Running should be a simple sport, but over the years we have managed to complicate it with all the accessories and devices that many of us use each time we run. I’ll be the first to admit that I am stuck in my ways with my running gear and accessories. I try to keep it simple, but I do get anxious if I can’t run with sometimes I am used to having. So let’s talk about some of the things I have with me on every single run.
The things I won’t run without
Brooks Running Shoes
It’s been years and years since I wore anything but Brooks. Since 2013 I have been wearing the Pure Line (Pure Flows, Pure Connects, and Pure Cadences) which I rotate throughout the week. Before that I was wearing something with much more stability, but now I love the feel of a lighter shoe.
Garmin 620
I don’t do well running without my watch. Last year I did some runs without it but I needed to know how far I was running anyway. I am still getting used to my new neighborhood and don’t know the exact distance of everything. Especially now that I am training I never run without my Garmin.
My iPhone
I bring this in case of emergency, but also so I can take pictures while I am out running.
Flip-belt (or somewhere to put my phone)
I can’t do an arm-band anymore (when I ran with music I used to wear one but it makes me feel so uneven). I like being able to put my phone in my flip-belt or another belt with a zipper. If I am wearing my camelbak them I usually just carry my phone in there.
Personal alarm
I have a small, handheld personal alarm that I carry while I run. If you pull the needle out of the device it makes a super loud noise. I have this one.
Road ID
I wear my Road-ID on each and every run. I mean, why not? It’s always comforting to know that your information is accessible if something were to happen while out running.
Sometimes I won’t run without….
sunglasses, a handheld water bottle, a headlamp, a camelbak backpack, and headphones (if listening to a podcast or the very rare occasion when I listen to music).
Ok, so there are probably 100 other things I “sometimes” bring with me when I run but I don’t think we need to go into any more detail than that. The point is, there are a lot of things that I run with!
What are some things you won’t run without?
Do you try to keep your running gear/accessories to a minimum?
If you run with a phone, how do you carry it?
I’ve been putting off getting a flip belt for the longest time but I seriously need one! I can’t shove things in my shorts forever, or can I? Good reminder to me!
I just can’t fit my phone in any of my shorts! And its definitely nice to have for races when need to carry a few gels.
I like the idea of the personal alarm. I carry pepper spray but in an instance when I should’ve used it, I did not think to. I carry my phone in an armband but it is not ideal.
I used to carry pepper spray but then I heard it could be used against you. I feel a bit more comfortable with the personal alarm since it’s pretty simple to use.
You are so connected. I won’t run without… clothing. ANd sunglasses or a visor. Garmin? only really for long runs or if I don’t know where I am. Phone? I take it, but it isn’t always necessary. I’m in lots of different shoes now, so I can’t say that eighter!. PONYTAILER. That’s something I won’t run without 😀
I don’t think I would run with my phone if it weren’t for feeling more safe with it. And I am all about the sunglasses when it’s sunny out, but lately almost all my runs have been in the dark!
I love my Brooks!!! Made my husband buy them and now he’s hooked. Best comfort for my feet.
They’re the best!
I would like to get that personal alarm!
Okay, so here are my 3 essentials, in order:
1. Hair tie. If someone said, “Megan, you can never run again unless you don’t pull your hair back” I would immediately start shaving my head. I hate hair in my face.
2. mp3 player so I can listen to podcasts
3. Garmin
The hair tie is a good one! I always wear two in case one breaks:)
I am definitely a minimalist…if it doesn’t fit in my sports bra pocket (I have several Lulu Run Stuff Your Bras) it doesn’t come along with me. However I can shove my phone, keys, credit cards, tissues, etc in there, and have my Road ID on my shoe 🙂
I need one of those sports bras with a pocket! I can’t believe all the stuff you can fit in there!
I was just thinking about the flip belt this morning! And I love the road i.d. bracelet and personal alarm; better to be safe than sorry! Thanks for sharing!
The flip belt is great! And it’s so important to feel safe when out running.
I can’t run without my phone, but have yet to really find something I love to carry it in. Fuel belts are too bulky for me, arm bands are annoying, and I hate carrying it in my hand… I’m thinking potentially a hand held water bottle might allow for it to be secured. Or I just need to invest in some wireless headphones so I can shove my phone in my shorts pocket!
Have you ever tried the flip belt? its not bulky at all and perfect for a phone!
I always run with my watch, a headband of sorts (I have bangs so I need something to keep them pulled back) and one thing I NEVER run without is an extra hair tie. A long time ago I had one snap on me while I was out for a run and was lucky enough to be with a friend that had an extra, but it was such a weird freak occurrence that I always try to remember to have an extra handy now.
