Warm weather and sunshine…we’re loving the spring weather! How about you?

While we’re best known for our ponytail hats and headbands, we also have some great running caps for the warmer season! To celebrate spring, we’re going to give away three of our Race Day Caps and Ponytail Running Caps…winner’s choice!! 3 caps…3 winners! These lightweight and breathable running caps keep your face shaded and reduce glare! And you can throw them in the washing machine too!

Here’s what we want to know! What’s your favorite race distance and why?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

You must be 18 to enter. International entries welcome.

Here at TrailHeads we like to support local running events whenever we can. For the past 4 years, we’ve been a sponsor of the Sharon Classic Road Race, which is coming up on Saturday, May 4^th. They’re a family friendly race, benefiting the Sharon Day Care, which is the only professional day care provider in town and provides a vital service to the community.

The race is truly a community endeavor, with organizations like the Historical Society, Sharon Audubon and Sharon hospital participating, as well as volunteers such as the 8^th grade student group. They have many wonderful sponsors as well, including TrailHeads. This year we’ll be providing Race Day Running Caps in charcoal with the SCRR logo for the winners in each age division!*  With wonderful community involvement, the race has continued to grow every year, and we’d love to help them continue the trend this year!

Here’s what people have to say about the Sharon Classic Road Race:

“The Sharon Classic Road Race is what living in a local community is all about. It really ushers in summer (well, sometimes!), and brings the whole community together.  The Sharon Lions, The Day Care Center, The Sharon Hospital, various volunteers, The Sunday In The Country cooks, and more.  Young, old, women, men, a runner or a walker or a spectator…all get together to not only celebrate the Sharon Day Care, but to celebrate our town of Sharon as well.  We would not miss it for anything in the world!  It has become a rite of passage for spring into summer.”  Marshall Miles, WHDD Robin Hood Radio (media sponsor)

 “Our entire family looks forward to the SCRR each year – it’s a wonderful community event with something for everyone. The kids have a ball running the ‘not‐quite‐a‐mile’ and my husband and I, who are very casual runners, love the opportunity to participate in a professional race. The course itself is stunning and there is such great energy along the way to get you to the finish line – and it’s all going to a great cause. What better way to kick off the spring season!”  A participant

A family day of fun at the Sharon Classic Road Race

For kids, they have a Not-Quite-A-Mile run for 12 and under, although kids can certainly run the road race as well. Last year a 6 year old ran the entire 5 miles with his father, crossing the finish line to high 5’s!

There will be a $250 cash prize for the first male and female overall winner, as well as cash prizes and other age division awards.  New in 2013, the Sharon Classic is also offering a $250 bonus for breaking the male and female course record!  And in addition to prizes, they also have a silent auction! And don’t forget free t-shirts, free massages, and free food!

2012 Sharon Classic Road Race Winner Joe LeMay

If you live in the New Milford, Torrington, or Litchfield area, the Sharon Classic is only a short drive away. We hope you will join us in supporting this fun family friendly race! Register now!

*We can provide custom running gear  for race directors, running clubs and retailers.

TrailHeads is blazing a trail to one of the most remote parts of the World…two of our  ponytail hats are headed to Nunavut, Canada!

Nunavut, home to the northernmost permanently inhabited place in the world, Alert, has extremely severe winters. But we expect our ponytail hats to get plenty of “summertime” use there too, with  temperatures ranging from the low 30′s to low 60′s in July!

Nunavut, Canada

Do you blog about running, fitness, or other outdoor activities? If you like TrailHeads running gear, we’d love to have you join our affiliate program! We use an affiliate marketing program to help us share our unique products, such as the Goodbye Girl Ponytail Running Hats, with people who might not know about us otherwise.

Our program is hosted by Share a Sale. Once you set up an account with Share a Sale, you can choose from a variety of merchants, including TrailHeads, to work with. Sign up, pick a banner to put on your website, and you’re all set! If you bring us a customer through your blog or website, you’ll receive a 10% commission on the sale!

Join us today!

Looking for a custom running gear for your event? We can help! We can add your logo to our product for your team or special event! We’ve worked with retailers, running clubs and events, and we’d love to work with you!

Whether you’re looking for custom embroidery on a ponytail hat or a reflective heat transfer on a running hat, we can provide a solution to fit your needs.  Set up charges and minimums are reasonable…so even if you’re working with a smaller event, we’d love to talk to you and see how we can help.

