Stocking Stuffers for Runners {+ Awesome Giveaway}

"Are we doing stockings this year?" Mark asked.

I was putting the finishing touches on the mantle, my favorite thing to decorate for the holidays. There was a reindeer basket overflowing with fragrant potpurri and a string of frosted cranberries that ran along the length. Two silver snowflakes held knitted stockings and, from the arm of a snowman, hung a third stocking. They were empty — for now — a fact confirmed by a curious Miles.

"Yes. Of course we are," I said as I toyed with the cranberries.

I should admit that, for me, stocking stuffers are easy. I buy Mark copious amounts of Reese's trees and a sample size cologne. Miles gets a Tootsie Roll bank (family tradition) and an ornament. All it takes is one trip to Target.

For Mark, it means another round of presents — not that either of us mind, though maybe I shouldn't speak for him. I like to receive gifts, he likes to give them and all it really takes is a trip to my favorite running store. As I told him this year, he wouldn't even have to browse — he just had to talk to my favorite girls and they could do it for him.

But for those looking to get stocking stuffers for their favorite runners, here are my top picks.

Note: I don't want to see any eye rolling — below will be one of the raddest Healthy Strides giveaways ever. 

Pro Compression socks. Where fashion meets function, these socks are a staple in my running wardrobe. I wear the trainers for everyday runs and workouts, and the marathon socks come out for long runs and recovery. When it's cold, the tall socks double as a way to keep my lower extremities warm and my feet dry. And they are cute.

So, so, so cute.

Remember that you can save 40 percent on marathon socks and sleeves with the code BLG14. And the trainers are such a good — deal $25 for two pairs, which means the recipient will be doubly as happy or you can keep one for yourself. I won't tell.

Nuun. Even though training might be winding down for a lot of people, Nuun is never out of season. I drink my favorite (non-caffeinated) flavors year-round, whether I'm running on the treadmill, teaching a class or just trying to keep myself hydrated. And, at the office, I'm drinking Nuun All-Day. It has zero sugar, less than 8 calories per tab, and an all-natural blend of 17 vitamins and minerals. It comes in 4 flavors: Grapefruit Orange, Tangerine Lime, Blueberry Pomegranate, and Grape Raspberry. A tube of Nuun — or four — will easily fit in a stocking.

NAAWK. Tell me this: Have you ever actually used an entire tube of lip balm before losing it? Yeah. Me neither. If I don't lose it, someone either takes it or it gets washed in my pants. It's why I bought six — yes, six — tubes of my favorite lip balm, NAAWK, before the season started. I keep one in my car, one in my purse, one in my desk and one in my gym bag. I also have spares around the house for when Mark's "lips hurt real bad." (Name that movie quote!) Why NAAWK? "NAAWK is a lifestyle driven brand that meets the needs of an active, outdoor enthusiast. NAAWK sun care products are specifically designed with this environment in mind, offering the best skin and sun care products available," the website reads. And, for me, I just think they are awesome.

Road ID. Safety — there's no better gift than that. A Road ID bracelet is a $20 insurance policy in the event that something happens when your runner is out on the road. Pick out a new style or give a gift card and you'll give yourself peace of mind.

Now ... for the details on the giveaway.

• There will be three winners.
• Winner No. 1 will receive a pair of Pro Compression marathon socks or sleeves and a $30 gift card to Road ID.
• Winner No. 2 will receive a mixed four-pack of Nuun All-Day and a $20 Road ID gift card.
• Winner No. 3 will receive a gift pack from NAAWK, including continuous spray sun screen, travel-size hand and body lotion, zinc stick and lip balm; and a $20 Road ID gift card. 
• Winners will be selected by a random generator. The first name selected will receive the Pro Compression prize, the second name will receive the Nuun and the third will receive the Naawk. 
• Pro Compression, Nuun and NAAWK are providing prizes for this giveaway, and the Road ID gifts were ordered by me with referral credits. I was not compensated for this post. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

You Saw Me: Runner Safety {+ product review}

"I didn't see you."

As someone who regularly runs in the pre-dawn hours of the early morning, I don't want a motorist to be able to say that to me — ever. Worse, I don't want that motorist to have to say that to a law enforcement officer at the scene of a crash.

According to Road ID, a company that makes identification bracelets and shoe tags for runners, 122,000 runners a year are taken to the hospital after being hit by cars. ... In a report by Transportation for America, a public policy organization promoting improved infrastructure investment, between 2000 and 2009 more than 5,300 pedestrians were killed each year in vehicle-related accidents.

Source: Competitor

Runners need to take precautions to not only be seen but recognized as a person. There's reflective vests, illuminating night gear, blinking lights, LED bands.

And I've worn all of them, thinking I was doing my best. But there were still close calls. There were times when cars took longer to get over than I would have liked. Fast cars swerved just a few yards from my feet. The blinking lights, the vest only visible when the headlights hit me at just the right angle.

