What do you bring with you? (Read 1076 times)

Seems like I bring a lot of stuff. Chap Stick, water ( not so much in the winter), cell phone, id, kleenex, lifesavers, pepper spray. I always envy runners who are just out there with nothing.. I need all my stuff. Am I abnormal? I sometimes hate the buldgy pouch in my running jacket. ( makes me look fatter than I am !)

Seems like I bring a lot of stuff. Chap Stick, water ( not so much in the winter), cell phone, id, kleenex, lifesavers, pepper spray. I always envy runners who are just out there with nothing.. I need all my stuff. Am I abnormal? I sometimes hate the buldgy pouch in my running jacket. ( makes me look fatter than I am !)

Wow, how far are you running? I bring my Ipod if I am running by myself, but not if I am with a group or a friend. If I have my Ipod I will usually attach the Nike+ pod to my foot to track time, distance and speed. That's pretty much it. So let's go through your list: Chapstick - if you apply before you leave you should be good to go for the entire run, unless you are constantly wiping your mouth Water - understandable if you are going for a long run, anything under an hour and you dont need it - just drink some beforehand Cell Phone - Are you expecting a call or something. I understand that if you get hurt you dont want to get stuck somewhere, but you could just limp/walk home or flag someone down for help ID - get a road ID for your sneaker, unless you are going to be hitting the bar on the way home Kleenex - understandable, I get a runny nose sometimes too Lifesavers???? Not sure why you need these Pepper Spray - again, understandable if you are running alone and perhaps live in an unsavory area (or are going to run through one). So I would say keep the pepper spray and the kleenex, get a road ID and dump the rest. Unless you are going for a long run then you might need water. And just think how much faster you will run after dumping all the extra junk.

Seems like I bring a lot of stuff. Chap Stick, water ( not so much in the winter), cell phone, id, kleenex, lifesavers, pepper spray. I always envy runners who are just out there with nothing.. I need all my stuff. Am I abnormal? I sometimes hate the buldgy pouch in my running jacket. ( makes me look fatter than I am !)

Not belittling you for your mileage ok...I think it's awesome you are a "runner" But looking at your log, I don't see anything you would need to bring with you except maybe the pepper spray. Definitely don't need water till you can run well over an hour. Heck, I really never drink anything unless I am running over two hours. And I can't imagine running with a cell phone. Lifesavers???? I just use my shirt or gloves to wipe my nose. Chap stick should do the trick before you head out the door. ID tag on your shoe is a good idea also. Just my 2 cents worth....and happy running!!! Tim

Kleenex? Wha? Huh? You're depriving yourself of one of the great joys of running - the snot rocket. Being a 'real' runner has nothing to do with speed. But one mandatory requirement is the snot rocket. You need to lose the Kleenex. Or you can use the Gallo-blow method. It involves making snot rockets with occasional Kleenex breaks after every 3-4 blows of your nose. My favorite in your list has to be the Lifesavers. Anybody who remembers to maintain fresh breath while running is clearly somebody with their act together.

I probably take more than I need on my long runs too. I'm with you on the cell phone though. My dh doesn't "get" it either but I always take it, even on short 3 mile runs. I run though an iffy area and several times have been harassed by groups of drunks who think it's great sport to bother the runner. I also was in the middle of a 10 mile run once when out of the blue a thunderstorm with hail and a tornado popped up. Luckily the tornado was about a mile away from me but I was glad to be able to call dh. It was kind of thrilling to huddle on top of a picnic table in a park shelter for 10-15 minutes dodging golf ball-sized hailstones and trying not to blow away. For me, better safe than sorry. I take my iPod and Nike+ thing (or I did before I lost it last week. ::sob, sob::, a couple bucks to grab some water at the corner gas station, a Gu or jelly beans on my long runs. Teresa

I'm a girl (well at 43 I'm being kind to myself) and what I take is on anything under 8 mi: 1. dog 2. road ID anklet 3. cell phone in a itty bitty waist pack that I got from sportsbasement long ago--it's really for a small bottle, but I duct tape the two ends so my phone stays in. 4. That waist pack also has a tiny zipper where I put YEP, a kleenex. Well actually, it's usually a napkin, as table napkins seem to hold up better than a kleenex. For long runs (over 8 mi) it's the above, plus: 5. Jogging stroller with two rugrats 6. Husband, as we don't have enough time to do two back-to-back long runs 7. Two pints of waterto split with dog and husband 8. dog bowl 9. Couple of Clif Shots w/caffeine, as I start to want a little jolt sometimes 10. Flip flops (I have to get out of my sweaty socks and shoes after a long run right away, and we usually walk a bit at the end) 11. HOUSE KEYS 'cause it's a PITA to have to break into the house after a long run (has happened more than once )

As little as possible. After 17 miles of hills, the extra gel I was carrying was weighing on me. At one point, I seriously considered jetisonning it. Got it out of my pocket and everything. Then, realized I was being an ass.

I go with the MP3 player when I am alone (packed with plenty of 80s hair band tunes). And I never head out without my watch...I always feel the need to check my splits. Anything else makes me feel bogged down.