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!
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- 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!
- 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!!
- 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??
- 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!
- 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??
Those lacrosse balls are not joke! It wasn’t until a friend showed me how to use them, and boy is that painful!
I totally rotate between shoes. For me I am rotating between Mizunos and Hokas. Different workouts, different terrain= different shoes 🙂
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!
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…
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Let’s see, my Garmin, my Mizunos, my iPhone, my Hydraquiver, and my Yurbuds!
My Fenix 2, Altra shoes, Smartwool socks, Headsweats visor, and my Orange Mud VP1 since I can’t stand carrying things while I run!
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 🙂
Two pairs of shoes is such an overlooked tool I think. I always have 2 pairs when I’m doing intense training.
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!
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My Lacrosse ball is a huge jerk too. Maybe ours know each other?
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.
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?
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“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).
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.
I love love my Garmin too. In fact, I haven’t quite figured out everything that it does! Thanks for hosting!
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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!
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.
All I wear are Mizunos. Its almost like my running life depends on them, lol.
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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 🙂
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.
I use a golf ball and boy does it hurt! But feels so good. 🙂
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 🙂
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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.
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A lacrosse ball?! Ouch! I wince when using a tennis ball!!
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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.
Yeah it’s definitely a must for me!!
I love my Nathan water bottle, too! 🙂 It makes the longer runs a lot easier!
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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 ?
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.
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Yep – lacrosse ball will clear that right up. It’ll hurt like the dickens but it’ll work 🙂
I am still running with my Forerunner 220 and still love it! it is a really a great watch
I rotate shoes too.
Garmin 220
FitBit Charge
Foam Roller/Stick
CamelBak
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!
I’ve never used Strava. Is it better than the Garmin site? And oh yes, the glorious lacrosse ball…love to hate it!