Whether you’re heading on vacay or out for a run – packing is a skill not easily mastered. We asked seasoned runners who have gone the distance (like, every distance) for their ‘take-it or leave-it’ run gear.

10 things to bring on your run

1. house key
Two things that suck: being robbed and getting locked out. Bring your house key.

2. money (cash or credit)
Good for emergency fluids (or recovery drinks), transit (hey, there’s nothing wrong with running as far as you can one-way and bussing it back) or making a SOS call (contrary to popular belief payphones still exist).

3. identification
You should never go anywhere without ID and your run is no exception.

4. ipod (optional)
iPhone, iTouch, iShuffle, i-can’t-remember-the-latest-gadget – whatever your tech heart desires, tunes add a little extra spring in our step and that’s music to our ears.

5. spf lip balm
Lip balm (with SPF) not only soothes lips (which can dry out after long periods of heavy breathing) but also protects your kisser from the sun. Bonus: It can also double as emergency Bodyglide for those “sticky” situations.

6. bandaids
Good for unexpected chaffing emergencies and spontaneous blisters.

7. fuel belt filled with electrolytes
Hydration is key.

8. gels
Our running guru Tess recommends one for every 45 minutes (plus one extra for good measure).

9. some dry socks (those of you blessed with a sunny climate, skip to number 10). 
We’ve been caught in one too many rainstorms to head out on a 42K run without at least an extra pair of socks. Dry feet are happy feet and happy feet mean strong finishes. ps. we have the perfect pocket to store them in!

10. bodyglide
Keep things going smoothly with a little extra help from our dear friend Bodyglide. You’ve already got 30K on your mind, you don’t need to be worrying about chaffing too.

So much stuff and no place to store it?  Check out the Stuff Your Bra Tank. 

If you’re anything like me, you get bored of the same workouts. From week to week, my favorite ways to sweat include yoga, spin, bar classes, running, swimming, dancing, and methods not appropriate for a public blog (hi Mom!). If a friend approaches me with a new wacky workout, I get excited to break up the monotony of my routine with something designed to shake me out of my comfort zone.

The same thing applies to a good run playlist. Don’t get me wrong, when the sweet chords of “Don’t Stop Believin’” come through my ear buds, I do an air-guitar slide with as much excitement as the next girl. But having the same tunes repeat OVER AND OVER in your head isn’t going to inspire you to run faster – it’s going to have you plateau and head home early.

update your run playlist

Infadels – Love Like Semtex
Once again proving that British musicians just “get it more,” this 2003 jam jam is still en fuego 10 years later. This high energy number is as good a lead-off batter as Derek Jeter – the perfect catalyst to your new running playlist.

PNAU feat. Ladyhawke – Embrace (Miami Horror & Fred Falke Remix)
Looking to start a neighborhood jazzercise class on your parent’s front lawn? Ding ding ding, we have a winner!

Big Boi feat. Gucci Mane – Shine Blockas
Gucci Mane has an ice cream tattoo on his face. In related news, Gucci Mane has AN ICE CREAM TATTOO ON HIS FACE.

Two Door Cinema Club – Something Good Can Work (RAC Remix)
These Irish dudes know how to fire it up. An added bonus: the lead singer has been known rock an extended TAMBOURINE solo at concerts. If that isn’t hard as #$!% I don’t know what is.

Theophilus London – Why Even Try
Like Theophilus says, timez are weird. Who would’ve thought that the most ethereal and ambient song listed here would’ve been a hip hop track?

The Temper Trap – Fader
Someone might want to look into some sort of Australian musical steroid conspiracy, because ALL of the music coming out of Down Under is completely, butt-kickingly amazing these days. Download this whole album – it’s a keeper.

Generationals – When They Fight, They Fight
Were you born in the wrong era? Well throw this puppy on your playlist ASAP – it pairs a sweet 60’s girl-group chorus with run-worthy beats.

Arcade Fire – Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)
I’ll admit it: I always liked Arcade Fire, but I was never the uber-fan that most of my friends are. Then I heard this song and my life changed. Yachtzee!

Kid Cudi feat. MGMT & Ratatat – Pursuit of Happiness (Steve Aoki Remix)
Kid Cudi did what every kid with a Hype Machine account & a dream wishes for and invited his hipster besties onto his hottest track. The results are a confusingly great recipe for sweating it out.

MSTRKRFT feat. John Legend – Heartbreaker
If you’re looking to get into electronic music, which coincidentally is perfect for sweating, try MSTRKRFT. Along with Cut Copy and The Presets, you’ll be ripping it up in no time – this track is a good segue if you’re already a fan of the radical John Legend.

Crystal Fighters – In The Summer (Picture House’s “Summer in the Balearic’s” Remix)
French electro is the triple espresso of the music world. Let this track be your much-needed hit of adrenaline when times get tough.

David Byrne & Brian Eno – Life Is Long
The Emperor of Cool has a catalogue of hits just perfect for an early morning soul-searching jog. This is my favorite ditty for an open-minded sweatathon.

Bon Iver – Towers
Two words: instant classic. Knowing this gem is waiting for you at the end of your run will make you go faster than ever.

Imagine looking forward to your run because you can’t get that unexpectedly catchy song out of your head. Music playlists are like a potluck dishes: some will make you dive for a glass of wine to drown your taste-buds and put them out of their misery; others  are so good they'll have you fencing with plastic forks for the final, delicious mouthful. That being said, who cares? This is a minimal commitment: you aren’t painting your walls silver or getting a pixie cut. So freshen up that iPod already and listen to some things you might normally skip. Who knows, maybe you were a rapper in a former life…you won’t know until you’re rhyming your heart out.

want more?

