What's in My Running Basket (Part 1)

I had a good run this morning. Slow, but good. I met up with Ashley and Jenny again at a nearby park with running trails. After about 5 miles my body told me it felt like running really slow today. Normally I just tell myself to tough up and dig deeper, but today I listened to my body. Today I learned that some runs are good because I dig deep and push myself when I want to slow down, and some runs are good simply because I did it and didn't stop. 

I wanted to keep up with Ashley and Jenny, but I knew it would leave me miserable and exhausted by the end, so I swallowed my pride and told them to go on ahead while I ran at my own leisurely pace. I quit the negative self talk and focused on the fact that I still got up at 5:40AM on a Saturday, and I still ran for 2 hours, regardless of the pace. I could have finished feeling bad because "I was so slow," or "I'm so out of shape," but I chose to finish feeling proud that I got out there and finished a 2 hour run. One thing I've learned over many years of running is that focusing on the positive parts of my run, regardless of how my run went, is what keeps me coming back for more. If you want to fall in love with running too then make sure you pat yourself on the back after every single run. You won't want to run again if you know you'll get a mental beating afterwards.

Anyway, when I got home from my run I was putting my running stuff back in my overflowing running basket, and it got me wondering if any other runners out there have a running basket. I also wondered what other runners would have in their running baskets if they had one. 

So I thought I'd share what's currently in my running basket, and hopefully you'll share with me some of your "running staples." After I started writing this post I decided to make it two posts so it wouldn't be forever long. So for now, here's half my basket...

First on the list is one of my first running purchases, or I guess it was actually a Christmas present, but I got it while I was training for my first marathon. It was much, much better than wearing a camelbak, which I did for my first few long runs. 

Here I am during my very first marathon back in 2005 wearing my Nathan Speed II Waistpack. Such a lovely picture of me, I know. Ha ha. Gotta love the AYSO soccer shorts. I'm about .2 miles from finishing. How I looked that happy after running 26 miles, I have no clue. Beginner's luck I guess. My face did not look like that after 26 miles in the 8 marathons that followed this. By the way, I don't know if I thought the belt was supposed to be worn half way up my stomach, or if it just slid up, but I now wear it around my hips and it does a good job of staying put. Every runner needs a waterbelt, and since this one is still serving me well after 6 years, I have no problem recommending it. 

Next up is my Nike ipod and ipod armband. My husband gave me this 4 Christmases ago for our first married Christmas together. It has definitely been put to good use. Such good use that I think it's life span may be coming to an end soon, the ipod anyway. It's been through a lot of salty, sweaty runs and it's starting to take it's toll. The Nike Ipod has been a great way for me to track my milage and pace. After you buy the ipod nano, the Nike plus add on is only about $30, so if you can't quite afford a fancy Garmin yet, this would be perfect for you. I've used my nike ipod several times alongside friends who have Garmins, and my nike ipod is always very close in time and distance to their Garmins. However, for one reason or another, my nike ipod is usually off quite a bit if I wear it during a race. It could be that I change my stride because I run faster on race day. All in all, I've loved it for training purposes, but I also know that it's not always 100% accurate because it's based of my steps per mile and stride, and some days those things change.

Last one for today is this little bottle of Aquaphor. I've been getting by on samples that I've collected from various race packets, but I think I'm going to have to buy a full size bottle soon. I need this stuff a lot more now that I live in Texas because humidity=chafing. This cream is good for pre-run use to prevent chafing, and it's also good for post-run use to soothe chafing that's already happened. In fact, I used this stuff today, and no chafing for me despite the thick blanket of humidity this morning.

That's enough for today, but check back for the other running goods I keep in my basket. I haven't even gotten to my two new favorites yet. 

Tell me one of your running staples!

Do you have a running basket?