Here are a few examples of our custom products:

Race for Aydan running cap

Project Hope reflective running beanie

MMRF running hat

Lake Waramaug Polar Bear Run headband

If you’d like more information about our custom program, please contact our Customer Service @ (860) 592-0088 / sales@trailheads.com for more details! We look forward to speaking to you! 

When choosing a detox program you should look for a gentle program that will start you on your path toward healthy eating.  If you are considering this type of program, find one that uses everyday foods that are easy and economical to purchase.  For example here’s a simple recipe that might be included in a gentle detox program:

Lemon Broccoli with Avocado

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cooking time: 15 minutes

Yields: 8 people

Ingredients:

2 bunches broccoli
1 lemon, juiced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1 avocado

Directions:

Chop broccoli into bite-size pieces, keeping stems separate from crowns.  Fill a pot with 1 inch of water, place a steamer basket inside, cover and heat to boiling. Add stem pieces and steam for 2 minutes. Then add crown pieces, cover and steam for 5 minutes while you prepare other ingredients.  In a mixing bowl, combine the juice of the lemon, the olive oil and salt.  Chop the avocado into chunks and add to the bowl.  Add the warm broccoli to the bowl, mix gently and serve.

Sounds easy and delicious right?

If you’ve been feeling a bit lethargic and not quite as energetic as you would like to feel, if you would like lose a little weight, learn how to eat really healthy and most importantly eliminate toxins from your body so you are healthy at a cellular level, then you may want to consider a gentle healthy detox program.

Here’s to your healthy cells!

Hugs,

Patti

Patti Garland, AADP, is a certified health coach.  She is the owner of Best Healthy Methods and New Milford Curves.

Here in Connecticut the temperatures were brutally cold this past week. Definitely hat and glove weather! Although we’re probably best known for our Goodbye Girl ponytail hats and headbands, we also have a great selection of both men and women’s hats, headbands and gloves for winter sports! Today we’re going to share some key features of our gloves with you!

Twister Running Glove with Touch Screen Feature

It can be frustrating trying to text in the wintertime, especially when the temperatures are really chilly! Our specially designed touch screen fabric works like a charm on today’s electronics while allowing you to keep your hands warm!  These comfy gloves are made with polyester / spandex and are form fitting and lightweight…perfect for when you are out and about as well as for running and other winter sports! They come in black, black/pink print and black/black and white print. $26

Stow And Go Pocket Running Gloves

These gloves are unique with their convenient pocket, perfect for stowing tissue for a cold morning run or money for a stop along the way! They’re made of a soft- brushed- next-to-skin fabric (nylon poly lycra blend), and they’re stretchy as well which results in a great fit. And, they’ve also got reflective trim for enhanced visibility! $25

Elements Gloves

Our Elements gloves are lightweight and versatile…they’re a great choice for cool days. Like the Stow And Go Pocket Gloves, they’re also made with a nylon poly lycra blend for a soft- brushed- next-to-skin feel! $20

HyperReflect Running Gloves

As the weather gets colder, you might want to consider the HyperReflect Running Gloves. A nylon poly lycra blend, they’ll keep your hands warm and cozy! Do you run at dawn or dusk? You’ll want to be as visible as you possibly can be! Our prominently positioned HyperReflect accents will help you be seen! Other great features include a raised silicon palm grip for improved dexterity and a plush terry nose wipe! These come in black/HyperReflect silver and black/hi visibility green.$28

We have something for everyone, from cool to downright frigid temperatures!  Whether your winter sport of choice is running, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, or something else, we want to celebrate it! So we’re giving away 5 pairs of our Stow And Go Gloves! Leave us a comment on this post and let us know what you’d keep in the pocket, and follow the instructions on the Rafflecopter to enter to win! Happy Running (or snowshoeing, cross country skiing, or other winter sport you enjoy!), and good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

by Michelle Nahom

My husband and I have three dogs we run with.  We usually go in the early morning hours in the woods and fields near our house that belong to a private school.  They get along well with other dogs…and look forward to their morning “playdates” when we meet up with other “regulars” walking or running with their dogs in the same area.  Our morning runs have become a routine that we all enjoy.  Here are five great reasons to make your dog your training partner!

They keep you motivated.  A dog that wants to go for his run does not take no for an answer.  If he’s used to going every day, he’s waiting by the door.  A dog is a training partner you can’t say no to!

They make it fun. Have you ever watched your dog run?  When our dogs know we are getting ready to go, they get so excited!  Tails are wagging, they’re jumping around by the door, making little happy noises….and then once they’re out the door, it’s no holds barred joy!  It’s like watching the excitement of a toddler on Christmas morning, every single day!

