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Stocking Stuffers for Men

If you’re like me, you haven’t finished your holiday shopping yet. Normally I wait until the very last moment to do my shopping, especially stocking stuffers or small items for friends and co-workers. But, this year since I’m heading up to Vermont tomorrow to kick off vacation with my family, I wanted to be done with shopping in advance.

Yesterday I spent almost an hour perusing the shelves of Sephora and then the internet in search of the perfect gifts for co-workers, friends, and family members. Here are a few of the my favorite gifts that I discovered yesterday for the fellas on my list! Even better is that all of these ideas are under $15!

jackblackPocket Ref 4th Edition

Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm with SPF: This tube delivers a conditioning lip balm in a manly form. Bonus points for the fact that you’ll love it just as much as he will!

The Art of Shaving Styptic Pen: Every guy nicks himself shaving and next time he’ll think of you as he stops the bleeding with this handy, unscented alum block. In case you’ve never heard of it, alum is a natural antiseptic mineral with amazing healing powers. If your guy uses a electric razor it can be used ahead of time to prep the skin!

The Pocket Ref 4th Edition: This is the perfect gift for the guy who thinks or wants to know everything. It is filled with random facts ranging from battery sizes and characteristics, sports rules, to how to treat a burn!

In addition to these items, here are a few other thins you can pick up and add to any gift!

  • Mini bottles of his favorite liquor
  • Lottery tickets
  • Gift cards to his favorite coffee shop
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Gift Guide for Runners

In my second gift guide installment, I’m highlighting a few items that are great for both your favorite male and female runners. Each of these items have been tested and loved by either Bo or myself and are currently hanging in our closet, hanging out in the dirty clothes pile, or folded and put away in our drawers.

These range in price from $5 to $130 so hopefully you’ll find something to fit your personal price range!

gift guide for runners 2

1. Pro Compression Socks: So I’m a little partial to the amazing and bright marathon pink, but these bad boys. For nearly as long as I’ve been running marathons, I’ve sworn by compression. But, these socks, more than any others I’ve tried, fit perfectly. They provide ample compression in the legs, are long enough for tall runners, and don’t leave my feet feeling tight and suffocated. I especially love that they are very reasonably priced too, making it easy to have one pair clean at all times. Bo has also taken these for a test run and loves using them for recovery after tough boot camps that our heavy on box jumps, leaving his calves screaming. If you follow them on Facebook you can learn about their “sock of the month” program which includes a new style, discounted at 40% off each month!

2. New Balance Minimus 20v3 Cross-Training Shoes Mens &Womens: These super light shoes are perfect when your favorite runner is cross training. These shoes which come in tons of fun colors help keep the weight of your body in the heels of your foot instead of the ball, which is necessary when driving with power and working with weights. For the past month, we’ve been wearing these at least 3 times per week during weight and boot camp sessions and are absolutely loving them!

3. Clif Shot Bloks Chews in Margarita: These bad boys pack in 3 times the sodium and are perfect for any runner or endurance athlete on your list. Have multiple on your list? Then buy one box and split them up as perfect little stocking stuffers!

4. New Balance NBX Windblocker Jacket: Bo received this jacket to review and loves it due to the fact that it is breathable, windproof, and still wicks moisture. Bo used to run in his North Face rain coat which did a great job keeping him protected from the outer elements such as wind, rain, or sleet but it wasn’t breathable in the least. Now he can run in comfort versus a sauna. $135

What’s on your holiday list if you’re a runner?

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The Perfect Run

Today was such a fun day of running!

Thanks to a great running buddy for whom I’m so thankful, I ran 9.5 miles without blinking an eye.

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A little known fact is that I have signed up for the Ted Corbitt Classic 15K for 3 years in a row but today was the first time I’ve actually run it! With the busy holidays upon us, I always decide to go out with friends a bit too late on a Friday night instead of waking up early for a 15k in Central Park.

Meghan met me in Gramercy this morning around 7:30 before heading up to the park together on the subway. As we saw more and more people hop on the subway in full winter running gear, I started to get worried.

You said it wasn’t that cold Meghan. Are we going to freeze?

I think I said this every few minutes on the subway as we’d both decided to just wear running crops, spi belts, and technical t-shirt for this race. We forgot to bring any type of fuel and we didn’t remember our gloves either. Can you tell this race was a bit relaxed?

But, during the next hour and thirty five minutes we talked, laughed, and ran together enjoying every minute. We didn’t focus on time at all. Instead we just took in the gorgeous weather, the adorably puppies running throughout the park, and got to know each other better. After years of running with music and thinking that talking would make me slower, instead I’ve found that talking can make longer distances seem manageable and 10x more fun! Not every running achievement has to be about time. Sometimes it can be mental.

After months of training for time and reaching some of my reach goals, it was great just to relax and run a distance that used to intimidate me. Maybe it’s that I love being in long distance running shape. Maybe it’s that I love that even after not running more than 4 miles this week, I was still able to run and talk the whole time. Who knows what it was today but it made me even more thankful for my body’s ability to run.

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