Every Friday, three DC area bloggers Mary at Mar On the Run, Cynthia at You Signed Up For What?! and Courtney from Eat Pray Run, DC to host the Friday Five linkup.  Anyone can join with their own Friday Five post (yes, it must be a Friday Five!!)  They encourage you to visit other blogs on the linkup, comment, share and engage!

This week, the theme is Friday Favorites:

Here are my five of my running-related favorites – the cold weather version: (the last time I did this theme was in July)

1. Favorite Race(s) –

Stockade-athon – this a is a very popular local 15k race.  I liked it a lot but now that it changed its course, I like it even more.  The course is varied… running through a park, cemetery, bike path, historic parts of town. It is challenging but you don’t have to train as much as for a half marathon. 

Troy Turkey Trot 10K – this is also a very popular local race. I’ve only run it once but it is already one of my favorites. I liked participating in a training group for the race. It is well-organized with a lot of support from the town.

2. Favorite Apparel –

Compression Socks – Still.  I wear them to insure that my legs don’t get tired but now that it’s colder, I have worn them with skirts on shorter runs to keep warm and with capris so I can hold off wearing tights as long as possible.

Hats – in the warmer months, I wear baseball caps to keep my unruly hair off my neck and the sun off my face.  Now I wear them to keep warm.  And I have already had to switch to beanie hats.

3. Favorite Shoes – it’s no secret that I am fickle when it comes to shoe brands.  I have worn them all.  Currently my New Balance are second to my Mizuno Wave Rider 18s.  It helps that I have recently run several PRs in them.

4. Favorite Fuel – 

Gu – still my favorite for before and during – peanut butter, salted caramel or root beer. It doesn’t mess with my stomach so why change.

Chocolate Milk –  for after.  I bring some with me to have after a long run or a race.

5. Favorite Place(s) to Run – 

Nisky Bike Path is my new favorite place to run on the weekend. It is scenic with river views, flat and you usually see many walkers, bikers and runners on it.

Washington Park is my go to place after work.  It has hills and scenic views of the lake.  I love the gardens in the spring and the Christmas Lights right now.

Happy Running! What are some of your favorites?