My Favorite Running Gear: Part 4 of a Crowd-Sourced Series

Since I’m not personally able to test out any new running gear these days, I thought this was the perfect time to do a series of posts featuring your favorite running gear. A crowd-sourced series of the best running gear from voices other than just mine!

I’m reaching out to all the runners that I know to share their most favorite running gear; after I’ve shared all the posts, I hope to do one summary of the most popular items from my most “unscientific” survey. You can read part 1 here , part 2here and part 3 here.

I’m also turning this into a link-up for other bloggers to share their favorites on their blogs, see below to add your post to the link-up! If you don’t have a blog and are interested in being featured to share your favorites, please let me know.

Today’s post features two longtime friends of mine, Vicki and Tricia. You might remember Vicki from this post when I paced her to break 2 hours in the half for the first time. Vicki, Tricia, and I met through work many, many years ago and have remained good friends through our shared love of fitness (and many other shared interests of course, but definitely running and fitness!)

Vicki:
I’ve been running since a few years after college. I was always active with other fitness endeavors before then. I was in track in high school, but didn’t truly start enjoying running until later in life.

I’ve completed a marathon, but half marathons and 10 mile races are more my thing. As for current training, I’m going to run the TC 10 mile (part of Twin Cities Marathon weekend) in October and may try to do a half before then.

Vicki’s Favorite Top:
For running tops, I look for light-weight and prefer high neck and a little longer in length.

The tank I’m wearing here is the Athleta Kettlebella tank from a few years ago. They are not currently making it. I wish they would make it again…it fits all my above criteria and has held up so well.

Another of my favorite Athleta tanks that is current is the Striped Mesh Hi Neck Chi . I don’t have any of the current colors (yet!) but have a few from last year that I still love.

Vicki’s Favorite Running Pants/Capris:

When it comes to running bottoms, I look for a mid to high rise and pockets with preferably at least one zippered pocket.

I’m a big fan of Athleta, especially their bottoms as they offer petite options in most. My current favorites (and what I’m wearing in these pictures) are the Relay Capri 2.0:

I have these in both a capri and a pant length. I like that they have a zippered pocket in the back and deep pockets on the thighs.

A non-Athleta option that I just bought and like so far are the Brooks Greenlight Capri . They don’t have a zippered pocket but the waist pocket feels pretty secure for a key.

Vicki’s Favorite Sports Bra:
The bra I’m wearing here is again Athleta but I don’t see it in their stock anymore. Another of my favorite Athleta bras that is current is the Fully Focused. 

Vicki’s Favorite Shoes:
My favorite running shoes are the Brooks Ghost 10. For socks, I liked Lucy running socks but Lucy is no longer around [it folded into North Face brand.] I stocked up before they shut but will be taking note of other recommendations for future!

Tricia:
Hi I’m Tricia.  I’m 41 years old and a mom to twins that are 5.  I believe my love of running started in elementary school when I was constantly dashing around the neighborhood with my buddies.  That continued on into high school where I ran cross country. After injuring my hip, I took a break through college and then started again when I was in my later 20’s and have really never stopped.

My favorite distances to run are either a half marathon or a 10 mile, where I still have to train, but I don’t have to log as many hours, which is tough with small kids and a job that requires long hours.   I love living close to the lakes as that is where I do most of my running and for some reason, the scenery never gets old.

When I’m not running, I like going to Orange Theory, Alchemy or doing strength training.

Tricia’s Favorite Running Top:
“My favorite tank is the Athleta High Neck Chi Tank (or any of their chi tanks, really!)

I like them because they are long to cover the bum bum and with the high neck, I don’t burn as much (as I always forget to put sunscreen on my chest.)

I also think the fit is flattering on all body types. “
Tricia’s Favorite Running Pants:
“My favorite pants are the Athleta Up for Anything or Contender capris.  I love that you can get them in a high waste and that they are thick and hold you in. I wash them over and over again and they don’t seem to lose their firmness, so they don’t fall down.”

(Pictured below, Contender Capris!)

Tricia’s Favorite Sports Bra:
My favorite bra is the Athleta Fully Focused (pictured below) or the Flow Y Bra from Lulu (not pictured.)  I don’t like anything that restricts my neck as I’ve had a lot of C2 issues, so these thinner straps really help.  

Thank you Tricia and Vicki for sharing your all-time favorite running items!