As a former D1 runner I have acquired a few running essentials over the years! I have’t shared any blog posts like this before but I thought it may be helpful especially during quarantine. So here are my favorites!
Brooks Ghost Running Shoes
Throughout high school I tried ALL the shoe brands. Saucony, Asics, Adidas, Nike, etc. I finally discovered Brooks and have stuck with them ever since! I even tried sooo many different kind of shoes from different brands and lots of different types of Brooks and the Ghost has worked best for me.
As you probably know, one shoe does not work for everyone so keep that in mind!
Here is the exact shoe I wear. The Ghost 12! but older versions work too.
Garmin Watch
I have had my Garmin watch for the past 3 or 4 years (and an older one before that!) There are so many helpful features with the GPS. It alerts you when you finish each mile (which you can turn off), and you can set it to pace mode which will enable it to alert you when you need to speed up/slow down. Definitely a must and so helpful for races!
I linked a newer version of my watch below.
Bluetooth Headphones
I recently acquired my first pair of bluetooth headphones and I don’t ever think I could go back to ones that aren’t wireless! The sound is so different and I feel so much more focused when I am running by myself.
Use code COLLEENCCOOK for 15% off!
Liquid IV Hydration Packets
If only I had discovered these when I was competing!! These packets come in powder form to be mixed in water to give you 3x the hydration of plain water and plenty of electrolytes! I drink them after every run and they help sooo much! Use code COLLEENCCOOK for 25% off and free shipping!
Lululemon Running Shorts
These are my favorite pair of running shorts! My favorite feature is the pocket because it is so convenient to keep my keys in. They are also super comfortable and still look brand new after several years!
Smartwool Running Socks
These are pretty much the only socks that work for me. They are the only ones that don’t collect hair and debris from the floor (at least in my experiences), don’t get stained, don’t get pills, and don’t fall down (the grips help so much). They keep my feet warm without making them too hot or sweaty. They are on the pricier side for socks but they actually last which I cannot say about literally any other socks I have tried.
Swell Bottle
The Swell water bottles are my favorite because they keep ice frozen and water cold! Plus they are super durable so you can drop them as many times as you can and they won’t break.
Nike Sports Bra
The most comfortable and supportive sports bra that I have tried!
