Baby it's cold outside!

Running in winter can be TOUGH. There's nothing like a 14 degree morning that makes us want to skip the run and hop back into bed.  But, new cold weather gear and a packed race schedule is all we need to get out the door and rack up the miles. Last week, Deirdre spent a few minutes with Fox News sharing winter running tips and tricks. Check them out below, then tell us how you keep motivated in chilly temperatures.   

Small Business Saturday - Shop Local!

Thanksgiving is tomorrow and with that comes one of our favorite days of the year - Small Business Saturday! As everyone maps out their plan of attack for their holiday shopping, we hope you are doing so with independent businesses. Did you know that sales made by independent retailers actually help create more jobs than large, online retailers? In fact, based on an analysis by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, for every $10 million in sales, independent retailers create 57 jobs, while large, online retailers such as Amazon create only about 14 jobs for the same amount sold. Plus, supporting your local businesses puts money back in your own local community - about half of every dollar sold in fact. 

Click here to check out the great deals we'll be running on Small Business Saturday!

Shopping with independent businesses MATTERS, because your community needs you. We're so thankful to have had the support of our community for the past 13 years! Check out some of our favorite independent businesses around Maryland.

 

Food, Drinks & Restaurants

• Baba's Mediterranean Kitchen
  745 E Fort Ave, Baltimore, MD 21230
  http://babaskitchen.net/ 

• Gundalow Juice
  http://gundalowjuice.com/

• Little Havana Restaurante y Cantina
  1325 Key Hwy, Baltimore, MD 21230
  http://www.littlehavanas.com/

• Koba Cafe
  644 E Fort Ave, Baltimore, MD 21230
  https://www.facebook.com/KOBACAFEBaltimore/

• 3 Bean Coffee
  209 Key Hwy, Baltimore, MD 21230
  http://3beancoffee.com/

• Atwater's Bakery
  Multiple locations: Kenilworth | Belvedere Square | Falls Rd | Catonsville | Canton | Baltimore
  http://atwaters.biz/

• Towson Hot Bagels
  16 Allegheny Ave, Towson, MD 21204
  http://towsonhotbagels.com/

• Mouth Party Caramel
  3600 Clipper Mill Rd #130B, Baltimore, MD 21211
  http://mouthpartycaramel.com/

• Main Street Oyster House
  119 S Main St, Bel Air, MD 21014
  http://mainstreetoysterhouse.com/

• Independent Brewing Company
  418 N Main St, Bel Air, MD 21014
  https://www.independentbrew.com/

• The Jaded Bean
  22 S Main St, Bel Air, MD 21014
  https://www.facebook.com/thejadedbeanbelair/

• Buontempos Pizza
  1 S Main St, Bel Air, MD 21014
  http://www.buontempos.com/

• MOM's Organic Market
  Yorkridge Shopping Center, 20 W Ridgely Rd, Lutherville-Timonium, MD 21093
  http://www.momsorganicmarket.com/ 

• Plant Bar Powered by Zia's
  529 E. Belvedere Ave.  Baltimore, MD 21212
  http://www.plant-bar.com/

Retail

• JG Sassy- Ladies' Boutique
  7701 Bellona Ave, Towson, MD 21204
  http://www.jgsassy.com/

• Rutland Beard Florist
  7627 Bellona Ave, Ruxton, MD 21204
  https://www.rutlandbeardruxton.com/

• Liza Byrd Boutique
  10435 Stevenson Rd, Stevenson, MD 21153
  http://lizabyrd.com/

• Antique Exchange Home and Design
  3545 Chestnut Ave, Baltimore, MD 21211
  http://www.antique-exchange.com/

• Becket Hitch home Goods and Gifts
  2360 W Joppa Rd, Lutherville-Timonium, MD 21093
  http://beckethitch.com/

• Ayd Hardware
  6801 Old York Rd, Baltimore, MD 21212
  http://www.aydhardware.com/

• South Moon Under
  Various locations around MD
  http://www.southmoonunder.com/

• Trohv Home & Gift
  921 W 36th St, Baltimore, MD 21211
  http://trohvshop.com/

• The Ivy Bookshop
  6080 Falls Rd, Baltimore, MD 21209
  http://www.theivybookshop.com/

• The Children's Bookstore
  737 Deepdene Rd, Baltimore, MD 21210
  http://www.thecbstore.com/

• Shananigans Toy Shop
  5004 Lawndale Ave, Baltimore, MD 21210
  http://www.shananiganstoyshop.com/

• Stony Run Home
  6080 Falls Rd #103, Baltimore, MD 21209
  http://stonyrunhome.com/shop/

• aMuse Toys
  2580 Quarry Lake Dr, Baltimore, MD 21209
  http://www.amusetoys.com/

• Poppy and Stella
  728 S Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21231
  http://poppyandstella.com/

• Christopher Schafer Clothier
  1400 Aliceanna St, Baltimore, MD 21231
  http://christopherschafer.com/ 

• Princeton Sports
  6239 Falls Rd, Baltimore, MD 21209
  http://www.princetonsports.com/

Active

• Peace Yoga
  122 S Main St, Bel Air, MD 21014
  http://www.peaceyogabelair.com/

• Yoga Centric
  227 Gateway Dr, Bel Air, MD 21014
  http://www.yogacentricharford.com/

• REV Cycle Studio
  1718 Whetstone Way, Baltimore, MD 21230
  http://revuup.com/

• M Power Yoga
  3600 O'Donnell St Suite 100, Baltimore, MD 21224
  http://mpoweryogastudio.com/

Do you have an independent business you think people should check out? Feel free to let us know, and we can add them to our list!