My early morning gear included other things, too. Things that helped me see the path in front of me and avoid dangers such as sticks, walnuts and snakes — a head lamp, Knuckle Lights — but on the side of the road, to a motorist, the lights can seem fixed or a part a landscape.

"I didn't see her," the motorist might think as he approached me.

But that's no longer the case.

For the past month, I've been wearing the You Saw Me vest. The vest is unlike anything I had ever seen, with 60 embedded LEDs to refract an active lighting source with the ability to dim, flash, and automatically cycle between colors. It also has an ANSI-certified reflective outer layer to reflect oncoming light (i.e. headlights). The lights, according the company, can be seen up to a mile away.

There are front and back pockets that allow you to store cellphones, keys, cards, money, etc. and an adjustable waistband for comfort.

When I run in this, I never have to think, "Does that car see me?" I know they do.

BRF Tami, who bought the vest after seeing mine, and I both notice that cars get over sooner and farther when they approach us on the road. The lights, which are in a V-shape on the front and the back, also illuminate our faces. Motorists don't just see the vests — they see us as people. We've also found that lights are bright enough that it helps us see the path before us. With Daylight Saving Time, we've been able to manage with just the vest — no other lights.

I don't just love this vest for its safety; I love it because of the company. You Saw Me is a small outfit out of Lexington, Kentucky. When I shamelessly approached them to review the vest, I didn't get an email. I got a request for a phone call. The next week, I spoke with co-owner Seth McBee for more than a half-hour. We talked about the vest and social media, running and close calls. I learned about the craftsmanship that's put in the vest and how his partner Kevin took years to develop what is now being sold.

I also learned that this company couldn't, and wouldn't, give its product away to any blogger willing to shill it. The vests cost money to make and as a new company, You Saw Me isn't selling them with a large profit margin. If I wanted to get it, I needed to be authentic and enthusiastic when it comes to sharing the product on my social media channels and in my running community. It's a deal I was willing to make.

So, full disclosure, this vest is not mine for free. If three readers/friends purchase it using the code "healthy strides" (free shipping!), I can keep it. Otherwise, I ca pay for the vest full price — $60 — or send it back.

But I already know that I will happily send a check to Seth and You Saw Me if you aren't into it. My safety and peace of mind is worth $60.

A couple of FAQs/notes:

• The vest does feel heavier than other reflective vests because of the lights. I was worried that it would feel burdensome when I ran but to my surprise, it did not. I do know it's there but my arm swing and pace are just fine.
• There is a wide, adjustable elastic band with a snap belt to secure the vest. It goes through two loops each on the front and back. I have not had a problem thus far with the belt chafing. I do make sure it is snug so as to keep the vest itself from not moving and chafing elsewhere.
• The power source for the vest is a 9-volt battery. I thought this was a bit weird, and it can be awkward to put on if you haven't had a full cup of coffee. It is nice, though, that you don't have to seek out the manufacturer for replacements and can use rechargable batteries, as well. 
• The vest is washable though I have yet to do that. I put it on my passenger seat, over the head rest. I'm sure both smell like Macintosh Apples thanks to Yankee Candle air fresheners. 
• Seth also suggests these vests for cyclists and motorcyclists. I say if you need to be seen, you need this vest.

BOB, BOB, BOB around

I sat in the examining room, peppering the doctor with questions. I, of course, wanted to know what I could do to help Miles, how to best administer his breathing treatments and what exactly to look for if his oxygen levels (again) dipped dangerously low.

But I had an agenda.

What I really wanted to know was whether Miles' illness and the seeming quick escalation was my fault. I wanted to know whether I had done something wrong by taking him for runs on these chilly mornings, our breath visible in the thin air.

She looked at me, with the reassuring look she always has, and said no. It was not my fault; Miles has a virus, and it is the cause of his bronchiolitis and ear infections. If I wanted some advice on cold weather running, she did have some.

Use common sense.

Common sense winter stroller running tips

Feel the burn. Our doctor's primary indicator for whether it was OK to run wasn't a temperature rule as I've been adhering to. She said if the cold air burns as you breathe, it doesn't feel good for the little one to breathe, either. It's best to stay indoors.

Cover up. If you need a hat, the kid needs a hat. If you have gloves, so does the child. Of course, it's easier said than done. We've lost a hat on the trail, and Miles loves to kick off his boots. I've found that we can do a hat if we cover it with the hood. Mittens work but so do socks. Even better socks over mittens.


Get into gear. Buy the weathershield to help with wind resistance. It will also keep kicked off boots from flying off into the middle of the street.


Safety first. Wear the strap, put on lights, run against traffic or on well-lit trails. I put Road ID lights on my hat and waist band, as well as one on the canopy of the stroller. I also plan to pick up some reflectors for the wheels. Winter means less daylight and, when on a tight schedule, it can be difficult to do the whole run in broad daylight.

