Outdoor Running Gear for the Mommy New Year

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Transitioning back to outdoor running with the cooler weather? Here’s a list of the outdoor running gear that you’ll need!

I’ve been talking a lot about the Mommy New Year. Some call it the Back to School season, which implies that it’s all about the kids. But, let’s be honest… the kids are outta here – once school is back in, it’s all about us!

September is a much better time for resolutions if you ask me. For one, we’re creating new routines. Why not prep your own healthy lunch in the morning when you’re making the kids? For two, it’s so much easier to organize the house when the kids aren’t there. Whoever said that cleaning your house with kids in it was like brushing your teeth while eating oreos was onto something. For three, it’s a lot easier to get back to the gym on a regular basis when you’re not competing for the treadmill with the everybody in the whole-wide-world.

Mommy New Year. It just makes sense.

I’ve already crossed a few things off my list. My car is cleaned and organized. Phew.

I’ve ordered a book case so I can tidy up my office.

I’ve been drinking heavily at night. Gotta get the beer outta the house so I can start the diet off right. There’s only one way to get rid of beer.

And, I’ve been stepping up my workouts. Two days at the trainer, five days on the treadmill or running my hood.

Since it’s been a little cooler in the mornings (like 80 and humid instead of 90 and humid), I’ve been able to do more running outside, which I love. And, I really can’t wait ’til fall when I can go on long runs in the afternoon. It’s just about the only good thing about saying goodbye to summer, if you ask me.

I adore my outside runs, but running outdoors requires a different set of gear than my treadmill runs. Any excuse to shop, right? Plus, when you invest a little in your workout gear, you’re more encouraged to workout. Here are my outdoor run must-haves. Inspired to get back in shape this Mommy New Year? Grab a few of these items then hit the pavement! Come January, you’ll have a good laugh at all those people just jumping on your bandwagon…

1) Great shoes. Running outside is harder on your feet than treadmill running. Go somewhere and get footed. Don’t worry about the trends or the colors. Get shoes that fit your feet and your running pattern.

2) Source of Entertainment. On the treadmill, it’s easy. Amazon Prime. On my outdoor runs, I used to listen to music, but it wasn’t distracting enough. I discovered that Audible books are a great way to keep my mind engaged enough to distract for much of my run.

3) Way to Carry and Protect Said Entertainment. This has become particularly troublesome for me once I upgraded to the iPhone 6. Thank God I didn’t go for the iPhone 6+! Can you imagine running with that thing? Anyway, with the case I bought with my phone, I couldn’t fit it into my arm band for running. Sorry, Kate Spade. Guess you and I weren’t meant to run together. Then I got hooked up with Volo Cases. A few reason why this is the perfect case for runners:

It’s made with Sanitized® which offers anti-microbial protection. If you saw how sweaty my arm-band is after a run, you’d realize why this is necessary. Plus, I have three kids. And since we can’t cover them with Sanitized®, the phone case will have to do.
The case still allows for easy access to ports, so I can plug in my earbuds.
It has a super-slim design which is critical for getting it into my arm band. My other cases didn’t fit.
And, it’s got reinforced corners.

4) Sunscreen. Duh.

5) Water. I like to run loops so that every time I circle round, I can grab my water bottle. I hate running with them, but you gotta do whatcha gotta do.