11 Fitness Items I CANNOT Live Without!

I saw this on Hungry Runner Girl's blog and I wanted to share the top 11 things that I cannot live without! I couldn't narrow it down to 10 so I have 11! When I prepare for a long training run or travel for a race, these are the things that would send me into a mad panic if I forgot to bring them along with me!

Here is my list of fitness items that I am incredibly thankful for and have learned to love!

1) Garmin Forerunner 620-This is my favorite Garmin by far and the top item that I just cannot live without! It provides so much running data and I just love it! I love the Live Track option and the fact that the data automatically uploads to Garmin Connect.

2) GU Energy Gel-My favorite flavors are Jet Blackberry and Salted Caramel. The energy kick that this gel gives me during a race or a long run is amazing. The Salted Caramel flavor tastes just like candy so it's like a treat while I am out on my runs. You have to try it if you have not already! They just released a new flavor, Salted Watermelon, that I am dying to try!

3) Foam Roller-This thing has saved my life! If you don't have one, please go and buy one and start using it! After being injured so many times, I became religious about using my foam roller. I use it after all of my runs and it has made a huge difference! I can now run 20 miles and have no soreness the next day. I like the extra firm one because it really hurts so good!

4) The Stick-This is the best for sore legs. I even have the travel sized version that fits inside my bag. I never leave home without it and I even take it to work with and secretly use it at my desk. It is also the best thing to have on hand for relays when you are cramped inside of a van overnight.

5) 20 oz. Amphipod Hand-Held Water Bottle- I have been trying to kick the hydration belt lately because it is just so much easier to just carry my hand-held. I can't be without my water so I have yet to master running a race using the course supplied hydration. I can go pretty far on this bottle without having to refill it and the outside pocket works perfect for holding my Chapstick.

6) Fitletic Ultimate II Running Belt (with Bib Holder and Fuel Slots)- I love that the front pocket is just the perfect size for my phone and the belt has slots to hold my GU's. The bib holder is great since I don't have to worry about forgetting safety pins on race day.

7) Body Glide-I learned a valuable lesson after my first marathon. I had some serious chaffing issues and I could feel my skin burning in the end of that race. Lesson learned and I never had that problem again since using Body Glide.

8) Nike Tempo Shorts-These are the most comfortable shorts that I have ever worn. I have tried other brands but my heart belongs to my tempo shorts which would explain why I have over 25 pairs of them!

9) Compression Socks- I wear both Pro Compression and CEP. I love them both. I wear them for all of my runs and they help me recover faster and improve my circulation. I have terrible tans lines from them but it's totally worth it to me!

10) KT Tape Pro- This tape has saved me when I have aches and pains and when I have been injured. I love this stuff! I only wear the Stealth Beige color though so I don't have to worry about matching it up with all of my clothes. I like the Pro version because it sticks better and is waterproof.

11) Nike Sun Visor-I cannot wear sunglasses when I run because I feel like I can't see. Weird..I know. I never run without my visor because it keeps the sun out of my eyes and the sweat off of my face.

What are your favorite fitness items that you cannot live without?  

Please share in the comments below.

My Very First Giveaway: A Few of My Favorites!

In celebration of my One Year Blogiversary, which happened back in June (oops), one lucky reader will receive all of the following. All of these items that I am giving away are some of my favorites that I want to share with you. 

1) 3 GU gels: I cannot live without this stuff on my long runs and during races! These are a few of my favorite flavors!

2) nuun:  This is one of my favorite forms of hydration! Fruit Punch is my favorite flavor and I hope you like it too!

3) Body Glide: After my first marathon I knew that Body Glide was a must and it works wonders for me! No more chafing for me!

4) Nathan Handheld Hydration Bottle: I always carry my own hydration no matter the distance since this summer has been crazy hot! I love this Nathan handheld hydration bottle because there is no top to open. All you have to do is squeeze it!

5) $15 Starbucks Card: I always reward myself with my favorite Starbucks drink after a good run and I want you to do the same! My favorite drink is a Soy Caramel Brule' Latte that only comes out during the holidays.  I can hardly wait!!

 DON'T YOU LOVE THE BONUS STICKER THAT I AM THROWING IN??

To Enter this Giveaway all you have to do is:

+1: Follow my blog Boston Bound Brunette via Google Friend Connect and leave me a comment telling me that you are a follower!

For Bonus Entries you can do these things too:

+1: Blog about this Giveaway and send me the link in a comment.

+1: Follow me on Twitter: Tweet about this Giveaway and then send me the link of your tweet in a comment.

