Spring is right around the corner and now is the time to ditch those socks that took a beating during the winter months and get ready for some springtime running. And who better to order some new running socks from than our friends at Darn Tough Vermont?

First introduced to the brand at a trail run in Stowe, Vermont, Darn Tough Vermont makes some incredible running socks that are functional and fashionable and are perfect for runners. These socks are all made in the USA and are comfortable beyond words and a great option for runners whether it’s tackling a trail or pounding the pavement that you prefer.

Right now, Darn Tough Vermont is also offering free shipping on all orders over $50 and you can mix and match between running socks, hiking socks and even more business or casual socks, as well.

Click here to shop at Darn Tough Vermont and support this great brand; your feet will thank you!

In Madison, Wisconsin for the weekend so looked for a run to do while here and came across the Park Run held each Saturday morning at Howard Temin Lakeshore Path. Park Run is a fun run that is free to run and is put on by a dedicated group of volunteers each week. There are runs held all over the world so it’s a great way to meet-up with some runners if you find yourself away from home and are looking for a run to do.

Today’s run was about 2 miles from my hotel so I walked to the race which was held on a nice path alongside Lake Mendota and adjacent to the grounds of the University of Wisconsin. The organizers were friendly and inviting and welcomed first time runners and a couple of out-of-towners like me.

Because the race is held on a trail for part of the run, the volunteers did a great job warning runners to not go out for a PR pace as part of the course was going to be quite icy and difficult to traverse. The route was an out-and-back run so you knew what to expect along the way and the stretch of run that was on a dirt trail was pretty difficult in some spots, more so on the way back as there was a bit more of a downhill slope coming back toward the finish line. Overall, it wasn’t awful running out there; you just had to run smart and the crew of other runners along the way did well to pace each other through the icier stretches of the run.

The race was a gorgeous run alongside Lake Mendota and the cool air was met with sunny morning skies so it was a really nice morning for a run. Finished the run with a time of 28:47, good for 9:18/miles. Not too shabby given the ice that was out there. Definitely will be looking for more Park Runs to complete when on the road again!

Who doesn’t love a road race that starts and finishes at a local brewery? Register for the Black Hat Brew 5K at Black Hat Brew Works which is being held on June 8th in Bridgewater, MA!

Click here to register today!

This morning it was down to Marshfield, Massachusetts to run the Frozen Pilgrim 5 Miler. With January races you never can really know how the weather is going to shake out but all things considered this morning was not too bad when it came to the weather conditions with temperatures in the high 20s. There was a bit of a wind present on certain parts of the run and one stretch of the race was quite icy on the roads as you made your way through a shaded residential area. Definitely needed to take it easy on this stretch!

The first mile of the race was a pretty boring loop around school grounds but once you made your way out onto the streets the race became much nicer. In the second mile, there was a nice amount of climbing present but those hills were not the most interesting part of the stretch. Rather, it was a large horse who had gotten loose from its fencing and was running up and down one of the hilly streets while the horse’s owner was trying to wrangle it back. Fortunately, I think the horse was safely captured but definitely didn’t have that on the running bingo card today!

Volunteers had water out on the course which is always appreciated and even though it was cold out there came in handy given the five miles being run. As mentioned, only one neighborhood stretch was quite dangerous due to some ice from a storm last weekend so you needed to take your time on this section of the course.

The early uphills of the race gave way to a nice, gradual downhill finishing mile and a half and it felt good to let gravity help you down some of those hills. A quick turn back into the high school grounds and into the finish line to wrap up the race.

I’ve been battling some sort of cold for the past few days (thanks, air travel) and didn’t feel 100% out there but am glad I still tackled the race today. The race was the first race of the Thirsty Irish Runners 2025 Grand Prix Series and it’s always nice to see so many friendly TIRs this morning; and then execute our signature Irish Farewell when leaving.

Finished up the Frozen Pilgrim 5 Miler with a time of 47:06, good for 9:25/miles. Not my best running but today was more about banging out five miles, feeling better by clearing out the lungs and head and crossing that finish line. I’ll take it!

The race is a fundraiser for the Kurt Giessler Foundation for Youth Achievement. To learn more about this organization, please click here.

Even in the winter months, running outdoors and in the morning is a must in my book. I like getting a good, early morning run completed before the day kicks off but with the roads and sidewalks often quite dark this time of year it is important to think about proper illumination to stay safe while out on those early morning runs.

The Noxgear Tracer2 is a great options that provides both comfort and brightness while out on the run. The pack is bright and features several different solid and blended color options that you can toggle through to mix up your look on a daily basis. The battery life for this vest is remarkable and charges easily with a USB cord.

There’s a great discount on the Noxgear site right now where you can get the Tracer2 for $59.95.

Don’t delay and click here to order your Noxgear Tracer2 and keep safe while out on your runs!