So, today’s topic for Tuesdays on the Run is “I won’t run without…” I know some of you wrote about it last week, but all of us here at TOTR were in race recovery mode and not at our best last week. If you wrote about it already, feel free to write about any other running related topic and link up. I promise April, Patty, and I are getting back to our A game. (Or not, as I’ll explain in a moment.)
- Oxygen – remember that cough I mentioned in several of my race recaps? Well, apparently I have a mild case of bronchitis. My “peak flow” is normal for a short 60 year old. No wonder I had such a hard time with the last few races and have been sucking wind on all of my runs since I got home. Luckily, I have an awesome doctor and I now have two inhalers – one of which is for before a run. Yes, she did tell me I could run. (She probably realized I would anyways…)
- Compression – You thought I wear Skirt Sports because they are cute? Nope, I wear them because the compression shorts prevent “chub rub”. Seriously, there is not enough glide in the world do prevent chafe if I don’t have on compression shorts. (OK, I admit, I do love the look of Skirt Sports, but they are also the best skirt I’ve found to prevent my thighs starting a fire. Function and fashion? Yes, please!)
- Deodorant – Not only does it make me smell better, but it’s a huge help in preventing underarm chafe. No one wants under arm chafe. I find it works better than glide and have actually returned home during a run when I realized I forgot some.
- My phone – I mean you never know when you are going to need to Instagram something, right? OK, really it’s so that I can make a call if I need to (although, the time I fell and was dripping blood all the way home, Beer Geek wasn’t around to call.) I’ve never actually used my phone to make an emergency call on the run, but I have been called to pick up a kid who was puking at school. Guess that’s as good of a reason as any to run with one.
- My contacts – I’m blind as a bat without them. I can’t even recognize cars anymore! And by recognize, I don’t mean that I can’t tell if I know the car, I mean I can’t tell that it IS a car…
Honestly, though, the only thing (besides my contacts) that I have with me for nearly 100% of my runs and races (Mainly Marathons being an exception) is my phone. I feel safer with it plus I’m often the only reachable parent. I’m not loving the new trend towards bigger and bigger phones. Soon I’ll need to wear a backpack to carry one…
What to you insist on having for every run? Is it a safety/comfort issue or habit?
[inlinkz_linkup id=567758 mode=1]
BREATHING. I KNEW I was forgetting something! Life is hard 😀
I always take my phone with me too. For many reasons, but mostly (other than safety) because I still have yet to purchase a GPS watch, and I like to know my distance and pace. I wish I would use it for more important things…like snapping pictures for my blog….
Wow, I’ve never thought of bringing deodorant for underarm chafe before. Thank you for the tip!
I am lost without my phone when I run… I’m always afraid an emergency will happen.
i’m not a fan of all the phones getting bigger either. who wants to carry around something the size of an iPad??
Definitely my phone, for emergency reasons and for music or a good podcast. Also a hat or headband to keep my bangs out of my eyes. Water bottles are a must, as well. Basically, the kitchen sink…
haha! I never would have thought to add oxygen and my contacts to running must haves, but you’re right! 100% need those things!
i have to have a good hair tie in my hair! My hair is really thick, so it takes a really tight hair tie to keep it pulled back during a run.
I hadn’t thought about contacts, but you’re right – those are a must have!
I must have my Garmin, Fitbit, and iPod Shuffle. Anything else depends on the length of my run. I wear my contacts 24/7 so they are just a part of my body. LOL.
I will not run without a good running bra. No ifs, buts or maybes. Gotta keep the girls in check!
My phone…my contacts…and butt paste…
Yes, a phone definitely. I keep it with me for runs and rides – for safety reasons and as a camera (and sometimes to run strava when I don’t feel like looking at a Garmin). No other real “must-haves.” That would tend to be seasonal, I guess.
I will not run without my phone. I feel really unsafe without it!
I have to say I too, like to run with my iphone. Not only do I feel safer but it also has all my play lists.