Marketing that has worked

While I may be turned off by the marketing of the mud runs, there are plenty of companies where their marketing has worked on me.  While I don't like to spend a lot, particularly on clothes, over the past couple of years, I've tried all kinds of stuff for running and spent some money along the way.  Some things are for me, some not.

10 Things I love:

1.  Newton shoes.  I've given in.  These work for me despite trying several other shoes along the way. I've finally come to peace with the fact that these are the shoes for me, despite the outrageous price tag.

2.  Aspaeris Pivot Shorts:  I gave into the blog marketing a few months ago when there was a 50% off sale.  I bought a pair.  They arrived and I thought they were the most ridiculous looking things ever.  I didn't know if I was going to squeeze myself into them.  After the half in March, I wore them to run the next day when I was sore.  I was sold.  I wore them for my 50K in March and wore them after my 22 miler a few weeks ago.  I'm convinced, maybe solely in my mind, that they help.  Either way, just bought another pair since they are doing another 50% off promotion (code is APS4me for anyone interested).

3.  Body Glide:  I'm pretty sure everyone discovers Body Glide when you start running more and more.  You know what else I found out.  After posting about my watery eye issues, I found out you can use BodyGlide on your face.  They even have an SPF product for it.  Thanks for the info (and the new sticks) BodyGlide!

4. Nathan Intensity Pack: I bought this late last year.  It has been the best investment ever.  Enough said.

5.  Sansa Clip mp3 player:  I love this little thing.  No iPod for me.  Now, if I could just find headphones that work.        

6.  Garmin 305.  I own two of these.  I had one and it stopped working for awhile.  It never liked me after I got back from China last year (I guess I worked it too hard to find satellites).  I used the reward points from a card we didn't know earned points until we found out they were expiring and got a second Garmin 305 for free as a backup.  By the time I got it, the old one worked for awhile but eventually it went haywire again.  I'm pretty sure I do not run 2 minute miles or 20 miles in an hour and a half.  The Garmin is necessary since I wander.

7.  Nuun.  Yep, because of blogs, I tried Nuun.  And, I love it because it has a mild flavor.  Grape is the best!  It's all I ever take on long runs anymore.

8.  Clif Shot Bloks.  Just not the Margarita flavor, gag.  I use these for regular long runs and then for the trail things, I add in generic granola bars and whatever junk food and soda I can get my hands on at the aid stations.

9.  Hammer Endurolytes.  I cramped up during my first marathon.  I was handed a salt pill and was convinced I wouldn't be able to swallow it so I suffered through it.  Later, someone told me just to break them open.  I did that once, it was rather disgusting.  I learned I actually can swallow them just fine and these definitely help for the long races.

10.  These Bridgedale socks, which appear to be discontinued.  I have two pairs of these and the days they are not clean are sad days.  I need to find a replacement because I'm sure they will not last forever either.

And, the 10 things that are not for me (although half of them aren't products).
1.  Gels, of any kind or brand.
2.  Ice baths, I've done them and thought they were helpful until I didn't do them and realized I felt exactly the same.
3.  Hammer Perpetuem Solids - barely choked one of these down.  Such a disappointment because I thought it was going to be love.
4.  Speedwork.  I don't know how to run on a track.  Maybe someday...doubt it.
5.  Coaches.  I tend to have issues with people telling me what to do and think I know what is best for myself.
6.  Doctors.  Same as above and I feel they are a waste of time.
7.  Expensive sports bras.  I just wear two.
8.  Changing my form.
9.  Complicated Training Plans.
10.  Other compression gear.  Other than the shorts as listed above, I haven't really found too much of a difference between using compression gear and not using it, but I'm sticking with the shorts!

Anyone else fallen for marketing and discovered some must-haves?


*This is all stuff I've purchased on my own, except for the two new sticks of BodyGlide.   They didn't ask me to post anything but I do use and purchase their products.