I go through phases with the phone thing. I think once I’m back on the road again I’ll always have it, since I didn’t have it when I was hit a few months ago, and I had to hike back about a mile on a severely injured foot. Live and learn!
Very smart to bring an extra hair tie! I always wear two in case one breaks, but I typically tie my hair pretty tight so I don’t have to mess with it while I am running:)
It definitely sounds like a good idea to have a phone after hearing about your experience!
Its always fun to read about what other runners take on their runs! I also carry my phone but in an armband and listen to music most of the time (I keep it off on AM runs until its light out). I also always run with my Garmin. I have the Forerunner 10 and like it. If its sunny I will wear a hat and in the summer or for longer runs I will carry an Amphiod handheld.
I have been thinking of getting a Road ID. Its a great idea and important if (God forbid) something happened. I’m going to look into it! Thanks 🙂
I actually have a newer road ID than the picture I shared, and its super thin and light and actually kind of cute! I definitely recommend looking into getting one.
I really need to get a personal alarm! I run with my phone, id, and keys in my spibelt, my Garmin, and I have to have a headband to keep flyaways out of my face.
I can’t seem to find headbands that stay on my head! Although I do have a bondi band that is pretty good.
I like to think I’m still a pretty simple runner. My RoadID is on my wrist 24/7, I always wear my mizunos, and that’s about it. Other than that, I don’t carry my phone, a belt, rarely wear my watch, and wear compression socks about half the time. Living in the city, I probably should carry pepper spray or something similar, but I just like being able to lace up my shoes and walk out the door!
When I lived in the city I only carried my personal alarm when it was really early, because there were always so many other runners out! But now I feel like I always need to carry it just in case.
I can’t run without music, and I never have been able to. It certainly made distance tests in pre-season an adventure. I use my iPhone as my iPod so I have both in one handy dandy device.
I used to always run with music but now I don’t even miss it…and it’s nice to not have the wires from headphones to deal with all the time.
Omg, I can’t believe you run naked! Ha ha… you didn’t actually say you wear clothes. I’m a brat, I know. Okay so the belt you wear for your phone… is it called a Spi belt? Does it ever chaffe? Or bounce around?
Ha! Fair enough. My belt is a flip belt. I usually wear it over my shorts and shirt so no chafing! And it doesn’t move at all like alot of the other belts I have tried.
Yes to all these things (although really just shoes in general). I was so late to the FlipBelt party and now I don’t know why I waited so long! Honestly when I’m missing any of this stuff I practically feel naked haha.
I wish I had thought to invent the Flipbelt because it is such a simple but perfect way to carry things while running!
I carry ALL of the same items as you down to the personal alarm except for the road ID. I really need to purchase one!
You definitely should! It’s such an easy way to ensure someone can be reached in case of an emergency.
I never run w my phone. I have an armband that I put my ipod nano in and it’s small enough that it doesn’t bother me. I also have the flip belt but mine is too big and rides up so I never use it. However I like the concept of it.
That’s too bad that your flip belt is too big! They really are great and mine doesn’t move at all.
I run with most of those things too! I really need to get myself a RoadID, especially since I’m on remote trails so frequently. It’s really not the smartest to be without one…haha
Yes you should definitely get one! So simple but really important!
That alarm is pretty nifty! I’ve never seen anything like that before, but think it would be a great thing to add to my must-haves!
When I was reading about pepper spray I found this as an alternative, and I feel like it would be easier to use if needed. You should definitely look into it!
I have to listen to music, otherwise the bit@*^ in my head nag me the whole run. I wear my Garmin always. I just recently won a ROAD ID and I wear it all the time, because I recently have been having blackouts where I don’t remember anything. Made me nervous enough to put it on. I love Brooks Ghost running shoes. Thanks
bakingrunner.blogspot.com
Sounds like a smart idea to wear a road ID!
I ALWAYS wear my Brooks Glycerin’s. Best. Shoe. Ever. I don’t do a run without my Garmin 225. As a matter of fact, I wear it all the time. I take my phone when I’m running outside for music and podcasts. I despise my armband though. I need to look into the flipbelt. If I’m hitting the ‘mill I just bring headphones so i can watch HGTV. 🙂
It’s nice to have an option besides an armband for carrying a phone! And I always need headphones on the treadmill to keep me distracted!
i love my flip belt! so great and keeps my house key from being lost (which as happened to me before, yikes!) i totally agree with you I cant have something on my arm it just annoys me too much.
