So how come I need so much stuff? Last Saturday I had (from head to toe)
- Running hat (protects head, absorbs sweat, keeps sun out of my eyes)
- Sunglasses (protects eyes from both Sun and flying insects)
- Running bra (absolutely essential)
- Heart Rate Monitor strap
- Garmin 305 GPS and sport watch
- Running shorts'
- Sport Glide and Vaseline for Toes, feet, bra straps
- Asics Kayano socks
- Asics Kayano shoes with SuperFeet insoles
- Sunscreen
I also carried:
- Camelbak FlashFlo (with 1 liter of Gu2O orange flavor)
- 1 Gu brand sports gel (plain flavor)
- Tissues
- 1 Bike bottle with ice and water (left in car for after the run)
- Blue Ice reusable cooler pack (left in car)
- 1 Can of Lactose Free Slimfast French Vanilla drink (left in car on blue ice pack for post-run)
Admittedly, I would not need to get all of this ready if I ran out and back from my house. I drive to my favorite running trail because I like the gravel path, and the slant on my neighborhood streets aggravate my ITBS. I also like to run with my training group.
I always say I carry this stuff because I'm a mom, and I like to be prepared and find the feeling that I have what I need to be comforting. Still, I show up for my group runs and people don't have water, don't have gel, didn't eat breakfast, don't wear sunscreen. Most of my fellow group members are 15-20 years younger than I am--but should I be taking less, or should they be taking more?
In a way I envy them--not having the extra weight and all. But then I hear them talking about how tired they are for the rest of the day, and how they don't recover from their runs. This year I have been feeling pretty good after about an hour of rest after my long runs.
Maybe my stuff and I are just fine!
