I took the above photo while running through Rock Creek Park earlier this week. (I enjoy documenting my runs this way.) The trail was fairly empty but there was an older man who was perched on the stone abutment at the end of the bridge above, catching his breath and enjoying the just-turning seasons. As I crouched to take the photo, he said, “Should I move? I’m sure you don’t want some old fat geezer in your picture.” I assured him he was out of frame, but we both laughed for a minute, awash in our self-awarenesses: me, awkwardly taking a photo of a bridge; him, self-deprecating. I don’t know what it is about running that makes me feel closer to life, closer to the essence of things, and my sometime interactions with other athletes and nature enthusiasts along the way nearly always cements this view. I always feel vulnerable, almost emotional, in these brief exchanges, as though moving with purpose through nature — at whatever speed — strips away the protective mantle we wear “in real life.”
Anyhow, there are many days where running feels like a chore, but I nearly always finish with a humbled heart.
On that note: the air is turning cool, and we are nearly upon my favorite running season. A few favorite fitness finds to usher in fall:
BROOKS RUNNING JACKET // NIKE EARWARMER // NEW BALANCE HOODIE // TRACKSMITH PLAID SHORTS // BEYOND YOGA TANK // NIKE HAT // ON RUNNING SHORTS // ALO TUBE SOCKS // ALIGNS // LONG-SLEEVE AMAZON TEE // HAIR TIES FOR RUNNING // HOKA RUNNING SHOES // ZELLA TANK
These and even more options below…
THESE ALIGNS IN COPPER OR OLIVE
MY FAVORITE $25 AMAZON LEGGINGS IN BLACK
BLACK SWOOSH NIKE HAT
LOVE THIS RUNNING TANK IN THE BURGUNDY FOR FALL (ON SALE!) — THE REFLECTIVE STRIP IS SO SMART
A CLEVER WAY TO CARRY YOUR PHONE WITH YOU!
PEOPLE RAVE ABOUT BROOKS’ CANOPY JACKET FOR RUNNING, AND I FOUND IT ON SALE! (AVAILABLE FOR EVEN LESS — UNDER $50! — IN BLUE HERE)
MY NEW RUNNING SHOES
YEAR AFTER YEAR, GET A TON OF USE OUT OF THE SWIFTLY TECH LONG-SLEEVES AND DEFINE JACKET — HAVE HAD THE SAME ONES FOR LIKE 5-6 YEARS AT THIS POINT
PLUSH NIKE EARWARMER — ALSO OWN + LOVE THIS DRI-FIT ONE
BEST RUNNING GLOVES — $13 AND WORK WITH TOUCHSCREENS
BEYOND YOGA CROPPED TANKS — SERIOUSLY THE SOFTEST, MOST SECOND-SKIN FEELING THINGS AND GREAT FOR LAYERING BENEATH A BOXY TEE LIKE THIS OR THIS $15 STEAL IN GREAT FALL COLORS
YOU MAY REMEMBER MY OBSESSION WITH THIS LIGHTWEIGHT BUT WONDERFULLY WARM NEW BALANCE JACKET FROM LAST YEAR…AVAILABLE ON SALE IN A CROPPED HOODIE AND TUNIC LENGTH!
MY GO-TO RUNNING POUCH — WATERPROOF, LIGHTWEIGHT, AND PERFECT SIZE FOR PHONE, KEYS, CARD
THE ABSOLUTE BEST RUNNING SOCKS — STAY IN PLACE, CONTOUR TO FOOT, AND HAVE A TINY BIT OF PADDING UNDERNEATH…LIKE A HUG FOR YOUR FOOT
APPARENTLY VERY SIMILAR TO LULU’S ALIGN MATERIAL, BUT ONLY $16 ON AMAZON
PERFECT TOP-LAYERS POST WORKOUT: DUDLEY STEPHENS (CHIC IN BLACK, NO?), THIS ALEX MILL, THIS “SCUBA” HOODIE, AND THIS RIBBED PULLOVER I OWN
FORM-FITTING RUNNING VEST — SIMILAR TO LULU’S
FUN PRINTED LEGGINGS
THIS HALF-ZIP FROM BROOKS IS MARKED DOWN
LOVE THESE BIKE SHORTS IN BLUE
P.S. On running, or taking up any time or hobby just for yourself.
P.P.S. Lots of chic athleisure picks here, too, and I want to also mention that Tory Burch is launching velour joggers, which are sort of like Juicy Couture reimagined and v chic.
P.P.P.S. On letting the time tick by.