Runs are good bonding time.  I think our dogs like to run as much as we do, if not more.  Our runs are our special time together, without the rest of life’s interruptions.  As with people, when you spend a lot of time with your dog, you’re going to have a closer relationship.

It’s safer.  Personally, as a woman, I don’t like to run alone, especially in secluded areas.  If I’m going out by myself, I’m taking a dog with me.  The other day, I tripped over something in the woods and fell face forward.  One of my dogs was with me, and instantly came bounding back to me…and sat with me while I caught my breath.  If I had not been ok, I would be willing to bet my dog would have either stayed by my side, or headed home for help. And there is always the “you never know factor.”  My dogs are very friendly, but I have no doubt in my mind they would protect me if they felt I was threatened in any way.

A tired dog is not as mischievous.  We have a one year old puppy who has an unending supply of energy.  He’s a German Shepard / Golden Retriever mix, and very smart.  He’s into everything.  We have an electronic dog door that goes into our yard, and so he goes in and out as he pleases.   Our yard is often littered with “toys” he’s found around the house…a box of cereal from the pantry, shoes that were left out, plastic cups…I once even caught him trying to bring a broom through the door.  If he goes for his run in the morning, I do find he gets into less mischief during the day.

What about you?  What are your favorite reasons for running with your dog?

Michelle is a long time runner who lives with her husband, 3 children, 3 dogs and 4 cats.  She and her dogs have been training partners  for years.  Catch up with Michelle on her blog A Dish of Daily Life, and you can also follow her on Twitter @dishofdailylife or Facebook!  

by Michelle Nahom

I recently had the opportunity to preview the new TrailHeads women’s running top.  I wore it for the first time at a Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning, and it has quickly become my favorite running top!

First off, the fit is great!  And, it is SOOO soft on the inside.  The fabric is a poly spandex knit and it’s brushed on the inside, which means it’s ultra comfy!  It keeps me warm enough on its own for cold weather running but it’s light enough to layer as well as the temperature dips down!

I also like the thumb holes on the end of the sleeves…great for keeping your hands just a little bit warmer!  More and more of the nicer fitness tops are adding this feature, but I still have some without. I definitely prefer the ones with this feature!

Another great feature is a pocket big enough for your phone and a routing port that can accomodate your headphone wires. It’s a really nice touch! I’ve found it comes in handy for my key as well…when I run on trails I have to drive to, I don’t like to hide my key on my car. However, I don’t really like carrying my key either.  I can tuck my key away, and I don’t notice it at all!

Now that I’ve had this top for about a month, I wish I had more of them!  Luckily the Goodbye Girl Running Top does come in cold smoke grey with true blue trim as well! It really is the most comfortable running top I own, and those extra features make it even nicer!

If you’d like to win one of these great tops, TrailHeads is giving one away! To enter, follow the instructions on Rafflecopter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Michelle is a long time runner who fell in love with the sport in high school and never stopped. Catch up with Michelle on her blog A Dish of Daily Life, and you can also follow her on Twitter @dishofdailylife or Facebook!  

by Patti Garland

“Tis the season to be jolly”…….falalalala……Deck the halls with lots of veggies……falalalala

Magical snowmen, singing carolers, spending time with those you love…those are all traditions of the holidays.

Why not add to those traditions a few healthy holiday food practices…like:

When you are going to a party…eat normally on the day of a party and make sure each meal is full of dark green leafy VEGGIES!

Dark green leafy vegetables are the dream team for preventing overeating.  They signal your body with the feeling of “I’ve had enough.” If you’ve ever had an espresso or a piece of rich dark chocolate, you know that a little bit is usually enough.  This is from the effect the bitter flavor has on your body.  So…fill yourself up with dark green leafy veggies.

Next…eat lots of roasted root veggies. (I like to offer to bring these to the party.)

You can easily satisfy your desire for sweets by piling your plate with sweet roasted root veggies.  Do this and you will naturally satisfy your desire for sweetness in a wholesome way.  So why not create a healthy fix for those sugary dessert cravings by soothing them with earthy roasted root veggies?

Life is to be enjoyed and there is so much pleasure and freedom that comes from living life healthy…just keep your portions in check, eat nutritiously, and enjoy your healthy life.

Wishing you the healthiest of holidays….

Patti Garland, AADP, is a certified health coach.  She is the owner of Best Healthy Methods and New Milford Curves.