Christmas is nearly here and, if you’re anything like me, you’ve been listening to lots of Christmas music. Like it, or not, but it’s everywhere (I happen to like it, but I am also a 37 year old man with an affinity for boy bands, so take what I like with a grain of salt). You’ve probably heard the song "My Favorite Things” from the Sound of Music, which is played a ton this time of year. I heard it recently and it got me thinking about what some of my favorite running-related things are.
So, naturally when people don’t feel like doing anything productive this time of year, I decided to write a blog post about it. Without further ado, check out some cool stuff below.[1]
“The future’s so bright, I gotta wear shades”
Who likes the sun in their eyes? No one sane. If you meet someone that doesn’t mind the sun in their eyes, they may be a sociopath and you should evaluate your relationship with them.
I’ve looked high and low for some running sunglasses I love. I’ve used everything from cheap big box store Wayfarer style sunglasses, to the aerodynamic high-end running sunglasses. But nothing compares to my Goodr sunglasses (https://www.playgoodr.com/).
Not only are they really lightweight and comfortable, they don’t slip, they come in a ton of different color options, the lenses are polarized and they have really sweet names. I currently rock the all black “A Ginger’s Soul” model. Plus, they’re only $25 and they look good while running, or while driving to Target so your wife can spend a year’s salary on God knows what.
“I get all excited like Jo-Jo the Idiot Circus Boy”
Like to get all hopped up on caffeine before physical activity? Duh. Like the crash that comes after it. Nope. Enter Run Gum (www.rungum.com).
No one wants to down an energy drink or a cup of coffee right before they run. Not only will your stomach slosh, but you may get the poops. Run Gum solves that problem. Each piece has 50 mg of caffeine (2 pieces per pack) and comes in three flavors: Mint, Fruit and Cinnamon (my personal favorite). Pop a piece or two in your mouth before or during your run and you’ll get a nice little boost in 10-30 minutes. No crash. No sloshing stomach contents. No poops. Simple as that. Try it and you’ll probably like it. If Cinnamon isn’t your favorite flavor, that’s ok. You’ll be wrong, but that’s ok.
“We didn’t start the fire”
Do you like raw skin and bloody nipples? If you answered “yes” to either of those, then you may be on the wrong website. If you answered “no” to both of those, then you’re our kind of people.
Chafing is terrible. It’s seriously one of the worst things in the world. You run, you chafe, you shower and scream bloody murder when the water and soap hits your skin that feels like it’s on fire. You could have Buffalo Bill lower some lotion in a basket down to you to sooth your pain, or you could avoid it altogether with some Body Glide (www.bodyglide.com).
Body Glide offers different products labeled “For Him”, or “For Her”. But, it’s essentially all the same. I’ve used my wife’s in a pinch and it’s exactly the same as mine. Please don’t tell her, though, because she has no idea, unless she reads this. Bottom line, apply a little of this magical stuff in chafe-prone spots and watch your worries disappear.
[1] run nebraska does not receive any compensation from these companies for this content.