At the end of each month, I share my favorite finds for running, triathlon and general fitness that are helping me train and race happy, motivated and healthy. During August, I discovered 4 new running items that are now on my must-have best running gear list.

1. Sport Jogger Mace Pepper Spray
With the recent attacks of female runners in my city and surrounding area, I bought this mace pepper spray made for runners at my local running store this month. While I know this won’t make me invincible against a God forbidden attack, I’m hopeful it would at least give me an edge to distract an attacker and/or increase the likelihood I could get away unscathed. I never run alone when it’s dark, but I do run with other women in the morning before the sun comes up. I also run many of my shorter weekday runs solo. This Sport Jogger Mace Pepper Spray is perfect because you wear it on your knuckles, allowing your thumb to be on the trigger throughout your run or at any given moment (no pulling it out of a case or out of a pouch on your hand). According to the package, the pepper spray emits 12 feet and is good for about a year.

2. Salted Watermelon GU
OMG! I have died and gone to running fuel heaven. For years, I was never a “GU person.” I relied on endurance chews such as Power Bar chews, Clif Shot Bloks and other similar nutrition while running. After working with a nutritionist and realizing liquids and gels absorb more quickly to aid performance, I began using gels consistently last year. I started with Honey Stinger gold gels, but quickly found they didn’t quite give me the kick I needed. Then, I discovered Salted Caramel GU, and my running world has never been the same. I love it, and it has worked extraordinarily well for me. But in the world of GU, there are always new flavors. Enter: Salted Watermelon, one of the newest flavors created specifically for the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series. I’d heard about this flavor for quite some time but hadn’t yet found it at my running store. Until this month. I picked up 3 to try out, and I’m now wishing I’d bought a whole box. These babies are DELICIOUS! They remind me of a watermelon Jolly Rancher. They contain extra sodium and are really easy for me to take down, even when I don’t feel like fueling. I’m now trying to decide if I’ll alternate these with Salted Caramel or change completely to Salted Watermelon. 5 cheers for this new flavor!

[Side note: I also tried the new Chocolate Peanut Butter flavor this month. It is great if you like that flavor, but it was harder for me to take down than the Salted Watermelon or Caramel. I won’t be buying it again, but it is tasty.]

Oiselle Stride Shorts
Last year, I had the chance to visit Oiselle headquarters in Seattle and meet and run with the fabulous ladies who manage their company. Up until now, I only owned 2 Oiselle pieces – a light rain jacket and an amazing long-sleeve luxe layer. After my recent 5K earlier this month, Mr. rUnladylike and I stopped into a nearby running store so he could buy some new running socks. This particular store carries a lot of Oiselle items, and I’ve had my eye on their Stride Shorts for nearly a year. They had my size, so I tried them on (yes, after running a 5K; #unladylike) and they fit perfectly. I only race in short, black, fitted running shorts. Brooks Running no longer makes their Epiphany Boy Shorts in their short length (although I hear rumors they’re coming out with a 4-inch spandex short this spring), and lululemon no longer makes my favorite Run Shorty Shorts (which I wear for every race you’ve ever seen me in a photo during or after).

I’ve been on the hunt for a new pair for a long time. What I like about the Oiselle Stride Shorts is the 4-inch inseam – not too long, not too short – and the zippered pocket on the front right side that fits a GU, key, salt pills or another small item. They fit true to size and are very comfortable. The only downside is that they don’t have an elastic gripper around the inside of the legs, but so far, I haven’t experienced any riding up or movement. I have yet to run more than 6 miles in these, so my next experiment is to do a long run in them and see if they still say in place. So far, I’m really glad I purchased these. I believe they retailed around $46. I also have my eye on their new tanks with a built-in shelf bra that they just launched this month as well.

4. Brooks Running Ghost 7
Last, but certainly not least, the Brooks Ghost 7s are a great shoe for runners with a neutral gait who are looking for a more traditional running shoe without all the bulk. Although I run almost exclusively in the Brooks Pure Cadence, every now and then I like to do some easy runs in shoes from their core line, and I love cross-training in them as well. The Ghosts are one of Brooks’ most popular selling shoes, and I can see why. A few things I love about the 7s include: 1) the new pink fall color for women (I can never have too many hot pink running shoes), 2) the toe box – it’s roomy and gives my toes room to spread, 3) the laces – I love how stretchy they are, and 4) the lightweight feeling of a more traditional running shoe – it’s great for someone like me who prefers to run in a slightly more minimalist shoe. The Ghost 7s are a traditional shoe that feels light and airy and they are extremely comfortable.

Did you try any new running or fitness gear in August? If so, what is the best running gear you have tried this month? If you’ve tried any of the items above, what do you think about them?