At first I was nervous to put my keys in the flip belt since it doesn’t have a zipper, but they stay in there so well!
Such a great list, Lisa!! I’m super interested in your personal alarm since, as I’ve mentioned before, I run alone a lot. I feel like my mom would take a lot of comfort in me having one of those!
Also, which handheld water bottle do you use/recommend?
I like running with my iPod nano, TomTom GPS watch, Saucont Exites and my trusty running hat:) sometimes I throw my iPhone and therefore my armband phone holder and I feel super weighted down by gear on those days!
My mom was also happy to hear that I run with a personal alarm:) My water bottle is similar to this one: http://www.amazon.com/Nathan-Handheld-Hydration-Imperial-Purple/dp/B009KQ86A6/ref=sr_1_1?s=sports-and-fitness&ie=UTF8&qid=1442966522&sr=1-1&keywords=nathan+handheld+water+bottle
I used to have a FlipBelt and, I don’t know how this happened, but I lost it!! I’ve been putting off getting a new one for a long time.
I really need to be better about carrying safety-related stuff, like a RoadID and an alarm (great idea, btw!). I carry my phone for all the reasons you list, and so I can call someone if I get stranded. Almost all of my running bottoms have a pocket big enough to hold my little old iPhone, so that’s how I carry it.
Love Brooks! I do half my running in PureCadences, the other half in Newton Kismets. I love both equally and won’t part with either!
Thats nice that your running bottoms have pockets big enough to carry your stuff! I have never tried Newtons, but I have heard good things about them!
PERSONAL ALARM!!! Genius!!!! Thanks for posting that in your list. I’m uber paranoid and I’ve got a whistle but I usually remember it by the time I’m 2 miles from home. I do run with pepper spray, though.
I feel a little more comfortable using the personal alarm than pepper spray. But both are good options I think!
haha we are sooo similar it’s freaky sometimes. I just started wearing my flipbelt instead of an armband as well. And i just started to listen to podcasts which i love. definitely cannot run without an ipod. very rarely do i go without!
I am so glad I discovered podcasts! I can’t believe I have been missing out on them for so long!
Pockets. Pockets, pockets, pockets.
It’s why I love my running skirts with multiple pockets. My hand held water bottles have pockets. When it’s cool enough for jackets, of course they have pockets. Some of running tops have pockets, too.
Heck, I even have a hat with a pocket (it was large enough for my old phone, but I’m not sure my present phone would fit in there.
I think I need better running clothes with more pockets! I have never heard of a hat with a pocket before!
I love Brooks and the last time I went to buy new sneakers I almost bought pure cadence. But they kind of talked me out if it because they said they would wear too quickly while training for half marathons. I bought a different brand and like them, but am ready to go back to Brooks!
That’s weird- I have trained for 4 marathons in the Pure cadences! I usually get about 400-450 miles on them.
I always run with 1) my belt by MGear, I absolutely love it. It fits everything but the kitchen sink…and it doesn’t move an inch. 2) my phone, for music and emergencies and pictures (!), 3) my sunglasses, you can’t run in Florida without your sunglasses and 4) my ID and GU gels ( for long runs).
The alarm is such a cool idea.
I have never heard of that belt before! Glad you found one you like. And sunglasses in Florida definitely makes sense:)
I’ve heard really good things about the flip belt, I should really invest in one. Usually I just run with my sunglasses, watch and ipod!
The flip belt is great! You should definitely give it a try.
I always run in a Skirt Sports skirt or capri, so I put my phone in the pocket. I ALWAYS have my phone with me – both for my safety and so that the kids’ schools can get in touch with me since I usually run while they are at school.
That’s perfect that your skirt pocket is big enough for your phone! Most of my shorts have little pockets. I agree its always nice to have your phone when running.
My watch, my phone and my road ID are my must haves. I wear pants with big pockets that hold my phone!
I need to find some pants with pockets big enough to hold my phone!
I have to have my Garmin. I’m borderline obsessed. 🙂
Have to have my sunglasses on and I usually run with a hat.
I always bring my phone and put it in the back pock of my Lulu run shorts. They have the perfect pocket in the back to put your phone in (but you have to take the cover off)
I love Brooks shoes also – right now I am rotating between the Launch and the Ghost 7. I used to run in Saucony. I was a loyal Saucony girl for a long time! 🙂
I have heard that lulu has shorts with pockets that can fit a phone- I will need to look into that!