Merry Chickmas! Megan is back after a stretch of travel and catches us up on training, how a recent treadmill workout went wrong, and having to run in Nike Dunks shoes while away. She also shares about linking up with Tessa Barrett for a run in D.C. fresh off her 2:30 at CIM. Karen also shares her own running updates as she returns to running after successfully freezing her eggs. Megan, Karen, and Rachel also unpack more OTQ highlights from CIM.

To wrap things up, the Chicks get into the holiday spirit with a gift guide filled with ideas for the runners in your life.

Our holiday gift guide:

Big ticket items:

• Normatec ($999)
• Oakley Meta Vanguard ($499)
• Ultrahuman Ring ($350)
• Massage package ($300-$500)
• Theragun mini ($160)
• Shokz headphones ($140)

Clothes:

• Tracksmith Brighton Base Layer ($100)
• UA Sportswear Insulated Vest ($141)
• On Pace Pocket Bra ($85)
• Warm up and go jacket ($128)

Accessories:

• Stance socks ($45 - 3 pack)
• Bombas socks ($51 - 3 pack)
• Bandit quarter socks ($32 - 2 pack)
• Goodr Bolt Gs ($35)
• Salomon Active Skin 8 Hydration Vest ($115)
• Smartwool Active Fleece Wind Mitten ($50)

Stocking stuffers:

• ROAD iD ($20-$40)
• The Feed gift card
• High–quality sunscreen
  • Supergoop ($38 for 50 mL)
  • Innisfree ($32 for 100 mL)
  • EltaMD ($45)
• Toe spreaders ($10)
• Running Round Ceramic Ornament ($15)
• LMNT ($45)

Other:

• Strava premium subscription
• Running books
  • Let Your Mind Run: A Memoir of Thinking My Way to Victory by Deena Kastor
  • The Longest Race: Inside the Secret World of Abuse, Doping, and Deception on Nike's Elite Running Team by Kara Goucher
  • Choosing to Run by Des Linden
  • Don't Call It a Comeback by Keira D’Amato
  • Win the Inside Game by Steve Magness
  • The Inner Game of Tennis by W. Timothy Gallwey
  • Rise and Run Recipes ($15)
• Roll recovery R3 Orthopedic foot roller ($35)
• Marathon Medal Display ($70)
• Lagoon Otter pillow ($140)
• Yeti Rambler water bottle ($40 for 26 oz)
• Nathan HyperNight Pinnacle Soft Flask ($46)
• Chicago marathon mug ($27)