After two years of cycling, I needed a new challenge—so I laced up my shoes and hit the pavement again. Miles with Mama is my journey back to running and the start of a six-week 5K training plan for moms who want to balance motherhood, movement, and mindset.

This season, I’ve been leaning on a few simple things that make everyday life as a solo mom smoother. From toddler must-haves to time-saving home gadgets, these are my tried-and-true mom life essentials for fall that actually make a difference in my day.