Runners: what are your "must haves"?

1. Good Running shoes
2. Moisture wick socks - mine are comfy and I love them.
3. Camelbak - will never run a race without it again (I am used to the weight of it when it is full)
4. Siege ear buds (the only ones I have found that are comfy) Although would love to hear other suggestions on good earbuds :happy:
5. My phone for music and my GPS tracking app
6. Paden - my dog, he goes with me to every race that he is allowed :bigsmile:

I am also running in the 5K Tinkerbell race in January and can't wait for that one, planning on doing some sightseeing as well :bigsmile:

Did my first half last November, and am in week 10 of 22 weeks of marathon training for my first marathon this November (Thunder Road in Charlotte NC). I have been running since 2009 and have found that my must haves are:

1. BODY GLIDE!! I use the stick version plus the liquid powder version...can't live without it!
2. Wicking socks....I use the Brooks ones and have found they help a ton with blisters.
3. IPod!! I have one of the cheaper shuffles b/c I don't like having my iphone strapped to my arm...too bulky.
4. Water belt....I have 4 (depends on the distance as to which one I use) but 2 are Fuel Belt and 2 are Nathans....both a good brand.
5. GELS!! I tested a ton of gels during my training of my half last year and found the ones I like are the GU power gels in orange.
6. Garmin watch is a must!
7. Properly fitted shoes not only saved my knee pain but helped me to enjoy running more b/c I was doing it properly.

I used the USAFit training program last year for my half training. They are scattered throughout the USA and you can find the local one near you on their website. Because I had done the half, I had the full training schedule as well so that is what I am following for my marathon training. I am a lone runner (don't like running with others) so it works perfect for me. I pop my ipod in, hop on the pavement, and take care of business;-)

Best of luck in your halves :-)

You may laugh, but try the Body Glide for nipple rub also. Unfortately I felt that even with a tech shirt. I acutally use Gold Bond baby power for elsewhere. I switched from entirely GU to a mix of GU and Power Bar Energy Bites (oatmeal raisin) because my digestive system doesn't like all GU.

You may laugh, but try the Body Glide for nipple rub also.

Works like a charm! lol

My must haves are definitely a proper pair of running shoes, moisture wicking socks, and nipple tape! I can get by without my ipod or even my garmin, but I can't run with blistered feet and chafed nipples. HAHAHA

On a similar note, I really like my Yurbuds. They seem to work a lot better than any other headphones I've tried. I have the ironman ones. And of course the greatest training tool for any runner is a garmin. I love my 305.

Thanks for posting this question as I am a complete newbie here and would love to know such things as well! :flowerforyou:

Must list of "must haves" is shorter than most.

For me the most important thing is proper clothing in order to stay comfortable. This applies much more in winter. The wicking and windproof materials are worth thier weight in gold.

After that just give me some fresh air!

For long runs or hot runs, a good water belt is also important. I have an amphipod.

my must haves for race day are fairly simple (and have probably all been mentioned above)

1. proper fitting running shoes (as an overpronater i wear brooks adrenaline)
2. proper clothing (moisture wicking bra, socks, tank, etc and proper outer layers and hat when necessary)
3. recently added - sweatband/running band - the sweat in my eyes has started to really annoy me
4. jelly beans - for races longer than 10mi
5. garmin forerunner. sadly, i cannot run without that or my phone app. i'm obsessed with pace.

when training i add
5. icy water - only need a sip or two to refresh and it eliminates the stitch in my side when i drink too much
6. philips shs5200 headphones - best running headphones i've found so far. i run to music when training, but on race day i prefer to take in all the sounds around me, just heightens the rush!

-body glide for my thighs and actually around the top of my sports bra
-moisture wicking shirts and socks
-compression shorts (especially for long runs!)
-good running shoes
-I actually carry a water bottle when I am training but am looking into a fuel belt
-My Garmin Forerunner 305 or my phone
-my awesome hat or ChicaBand
-Clif Shot Bloks!
-my running buddy, my Dad!

My must-haves?

First, LOVE the YURbuds. If you haven't tried them yet, I highly recommend them. And this is from someone who couldn't run with ear buds because they always fell out. I've run miles and miles w/ my YURbuds not falling out.

My others:
My Mizuno Wave Inspires
Ice baths are a yes when I'm running long distances
My iPod Nano
Run Like a Mother (great book)
Garmin 305 (it's my husband's and I used to hate it b/c it's so bulky, but I can't run without it now)
HRM
Running skirt w/ pockets (pockets are so essential)
Good running hat (love the one I got from Athleta)
Moving Comfort jog bras

Oh also, Nuun. Electrolyte replacement (like Gatorade) without the calories. I've tried the lemon-line and the kona cola. Good stuff.

And Running Warehouse. That site rocks for cheap running gear.

List of important items:
1 - I believe in learning from the experts so I bought two books on running. "Marathons for Mortals" and Runners World "Road Racing". Extremely helpful.
2 - Runners World forums. Great source of running info.
3 - Fitted shoe inserts and properly fitted shoes. No way I could have started running with my old sneakers.

4 - A Garmin Forerunner 305 and Garmin Training Center. Impeachable information about my HR and an application that helps me understand my conditioning level.
5 - Wicking clothes (socks, shirt, and sun visor). I did cotton in the Army and it's horrible. Get the right gear and make it easier to succeed.
6 - Camelbak and Nathan water belt. I'm training for a half marathon on August 21 and the California International Marathon in December. The Nathan is 2 water + 2 gel containers so it's OK for runs < 10 miles. Over that I need the Camelbak.

7 - Changed attitude toward diet. When I was losing weight, I was eating 800 to 1k net cals/day. I've upped my diet to 1750 net but am having a hard time hitting that. The most important change for me was to change my protein/carbs/fat from 50/25/25 to 25/50/25. I'm still not doing it right. The big change for me is that this is now less "eating" and more of "putting enough carbs in my body". And I'm not doing that very well.
8 - homemade replenisher that's a Gatorade clone
9 - Gu

10 - "Peas" - ice packs for knees
http://tinyurl.com/29btra8
11 - A foam roller.
12 - A training plan. I use the SmartCoach application from Runners World on my iPhone. It's barebones but it works. I'd love to see an iPhone app for a half or a marathon that's got the features of C25k.

My list for what its worth;

1. Garmin Forerunner 305
2. tech material cloths (socks, shorts, shirt)
3. Decent sunglasses that don't slide(currently using Ryders)
4. Decent sun screen
5. Vaseline for the nipples
6. Duct tape for the heels to reduce blistering (yup! Red Green Special)
7. Ipod for some tunes
8. Running Cap
9. Decent shoes or my Vibram KSO's
10. Camera... if you enjoy the run... you may as well document it.
11. Fanny pack to hold the extra's in.
12. Gu Chomps, Granola Bars etc for extra fuel
13. Camelbak for the really long runs where there aren't water stations.
14. Cell phone... cuz you never know when you might have issues
15. Nice weather (optional)

just my legs and an ipod

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