Eat Pray Run DC

Running hard, eating well and living a grace-filled life in Washington D.C.

Searching for something?

  • Start Here!
    • Featured In…
    • 30 before 30 List!
    • My Favorite Things
    • Wedding
  • Eat!
  • Run
  • Blogging 101
    • How to Start a Blog
  • Contact Me!
    • Disclosure and Privacy Policy

Five Running Related Tools I Use

February 25, 2016 By: Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC34 Comments

Happy Friday, y’all! Remember that we have a new Friday Five format this year and our theme for the fourth Friday is…there is no theme! It’s a free Friday. For free Friday, I thought I’d share five running related tools that I use. I’m fairly simple when it comes to running. I don’t listen to music anymore, I don’t use a fitbit or an apple watch and I don’t carry anything special outside of my water. But there are a few things that I use while running (or immediately after) that help make my runs and my training go smoothly. Don’t forget to check out Cynthia and Mar and some of the other folks who link up with us – and please don’t forget to link to your hosts if you are participating! Have a great weekend! 

This post contains affiliate links

Five Running Related Tools I Use Daily

  1. My Garmin Forerunner 220. I love this thing. I wrote about it when I first bought it (you can read that review here) and every word I said is still true. It’s fantastic and I love the capability to do lap splits and to change what screen I view mid run. It’s my number one running tool! 
  2. Strava. I love Strava – my runs load automatically  and it’s great to look at data. I really enjoy following friends and running idols alike and seeing other people’s runs. Follow me!! 
  3. Lacrosse ball. Oh this little jerk. Foam rolling is hard enough but the lacrosse ball really takes it to another level. I love it and hate it at the same time. Last week I had a huge knot in my calf after my tempo run and spent LOTS of time with the lacrosse ball trying to flesh out the knot. I was near tears working with that thing – ouch! BUT it’s effective and that’s what matters, right?? 
  4. Two pairs of shoes. I really like using two pairs of shoes and rotating them between runs. I currently am in need of my second pair of shoes for the rotation – I purchased a pair but had to send them back. I plan on getting my second pair in the next few days. Right now I’m rotating between Mizunos and Adidas – love them both! 
  5. My Nathan handheld water bottle. This thing goes with me on almost all my runs. It’s enough water for a half marathon, so has been perfect for my training this winter. And the pouch can hold my keys or phone as needed. I should buy a new one because my current one has a hole in it thanks to my crazy dog who decided to clean it out when I left pretzels in the pouch post marathon. Ooops. I highly recommend this. It only took me a few runs to get used to carrying it and now it doesn’t bother me at all. 

What five running related tools would make your list??

DC-Trifecta-Friday-Five-linkup 


Comments

  1. lacey@fairytalesandfitness says

    February 25, 2016 at 10:12 pm

    Those lacrosse balls are not joke! It wasn’t until a friend showed me how to use them, and boy is that painful!

    Reply
  2. Sandra Laflamme says

    February 25, 2016 at 10:16 pm

    I totally rotate between shoes. For me I am rotating between Mizunos and Hokas. Different workouts, different terrain= different shoes 🙂

    Reply
  3. Jenn @ Run With Sole says

    February 25, 2016 at 10:24 pm

    Oh man. The lacrosse ball is a tool of torture! But it’s a necessary evil. I use a racquet ball too and that’s pretty effective. Sheesh. The things we go through!

    Reply
  4. Kristie Macris says

    February 25, 2016 at 10:41 pm

    I love my lacrosse ball..I don’t get the sore tight muscles, so I don’t feel the pain. Although my trainer tells me it’s making everything stronger and looser! But I feel ashamed that I have way more than two shoes (they’re all the same brand, just different styles) that I rotate between. I love my shoes…
    Kristie Macris recently posted…Friday Five: Random 2016 Food PornMy Profile

    Reply
  5. Coco says

    February 25, 2016 at 11:02 pm

    Let’s see, my Garmin, my Mizunos, my iPhone, my Hydraquiver, and my Yurbuds!

    Reply
  6. Ryan says

    February 26, 2016 at 12:51 am

    My Fenix 2, Altra shoes, Smartwool socks, Headsweats visor, and my Orange Mud VP1 since I can’t stand carrying things while I run!

