If you’re like me and like to get a great deal on running gear either for your self or as gifts, here are a couple of options:

Skirt Sports (affiliate link): Why wait til Friday to shop? My favorite running gear is on sale for up to 70 percent off now with — bonus! — free shipping with your $40 or more order. I already ordered my favorite running skirt, the Happy Girl, in yet another pattern; this time in the very colorful Tantrum because it matches just about any of my race-shirts. I should note that it’s Skirt Sports’ longest skirt and has two pockets in the built-in shorties plus a zippered pocket on the back. I specifically bought this skirt to wear on our spring break cruise because I can wear it to go sight-seeing without having to bring a purse, then wear it on a run before I have to wash it.

The Happy Girl won’t be the only Skirt Sports gear I’ll bring on that trip. It’s the perfect double-duty option to save room when packing for a trip. Rolled up, it doesn’t take much room in my suitcase, it won’t wrinkle and I can hand-wash it and hang it up to dry to wear again. Consider Skirt Sports gear for your next vacation, or buy some for a loved one who likes to travel.

If you fall in love with something on the Skirt Sports site at full price, you can use my LCR20 discount code for 20 percent off. The Toasty Tights, for example, are on my short list for when I get some birthday or Christmas money to shop with. They have panels to prevent your thighs and butt-cheeks to keep you from getting frozen. These, too, have built-in pockets.

Skirt Sports Toasty Tights.

Road ID. I’m not affiliated with this company, but I would love to partner with them. I certainly talk about them a lot on my blog and with my friends because I don’t think any runner, biker or swimmer should ever leave home without wearing a Road ID.

Road ID already has an offer this week where you can get half off a Road ID with the purchase of one at full price, plus free shipping. I started out wearing their cheapest band, the Wrist ID Slim, and loved it, but took advantage of a sale and got the Wrist ID Elite because it can be adjusted, plus has a clip that lets me take it on and off much more easily.

My Road ID in black with the 26.2 charm.

And remember that you can get other ideas for gifts for your friends and family from last week’s Tuesdays on the Run link-up. As I do most weeks, I’m once again linking up with hosts MCM Mama Runs, My No Guilt Life and Marcia’s Healthy Slice. I can’t wait to see what deals the other runner bloggers share.

Happy shopping!

What are your best Black Friday deals? What’s on your short list of things you’d like to get for yourself or as gifts?

In the spirit of helping your loved ones find appropriate gifts for you (read: running related items) this holiday season, I’ve compiled a list of suggestions as part of this week’s Tuesdays on the Run link-up hosted by runner bloggers MCM Mama Runs, My No Guilt Life and Marcia’s Healthy Slice.

Because I know that most of us can’t afford $500 for the latest expensive gadget, I’m focusing on ideas for the budget conscious.

1. Running store gift certificate. Your runner will love any denomination and will revel in the opportunity to browse the whole store and touch every new shoe, running jacket and sock in the place. Most stores have smaller items like the prerequisite 5K, 13.1 mile and 26.2 mile stickers or magnets for the car in addition to the high-tech gizmos of the season.
2. Race photos. Did your runner have a recent race? Check the race’s homepage for information on race photos, which can be bought online and shipped directly to your runner. Many race photographers tag your runner’s photos by his or her bib number. If you don’t know their number, try the race website again; most will list race results by name and bib number. Or just check their Facebook and Instagram accounts since they probably posted selfies of themselves with their bibs before the event. Bonus points for a nice frame to hold the finish-line photo.
3. Your interest and support. You don’t have to run to show your runner some love. Join your runner on a long walk on a rest day or show up at a race to cheer him or her on. I know you’re already spending an inordinate amount of time listening to him or her go on and on (and on and on) about their training. Go see them in their habitat and make them feel special in the process.
4. Music to their ears. Build a song list for their next race. Doing so takes tons of time and he or she will appreciate getting a head start. You can buy the songs for them, give them a gift card toward music purchases or even create a Pandora station for him or her and hand over the log-in information.
5. Support their race habit. Contribute toward a race fee or lodging at the next away race. If your runner likes to race, many races will allow you to pay for all or part of the race fee. Some have gift certificates. A gift card to a hotel at their next destination would also be appropriate and welcome.
6. Non-stinky running clothes. Runners love gear and clean, non-stinky technical shirts, so those are always good ideas if you know your runner’s size. Places like Marshall’s, T.J. Maxx and Target have great deals on good gear. I absolutely love Skirt Sports for women (I’m an ambassador for the company). Or check out the website for one of their races; sometimes they sell race-specific gear like jackets, magnets and hats.
7. Running magazine subscription. Your runner will think warm thoughts about you every time an issue shoes up. I’m partial to Runner’s World.
8. A goody bag. It could be multiple samples of hydration tablets so they can try different flavors, or different types of protein bars or fuel (like Gu or SportBeans). Or create a pedicure set for your runner. We have notoriously gnarly feet.
9. Recipe book. Put together some healthy, runner friendly snacks and meals. Most running magazine websites have tons of resources. Better yet, cook a runner friendly meal for your runner. We’re always “rungry”, so this will be a huge hit.
10. Love and understanding, of course.

