Before I considered myself to be a “serious” runner, I thought running was one of the few sports that required very little gear or equipment. However, as time has progressed my arsenal of running gear has grown. I recognize that all of my gadgets are not necessary for running, but for me, each one serves an important purpose.
Here is my list of running essentials:
1. Road ID – Thanks to my running friend, Kevin, I was made aware of this potentially life saving piece of equipment. I wear the Wrist ID Sport in black (black goes with everything) which is engraved with all of my emergency contact information. It gives me a piece of mind knowing that in the event that something happens to me while I am out for a run or working out at the gym, anyone can refer to my Road ID to ensure that I get the help I need.
2. Ipod – As I mentioned in me previous blog entry, running and music go hand in hand for me. I always make sure to keep my Ipod fully charged so the music can propel me through my run. I also have an arm band that my Ipod slides into, so I don’t have to hold it while working out and a pair of earbuds that go over my ears to avoid the pulling sensation the occurs with regular earbuds.
3. Garmin GPS Watch - I LOVE my Garmin Forerunner 210 watch! It’s definitely an investment, but it is so worth it! I no longer have to pre-plan my running route. At a glance my Garmin will tell me total distance, time and current pace. After my run, I upload my workout to Garmin Connect to access even more information. It will show my route, fastest mile etc. It is a great training tool!
4. Amphipod Handheld Water Bottle - I am one of those runners who has to have water at all time regardless of the length of the run. I used to run with a regular bottle, but it was difficult to hold. This water bottle is great because it has a strap that goes around your fingers so you really don’t have to grip the bottle at all. It also has a little pouch that I use to hold my car key.
The best part of all these gadgets? They make me more excited to get out of the house and go for a run!
