When A Run Was Just A Run???

This is a post I wrote last year before Daily Trainings was ever read by anyone but me and my bride, so I thought I would re post it, with a few subtle updates.

I remember when going out for a run was as simple as saying, “Honey, I am going jogging, be back in a little while.” I'd tie my shoes (when was last time we tied a shoe thanks to speedlaces?) and be off for a jog. Well, since I started my triathlon training, it is so not that easy. Just look at all the stuff that goes with me and you would understand what I mean. So I am going to chronicle everything that gets taken into account on my running days.

• Weather: Usually when it is warm, I go with shirt and shorts. If it is in the upper 80’s then shirt is optional. Anything lower then 60 but above 50, then I wear my long tights and t-shirt. Below 50, then it is tights, shirt and long sleeve shirt. Below 40 and it is gloves, hat, tights, t-shirt and long sleeve shirt and a skull cap. Anything below 15, then I stay inside or hit the “dreadmill”! Since I do live in Memphis, we deal with the heat more than anything else, so it is usually shirtless, sockless running. I love running in a summer rain and in weather that keeps most people inside.


• iPod: Usually on longer runs, I will take my iPod. USAT races will not allow you to use an iPod, so I am now doing more runs without it. It is interesting that after all the years of running with music, I can still enjoy running without it. I can listen to my breathing and my footsteps and just get into a zone easier.


• Sunglasses: Simple, if it is sunny or windy, I wear sunglasses. If my run has to happen late and it is getting dark, then I have clear lenses I wear. Nothing worse than a twig to the eye you did not see or a bug flying in your eye!


• RoadID: Always try to remember to wear my Road ID anklet. It is an ankle strap that contains the information on it to determine who I am and who to contact in case I get ran over by a car. I believe everyone should look into this.


• GPS: Instead of a watch, I used wear a Garmin GPS on my wrist. The doohickey will time my run, tell me my pace (mile per minute) and let me know how far I have run. No more days of running, and then jumping in the car or on my bike and redoing the course to get a distance. I love this device, almost to much. I do try and do runs without it if I know the route distance. Sometimes it is freeing (word?) to just run without checking pace and distance all the time.


• Nutrition: I classify my runs into two parts, short runs and long runs. My short runs are anywhere from 4-7 miles and long runs are between 6-15 miles. I never carry anything on the short runs because we are only talking about 40 minutes running. Long runs I take a fuel belt, which is a belt that has something that looks like 2 flasks connected to it. In the summertime, it is extremely important to take fluids while running. I have since moved to early morning runs because the temperatures get way to hot, so I do not always take my fuel belt, but I probably should.


• Other Items


• Hat/Visor: This could go into clothing section in weather, but it has a specific reason to be worn. I normally wear my hat/visor when I do not want to wave at the neighbors or give any indication that I want you to acknowledge me in any way. I am there to run, not chit chat. In the summer, it is more to keep the sweat from running down into my eyes.


• Headlight: Yes, if I run at night I wear a headlight like a miner. Two reasons for this: 1. I want people (cars) to see me coming and 2. I do not want to trip and break my face. It does look corny but it makes me feel safer.


• On long runs, I have carried TP. Nothing worse than getting stuck and needing a bathroom. Lately I have been much better about what I eat the night before that this has not been a huge issue for me (knock on wood), but yes, it has been needed before. I normally do not use sunscreen because I am lucky enough to tan more than I burn!

This is just for going on a run, you should see my biking list or my swimming list! Crazy huh? It is, but we all do it for one reason or another. I am sure I left off some things, and maybe you have some things I did not list, but when you are training for something, just going for a run is not as easy as it used to be, shoot, I did not even get into the family aspect of it. For me and my family, we have found that my training works best for all of us if I get up early while everyone is still sleeping, this way I do not come home from work and then disappear for another 2 hours!

Go check out Big Daddy Diesel's post about race shirt etiquette!