The realization that a warm, comfortable (and cute) sweatshirt was worth pure gold post-race hit me following an especially wet-cold trail run not far from my house. This was several years back, in late winter. It was my first longer-distance race — a 25K — for that time of year.

Sweat-drenched and getting increasingly chilled by the minute after crossing the finish line, I cherished having a cozy sweatshirt to throw on after trudging through the icy race course in the woods. I’d gotten the dark gray sweatshirt in the mail not long before, a Brooks Running Company gift to its ambassadors at the time. It became a wardrobe staple, a hoodie I reached for time and again, both for races and when I needed something to put on with a pair of jeans.

I still have that beloved, well-worn sweatshirt and I continue to wear it–though not as often because I have a few newer MRG ones that have replaced it. I do credit the Brooks hoodie, though, with helping me decide on the perfect one for the Michigan Runner Girl community. Requirements: Snug, but not too fitted. Definitely not boxy. Soft–ultra soft. Flattering. Cozy. Quality-made.

Michigan Runner Girl Jenny G'Vaya.
Michigan Runner Girl Jenny G’vaya, wearing the Michigan Cherry Red hoodie.

I feel really good about the hoodies — and the tees, hats and tanks — that I have been able to offer over the past couple of years. I started with a classic, simple gray — similar to the Brooks hoodie color — and thanks to feedback from all of you, have added new colors, including Lake Michigan Blue,  Michigan Cherry Red, Lavender and Beach Stone Grey. The so-soft purple and classic gray lifestyle tees have been a hit as well.

Heather and Emma, at the Tri Goddess Tri Expo this past summer near Ann Arbor.
Heather and Emma, at the Tri Goddess Tri Expo this past summer near Ann Arbor.

I’ve so appreciated everyone’s support over the past few years, and my most favorite part of selling these Michigan Runner Girl items is seeing you all wearing them!

Michigan Runner Girls at the 2015 Farmland 5K in Traverse City.
Michigan Runner Girls at the 2015 Farmland 5K in Traverse City.

I love that we’re all Michigan Runner Girls, celebrating our strength, the love we have for our beautiful state, and the passion we share for living healthy and active lives. It’s incredibly uplifting for me to see women wearing a MRG performance tank at a race, to receive photos from Michigan Runner Girls wearing their hoodies and recently acquired race bling, to get an email from someone who wants to buy their best running friend or wife or sister or daughter a t-shirt for their birthday or for Christmas. We have a cool community, if I do say so myself.

Krista and her daughter Amelia, wearing the Lake Michigan Blue hoodie.
Krista and her daughter Amelia, wearing the Lake Michigan Blue hoodie.

With an array of hoodie colors now available — not to mention all-new long-sleeve performance tees! — I’m excited to share a holiday pre-order sale now underway. Here’s how it works: order your favorite MRG clothing items (and a sticker and pint glass and charm necklace, if you’re looking for some other fun runner stuff!) by Sunday, Nov. 27. All orders will ship the week of Dec. 12 to ensure on-time holiday delivery. Use the code MRGHOLIDAY to save 20% off your order. If your order includes a gift, please let me know and I will include a gift note.

The all-new long-sleeve performance tees:

Choose from Superior Blue (shown above), Lucky Girl Green and Bright Orange.
Choose from Superior Blue (shown above), Lucky Girl Green and Bright Orange.

 

Don’t forget the cute MRG winter hat, for your runs or simply running around getting stuff done!

Bradetta Doyle-Vines, wearing her Bright Orange MRG hat. Perfect this time of year, too, to stay safe on the roads and trails!
Bradetta Doyle-Vines, wearing her Bright Orange MRG hat. Perfect this time of year, too, to stay safe on the roads and trails!

Thank you again for your support — it helps me keep this site and MRG going strong! — and I wish you all the happiest of holidays!

Shop the Michigan Runner Girl holiday pre-order sale here »

p.s. here’s a photo of me wearing my Brooks hoodie at that super cold (but incredibly fun) race a few years ago…

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