Stuff I Like

Ever since my holiday book gift guide, I have thought about making a list here of stuff I like. Not books, but stuff. Gear, balms, clothes, just stuff. I have zero sponsorships from any of these brands, this is not a paid advertisement, I just like this stuff (and some of it is stuff I have tried a LOT of different solutions, only to find these that work best).

Badger Balm. This is a tin of greasy goodness that I use when my hands are torn from grip work or my underarms are chafed to high heaven. Note: if you put this on your palms, your hands will feel very greasy, so only put it on before bed.

Trail Toes. Anti-friction balm that works way better than anything else I've tried for blister prevention. This is especially good in cooler weather and wet conditions.

Sanabalm. As far as I know, this is only available from doctors, but it is an anti-friction powder that also works very well. Good for warm weather, it absorbs foot sweat that can contribute to the problem.

Moisture-wicking headbands. Any brand will do. My hair sweats like crazy so I need these for hot yoga and warm-weather or indoor cardio. If you need a brimmed hat, HeadSweats is the only brand I recommend for big-time sweating.

CamelBak. This is the exact one I use. It's the youth model, which I got because it's cheaper. I don't use the bladder because it's impossible to clean, but I stick a bottle in between the front and back pockets and it works like a charm.

Wave tool. A soft-tissue self-massage recovery tool. Full disclosure: I have only used this thing three times so far (I just got it this past week), but since the first time I used it I have had ZERO collarbone pain, and I'd been struggling with that for months. So I'm a believer. It also fixed my shin splints in a real hurry. This thing could be the difference, for me, between being able to train for the Ultra and curling up in a ball with a cheesecake, sobbing.

Tennis ball. This is also good for self-massage (rolling on the floor with it under your back to get out some trigger points). You can find these in your local Walmart, or in dog's mouths everywhere.

Waterproof socks. Every runner alive north of the Mason-Dixon line needs a pair of waterproof socks. They are ideal for cold and snowy conditions (they double as cold-proof and windproof socks). I have stepped in slush puddles with these bad boys and felt comfortable afterward. Wool socks might be warm, but they won't keep you dry like these will.