen your head is or how fine your hair is. I never wore headbands (hello race braid?) because they’d move all over, but these really don’t. So I’m hooked, and not only because their functional and cute, but also because a portion of every sale goes to monthly rotating charity, which makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside.
Winner will receive a $35 gift certificate to use at www.bicbands.com!
Nuun
I was a Nuun convert from (almost) the first sip. I’ll admit at first I thought it was a little… weird? I heard ‘electrolyte drink’ and expected something like Gatorade. So when I got the light, fizzy taste I was kind of taken aback. But once I stopped thinking of it as a sugary syrup replacement, I loved it.
The tablets come in easy-to-stash tubes (desk, purse, gym bag, etc) and dissolve in water in like, a minute. They are sugar-free and have <8 calories per serving, so you’re free to chug to your little heart’s content.
Winner will receive a water bottle; samples of Grape, Strawberry Lemonade, and Fruit Punch; and a tube of the following :
- Lemon Lime – my on-the-run favorite, and key ingredient to the famous Nuun-arita
- Tropical – my daily favorite, consumed on the regular at my desk, running errands, chilling at home, or combatting a late night of boozing
- Blueberry Pomegranate All Day – their newest line has half the electrolytes, so it’s ideal for consumption when you’re not your usual sweaty self. like recovery week. instead of drowning post-race gloom with booze chug some of this (this is clearly addressed to myself)
Gu & Bloks
Run fuel of choice. I go back and forth on flavor – fruity, chocolatey, happy hour’y – but Gu’s gels and Clif’s Bloks are my go-to. Lately I’ve been loving mint chocolate (like a melted Andes mint!) and peanut butter (kind of like caramel) Gu, and tropical Bloks, which taste like big chewy fruit snacks.
Winner will receive 4 gels and 2 packs of Bloks – including an unpictured margarita pack because everyone deserves to have a party on their run sometimes
Hazard Polish
Obviously I photographed this set before the race. I thought this was going to be my “good luck color”, and could tell you that “Hazard” IS as dangerous and fast as it sounds. Instead I’ll just tell you it’s a cute color for summer.
Winner will receive a (new) bottle – swear I’m not just chucking my busted BQ fail bottle at you
Pro Compression Marathon Socks
These bad boys have seen me through almost every long run since March – that’s prior, during, AND after. Compression is used to speed up muscle repair and circulation, and these socks give just the right amount of squeeze. Not so much you can’t comfortably wear them all day, but not too little that you feel like you’re just wearing tube socks.
There are a lot of compression products in the market, and I’ve tried a good handful of them. These are my favorite because of the fit (longer, snug, and good quality material), they hold up well, and are designed and made entirely in the USA. Plus they come in fun colors. Duh.
Winner will receive a pair of socks in their size and color of choice
ShowerPill
This is the newest addition to my can’t-live-without list. We’re all busy and there are times we have to squeeze a workout between a million other things if it’s going to get done, and showers can’t always top the priority list.
These towelettes are about 3x the size of a baby wipe (my former lunch-run showering mechanism) and super thick. Think of it as a baby wipe/hand towel hybrid. A little wipe down, and you’re good to go until you can get your head under a real shower.
Winner will receive one box (10) of ShowerPill wipes
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So that’s that. All my most prized possessions, free to some lucky duck reader. All you have to do to enter is send me a hand-written soliloquy about your favorite drink and whether you think I should cut my hair or keep growing it out.
jk.
Comment below with your favorite, must-have, can’t-run/live-without item and you’re in. Leave an extra comment if you Facebook or Tweet it. Winner will be announced Monday at Noon best coast time (pst).
Good luck! I’ll be busy over here picking Hazard off my nails in the meantime.
Sarah OUaL
Sarah OUaL 