Friday, May 30, 2014

friday five: five things in my gym bag

I'm linking up again with the DC gals for the Friday Five: Courtney from Eat Pray Run DC, Cynthia at You Signed up for What?, and Mar at Mar on the Run. The theme for this week is five things in my gym bag. I don't belong to a gym anymore, but these are things that I bring with me when I do trail runs. Without further ado....




1. Sunscreen – I know this is a little weird, since most people's gym bags are for indoor activities, but since I'm going off of an outdoor activity, it makes sense for me. I have very fair skin that, honestly, begins to burn the instant it hits sunlight. So, for me, sunscreen is a must (plus, it's a important to use to help prevent things like skin cancer and early aging). I'm on the hunt for the perfect sports sunscreen, but have tried Coppertone Continuous Sport Spray and Neutrogena Ultimate Sport Spray. They were ok, but I'd love to find one that doesn't give me that greasy feeling. I don't remember for the Coppertone one, but I didn't like that after spraying the Neutrogena you then had to also wipe it in. I get you want even coverage, but if I wasn't near soap and water to wash my hands, then I am very likely to get it in my eyes, which burns (I rub my eyes a lot, and tend to forget that I shouldn't). Also, I like to have as few steps as possible. I've heard good things about Banana Boat, so I'm going to try that next. I also use the sunscreen sticks for my face and ears.

2. iPhone with Yurbuds – I need me some music when I'm running, and I love the Yurbuds Inspire Pro for Women. They stay in my ear, and I like being able to control the volume and skip songs via the 3-button dry mic. I've tried using Siri as well with the mic, but she never seems to be able to translate what I'm saying into text very well, but that's a Siri problem, not the earphones.

3. Water Bottle – I'm very particular about water bottles. I really love my Camelbak Eddy and Eddie Bauer Freezer water bottles. I don't use the freezer core on the EB often, but if I'll be out for a long time in the summer heat, I add it in. It's a great one to keep in the car for when I'm done, because it's still cold. I also love that both are 'no-spill', so they can be tipped upside down without make a mess. Another bonus is they both have nice tops with loops that I like to carry them by (with a finger or two). Sometimes my teeth start to hurt from having to bite the Camelbak, which is why the EB one is great – just a sip straw!

4. Chapstick - this is a must! I hate dry lips. For working out I use Chapsitck moisturizer (I don't like using the scented/'flavor' ones when I exercise, but love them for everyday use. EOS is my recent favorite).

5. Body/Face Wipes – After a sweaty, dusty trail run, I like to wipe down before having to get in the car and drive home. For the face, I really like the Simple brand wipes. I've tried both the Cleansing Facial Wipes and the Radiance Cleansing Wipes and liked them both. For body (which needs a bit more oomph than the face wipes provide), I've found that Action Wipes work really well.

There you have it! There's plenty of other things I bring/like to have in my 'gym' bag, but these are a few of my essentials (you know, other than the obvious—shoes, shirt, shorts, bra, socks, GPS watch is always a must, so include it with the shoes list haha).

What's in your gym bag? What are your must-haves? Anything unusual?



Thanks to CourtneyCynthia, and Mar for hosting! Make sure to check out their "Friday Five" posts and link up if you are joining in!

20 comments:

  1. Amen on the sunscreen! I just posted my link below yours on the Friday Five linkup. Check out my post for my favorite sunscreen. It is a little difficult to find because it is made in France, but it was available on Amazon. These European-made sunscreens are the BEST for fair skin (according to my dermatologist). If you can't find this one, there is a new one from L'OREAL that I just bought that is pretty good. The one in my post I literally applied once & spent 8 grueling hours in the sun without so much as a tan line!!! Amazing!!

    http://thewellnessscientist.com/fitness-friday-my-running-favorites/

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    1. Sounds like a great one! I'll have to check it out... I hope it's still available on Amazon. Thanks for the tip!

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  2. I also wear sunscreen in or outdoors. I like your buds too!

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  3. I've gotten so much better at wearing sunscreen (at least on my face!) and I agree, Yurbuds rock! :)

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    1. That's good! It's important to protect our skin while we're out there pounding the pavement :)

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  4. I put on sunscreen after I wash my face every morning. My dad had alot of skin cancers taken off his face so I am extra careful. No unusual things in my gym bag, but I always try to have a great attitude!

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    1. That's a great routine to have. I use moisturizing lotion that has sunscreen included, but I don't think it's enough to actually protect me from much sun. I should start doing that in the morning too. Thanks for the tip :) Scary to have that happen to someone in your family, sorry to hear that. A great attitude is a wonderful addition to the gym bag :)

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  5. Body and Facial wipes are in my bag too! They are a necessity especially if you want to make a stop on the way home after hot yoga. #FridayFive

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    1. Definitely! It's a common courtesy to anyone you might encounter on that stop ;)

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  6. I really should wear sunscreen! I always run in the morning, so I never really thought about it. But seeing it on everyone's list woke me up!

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    1. Yes – it's a great habit to get in to. It's hard to always remember it (even in the winter or on overcast days, it should still be applied), but your skin will thank you in the end :)

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  7. I'm so bad about sunscreen when outdoors and then wonder why I always carry a runners tan :-/ the rest of our list is similar!!

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    1. I never get tan after burning, I'll just look like a lobster for a few days and then go back to my normal, pale complexion. Great runner minds... pack alike :)

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  8. i rarely wear sunscreen. it's terrible. i only think about it when i'm at the beach :)

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    1. Ahhh, the beach. Sorry, was just fantasizing there ;) It's definitely important when you're there, so that's good that you remember it :) I suppose for some people it isn't as necessary on those shorter runs, though I personally think it's a good idea to help protect from those harmful UVA and UVB rays. I forget sometimes, and then am sorry for it later. My skin is so sensitive that way.

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  9. Chapstick ALWAYS! And I need to get back into the habit of putting on sunblock before runs, I noticed I had tan lines when I got back from my run yesterday.

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    1. Yes! Glad I'm not the only one that feels that way :) I think runner tans give farmer tans a run for their money, so to speak haha.

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  10. I got into wipe thingys last year when I would workout at work and come back to the office, I need to replenish my supply! Thanks for linking up with us!

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