Three of Tiff's Favorite Things...
Are you ever curious about the staff’s favorite items in Terra? While we love and stand behind all of the products we sell, as individuals, we like some things more than others.
Read on to find out what three things are currently Tiff’s favorite!
Nuun Electrolyte Hydration tubes: “Most people know that I am obsessed with Nuun. I sweat out a lot of electrolytes (even when I am not exercising) so these tabs have been a real lifesaver for me. I never travel without carrying some with me and I take one at the first sign of cramps or a headache. They dissolve easily into water and have a much more complete electrolyte profile compared to something like Gatorade or Powerade all with only 15 calories a tab (they are naturally sweetened).”
Brooks Distance Tee: “I love the material of this shirt. It is made up of 50% poly and 50% cotton so it is a nice blend of moisture wicking without feeling or looking like shiny tech fabric. For a shirt that looks good and is both light and breathable, the Brooks Distance tee is the way to go. Pro tip: it looks especially sharp with a pair of the Chaser or Sherpa shorts in a complementing color!”
Nathan Reusable Race Day Cups: “I first discovered the concept of a reusable cup when I was training for an ultra trail race that required runners to carry one. It turns out they are amazing! With a firmer piece of plastic at the rim and a thin silicone body they roll up or fold down into a tiny footprint, perfect for stuffing into your pocket or running belt. When I don't feel like carrying a water bottle, I will bring one of these and use it to drink from water fountains along my way. They obviously will only help with hydration if there are places to get water, but they beat carrying a bottle and are better for the environment than using a bunch of aid station cups.”
Three of Brittany's Favorite Things...
Are you ever curious about the staff’s favorite items in Terra? While we love and stand behind all of the products we sell, as individuals, we like some things more than others.
Read on to find out what three things are currently Brittany’s favorite!
Brooks Glycerin GTS 20 Stealthfit: “Not only do these Brooks stability shoes feel soft, light, and supportive, but they look great! The white ‘Stealthfit’ is a knit upper that looks stylish, matches any outfit, and is breathable and cute on a run! I ran a marathon in these in September.”
Brooks Method 8 in. short: “I never knew how much I loved compression shorts until I ran in these. They don’t move, ride up, and there’s no adjusting necessary. I love the huge phone sized pockets on either side as well. I have black because I don’t like to have to decide if my running clothes match or clash. Plus, no sweat stains.”
Terra Crewneck Sweatshirts: “At only $32, these sweatshirts are affordable and super versatile. I wear mine all. the. time. We have a bunch of cool designs so you can stock up on more than one. Come try one on and you’ll understand!”
Some of My Favorite Health Apps
There are so many great apps to help keep you on track on your journey to a healthy lifestyle. Here are a few of my favorites.
AllTrails
AllTrails is a great resource for trails near you. I use it in Cleveland to learn more about local trails, but it's already super handy when I travel to discover new parks and trails. There are difficulty ratings, pictures so you know what to expect, user reviews, and a star rating system. If you feel in a rut with your runs, check out AllTrails and find somewhere new to explore!
Garmin Connect
If you are a Garmin user, Garmin Connect has it all! This is where your watch will auto-sync to and you can check out all the data for your workouts and daily activity. It is a super user-friendly app, so don't worry if you're new to Garmin. Today's workouts show up at the top of the app each day and you can tap on them to get a map and detailed info, like pace, distance, elevation, temperature, performance indicators, and much more! I also track my water intake on my Garmin, so I can see my average ounces per day (If you watch Terra Girls, you know this is a challenge for me!). My favorite stat to check out is my activity over the last 7 days. I love seeing that I have switched it up this past week and did a few different kinds of activities. For example, today mine says: 2 yoga, 7 walks, 3 runs, 1 bike!
Metronome
If you've ever worked on your cadence while running, a simple metronome app is very helpful. The goal cadence for runners is generally 170-180 steps per minute. It's a challenge to gauge your cadence on your own if you're just getting started, but listening to a metronome app for a bit at the beginning of your run can get you started on the right foot (pun intended). Increasing cadence means you are taking more, shorter, quicker steps per minute, decreasing the amount of time each foot is on the ground.
Headspace
All around health doesn't mean just fitness. I am loving the Headspace app for short, mindful guided meditations. There are videos and classes, playlists for focusing or relaxing, a meditation each day that you can control the length of, and so much more! This is a great beginner-friendly meditation app, so don't be intimidated if you've never tried it before.
Libby
The only thing I love more than running is reading, and when I can do both, my day is made! Libby is a free app with free audiobooks accessible with your free library card! If your favorite book is taken, you can place it on hold and get notified when it's available, but to be honest, there are always great books available for free download anytime. I listen to books when I workout, walk the dog, and do chores around the house.
What We're Wearing: Shoes (Asher)
Brooks Hyperion Tempo
What shoe are you currently running in and what were you running in before this shoe?
