Happy New Year to our Chicago runners and beyond! There are just a few hours left of 2023 and as we get closer to the turn of another year, it’s important to reflect on the past and think to the future.
For me, and for many of you, this includes 2024 race planning, training goals, and time management. I have spent the last few days signing up for races and getting my calendar set for 2024. There are many different ways to create excitement around training – you can sign up for a new race, set a new time goal, and even buy some new running gear. (It’s finally starting to get cold here, Chicago, so pull out those tights and mittens!)
One of the resources I use to kick off a year of running is the No Days Off collection by Tracksmith. This annual release includes a daily calendar where you can color in each day you run. I hung my 2023 calendar right by my front door and there was something fulfilling about returning each day and being able to color in a number. I finished up my run today to find that I had successfully completed a 365-day running streak, thanks to the 2023 NDO calendar. There were many days in which I would not have run, but the motivation of keeping to my goals kept me out there for at least 1 mile per day. I even added an element to my calendar and colored my marathon and half marathon races with different colors.
This has been such a motivational tool in my life and I am so excited to kick off my 2024 NDO calendar tomorrow.
Tracksmith still has 2024 calendars available on their website, so get online now to order yours for January. We can color in our dates together as we tackle another year of running.
This iconic brand has also released a line of NDO clothing to help you stick to your goals. The NDO jacket and tights are classics that you need in your winter running collection. The line is designed to help you commit to consistency and this racing kit is designed for deep winter running as it is water and wind-repellent with 360-degree reflective details.
I wore this pair to several winter races in 2023 and I was delightfully surprised with its ability to shield from our cold Chicago wind. The high-performance pieces helped me to stay fast and warm, while repelling water from snow and rain. I also felt like a star post-race, while visiting with fellow runners. The classic look of this running kit drew so many questions from other runners, who all were interested in the design, fit, and feel of the fabric.
New to the collection are the NDO long and short sleeve pair. This gender-neutral duo is made from Tracksmith’s proprietary Varsity Cotton and embellished with the limited-edition No Days Off graphic. They are both eye-catching and unique in their designs.
These won’t last long so I’d get online and order yours now before they run out! I am planning on sporting mine during packet pick up of my next winter race.
A fan favorite is the Downeaster hoodie by Tracksmith, which is the perfect mid or base layer for our cold winter mornings. The Merino wool fabric keeps runners dry by wicking away sweat and it’s even odor resistant so you don’t get as stinky for the post-run social hour! The lightweight three-piece hood stays put while in use, with a snorkel-style construction that provides additional coverage and warmth.
I am really excited about a new color released this year, which is available in both the hoodie and Downeaster pant. Aptly named “coffee heather”, this cozy color makes me think of a roaring fire and good book. This set is also the perfect pair to relax in following a tough and cold run. I plan to change into this combo immediately following my marathon in Holland, Michigan this January, prior to the drive home. It’s like a warm hug following the brutal conditions we have here in the Midwest.
The NDO collection has so much more to explore for runners and I hope that you check out their Look Book before everything sells out. The last piece I want to highlight is the NDO Tracksmith insulated water bottle. This 21 oz. squeezable insulated water bottle is a collab with Camelbak. Through demanding freezing temperatures or under the scorching sun, the insulated water bottle proves its effectiveness in maintaining water at a drinkable temperature.
I am so thankful to Tracksmith for releasing the No Days Off collection every year to help runners stay motivated, safe and comfortable in the cold Midwest winters. From the reflective strips on the clothing to the insulated water bottle, the details incorporated into this collection speak to the deep connection Tracksmith has to Midwest runners.
Happy New Year, Chicago runners and let’s hit the ground running in 2024. See you on the streets.