Happy Shopping!

Staying Safe on Night Runs

Night time is creeping in earlier and earlier every day, and with that comes the cold winter winds. Fear not, runners! We want you to keep working hard and stay at it during the winter months, but it is our job to make sure you know how to stay safe out there. Every runner/walker has their preferences, which is why Charm City Run carries so many different types of reflective/neon attire and light-up accessories. Come on in and check out some of these great options to help keep you bright and noticeable from afar with a clear, lit-up path ahead.

Be NOTICED with these accessories...

Nathan Single Strobe Light: $10.00

• Ragnar Approved

• Secure clip on back easily attaches to belt, apparel, or gear

• High visibility blinking & steady light modes so you can be seen from a safe distance

• Battery Time: Steady On - 57+ hours; Strobe - 110+ hours

• Water Resistance: IPX4 - Weather resistant
   

Nathan LightBender: $20.00

• Ragnar Approved

• Comfortable armband & super lightweight technology ensure no chafing or discomfort

• Multi-settings for blinking or steady stream lights

• Weather Resistance: IPX4 so you can run longer in any weather

• Visibility: 2400 feet

• Burn Time: Steady On - 21 hours; Strobe - 42 hours

Amphipod Reflective Visibility: $29.99

• Up to 70% more reflective area than most standard running vests

• Extra large real capacity zip front pocket for essentials

• Front, rear and side reflective booster zones for full 360° reflectivity

• Breathable and feather-lite fully vented Meshlite™ construction

• Two custom sizes with adjustability for a perfect fit
   

Nathan Zephyr Fire 100: $45.00

• Ragnar Approved

• Rechargeable flashlight designed for runners

• 3 lighting modes

• Integrated hand strap for grip-free running

• Built-in warning siren in grip

• IPX4 weather-resistant for use in any weather

• Burn Time: Hi - 5+ hours; Low - 8 hours; Low/Strobe - 15 hours
   

Nathan Pulsar Strobe 2-Pack: $10.00

• Smallest. lightest strobe in the Nathan line

• 3 different strobe modes

• Clips easily anywhere, including shoes to offer multiple points of light

• IPX4 weather-resistant for use in any weather

• Burn Time: High/Fast Strobe - 4+ hours; Slow Strobe - 10+ hours; Alternating Strobe - 30+ hours
   

Amphipod Full-Viz Series LED Band: $15.95

• High-brilliance dual bulb LED

• 3 multi-use flash-illumination modes: Dual Flash, Alternating Strobe & Illumination

• Includes soft, minimalist chafe-free elastic band

• Fully adjustable with hook/loop closure

• Reflective clip light can be removed for independent use

• Band is fully adjustable for arm, ankle or wait

• Battery included / ready for use
   

Amphipod Vizlet LED: $9.95

• High-brilliance refelctivity

• Ultrabright flashing LED

• Battery included / ready to use

• Less than 1/2 ounce, Vizlet LED adds feather-light reflectivity
  
  
   

Dress in some reflective clothing...

1. Women's Under Armour Fly Fast Luminous 1/2 Zip: $89.99

• Updated thumbholes keep sleeves secure & help seal in body heat

• Unique luminous print body catches the light for greater visibility

2. Men's Under Armour Storm Run WindStopper 1/4 Zip: $179.99

• Highly reflective panels on the top of the arms deliver greater visibility during low-light runs

• Dual-layer fabric with an ultra-warm, brushed interior & a slick, fast-drying exterior

• Bonded back zip pocket for essentials

3. Men's Brooks Drift 1/2 Zip: $95.00

• DriLayer® Turbine, breathable windproof protection

• Zip pocket at back right

• Front & back retroreflectivity

4. Men's Brooks LSD Jacket: $98.00

• Lightweight, windproof & water-resistant protection

• Full-zip with chin guard & draft flap

• Packs into back zip pocket that houses a wearable, elastic carry handle

• Media port zipper pull

• Front & back retroreflectivity

5. Men's Under Armour Storm Launch Run Jacket: $79.99

• UA Storm technology repels water without sacrificing breathability

• Ultra-light, smooth woven fabric delivers protection that won't weigh you down

• Mesh-back rear vent for added breathability

• Reflective logos, cuffs & piping for greater visibility on low-light runs

Shoe of the Week: Asics GT-2000 4

The GT-2000™ 4 is the core runner’s bread and butter with its balance of cushioning and stability, outfitted by the comfortably supportive Dynamic DuoMax® and Guidance Trusstic System® that also enhance gait efficiency. Our Rearfoot and Forefoot GEL® Cushioning systems are now even more adaptive, assisting mild to moderate overpronators alike with greater support, while the FluidRide® midsole offers the ultimate ride. Weight: 8.4 oz. Heel Height: 21mm. Forefoot Height: 11mm.