Some thoughts on Running
1. If you're not smiling, you're not doing it right. Grimacing, silent, almost angry looking runners that are grunting..okay..fine if you're shooting for a Boston Qualifying time or are an Elite competing for prize money. Everyone else - smile and thank all those race volunteers, police officers keeping the race course clear of cars, water stop helpers and cheer on your fellow runners.
2. Thou shalt not ignore your body. If you feel (real) pain - stop before you injure yourself.
3. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate.
4. Apply Glide then some more..and then maybe a little more Glide. Three applications? That's probably good. This is the Gospel, Amen.
Inexpensive Running Things that You Actually Need
aka: What's really working for me
1. Whole Foods insulated bag.
This one I figured out on accident. It's the right size to toss in the back seat (just guessing, but it's about 23" long by 14" tall/deep. Holds all my running stuff and more - so I can just grab it and go.
When it's empty you can smoosh it down nearly flat.
If you throw a cold drink in there - it stays cold! (That insulated part..)
If it gets dirty you can pull the liner completely out and wipe it down OR throw it in the washer (though I think I've avoid doing that as much as possible to make it last longer).
It has a nice wide carry strap and zip top, and a pocket on the side that is perfect for a protein bar or wallet. When it's in your car, people don't think: "Oooh, laptop bag" or "Gym bag..it might have something valuable!" ..it looks like you went to the grocery store (if they see the logo).
AND, best of all..they're cheap. I think it was $14?
2. Foam roller. Yes, you need one. You can get one really inexpensively at Target. So worth it - and you don't have to spend a lot to get a lot of benefit.
3. This one is for the girls: Sweaty Bands. This is not a paid endorsement. This is LOVE. These are literally the only thing I've found that truly will not budge when you're running AND absorbs sweat and the velvet inner lining feels nice. These are durable after lots of (hand) washing and nothing else I've tried has measured up to the grip & comfort of these hair-holders.
Bonus: This is a Woman owned (and founded) Cincinnati based company. Your purchase supports a Made in USA, hand-sewn Ohio based-business!
Not so inexpensive stuff, but stuff that I LOVE:
1. I resisted replacing my FitBit One because although it was "old" it was trusty. I'd had a Flex that was a lemon...so I stuck with what worked. I even quilted myself a new sleep band to hold the One when the old one wasn't working.
When I joined a running club I saw more people had a running watch. I wasn't really interested in a honking big Garmin and it sure didn't look like a watch I could wear all day everyday. The Apple Watch was never a consideration - not only because of price..but also because it's 1st Generation technology and seems to scream "I'm an arrogant techy person" to me somehow.
So, I tried the FitBit Surge. Worth every penny. It does everything (and more) my One did - and hasn't been a let down. (Yet).
It let's me control my music (skip songs) from my wrist on my iPhone, and let's me know my average pace, how long I've been running..and then syncs up to show me the course I ran (it's a true GPS watch).
It ALSO is a "smart" watch. It can wake me with vibrations (silent wake up), can show me an incoming text (full length), vibrates when a call is coming in (and has caller ID).. so I don't miss calls even when my phone is buried in my purse or I've failed to take it off silent mode. During my 1/2 marathon Jeff was able to text me encouragements as I ran. SO AWESOME.
Plus, I was already familiar with FitBit and it works with MFP (My Fitness Pal, which I use religiously) so-it was nice to stay with familiar tools in that sense.
2. Bluetooth headphones. I got the Mpow Cheetah. I did this originally while I was treadmill running because I could never seem to not end up tangled up with the cords or getting the phone yanked off the treadmill or ripping the cord out of the phone mid-run.
These have been great. Durable, don't get in the way of anything, intuitive volume control and mute..and they let me answer calls if someone calls me while running! (Apparently the sound quality for people who call me is good, too.)
3. Spi-Belt. To hold your phone. My running club buddies told me a few horror stories that convinced me to (almost) never run without a phone. And.. the phone is what provides my running sound track. (Sometimes some inspiring tunes are needed.) Occasionally (when I'm on a short run with no dangers and lots of people around me - like my club's group runs) I'll skip the belt. Otherwise - it's invaluable.
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