Runner Stuff I'm Loving Lately

I haven't bought a lot of running stuff lately because I haven't gone to any race expos. Well, that finally changed at the Rock n Roll Virginia Beach expo.  I decided that there were a few things that I just ad to have. I always spend way too much at expos but how can you not when there are so many great running related items? Usually at expos, vendors offer a discounted rate than you would find at a running store or even online, and plus no shipping. So at the expo I purchased a few items.  Which brings me to what I am loving……. 


  1. Garmin Forerunner 235- I have been looking at this watch since it first came out.  It is a nice upgrade from my Garmin 10. There are a lot of bells and whistles opposed to my other one. Some that I am still trying to figure out. Some nice additions this watch has are smart notifications such as email, texts, and social media alerts. There are even training plans you can download in Garmin connect or customize your own work out and have it synced to your watch. 

  1. Sparkly Soul- I have seen these at many expos but have never bought one. But lately I have wanted a headband to wear to work that didn’t look like a workout headband. I have a few that never stay put in place or some other ones that have gotten stretched out through the years after washing it. So I was due for some new one. Of course if you purchased two you got a slight discount, so why not? These are great. They stay in place and are very fashionable. 

3.Click it hot- It is an ice pack/heating pad- The other week when I fell paddle boarding I got a huge bruise on my leg and wanted to ice it. I was able to put this directly on my skin without it feeling like it was going to give me freezer burn. To start the heating process, there is a coin in the pack when you click it and it heats up. It is very soothing on tired muscles. 

4.  A Head Sweat Visor-  Mys sister and I are both big fans of Head Sweat Visors! They really are the best. It's like having a built in sweat absorbing headband. I am loving this particular one because it's black and matches a lot of things. Also, a lot of people in my area wear things that support the local race series ( J &A), so now I feel like I fit in when I'm running!   

5. Nathan Fire Catcher Vest- I did not buy this at the expo but I have certainly been loving it lately on those hot long runs!  It comes with two 10 oz water bottles.  There is a small pocket in the front to keep your key and another pocket that my ipod fits in just perfectly.  It's super light weight and very comfortable.   

Do you share my love for any of these items? L

We are linking up with the gals from the Friday 5.






47 comments:

  1. Oh yeh!!! I am in LOVE with my Garmin Forerunner 235.....I actually wear it as my everyday watch since it has the smart notifications on it! Makes it easy for me to sneak looking at a text in a meeting. I also LOVE Sparkly Soul headbands, though in the summer I actually have to wear a hat to catch the sweat and Headsweats are my go-to visors, too!!

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    1. I also wear my watch every day. The smart notifications are great!

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  2. oooooh, your hydration vest is prettier than mine. I'm a total color freak, and your vest ROCKS!!!!!

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    1. Thanks. I like the color too. They also had a blue one but I think that one is the preferred one for men.

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  3. I love sparkly soul headbands! Great colors and perfect for keeping the flyaways off my face

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    1. They are great to wear when you are not even working out.

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  4. I love Sparkly Soul's headbands! You can't own enough of them!

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    1. I'm sure I will be adding plenty more to my collection.

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  5. I have versions of all of these - except sparkly soul since I have short hair - these are great products!

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  6. I do wish I could wear my Sweaty Bands as work since they show my personality a little bit more. I am planning on wearing my new Halloween one on Halloween. Get into the festive spirit.

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  7. I've always wanted to try one of those running vests. Next year when I start running again I hope to get one!

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    1. I had put it off for quite some time then I finally got an Amazon gift card that I put to good use.

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  8. i have the forerunner 220 and it's great. not quite as fancy as yours but i love it!

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    1. I also looked at that but this had the HR with it too so that's why I splurged.

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  9. I have a visor- it's just a $5 one for wal mart and I love it! It smells a little though... :)

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    1. I had found a headsweat one at TJ max for real cheap too. But this one since it was the J&A logo it was a bit more.