    Reply
  7. Allie says

    February 26, 2016 at 5:47 am

    I’m also a huge Garmin fan (who isn’t) and I bought the vivoactive six months ago and basically have not taken it off!! I also love Nathan products and have a two-bottle, waist belt holder I bought for marathon training last year. I have no clue how I would have made it though the summer runs without it!
    Thanks for sharing your faves 🙂

    Reply
  8. Christine @ Two Runners Travel says

    February 26, 2016 at 6:41 am

    Two pairs of shoes is such an overlooked tool I think. I always have 2 pairs when I’m doing intense training.

    Reply
  9. Erica @ Erica Finds says

    February 26, 2016 at 7:32 am

    You have to check out The Original Worm (post and discount on my blog!) It is like 4 lacrosse balls in a neoprene case but BETTER! Great post – have a good weekend!
    Erica @ Erica Finds recently posted…Friday Five: 5 Ways To Run Healthy Forever (Guest Post)My Profile

    Reply
  10. Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home says

    February 26, 2016 at 7:57 am

    My Lacrosse ball is a huge jerk too. Maybe ours know each other?

    Reply
  11. Lesley says

    February 26, 2016 at 8:38 am

    I feel the same way with my lacrosse balls. They’re so good at working out knots, and I use them every day to work on my IT bands and keep them loose. But I squeak whenever I hit a knot with them.

    Reply
  12. Janelle @ Run With No Regrets says

    February 26, 2016 at 8:49 am

    I definitely need to try a lacrosse ball…I used one once and it was intense! I have a feeling my Nike+ watch is going to die at any moment lol, so I’m keeping an eye out on watches. Do you rotate your shoes on every run, or do you use a certain pair for long runs or speed work?
    Janelle @ Run With No Regrets recently posted…Runfessions – February 2016My Profile

    Reply
  13. Tara @ Running 'N' Reading says

    February 26, 2016 at 9:12 am

    “Oh, this little jerk” – hahahaha!! I laughed out loud, Courtney! I know just what you mean!! I just cry out, in front of the TV, on occasion; I’m pretty sure Scooter thinks I’ve lost my mind – ha! I agree with ALL of these (and use them all, too!); hope you have a great weekend (and get some much-needed rest).

    Reply
  14. Michelle @ Running with Attitude says

    February 26, 2016 at 9:27 am

    I hear you on the lacrosse ball! Serious torture, but it’s been helping my IT better than the foam roller. I’ve been so disappointed with my Forerunner 10 and need to start checking out what else Garmin has to offer.

    Reply
  15. Smitha at Running with SD Mom says

    February 26, 2016 at 11:26 am

    I love love my Garmin too. In fact, I haven’t quite figured out everything that it does! Thanks for hosting!
    Smitha at Running with SD Mom recently posted…FridayFascinations: Things I am Loving this Week!My Profile

    Reply
  16. Kate @KateMovingForward says

    February 26, 2016 at 11:54 am

    I have a Nathan water bottle but have never gotten into the habit of carrying it often. I like your idea to rotate between two pairs of running shoes! Smart!

    Reply
  17. Sonia says

    February 26, 2016 at 12:27 pm

    I also rotate shoes (I have three pairs), use my watch (TomTom) and a lacrosse ball for my feet! I like MapMyRun because of the challenges, and I liked Training Peaks too.

    Reply
  18. Kathryn @ Dancing to Running says

    February 26, 2016 at 12:57 pm

    All I wear are Mizunos. Its almost like my running life depends on them, lol.
    Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…Friday Five – Potpourri v. 12My Profile

    Reply
  19. Angel says

    February 26, 2016 at 1:44 pm

    I definitely need to get a second pair of shoes and try out the Lacrosse ball! Tennis balls work wonders for that tightness between my shoulder blades and lower back – learned that trick in a yoga class for athletes 🙂

    Reply
  20. Judy @ Chocolaterunsjudy says

    February 26, 2016 at 1:53 pm

    My handlheld is a camelbak! I like rotating between shoes, too.

    I wasn’t fond of runkeeper or strava, but I’ve been using roadrunner id so my husband can track me while I’m out running, since I’m usually by myself.

