Wednesday, November 21, 2018

2018 Holiday Gift Guide for Runners

It’s the most run-derful time of the year!  And I’m back with another holiday gift guide for the runners in your life, but this year’s has a little bit of a twist. If the runner is anything like the ones I know, they have everything.  So instead of focusing on things for the runner in your life, I’m focusing on experiences for the runner in your life.



Running Tours
If you’re like me, there are many places in your city that you have yet to explore.  One of my favorite ways to explore a city is by running and so many places have running tours that will give you a different perspective of where you live.  Here in San Diego, StepXStep running has tours through various neighborhoods, each with their own history.  Another great thing about running tours—they don't just need to be local.  Is your runner traveling? Find a running tour for wherever it is they go.  Not sure where to start on finding a running tour?  Check out your local running store for suggestions.


Self-Care
Running is hard.  It’s hard on your feet and legs.  It can be hard on your spirit. Like most runners, I will tell you that no matter how hard it is, it’s also one of the best experiences.  And one way I love to keep it a “best experience” is with a little self-care.  For me, that’s pedicures.  So think about a gift certificate to your runner’s favorite salon or spa.  They don’t like pedicures? Find out what they do like—maybe it’s massages, cupping or acupuncture.  And these things aren’t just for runners—you can join in on the fun too! 

Notice the black toe nail. 
Beer Tasting
Okay—so this isn’t running related, unless you consider it carb loading.  But sometimes we forget that runners like to do things besides run.  For me, beer tasting is one of those things.  And it can be fun—I’ve been traveling a lot this year and have discovered local breweries almost everywhere I go.  If the runner in your life doesn’t drink, try visiting local eateries during a restaurant week or create your own by visiting neighborhood restaurants and ordering appetizers.  Try visiting places you’ve never been to but have always wanted to try.

Bitter Brothers Brewery
“Afoot and Afield -San Diego County”
Yes—I know I said I wasn’t talking about things in this year’s gift guides.  But as Mick, an advid hiker and trail runner,  from Lynx Running said, this book is a “gift with the possibility of exploration.”   The San Diego edition of this book offers over 200 outings—how fun would it be to go through the list and check them off with your family and friends as you complete them.  Each trip gives you mileage, difficulty level and will let you know if it’s dog friendly.  It can be fun for everyone! (Don’t live in San Diego? I found other location versions on Amazon.)


As we venture into the “Season of Giving,” I hope that we all consider that giving doesn’t necessarily mean things.  I won’t lie—if someone wants to gift me a Garmin Fenix, I will gladly take it.  But what would mean more to me is someone gifting me their time.  Spending time with me, whether it be doing something I love or something we both love, and the memories hold more value than any item every could. 

What are you hoping to receive this year?

Until next time, happy running.
Jenn13.1




Tuesday, November 13, 2018

WIN Sports Detergent

When you run seven days a week, you have a lot of laundry and let’s be real—running that much makes for laundry that doesn’t always smell that great.  So when I had the chance to try WIN Sports Detergent, I said “Yes, please!”



According to their website, WIN Sports Detergent “contains special ingredients that other detergents lacks to remove” the oils that synthetic fabrics attract from your skin. 

I will be the first to admit that I don’t like doing laundry and I don’t always separate my clothes the way you should when you do laundry?  The lights, the colors, the running clothes, the work clothes—all in one load.  Because of this, I’ve been a little hesitant in using sports specific laundry detergents, but when I saw that the ingredients on WIN worked best with synthetics, I knew it would be safe since most of my work clothes are not cotton or plant based materials.


After using WIN, it was love at the first load.  Not only did my running clothes smell fresh, my every day clothes did as well.  I’ve been using WIN for about a month and I’ve even used it for my bedding and towels.  The Original Fresh Scent is scented enough to smell “cozy” but not too strong that it’s overwhelming.  I have a strong sense of smell and sometimes fragrant products are too much for me, but this is not the case with WIN.  There is an unscented/dye free detergent available if you prefer that.  The only thing I did not like about the detergent was the bottle—the pour lid has a cap under it, so it has a “double lid” and the excess detergent gets on the lid if you do not wipe of the pouring cap before placing it back on.  But overall, the wasn’t a big deal and isn’t enough for me to not like the actual product.


Will I continue to wash all my clothes together? Yes.  Will I continue to use WIN Sports detergent? Yes.  It’s a WIN win.  If you want to try it, you can use the code WINSWPNK to save 30% on your purchase through the end of November.



Do you use a special detergent for your running clothes?  If so, what do you use?

Until next time, happy running.
Jenn13.1

I received a bottle of WIN Sports Detergent through my relationship with Sweat Pink and Fit Approach.  All opinions are my own.


New Balance More

It is sometimes said that “less is more,” so when NewBalance  released their new shoe, More, I was intrigued to find out if sometimes “more...