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  10. That vest is pretty nice! I could load that baby down :)

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  11. i have the same watch and love it!!! a lot of fancy things i dont use but boy do i love it. i just need to figure out how to do the music bit and i will be golden

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    1. I haven't figured out the music yet either. Didn't know that was an option.

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  12. Oh... I've been eyeing that 235, but I have the 220 and it works fine so hard to justify an upgrade. I love the sparkly soul headbands too!

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    1. I had the Garmin 10 that would perfectly fine but I thought it was due for an update.

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  13. There was an incredible deal on the Forerunner 620 on REI the other day and I had it in my cart but by the time I checked out they were sold out. I was so bummed!!! Hope you're loving your Nathan vest! I love mine and my Orange Mud.

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    1. I have the orange mud one too and I like the Nathan one a bit more. It is a little lighter I think.

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  14. I have always liked the idea of the headbands, but they always feel like they are going to squeeze my brain out ! I'm going to Check the sparkly ones at the expo at Philly this weekend.

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    1. I know what you mean but I didn't think they felt like that but they definitely stayed in place.

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  15. No lie, I've worn Sparkly Soul headbands SINCE THEY CAME OUT! Back when they only had 8 colors! Loved them then, love them now!

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    1. I am glad I finally got introduced to them. They have many colors to choose from now.

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  16. Going to expos are so fun but I tend to spend way too much money at them.

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  17. Love my Garmin! So nice that it gives notifications and I like creating my workouts on it. It's great for interval workouts! I still have to try the Sparkly Soul headbands.

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    1. I downloaded on workout but have never used it yet. Need to test out that feature. So cool!

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  18. Headsweats are my go to visor too!

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  19. That vest looks great! And I never feel comfortable running with headbands but the sparkly soul ones look so cute!

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  20. I don't have the same best as you but I love wearing a hydration vest instead of a belt on super long runs. They're so comfortable and can hold so much more fluids.

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  21. I just told my mom I want the Garmin 235 or 220 for my birthday. Hoping for an upgrade from my Forerunner 10!

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  22. I've been lusting after that Garmin 235 ... you'll have to keep us posted on how you like it! I'm a loyal Sweaty Bands wearer (similar concept to the Sparkly Soul Bands), but I've kept mine true to form by throwing them in a delicates bag, washing them with clothes, and then hang drying them. Looks like you got some great treasures! Don't you just love expos?!

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  23. Great stuff! A girl can never have to many headbands!

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  24. I need to invest in a HRM desperately! I just broke two over a period of two years, so not too sure!
    Nice blog. Love your blogs name. Wish I had thought of it :))

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  25. I'll have to look into that visor, I think I would love something like that!

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  26. I have been eyeing the Firecatcher for AGES. I just don't think I like vests, but if I ever went back to wearing one I think this is the one I'd get. It just looks so light and flexible.

    Can you reuse that heating/cool pad multiple times? I think the coin that you click sounds cool!

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  27. I love my Garmin 230! I chose it without the HR but kinda wishing I got it. Oh well. I still love the watch. It's so nice to get texts on my watch and I also like how you can create your own workouts so it beeps if you are going to slow or too fast. I also love headsweats! I like their hats because they fit well.

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  28. I love that vest the most! It looks very pretty and colorful. I often choose some colorful items to put on when running. I think they can make me forget all about the boredom on the race. Thanks for sharing this lovely post!

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  29. Ooooooh I love Head Sweat Visor, too! I have one and it's like just what you said - soooo good to have it absorbed sweats.

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Fairytales and Fitness is a personal blog authored and edited by us, Meranda and Lacey. The thoughts expressed here represent only our own and are not meant to be taken as professional advice. Please note that our thoughts and opinions change from time to time. We consider this a necessary consequence of having an open mind in an ever changing society. Any thoughts and opinions expressed within our out-of-date posts may not be the same, nor even similar, to those we may express today. Some links may contain affiliate links. Some links are just to pages we'd like to share.