Our suburban neighborhood’s Facebook page recently tackled an oft-repeated battle: Should runners stay on the sidewalk or is it OK for us to be on the road?

Or as my neighbor, who says he barely missed hitting a runner who darted in front of his car, put it: “Attention runners. Help me understand the infatuation of running in the road? I don’t get it, especially when there are very nice sidewalks.”

In Michigan, pedestrians are not supposed to “walk upon the main traveled portion of the highway” where sidewalks are provided. Where sidewalks are not provided, the law says, pedestrians “shall, when practicable, walk on the left side of the highway facing traffic which passes nearest.” Being a scofflaw in this case is a civil infraction.

My friends and I meet up to run at 5:15 a.m. a couple of days a week and follow all of the rules for running in the dark. In fact, we look like a rave is running through the neighborhood. But, frankly, we typically do end up on the road for many reasons, including:

1. Cars parked blocking the sidewalk
2. Overgrown trees and shrubs
3. Surprise sprinklers pointed toward the sidewalk
4. Uneven cement
5. Wasp nests on trees near the sidewalk
6. Dogs in yards who charge at passersby
7. Things like basketball hoops, hoses and large toys blocking the sidewalk
8. Cars backing out of garages
9. Neighbors who don’t shovel or salt in the winter
10. Dark, spooky spots that look like they were cast for a movie abduction scene

In what I hope was a polite response to my neighbor’s post, I acknowledged runners’ responsibility to be seen (by wearing high-visibility or reflective gear and/or headlamps) and to not dart in front of cars or run too close to the road when cars are around. I also thanked my neighbor for his concern for our safety. But I also listed several of the above reasons for why some of us do end up on the road. My response was echoed by several other runners, but the original poster (and others) did not appreciate what we had to say and accused us of not following the rules.

I’m left perplexed. What’s a runner chica to do? For now, my friends and I continue to run on the road for long stretches if it’s just not safe to stay on the sidewalk, running against traffic, wearing proper, high-visibility gear, and keeping our eyes and ears peeled for cars. We’ve yet to have any close calls, in large part because we’ve been doing this long enough that we know our neighbors’ habits (I’m looking at you, guy with the two cute Maltese dogs who love to bark “ferociously” at us), so we can avoid potential trouble.

It really would be nice to run on smooth sidewalks with no risk of tripping (done that), twisting an ankle when falling into someone’s too-deep lawn edging (a week before my longest-ever race) or almost getting hit by a teenager or sleepy driver pulling out of their garage (every. single. time.).

But the reality is that our sidewalks are a lot like the people who share our quest for an idyllic home in the ‘burbs: imperfect. And we wouldn’t have it any other way. (Except for the neighbors who don’t pick up after their dogs — they all suck!)

Where do you stand in the road vs. sidewalk debate? (Click on “Continue Reading” to leave a comment.)

There is very little time to do anything but run when training for a long race. Four or five runs per week, including a three or four hour long run on Saturdays means less time for … (insert just about any activity here). Now that I’m not running quite as much, I finally feel like I have a bit more time.

So after listening to my running friends’ advice, I’ve decided to do a few things:

Cross training. Yoga’s not my favorite thing, but it is a necessary one. I’ve spent some time on my Gaiam mat with Rebecca Pacheco’s videos on the Runner’s World magazine site. I like that she focuses on moves specifically for runners. I also rode my bike with el husbando last week and we plan to do so again more often. Mental note: Need to buy a more-comfortable bike seat. (Yup, old-lady seat, here I come!)

Someone thought yoga looked like fun.

