Aside from my love for fashion, I'm proud to say that I have been an athlete all of my life. My family is very active, so I grew up always playing sports. In high school, I played soccer, squash, and lacrosse, but back then I never thought of myself as a runner. Once I started college, I got so sick of just going to the gym and going on the elliptical, so I decided to start running outside. I realized not only was it such great exercise, but it was very therapeutic for me. It’s a great way to relieve stress and organize my thoughts.
For instance, both our Small Tote and Large Tote are perfect for packing all of my training essentials. Each style is big enough for my water bottle, headphones, and an extra set of clothes to change into after a workout. The Half Moon Hob is also a great alternative to pack everything. I find that I use it the most when I don’t have as much to pack because it’s a little smaller than our totes.
Fast-forward to today, and my passion for running has helped me break new ground. This year will be the second year I'm running the NYC Marathon... but that still doesn’t make it any easier! I'm a planner at heart, so to keep myself motivated, I train the best when I have a printed schedule and concrete plan of action. Even still, the unpredictability that comes with being an entrepreneur sometimes means being a little bit more flexible. But one thing I won't budge on is my roster of training essentials - especially my work-out bags!
Shop The Large Tote Pebble
No matter what bag I'm using, my training essentials never really change. As I prep for this year's race, you'll always find a water bottle (I like S'well because it keeps my water so cold!), my headphones, my phone (obviously), and a quarter-zip in my bag. Depending on the weather, you'll also find an extra pair of socks, sunscreen, and a hat if it’s sunny (when you’re out running for three hours you can easily get a sunburn).
All in all, much like being the founder of a design company, training for a marathon takes a lot of determination, persistence, and time! There are times when things are not easy, and all you want to do is stay home. Like running, it's hard to force yourself to make it through when it's raining or hot or when you're tired and feeling down. But no matter what, you must always remember that you’re doing what you're doing for a reason. And trust me, even if you've lost a little pep in your step, there's still no better feeling than knowing that you crossed the finish line.
Off to the races! - Chloe Burch
