If I say it often enough, spring will come, right? Because I’m not going to be a happy camper when we jump from the 40s straight to the 90s. Just sayin’.
Anyways, right now I’m all about wanting to use some of the new spring products that I’ve gotten, so the weather better cooperate soon. But before I get to that, here are our new spring topics!
Upcoming topics:
- April 3 – Favorite New Product
- April 10 – Spring Race Training Update
- April 17 – Favorite / Least Favorite Thing About Spring Running
- April 24 – Rate Your Month
- May 1 – Best / Worst Race Picture
- May 8 – Run Like a Mother
- May 15 – Favorite Night Before Race Meal
- May 22 – Favorite Memorial Weekend Races
- May 29 – Rate Your Month
OK, so here we go!
(Disclaimer: I’ve gotten some of the below products free or discounted and some below links are affiliate links where I get a commission.)
Skirt Sports has come out with yet another new style of skirt! I reviewed the Go Longer Skirt a month ago and I can’t wait to wear that one as an out and about skirt when the weather changes. But for running and cross training? I’m LOVING the new Lotta Breeze Skirt. It’s a take off of the Lotta Breeze Capri (which I own more than a few of), but it’s even better. The shorties are a half inch longer than the Gym Girl and they are PERFECT. The skirt is just a bit shorter than the Gym Girl, so the shorties peak out. It’s super comfy and will be a wonderful addition to my summer wardrobe when it gets too hot to wear the Happy Girl skirt that is still my #1 Skirt Sports skirt.
Altra has been crazy busy coming out with new shoes. I still need to try the Vali casual shoe, but I recently got my hands on the Solstice. This is a lightweight neutral shoe with a breathable upper, perfect for wearing as the Virginia summer comes rolling in. It’s got the usual zero drop and foot shaped toe box of all of the Altra shoes, so I can’t wait to get in some major miles in them as I start training for Marine Corps Marathon in a few months. But don’t take my word for it, they recently won an award for the Best Budget shoe!
Need some lightweight socks? I got sent a pair of the new Thorlos Experia Prolite to try. They are super lightweight and airy and perfect for summer. I’ve gotten a couple of good treadmill workouts in them, so I can’t wait to try them out on one of the Virginia days when you need to wring out your socks and skirt after a run. (OK, I lie. I do not want one of those kind of days at all, but if I get one, I want these socks.) They are part of a Kickstarter now, so you can sign up to buy your own discounted pairs.
Know what else I’m loving as we head into hot and sunny weather? Beautycounter sunblock. In fact, I love this so much that it was a big part of my decision to become a consultant. I have avoided chemical sunblocks for the most part (I wear them for marathons with zinc sunblock. The combo has kept me burn free through 7 marathons), but I’ve only ever found “ok” sunblocks. Either they go on super heavy and leave me looking like a ghost or I don’t like the smell or I sweat them right off. So far, the Beautycounter sunblock is the best I’ve found. I love the smell and it goes on great. I’ll have to report back on how well it lasts on long runs, but so far it did great when I ran in Texas.
You may notice a theme here. Yes, I’m all kinds of ready for the Virginia heat to come on overnight. The longer this cold weather hangs around, the fewer days of beautiful spring weather we will get. I’m sad when that happens (and it seems more and more frequent), but I’m just preparing mentally for it, so it doesn’t destroy me. But like most things in my life, I’ll be jumping in head first. (Did I mention that after not really racing this year, I ran the 17.75 two weekends ago, a trail race this past weekend – race report soon, and I’m running RNR Raleigh this coming weekend. Yeah, head first is how I operate.)
What are your favorites this spring? Got anything new you are trying out?
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I have thorlos socks but they are the thicker ones. I like the idea of thinner ones to wear in warmer weather! That sunblock also sounds intriguing. It’s tough to find a good one to use while running!
Lisa @ Mile by Mile recently posted…Month in Review: March 2018
The nice thing about April snow (which we got yesterday) is it melts quickly. Yeah, we often go straight from winter to summer, too, but the difference is our summers are usually quite nice. Not always, but usually.
I really have to try the lotta breeze skirt. I like happy girl for non running or those in between days, but gym girl generally only works for me for shorter runs. Lotta Breeze sounds like it might be just right. And I know I love the capris. 🙂 I was spreading the word about Skirtsports in the training group I mentor yesterday! Everyone loved Charmed!
Judy @ Chocolaterunsjudy recently posted…Running is the intersection of deliberate . . .
At this point, I’d be happy if we jumped right from the freezer to the furnace. I’m so tired of this weather! In the meantime, I’m shopping for spring gear and races. A runner can dream, right?
I love socks! I saw those when I pledged money for another project.
That sunblock will be perfect for those hot summer days. Oh wait, are we having those this summer? I am so over this weather.
Zenaida Arroyo recently posted…A+ for March!
I might need to try the lotta breeze! I keep saying that if I dress like spring it will be spring. Maybe if we both do it…
Deborah @ Confessions of mother runner recently posted…How To Ramp Up For Spring Races Without Getting Injured
It seems like winter is hanging on stubbornly everywhere! After my Florida interlude last week, I’m so done with all of my full tights ans fleece-lined tops…I want to be in shorts and tanks. NOW! 😉
Kimberly Hatting recently posted…Well, hello April! What’s Happening?
Thanks for the tips. I’m mostly a GGU girl. I don’t like to show off my thighs. On a whim, I ordered a Lionness. I’m nervous 🙂
Darlene recently posted…March Report Card
You are not lying about Virginia weather. We’re lucky down here – we’re getting some teasers here and there but I’m really ready to enjoy Spring before summer shows up next week. lol
I need to figure out sunblock too. Usually I just apply before I go and hope for the best. I need to find something that I can carry with and reapply because I know I’m going to be out for a while since I’m going to officially start up the 50k training soon (probably next month). I have bony shoulders and they always burn to a crisp!
Jennifer @ Fit Nana recently posted…New Product & Random Running Thoughts
I’ve gotten my Running Skirts out, which is one of my first signs of warm weather. I love the shorts I have from Oiselle, but the skirts are still fantastic.
Lesley recently posted…Splurging for New Gear
I need to start looking for a summer sunblock again…everything always makes me sweat it off in seconds…
I just recently tried my new flip belt capris. I do believe that’s the only new running product I have for spring!
Ps. Thanks for posting the topics for the next 2 months!
Lots of fun products here! I too am not picky with my fuel but maybe I should be..haha.
Thanks for the link up!
Sorry for that last comment, I thought I was commenting on a different post. (My excuse is I got a new phone and apparently too many windows are open….haha)
I have been wearing Thorlos for years – I love them! I got a nice bag of the new ones sent to me (they sent a bunch to anyone who was running Boston!), so I have to give them a try.
Rach @ Girl On The Run recently posted…Product Review: Flipbelt Crops