    Reply
  21. Rachel says

    February 26, 2016 at 3:35 pm

    I use a golf ball and boy does it hurt! But feels so good. 🙂

    Reply
  22. Jen@bubblyrunner.com says

    February 26, 2016 at 3:51 pm

    I can’t live without my Garmin! And I’m so glad I’m rotating between two pairs of running shoes, I think that has been a lifesaver for me. I also can’t live without my iPod and foam roller. I just started using a tennis ball for my feet, and it hurts so good! Maybe I’ll see you on the Mt. Vernon trail again tomorrow 🙂
    Jen@bubblyrunner.com recently posted…Friday FavesMy Profile

    Reply
  23. Elaine @myRUNexperiment says

    February 26, 2016 at 4:14 pm

    I love my Nathan speeddraw plus – it’s similar to your handheld bottle but might be a little bigger. Unfortunately, I dropped it yesterday and now has a crack on top that I was able to put tape over. I ran with it to test it out which turned out fine. It’s fairly new (a Christmas present) so I was bummed when it happened but I’m glad it still works! And I can’t live without my Garmin and HR monitor – those are a musts when I run.
    Elaine @myRUNexperiment recently posted…myRUNweek (7) San Diego Half TrainingMy Profile

    Reply
  24. meljo @ ayearinrunningshoes.com says

    February 26, 2016 at 5:33 pm

    A lacrosse ball?! Ouch! I wince when using a tennis ball!!
    meljo @ ayearinrunningshoes.com recently posted…february funkMy Profile

    Reply
  25. brittney @ corral b says

    February 26, 2016 at 5:38 pm

    i LOVE my nathan water bottle! the pouch on the front is the perfect size for little necessities, and i got used to the bit of extra weight really quickly. it’s super useful for long runs when i don’t know when i’ll see a water fountain next.

    Reply
    • Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC says

      February 27, 2016 at 8:48 pm

      Yeah it’s definitely a must for me!!

      Reply
  26. Lindsey says

    February 26, 2016 at 9:22 pm

    I love my Nathan water bottle, too! 🙂 It makes the longer runs a lot easier!
    Lindsey recently posted…Friday 5: Thoughts on FosteringMy Profile

    Reply
  27. Karen @ Fit in France says

    February 27, 2016 at 2:38 am

    I use a Solomon soft handlehld water bottle and love it. The only annoying thing is stopping to fill it up on long runs… water goes everywhere even when I take it apart to fill it up.
    I rotate 2 pairs of shoes, but the same brand & model.
    How is your training going ?

    Reply
  28. Chaitali says

    February 27, 2016 at 7:30 pm

    I love my garmin 220 too! I haven’t tried the lacrosse ball yet but I need to. I have some knots in my calf that the foam roller isn’t quite getting.
    Chaitali recently posted…Friday 5 – Anniversary plansMy Profile

    Reply
    • Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC says

      February 27, 2016 at 8:48 pm

      Yep – lacrosse ball will clear that right up. It’ll hurt like the dickens but it’ll work 🙂

      Reply
  29. Juliana @ 4 Well Rules says

    February 27, 2016 at 8:59 pm

    I am still running with my Forerunner 220 and still love it! it is a really a great watch

    Reply
  30. Abby @ BackAtSquareZero says

    February 28, 2016 at 1:53 pm

    I rotate shoes too.
    Garmin 220
    FitBit Charge
    Foam Roller/Stick
    CamelBak

    Reply
  31. Katie Jenkins says

    February 29, 2016 at 9:13 pm

    You know I’ve never used a lacrosse ball. I’ll have to try one out. Depending on what’s going on, I usually alternate between a racquetball, softball, or a golf ball.

    Thanks so much for hosting this link-up!

    Reply
  32. Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes says

    March 3, 2016 at 8:24 pm

    I’ve never used Strava. Is it better than the Garmin site? And oh yes, the glorious lacrosse ball…love to hate it!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Hi, there! I’m Courtney

Welcome to Eat Pray Run DC - I'm passionate about food, running, Jesus, my dog and bacon. Not necessarily in that order. Read More…

Join the Eat Pray Run DC Community & Get Your FREE Copy of Blogging 101!

Follow

Tags

berlin marathon blogger tips blogger tip tuesday blogging blog stats chicago marathon christmas Church cooking dc dinner eat exercise faith fitness food friday five friends gift guide giveaway goals half marathon healthy healthy-living holiday holidays marathon marathon training oiselle pure barre race races recipe recipes relationships richmond marathon run running sweat pink training travel wedding wedding planning wedding wednesday workouts

Categories

Copyright © 2021 · Modern Blogger Pro Theme By, Pretty Darn Cute Design