Core work. I keep telling myself that I would dust off the Jillian Michaels DVDs I already have, but I haven’t quite yet. I did find a 30-day plank challenge you can do in your PJs. If the personal trainer who developed the videos can do them in her pajamas, then I figured I could give the thing a try. A thunderstorm kept me inside on the treadmill for a couple of miles tonight, so I did day one on the yoga mat and didn’t die. We’ll see what my bum shoulder thinks of this tomorrow.

Plan. I’ve been poking around one of my favorite Michigan runner blogger’s sites, looking for race reviews. So far, I know I want to do the Gazelle Girl Half, Grand Island Half, Two Hearted Trail Half and the Detroit International Half. I haven’t decided whether I’ll be doing another long race, but there’s talk among my runner friends of heading back to do another Run Woodstock event. (Translation: If they jump off a cliff … I’ll be signing up for the 50K with them again.)

One thing I’ve learned about myself is that I need a goal (or 12) to keep putting in the work. It’s been fun to have more time to do things like watch the Rome series with our favorite teenager, or to support my friends on their long runs because they needed company.

But I do know that I need to start signing up for some events to keep myself running through the winter months, even if I do look like the Michelin Man.

To that end, I’m considering doing at least a half marathon each month next year, including several on trails. What do y’all think? Do you have any Michigan races you think I should consider? Have you signed up for any 2017 races already?

You’ve spent a season training for your big race. You’ve put in hours and hours on the road or trail, you’ve run your race, gotten your medal and posted your accomplishment on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Now what?

First, it’s normal to have a bit of a letdown after achieving a big-deal-whoopie running goal. So much of your time and energy has been focused on getting to the start line that few of us spend much — if any — time thinking about what comes next.

What’s a runner chico or chica to do? That’s why I’m writing about the most challenging aspect of running right now for the Tuesdays on the Run link-up hosted by runner bloggers MCM Mama Runs, My No Guilt Life and Marcia’s Healthy Slice.

For me, it’s figuring out what to do after meeting a big audacious running goal, so I turned to my runner friends. Here’s what they said:

Kari: I’m new to running as of last October so I have some hefty goals ahead of me. With that being said, I started small and my race distances just keep growing. Is there really a limit? I truly don’t think so. Only thing that is limiting is our imagination and belief in ourselves. If a new runner sees a 100 miler in their future, I’d say “you got this” and encourage. Setting a new goal (signing up) is what has kept me motivated to succeed.

Erinn: Set another goal. A smaller goal — but still a challenge goal. Like best 5k (work on speedwork) or another fitness goal like pull ups, more paddle boarding for core strength, and all the while looking at other options. Word of mouth is the best way to ultra. If another runner tells you that “you’ll like this race,” heed their advice.

Shannon: I’ve both taken time off and just ran for health. I’ve also gone bigger and longer. Currently, I’m racing a lot, and I look forward to late November when I don’t have any more planned races. But the reality is that in November I’ll feel like I have no direction and I’ll feel lost, just like the last time I didn’t have any goal race scheduled.

Emily: I kind of just keep training for the next thing, even if it’s smaller than the big goal race, it helps keep me moving. Though, in autumn I don’t really need to extra motivation. The perfect weather is usually enough to get me moving because it’s just so beautiful.

Barb: I make a new goal after a big race. I already know what my next goal is, speed. I now know I can do the distance but now I want to get faster.

Janet: After the big goal, relax, enjoy the time and then get back to running. I run because I’ve experienced life when I couldn’t run and that sucks! So run because you can.

Corey: I’m typically depressed and irritable and eat non-stop until I sign up for the next big race. Running Grand Rapids marathon Oct. 23 which will qualify me for marathon maniacs, a goal I set for 2016. I’m looking now for my next big goal after that though, otherwise I’ll fall into winter holiday hibernation and gain 10 lbs.

Samantha: Bringing down the miles and giving our bodies a break is healthy. But … I’m scouring the Internet for upcoming races because I’m feeling crazy.

As for me, I haven’t yet decided what I’ll do next, whether I’ll be focusing on distance or speed, for example. But what I do know is that I’ll take a cue from my mentors Brandess, Janet and Shannon: I’ll be focusing on helping my friends reach their goals. Because that’s what I love the best about running: other runners.

What’s the most difficult aspect of running for you right now? Feel free to share your own blog posts below. (Click on “Continue Reading” to leave a comment.)