Congratulations! We’ve made it.

We survived another long, hot summer of training. We conquered waking up at the crack of dawn to run before the thermometer sky rocketed. We sweated through every pair of running clothes we own. We dealt with feeling like we would melt, have a lung collapse or simply just burst into tears after those bad runs that felt miserably hard. But we kept at it. We stayed focused on our goals – be it a half marathon, marathon, triathlon or other fitness goal. And here we are at the last day of summer – a finish line in and of itself.

The most challenging season is behind us. Fall is here!

For surviving the last 3 months of training in the summer heat, you deserve a medal … or at least some free socks.

I’m thrilled to team up with Swiftwick to give away a $25 gift card to swiftwick.com to kick off your fall training with a bang and thank your feet for getting you through the hot summer months.

Truth be told, I’ve never been loyal to a particular brand of sock like I am with my shoes. I run in a variety of brands, colors, thicknesses and styles. So you can imagine my excitement when I had the chance to try a new and different pair of socks for the first time last month. Swiftwick was kind enough to give everyone on my Nuun Hood to Coast Relay team a free pair of their Vibe Zero and Green Striped Vision Aspire Twelve compression socks to try. The Vibe Zeros are marketed as a no-show, no-slip sock that sits just below the ankle with a compression footbed and minimal cuff. The Aspire Twelves are calf-length compression socks that are designed to minimize vibration, eliminate cramps and speed recovery.

Although I’ve never worn Swiftwick socks before, there are many Swiftwick socks in my house. Mr. rUnladylike will not wear any other brand of sock. Period. I once tried to buy him some new (expensive) running socks and when he saw they weren’t Swiftwicks, he took one look at them and headed straight to the return line at our local running store. Lesson learned. Clearly I’ve been missing out on something.

Since Hood to Coast, I’ve had a chance to try both pairs of my new Swiftwick socks, and I’ve been pleased. I wear my calf-length compression socks for recovery rather than while running (I simply get too hot running in calf/knee-length socks). What I really like about the Aspire Twelves is the length. Most compression socks are too long for me, requiring me to fold them over below the knee to fall at the right place on my leg. The Swiftwick version is just right and will likely be a better fit for many women.

The below-the-ankle Vibe Zeros also felt good on my feet. I recently wore them for a tempo run and they felt comfortable and did not slip down my heel. They are a tad bit lower than the typical no-show socks I wear, but I thought they provided great comfort and function.

Now it’s your turn to test out your own Swiftwick socks. Enter my giveaway to win a $25 Swiftwick giftcard for use at swiftwick.com. Here’s how it works:

• Use the widget below to enter and track all your entries. Simply log in with your Facebook account or email address. (Mandatory)
• Post a comment in the comment section at the end of this blog post sharing your favorite piece of running gear that you cannot run without. (Mandatory)
• Once you’ve left a comment, check it off in the box below to unlock additional options to enter, such as tweeting and/or posting on Facebook about the giveaway and following rUnladylike and Swiftwick on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
• The contest will be open from Friday, September 20, 2013, through Wednesday, September 25, 2013, at 11:59 p.m. EST. The winner will be announced on Thursday, September 26, 2013, and will receive a gift card code via email to redeem on the Swiftwick Web site.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Congratulations again on getting through a tough summer training season, and good luck with winning some awesome socks to kick off your fall training.

What is your favorite piece of running gear you cannot run without (answer is mandatory to enter the contest)? If you’ve tried Swiftwick socks, what do you think of them.