These are the things I wear when I run that keep me from dying.
Bondi Band- keeps the little hairs out of my face and my hairspray filled sweat from searing my eyes like mustard gas. Mine doesn’t have words on it and this girl isn’t me.
Sports Bra- Keeps you from wanting to cut your ladies off. I don’t have a particular fave, I try not to wear cotton ones (see evilness about cotton here) but sometimes I’m cheap (aka poor) and I don’t have $40 to shell out for a bra.
The people at Zensah very kindly sent me this Racerback top and it has become my absolute favorite running top. Too bad I only have one (not for long….watch out Visa, I’m coming for you). It’s light, doesn’t chafe, wicks moisture quickly, and dries rapidly. It’s also super soft and absorbent for those times when you need to wipe your nasty sweaty face with something.
For days when my Zensah top is dirty, I grab my trusty ol’ Nike Pacer Top. This is another go to running top for me at least ten months a year. It is super light weight, is dri-fit (aka wicks sweat from your body), and is loose so it doesn’t make you feel like you are a stuffed sausage. Also nice for those days when you are running a little on the chunkier side..
Underwear. I wear the kind that doesn’t crawl up and make a home in unladylike places. I recently discovered these and am in love.
I used to be a hardcore wearer of the oh so popular Nike Tempo Shorts. But then they chafed me on a 22 miler and I’ve been bitter ever since. I still wear them for shorter runs, but have since converted to the North Face Better than Naked shorts. Oh my gosh. I wore them for the first time in the Chicago marathon and I did not have a single problem. They didn’t ride up, they didn’t chafe, and they dried in minutes. If I could afford to wear these exclusively I would. They even have decent pocket space on the back and spots to hold gels.
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When I started having some toe rubbing and grumbling and blistering I started wearing Injinji toe socks. I hate paying $12 for a pair of socks, but whatever. They are super thin, I haven’t had a single blister since and they feel good.
Asics Gel Nimbus 12 - I LOVED the Gel Nimbus 11. I ordered the updated 12′s hated them, changed my mind and reordered them in another size.
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Garmin Forerunner 305 – Oh how I love thee. I used to “estimate” how far I was running, turns out that just because you think you are running an eight minute mile does not mean that in 16 minutes you will have run 2. Turns out that it is closer to 1.2276752. Sad face. This is a good thing to have if you want to lose weight because you won’t be able to eat for a while after buying it. Worth it, but just saying.
I’ve used about four different kinds of race belts to hold crap and the only one I’ve found that doesn’t bounce is the iFitness belt. I wore it through the marathon and it held six gels, my phone, my shuffle, headphones, toilet paper, gum, and chapstick. The pouch is also water resistant which comes in handy after you’ve been running for 4 hours and are a sweaty beast.
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Road ID – I ordered this in red to assuage my mother. Also because I live in a dangerous city with weird crime and my body could show up in a field at any moment. I just want people to identify my body in a timely manner before my face gets chewed on by cats. It is also 900 degrees outside and if I pass out I need whoever finds me to tell the EMT’s that I’m allergic to sulfa and to call my mom.
This isn’t a picture of mine since I’m not a Filipino man named Amado who is a golfer and race walker.
I listen to music when I run because I have ADD and I get bored. I have no interest in getting in touch with nature, so suck it “No IPOD” marathons.
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I also run with water because I can’t psychologically go without it, even if it’s 10 feet. This little bottle is easy to carry and has a nice little pouch for your keys, gum, and knife (in case of rapists or kidnappers).
For really long runs I use a CamelBak Charm that holds about 50 ounces. I was really surprised that it didn’t bounce or seriously molest the hell out of my shoulders.
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Great list! I want to try the Camelback and the Moving Comfort undies!
I am not a runner, but wish I was. Your blog cracks me up! Thanks
I totally have to run with gum, too..an absolute must to keep the salvia going and without it, I’ll be completely parched the whole run. Music is definitely necessary, too…will check out the sox, thanks for all the great tips!
Awesome blog! LOL’d a few times! Great list of running supplies :)
Found you on Pinterest:)
FYI: the North Face Better than Naked shorts are on closeout at REI right now.
I just stumbled upon your blog and it makes me laugh. Love the list of running toys. Like you, I commit the mortal running sins of chewing gum and listening to my iPod. Most people think I’m going to choke to death on the gum, but it really helps with dry mouth (I’m a mouth breather when I run). Music helps to pass the time and I love annoying people by blowing bubbles and mouthing the words to the songs on my iPod while I run. Seriously, though, mouthing the words to songs helps me breath.
I was never a runner until about 12 years ago. To put this in perspective I’m 44 years old. I started as a way to get rid of work stress and did not love it, but kept at it anyway. After a bit of time, I really loved it and have run ever since. I ran through both my kids pregnancies (up until about 6.5 months, then it just got uncomfortable). I’ve also had 2 knee surgeries: one for a torn ACL and medial meniscus, one for a torn medial meniscus. After the first surgery I was told that I would run or do martial arts for almost a year. I was back to jogging in about 3-4 months and back to karate in about 4 months. Now I run primarily on treadmill and only run 1/2 marathons. I’ve run 4 full marathons, but after the knee surgery, and kids, it was just too hard to get in the training runs.
Keep up the running.
What headphones do you use? I am seriously tired of getting the response “Skullcandy Ink’d” because I can’t keep those stupid things in my ears while I run. Suggestions? I have my shuffle and iphone ones but the outer ring of plastic has worn off and now they shock me every 3rd step.
I use those Gummy ones that are like $5 at Target or Walmart. I find they don’t fall out and when they start to get fried, they are cheap to replace.
Great list. I use the camel pack whenever I’m running and/or cycling. I’ve tried the belt but its just not comfortable.
–And yes that’s the BEST gum for running it can go for miles! PLUS keeps me busy on something.
You are seriously hilarious. Just discovered your blog and love your tone of writing!
I like runnung because it is good for the whole body. To get prepared for running on a long distances I usually take Navy Seal formula, which quickly brings me up. It is manufactured by MGNutritionals and was developed specially for the Army, but it is good for everyone who needs more energy for active lifestyle.
I just found your blog, and I think we are somehow related! I’m curious about the gum. I suffer from allergies/sinus issues year round. This makes my nose a non-functioning organ and a mouth breather when I run, in turn drying out my mouth. Does the gum help with that?
It does for me, I feel like I’m going to die of cotton mouth without it!
The North Face shorts were on major sale on 6PM so I thought I’d try them out. I didn’t think to notice that the inseam is only 3 inches! Need an extra pair? I won’t be using mine!
I love my Ipod shuffle – can’t imagine running or doing any exercising without it. I even listen to it when I vacuum! Great idea about the socks though. I don’t get blisters a lot, but sometimes my toenails cut the skin of my toes. I do clip my toenails – I just have crooked toes I guess ha ha. Great workout gear!
Love this post! And absolutely need the majority of those things + all Lululemon gear! Here’s a post to my recent blog about Lulu clothes (: http://afterallissaidanddunn.blogspot.com/2013/04/lululemon-clothing-is-made-of-magic.html
Love the blog. I need to get myself a camel bak as I’m just getting into ultra marathon racing :0)