If you follow me on social media, you know how much I LOVE my Sparkly Soul Headbands! I seriously wear one every single day! From work, to yoga, to errands, and even running, my Sparkly Soul headbands help me keep my hair game on point all while adding a little sparkle to my day.
- No Slip (SERIOUSLY!) - I have insanely soft hair, so I have always been skeptical when a product claims to hold my hair in place. I have tried just about every headband out there and every trick to keep it in place - sorry, I should have to find a "trick" to keep an athletic headband in place while I run. Sparkly Soul headbands are lined with a velvet-like material that truly stays in place. Sparkly Soul headbands seriously stay in place. I have ran a full marathon in a Sparkly Soul headband and it was in the same place when I crossed the finish line as where it was when I started.
- No Headaches - I have struggled in the past with headbands causing headaches when I wore them. They would be so tight fitting that I would have a headache within 15 minutes of putting it on. What good is a fitness headband if you are going to have a headache while working out? Sparkly Soul headbands are so comfortable to wear that you don't even know that you are wearing it. I have one on at least 15 hours a day and I never know it is there - except for the fact that I don't have hair in my face.
My favorite feature of the Ultimate II is that the pouch also has 2 little pockets inside that are perfect to put your license, cash, or credit card into. Like I mentioned, I love putting my phone in my Ultimate II belt, so having a special spot for my credit card/cash is perfect so I don't fall victim to that "dropping of the $20 bill" that we have all done before at some point. While this is perfect for going on runs, it is also great for traveling. When I went to Greece to study abroad a few years ago, I had purchased a money belt to secure my personal items on me. I wish I had a Fitletic belt back then because it seriously would have been great to use traveling!
There's no doubt that PRO Compression would be on my list of favorite things. Whether it is their marathon socks or low trainers, you can bet that I always dawning a pair of PRO Compression socks! From over the calf socks ('Marathon socks'), to calf sleeves, to low trainer socks and more, PRO Compression has something for every runner in your life. Seriously, these socks rock! While there are a number of awesome designs and solids to chose from right now, be on the look out on December 1st for the release of the 2016 "Ugly" Sweater PRO Compression sock. Last year's nearly broke the internet and FLEW out of stock in about 90 minutes.
What if there was an option to have the privacy of listening to your own music AND having the ability to hear what is going on around you? Sounds perfect! Well, AfterShokz is an open ear headphone that promises to allow users to enjoy their music while still able to hear their surroundings while using them.
My storage bins of race shirts are getting out of control and they are about to grow when I clean out my drawers this winter. Well, Project Repat to the rescue! Let's be honest, you too probably have a collection of shirts that you can't seem to let go of as well. Maybe they are your old high school sports jerseys (or your child's). Perhaps you were an avid concert goer at one point and have some awesome concert tees. Maybe after the passing of a loved one you held on to some of their clothing as a memory of them. Whatever your shirt collection is, chances are that Project Repat can turn those shirts into a quilt of precious memories for you because they can use anything basically leather and jeans.
HEAR THIS - PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE do not do your loved one the favor of selecting shirts for them and cutting them up and surprising them! Instead you can pre-purchase the quilt for them and give them the order so all they have to do is select the shirts and mail them off.
There is so much value in membership to local running clubs. Seriously, they are a gift that keeps on giving year round! I first became a member of Atlanta Track Club several years ago when I received a membership from my dad for Christmas. At first I didn't understand how valuable this gift would become throughout the year. While each running club offers memberships at different rates and with different benefits, Atlanta Track Club provides its members with race & training group discounts, discounts at local running stores, a membership gift, guaranteed entry to the 2017 Peachtree Road Race 10K, and much more. The training support and benefits that your runner will receive throughout 2017 will definitely be appreciated.
People always calling running a free/cheap sport. Well, those people probably haven't seen my expenditures on gear, travel, gadgets, races, fuel, and shoes!
Buying your runner new shoes is basically impossible since we all have shoes that we are partial to and likely get fitted regularly (plus it can be pricey). A gift card of any value to our favorite running store is always much appreciated. There are always things that we need and that gift card will definitely help us when we go to shop.
Another great gift idea is purchasing your favorite traveling runner gift cards that can be used on their race-cations! If you know that they stay at particular hotel chains often or fly on certain airlines primarily, a gift card for these things will put a smile on their face for sure. Nothing makes buying a airline ticket to a race a little bit easier than using gift cards to help bring down your out of pocket costs.