Check out some of our other rockin' playlists

Summer is finally here - do you need some new bright & shiny tunes to match the sunny weather? Well look no further - here are 13 tracks infused with virtual Vitamin D for your ears.

HOME – EDWARD SHARPE AND THE MAGNETIC ZEROS
Start your morning with some yoga on your patio and play this in the background. Seriously happy music that you will hum happily for the rest of your day!

DANCING ON MY OWN – ROBYN
I know what your thinking - is this the same Robyn that is on all my dust-covered 90's compilation pop CD's? To answer your question - it sure is, but Robyn has zoomed into the 21st Century with some music dancy enough to give Kylie Minogue a run for her money. Plus she has cool hair - that counts for something, doesn't it?

MAN IN A SUITCASE - THE POLICE
Sting and company have never sounded more stoked than on this forgotten gem. You'll swear there is sun shining out of your stereo!

BIRDS - CRYSTAL CASTLES
Alice Glass and company are back with an album that will be ruling the airwaves all summer. Fantastic tunes if you like electro that is a little off-kilter and imaginative.

TENDERONI – KELE
No, this isn't a cover version of the hit Chromeo song; this is the brand spankin' new first single off of Kele's new album. Who's Kele, you may ask? No big deal - just the lead singer of a little group called Bloc Party. Oh, and he decided to make a dance record. Booiiiinnnggg!!!

AMERICAN DREAM - CROSBY, STILLS, NASH AND YOUNG
Are you good at whistling? Can you whistle and smile at the same time? This song will put you to the test! A good old fashioned summer tune for that slow-pitch or beach volleyball playlist.

SONG FOR THE BABY - KELIS
Kelis has had a busy year. First she broke up with Nas, then she raided Grace Jone's tickle trunk for an aggressive game of dress-up, and now she has teamed up with superstar French producer/DJ David Guetta for an album filled with whimsical vocals and thumping beats.

WHITE LINES (DON'T DO IT) - GRANDMASTER FLASH
It's easy to see why all the young guns sample the hip hop classic tracks - they're unbelievably catchy! This song is amazing for intervals - hilarious lyrics and a wicked ascending chorus will make you forget about the pain. Well, kind of.

EASY LOVE - MSTRKRFT
An electro classic from the legendary Canadian duo. If you haven't checked them out yet, prepare for the obsession.

RÖYKSOPP - WHAT ELSE IS THERE? (THIN WHITE DUKE REMIX)
Yeah yeah yeah - it's been in a billion car commercials. Who cares - this early 2000's dance floor staple is a serious a sweat inducer.

LET'S DANCE - DAVID BOWIE
"When you say run, I run with you." Dude, DAVID BOWIE is running with you!

INFINITE ARMS - BAND OF HORSES
This song is plain and simple one of the prettiest tracks in recent memory. Run to your favorite beach and press play when your toes hit the sand - you'll reward yourself with a supremely serene cool-down.

WALKING ON SUNSHINE - KATRINA AND THE WAVES
The classic summertime jam-jam for dancing around and singing in the mirror post-shower with a towel on your head and your toothpaste as your microphone.

Do you have any suggestions for the next playlist? Leave Alexis a comment below.

I love that the collar on this pullover gives you the option to keep warm and cozy at the beginning of the run…

But also lets you cool down and feel a little more breeze for the end.

Cuffins! Admittedly they’re not quite applicable yet (at least for those of us living in Vancouver) but I can’t wait to keep my fingers toasty warm in those wee little mittens come November!

What I’m listening to when I’m running in my RUN: Hills Pullover II:

• A Little Less Conversation by Elvis Presley. A great starter song! “A little less conversation, a little more ACTION”!
• Good Vibrations by Marky Mark. To keep the running vibe going. “I wanna see sweat comin’ out your pores”… Long before lululemon was around, Marky Mark knew what was going on
• Fighter by Christina Aguilera. “You won’t stop me!” “Thanks for making me a fighter!” I finish EVERY run with this song! It’s the ultimate way to make it through those last few moments!

Interested in learning more about the RUN: Hills Pullover II? Visit your local store, or take a peek online: http://shop.lululemon.com/

Above: Tiffany takes the Run: Flow Thru Dress for a spin!

I have to be thoroughly honest with you.

I'm not exactly what you would call a 'hardcore' runner. When it comes to my running program, the words snow, rain, cold, or anything else unpleasant simply do not have a place. Summer running is where it's at.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I actually really like running. I really, really like running when I am wearing the brightest, coolest and most functional pieces on the running market. Who wouldn't? This is why I love lululemon!

For instance, my first outing of the running season was this past Monday, and I decided to sport the new Run: Flow Thru Dress. For me, this dress was a match made in runner's heaven. It's fun, cute, and made with Silverescent technology. The dress upheld its Flow Thru name – the air flowed right 'thru', and kept me cool during my 5km – which felt more like 50km!

Like some, my iPod is my running companion. I'm not a person who can run and talk at the same time – my breath will simply not have it. The amazing thing about lululemon run gear is it harbors all sorts of gadgets and gizmos for your running routine. The Run: Flow Thru Dress has a handy pocket near the small of the back – perfect for a key, map, or in my case, a running mate!

On that note, I'm looking for some new music to keep me company. I know there are others out there like me… what are your favourite running tunes? (Leave me a comment below).

Now for all you summer runners out there (and all you hardcore ones too!), I pronounce the 'official' running season open!