By Manda
Recently I got a bee in my bonnet: Run a half marathon with Team World Vision to help raise money for clean water in East Africa.
And this past Sunday morning? I DID IT! And up next? I'm running he LA Marathon in March. EEP!
When people find out that I'm training for a marathon they almost always ask me: HOW? How do you do it? When observed with the naked eye, I'm quite obviously NOT a typical runner type. I'm more of a squishy-around-the-middle Mom Type who never gets enough sleep and always has children hanging off every appendage. Finding time to run is hard, and if you don't have what you need to get out the door it's nearly impossible (for me anyway).
I have a few tricks in my arsenal, the first of which is the beloved B.O.B. Revolution Duallie stroller.
We received this AMAZING stroller as a Christmas gift last year from my husband's parents. The purpose it was to serve? A carriage for our kids at one of our favorite hotspots: Disneyland. HA! That's right! I never EVER planned on actually running with this thing because that would be CRAZY! Little did I know then how many running miles I'd log while heaving ole Bob up a hill. If you've wondered if the playground hype is true, I'm here to tell you that it is! This stroller rides incredibly smooth, comfortably seats my three-year-old (37 pounds and TALL), and my one-year-old (23 pounds and precious), and can be turned with one finger. It also fits through a standard doorway, which is lucky since I take it everywhere! The only complaint I have is the folding mechanism. You have to yank on a rope-type thing behind the seats to get it to release and fold down and I can never, ever get the thing to work on the first try. Other than that, me + BOB = Love 4 Ever.
Next? Nike Plus GPS for iPhone.
{photo via itunes.apple.com}
If you have an iPhone that you run with anyway, this app is a must-have! I used to run with a Nike Plus bracelet that you had to use with a chip in your shoe, which was annoying because you had to keep track of both the chip and the bracelet. This GPS app solves that problem ... all you need is your phone. Just start the app, start running, and it keeps track of your distance and time (and more if you want it!). It tallies up your miles and will even report your run to Facebook and Twitter! You can also set the app to "talk" to you as you run, every mile or half mile it can tell you how far you've run and your pace. I don't run with headphones but it calls it out so I can hear it anyway! Sweet!
My Nike Dri-Fit Featherlight Running Cap.
This item is lovingly referred to as "Mama's running hat." Now listen, I know better than anyone that a white cap is not necessarily "cool" or "attractive" or "stylish." But guess what?! I got this hat for free! I also have very short hair and usually run in the morning before I've showered so I'm rocking some serious bedhead - for one - but I can't run with sunglasses either so I need to keep the sun out of my eyes too (I'm starting to realize through this post that I have issues with anything on my face while running: can't run with headphones OR sunglasses. Hmm). This hat solves the bedhead and the sun, but it also keeps my head cool. Sometimes when I can't find it I have to run in a regular baseball cap and when I do I am always shocked at how sweaty (and attractive!) my hair is when I get home.
Last but not least, my precious SPIbelt.
I need a place to stash my phone when I'm not running with the stroller. My husband picked one of these up for me at a marathon expo last spring and if I can't find it before I go running I kind of panic. It's a comfortable stretchy belt with a spandex pocket that stretches to fit any little things you need to stash while you run. The best part? It DOES NOT move when you run. It doesn't flap or creep up and it's really, really comfortable. I often forget I have it on. I wore it during my race and stashed away my car remote, cash and phone. It holds A LOT and always snaps back into place when it's empty. I love my SPIbelt so much that I bought one for my mom and sister each for Christmas this year!
So. Are you a running mom? What's your must-have running survival gear?
I'm a running mom. I need a new belt, mine creeps up and bugs me, I'll have to try this one. Good luck on the marathon!
Best things so far:
Yurbuds-I just got these at the Houston half expo and they are AMAZING. they do not move and do not get all tangly when I run.
I love this skirt http://elzabelz.blogspot.com/2010/06/friday-favorite-lululemon-best-running.html
and my team sparkle skirt (easier for your cheering team to find!)
Posted by: elz | January 20, 2012 at 11:35 AM
I love my new Old Navy compression pants which are currently on sale.
What about a water belt? I'm looking for one where the water doesn't bounce around. Drives me nuts.
Posted by: Lilcee | January 23, 2012 at 03:09 PM