I have a cycle of shoes that I run in, and my most recent addition has been the Brooks Hyperion Tempo. Before this addition, my shoes consisted of the Brooks Bedlam 3, the Brooks Glycerin 19, the Altra Escalante and Vanish, and the On Cloudultra (for trails).
What have you liked/loved about the shoe?
For the Hyperion, in particular, I really like how light weight and springy it is. It stays snug to my foot and is super breathable. I have been using this as a short distance trainer, but I have definitely done some long runs in them (15 miles).
Anything you don't like about the shoe?
After a couple longer runs, I decided that this shoe needs to stay as a trainer/racing flat. The Hyperion is designed for speed work and training, and so I don't plan to use it longer than a three-mile run. There's not a lot of cushioning to the shoe, so it's not preferred for distance.
Who would you recommend the shoe for?
I really like this shoe as a trainer or racing flat. It would be my first choice for someone looking for a racing flat from Terra. I would also recommend this shoe for runners who are hoping to increase their race times and are looking for a faster ride. This is a good shoe for track athletes and school runners. I would, however, not recommend this shoe to someone just getting into running or looking for a causal jogging or long-distance shoe.
What shoe are you planning on running in next?
If I do not update my Brook's Glycerin 19s (these have been the best for all my longer runs), then I plan to run in the Brooks Levitate 5.
Saucony Ride 14
What advice would you give someone who is looking to venture out and try a new shoe or brand?
There's a lot to consider when exploring new running shoes. Budget and color can seem like the first considerations for a new pair of running shoes, however, once moving passed these decisions, I would recommend having a goal in mind for the specific pair of shoes that you are getting. When looking for running shoes, you'll want to know how many miles you plan to use the shoe for and how long each of your runs might be. If you have multiple desires, you'll want to tend towards a less specialized shoe like the Saucony Ride, or, if you want to specifically train for a marathon, you'll want to look for well-cushioned shoes with a comprehensive rubber sole, like the Brooks Glycerin.
Anything else you would like to share?
If you are looking to run races in the future or increase your personal race times, I would recommend using at least two pairs of shoes: one for training and one for race day. You might think that you'll want to race in shoes that are worn and broken in (this is partly true because you won't want to race in a stiff or painful shoe) however, I would recommend prioritizing one shoe for training and one for racing. If you train in a shoe that does not assist you or make it easier to run, you will be strengthened, whereas, if you train in a shoe that makes it more efficient and easier to run, your training will be less effective since the shoe is doing the work for you. To use an example, if you trained in a Saucony Triumph, a heavier cushioned shoe, and you raced in the Brooks Hyperion, a lighter-weight and springy shoe, on race day, you would benefit from the reduction in weight and the springiness. If you had only trained in the Hyperion and raced in it, you would receive no race day boost. For everyday runs and training shoes, I would recommend shoes that do not attempt to assist the speed of your runs. These are usually zero-drop or heavier shoes. For race day shoes, higher drops and springier cushion will be helpful.
What We're Wearing: Shoes (Brittany)
What shoe are you currently running in and what were you running in before this shoe?
Women’s Brooks Glycerin GTS 19
I am on my third pair of the Brooks Glycerin GTS, now the version 19. I need a bit of stability when I run, but I love the cushion. I did a triathlon this year and the extra cushion felt super nice off of the bike. My "kick-its" are the Brooks Glycerin 19. I try to wear a neutral shoe when I'm not running to help strengthen my feet, but I can't seem to get away from that cushion! I also love the On Cloud for slipping on to walk the dog or run to Target. I have been wearing the Altra Torin 5 to do weight training recently. I love the zero drop, but also still need good cushion! The wide toe box is nice for foot stability. Finally, my "dress up" running shoes are the Roger Center Court from On. They are dressy for me, all white and match everything.
Who would you recommend the shoe for?
I would recommend the Glycerin or Glycerin GTS to anyone who likes the fit of a Brooks shoe, wants that extra cushion but may not be interested in a max cushion shoe. Both the Glycerin and Glycerin GTS are relatively light and are long lasting.
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22
What shoe are you planning on running in next?
I am interested in trying the new Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22. It is softer than the previous models of the Adrenaline, so I think it will be closer to the Glycerin GTS. I like that it's lightweight and the upper fits well. It has the same guide rail support that the Glycerin GTS has.
What advice would you give someone who is looking to venture out and try a new shoe or brand?
Lots of people ask for our favorite shoes when we're working in the running store. We have the luxury of being able to try on all of the shoes and compare, and I have never really been loyal to one brand or one shoe model. I like to have different shoes for different activities, whether it's walking my dog, running, or weight training. All of the brands we carry are top-of-the-line running shoe brands, and no one is better than the next. Even if you've never tried a brand before, if it's in our store, I can personally vouch for the quality!