Take it slow. I know I'm not going to break land speed records with a dog and baby in tow ... most of the time. Instead of focusing on speed or taking out the BOB for repeats, I use it for steady-state or long runs and focus on form, breathing and pacing. A slower pace is especially important as wet leaves or a bit of snow could cause slippery conditions. And seriously, pushing the stroller already counts as resistance - especially if there's any semblance of a hill or wind.

Inflate your ego. Just like a car, the stroller's tires need to be inflated properly. Or so Mark tells me. It's important in cold weather especially and properly inflated tires will make sure you go over any slick spots safely.


Create a soundtrack. On the occasion that Miles has been grumpy, I will turn on music on my iPhone - whether it's Pandora's Toddler station, Elmo CDs that I've downloaded to iTunes or the latest music from BODYPUMP that I'm trying to ingrain in my memory. And there was that morning, at 7 a.m., when we were looping the neighborhood as Christina's Aguilera's "Dirrty" blared. Oops. On the worst days, I've sang my own version of "Wheels on the Bus" - "Wheels on the Stroller."

OK. That last one is not really winter - I guess I just wanted to confess my inappropriate running tunes. I'm so a shoe-in for Mother of the Year.

Any mother runners have some tips for me?

Three Things Thursday: Ready to be seen

Once. Then twice. And then it was three times.

Three times in less than a half-mile when Miles, Denali and I slowed or stopped on our run this morning. It was a minor annoyance as I struggled to hit my stride after previewing BODYPUMP 83 last night but I had known it was coming. "It" being school year traffic.

Running this summer - if you take away the record heat and oppressive heat - was bliss and not just because Mark was around. The break in school meant a break in traffic in our neighborhood where we have two schools within a quarter-mile. Often times, we could run the mile to the park/trail without stopping once (unless Denali needed to, ahem, well, you know).

With school in session for some of the private schools and Fort Wayne starting Monday, stops like this morning will become much more frequent. Thankfully, I only hit the traffic on the out or the back but it's enough to pause, take notice and make a few changes in our running routine.

1. Color run. This morning, I ran in my favorite offensively bright Nike outfit (as seen in a run from our Colorado trip). Wearing easy-to-spot colors helps drivers see me blocks away and brings attention that I'm not running alone. As the days get shorter and mornings darker, I will start to clip on my Supernova lights from Road ID for added safety.

2. Mindfulness. It would be nice to think that people are paying attention to what they are doing when they are driving but the truth is that they aren't. Mark saw a driver blow through a four-way stop on a run last week, and it's an intersection where I rarely do more than pause when I run through. I will definitely be paying more attention to traffic as I'm sure a car full of kids can be distracting as well as rerouting runs when possible so that we can cross at traffic signals.

3. The rules of the road. I run in the street whenever I have the stroller and while I 99 times out of 100 follow the guidelines, I do sometimes - gasp - run on the right side. As traffic picks up, I will be in the park path when possible or the left side of the road, opposite traffic. It not only allows oncoming traffic to see you but it allows you to see what traffic is doing and react appropriately. I can't tell you how many times I seriously questioned whether a car was going to make room for me.

For more rules of the road, check out this page on the Road Runners Club of America site.

How do you stay safe?

Let there be light: A product review

There’s a difference between having a glowing personality and being a glowing person.

While both will garner the attention of those you meet, the former will make you lots of friends and the latter will, more than likely, guarantee you to be the talk of the town – to put it nicely. It might also guarantee that you would be visible to passing motorists on your early morning runs and less likely to be scolded by creepy, mean ladies hanging out in parked vans.

I like friends. I also like not being yelled. But none of that matters because neither my insides or outsides glow.

Good thing the folks at Road ID and Outside PR intervened, prevented any wallowing that could follow.

I was given the chance to try out some Road ID products of my choice. I mentioned that I picked up a slim Road ID, which has emergency info for both Miles and me, but I also selected two Firefly Supernova lights in green (my favorite color).

About the lights (from the Road ID site):

This little fella packs quite a punch. Simply put, it's the brightest, lightest, most durable security light in its class. Other lights just don't compare. You won't believe how bright this safety light is. Its durable plastic clip enables you to securely attach it to your waistband, belt or even your shirt collar. Wear it whenever you go out at dark and be seen by motorists from up to a mile away.

My thoughts:

In one word: Like.

In more words: I’m a fan.

Why?

I really do feel safer with the lights. You flip the battery one way and the light blinks. Sort of like a truck backing up – which is always awesome. Flip it the other way, and it’s a steady beam.

(ET phone home. ET phone home.)

While I can’t guarantee that I can be seen from a mile away, it is like a strobe light in my front entry way. It’s hot. Oh, and no creepy lady sitting in a van has stopped me to tell me that I’m hard to see.