+1: Follow me on Instagram (bostonboundbrunette) then leave me a comment telling me you follow me on Instagram.

The giveaway ends at midnight (local time) on September 17, 2012 and is open to anyone who wants to join! The entries will be numbered based on the order that they are received and the winner will be selected via random.org. The winner will be announced on September 18, 2012 and the winner must respond via email within 3 days of the announcement or an alternate winner will be selected. 

GOOD LUCK!!

Long Training Run Number Four: 13.3 Miles

Weather Report: Sunny and 65 degrees

Thirteen Miles was on the agenda for today and I ran the same local route where I first experienced my problem with ITBS.  I remember running this route and then all of a sudden I had such a horrible pain on the side of my left knee and I just could not run!  I had to walk/hop/hobble a grueling three miles to get  home.  Since then, I never ran that route again because I did not want to be reminded of that horrible day that changed my ability to run for quite some time. I decided to start today's run much earlier because the warm weather has been killing me lately even though it has only been about 10 degrees warmer! I guess I am just used to running in temperatures of 60 degrees or cooler.  I woke up at 5:30am and was out the door by 5:55am, since I knew this was going to be at least a two hour run.  I had a few new running items to try out today so I was kind of excited to run.

My old running belt was a one size fits all and I don't think that I ever really got it to fit me quite right.  My new one fits so much better and it Velcro's in the back instead of the side. I also purchased a small container, that attaches to my running belt, to carry my GU in. My idea behind this container was to be able to cut the GU packets open ahead of time and not have to waste time struggling to get them open.

I also experimented with Trislide for the first time.  I usually use Body Glide or just plain vaseline on my feet and they have always done the trick for me.  Many people swear by Trislide so I bought a can to try ($17.00). I wasn't incredibly impressed with it but I didn't get any blisters! It is much more sanitary than Body Glide but I would rather save some money and spend it on a race!

I owned the road today!  There were hardly any cars on the street and I was loving it!  I decided that I would start out as strong as I could today and then just slow it down in the end and try to maintain a pace of at least 9:00.  By Mile 2.5 the sun was shining brightly but the temperature was still tolerable. I made sure that I drank plenty of water and I dropped an extra bottle of water off at Mile 5.  On this particular route, I pass the same spot twice so I dropped the water off at Mile 2.

Mile 1: 8:27

Mile 2: 8:05

Mile 3: 8:08

5K: 25:20

By the time I had reached Mile 5, I had almost finished one of my water bottles so I stopped to GU and refill my water bottle with the spare that I had dropped.  It was so convenient to have my GU all ready to use and have a place to put the empty packet. This idea worked out really well for me! To be honest with you, I usually throw the empty GU packet on the ground if there is no trash can in sight! 

Mile 4: 8:01

Mile 5: 8:18

Mile 6: 8:19

10K: 50:08

Miles 5 to 7 were uphill so the GU break came just in time!  I was about a half mile up the hill when I noticed that I was missing one of my water bottles, so I had to turn around and look for it.  This added about a 1/4 mile to my run but those bottles are not cheap so I had to go back and find it!

Found it!

I finally reached the top of the hill, which is Foothill Blvd, at Mile 7.5 and the rest of the route is pretty flat and manageable. I usually feel a sigh of relief when I reach this point, but I had amazing energy today and I wasn't even pushing myself that hard.  I'm not sure if it was the GU, the hydrating, or the spinach I had for dinner the night before???  Whatever it was, I need to repeat it because I don't normally feel this energized at 6am on a Sunday morning!

Mile 7: 8:06

Mile 8: 8:13

Mile 9: 8:12

Miles 10 to 12 were downhill so I caught a break in the end.  I took another GU shot at Mile 10 and headed on home! I was pretty happy with my progress today. I would really love to beat my time at the Disneyland Half Marathon in September and achieve my goal of running a half marathon in under 1:50!  I could have earned that PR today if I had been running a race, but you never know what kind of day you are going to have......

Mile 10: 8:06

Mile 11: 8:19

Mile 12: 8:05

Mile 13: 7:36

       Garmin Stats

I had another good week and managed to get all of my scheduled runs completed.  I have been slacking on going to spin class, but I try to make it up by doing my stability ball workout at home.

I am hoping to have my running partner back with me next week.  I think shin splints are contagious because she is now experiencing them right as mine are starting to get better. She has been taking good care of herself and bought new shoes so I know she will be making a come back real soon!

Obtained from www.cartoonstock.com