I was surprised at how comfortable the lights were to wear. I didn’t spring for a sassy wristband or belt, opting to just clip them to my jacket and waistband. I have yet to experience any chafing and I actually forget that I’m wearing them. You know, except for that green flashing reflection on the BOB.

One note: I received two lights and one of the two did not work. The battery was good but the light itself did not work. I contacted Road ID, and I was sent a new light with a self addressed stamped envelope to return the bad one. Impressive customer service. Very impressive.

Disclaimer: While I was provided with these products, the opinions (and photo of me) are completely my own.

What’s your favorite way to light up the night … or morning?

Love it or leave it

I love having a treadmill in the basement. I do. It allows me to run anytime I have a chance - day or night, rain or snow, sleeping baby or no sleeping baby. It's quite convenient, that thing.

But I'd much rather leave it in a corner somewhere to die a slow rusty death. So I can do other things - like run outside or hang out with "The Big Bang Theory" and my husband whom I hadn't seen all day. Stupid teaching. Stupid parent teacher conferences.

I am a stickler for training plans and do love running so, last night, I opted to leave Mark upstairs with a wide-awake Miles and hop on that treadmill to get in 4 miles.

It lasted 3 miles. Well, Mark lasted 3 miles at which point he came downstairs and pleaded with me to help with Miles. It seemed my lil guy needed a little ... umm ... well ... OK, I'm just going to say it - boob action. My son needed boob action to go to sleep. He didn't care that they were sweaty or gross. Me? I'd leave the sweaty boobs for another day.

Other things I'm loving ... and choosing to leave.

Love it: My sparkly new BIC Band. It's so super cute.

I plan to wear it tomorrow for the W.O.O.F. so you can see it in all its glory then :)

I've been a fan of these type of athletic head bands for two years, ever since I picked up a Sweaty Band at Bob Roncker's in Cincinnati. They look great, they don't slip and they don't hurt my sensitive wittle head. I seriously wore my BIC Band as a fashion accessory at work and didn't have to tug it off until the car ride home. I was also impressed that the sparkle didn't get everywhere. You know what I mean - you buy a birthday card with glitter and you end up looking like me at prom, circa 1998.

Leave it: Fiber One brownies.

Fiber One tries. Oh, do they try, but a 90-calorie brownie does not exist. Not one that tastes good, at least. I've tried two varieties - both times hopeful for a deceivingly decadent treat - but was disappointed in the texture and aftertaste.

Love it: My new Road ID. I had been wanting to get some sort of ID for Miles when he is out in the BOB with me. In the event of an accident (God forbid), EMS workers would see my ID and know who I am and who to contact. Crap, they would even know Denali's name. They wouldn't know, though, who Miles was or how old he was (something I think is important at this point). So I ordered a new band, and I put information for Miles and me. Genius! I also picked the Slim ID this time around (I have an elite), and I like it a lot more. You just pull it on and go. (I ordered a medium and it's a bit loose on my tiny wrists.)




Leave it: Daylight savings time. I was so excited when I moved to Indiana seven years ago that I wouldn't have to switch my clocks. And then the government got involved and things changed. Stupid government. Stupid change.

I am sure a lot of you are excited for that extra hour of sleep but ... yeah. I don't think Miles will quite grasp the concept. So instead of being up at 5:30, we'll be up at 4:30. Ugh. I guess it will give me extra time to get in my 7-miler before meeting my friend at the mall.

Love it: The Peppermint Mocha is back at Starbucks.

::swoon::

Even better, there's a sugar-free version this year! A grande has 130 calories and 1.5 grams of fat compared to the regular version, which has 410 calories and 15 grams of fat. Thank you, Starbucks, for answering my pleas.


What are you loving right now?

Can I see your ID?

I often run alone (unless you count Denali).

I run in the early morning hours.

I have almost been hit by a car too many times to count.

I took a nasty spill, courtesy of Denali, that forced me to run 2 miles home with blood dripping down my leg.

And yet, in all those instances, it wasn't what I - or anyone else - was doing that was posing such a risk. It was what I wasn't doing. I wasn't wearing a Road ID.

I know, I know. Stupid. So stupid. And the thing is, I've mentioned to Mark that I wanted one on numerous occasions and never followed through. I guess boots were more important.

No more, though. I was (again) the lucky recipient on a giveaway (thanks, Caratunk Girl!) and have ordered my very own Road ID. In green - my favorite color.

I included phone numbers for Mark and Grandma as well as a little quote. "Will to succeed," it will say.

What does yours say?

What? What! You don't have one? Well, I got a coupon for you: ThanksKimberly861459.

This coupon is good for $1 off any Road ID order. It can be used up to 20 times in the next 30 days. Feel free to send this coupon via email, Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, town crier, or good ole fashion smoke signal. Just use it.