long distance runners - must haves!

chrissyrn04
chrissyrn04 Posts: 119 Member
edited December 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
For those of you that run longer distances - say longer than 45 min at a time... what are your go to things to have?

Mine include-
1. Nuun tablets for my water... HUGE difference when I started that!
2. chocolate GU for every 4-5 miles
3. Water backpack for runs longer than 8 miles
4. My garmin - love seeing the exact distance and speed during my run!
5. my ipod with a running mix programmed - I prefer to run and chat with a friend but that doesnt always happen so music it is.

Replies

  • runnergirl1017
    runnergirl1017 Posts: 11
    Sealed Water stashed somewhere on my route
    Raisins for energy and my garmin
  • ktbia
    ktbia Posts: 118 Member
    when I do my long runs-
    definitely water- we have water belts although I want a backpack or vest.
    garmin hr monitor with gps
    phone for music, with my wireless headphones
    hat- if its drizzly or super sunny- I have two running hats and I love them!

    toilet paper wad stuffed in my pocket- trust me, this has been necessary many times! LOL
  • JustJennie1
    JustJennie1 Posts: 3,749 Member
    This is going to sound gross but TOILET PAPER!

    Seriously.

    You just never know when you have to hop off the trail because of the dreaded stomach cramps. Happened to me once but I figured it might happen based on how I was feeling that morning and I was very glad that I had brought some with me. :blushing:
  • CarsonRuns
    CarsonRuns Posts: 3,039 Member
    Nothing except my Garmin unless it's over 2 hours and then it depends on the temperature. If it's hot or longer, I'll take water. I believe in deprivation training when it comes to gels. I run without them to train my body to use the energy stores that it has. Then, on race day when I do have them, it's extra fuel. That being said, I will do a couple practice type long runs with the gels to make sure the type I am using isn't going to upset my stomach.
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    My cell phone, a little cash & RoadID are with me for every run. I wear my Garmin too.

    Other than that I rarely carry anything for runs under 1.5 hrs then I'll bring along a couple of gels (I like Clifshots - chocolate....yum!) and water. Haven't tried Nuun tablets yet. I'm looking for a new hydration belt, my current one drives me insane - the belt's not elastic so it tends to loosen a little as I run & the bottle starts bouncing, very distracting.

    I never wear my iPod running outdoors, the paths I'm on are mixed use - I like to hear the cyclists coming.
  • chrissyrn04
    chrissyrn04 Posts: 119 Member
    This is going to sound gross but TOILET PAPER!

    Seriously.

    You just never know when you have to hop off the trail because of the dreaded stomach cramps. Happened to me once but I figured it might happen based on how I was feeling that morning and I was very glad that I had brought some with me. :blushing:

    Ive had to pee on a run but never the other thank goodness... my body is funny, when it knows Im about to run Im in the bathroom alot that morning :) I should run with some TP though. For my longer runs I try to map it out so that there is some place I can stop every 8 miles or so if I need to pee or need something to eat or water filled up.
  • CarsonRuns
    CarsonRuns Posts: 3,039 Member
    ...RoadID...

    This too! I wear mine all the time, so I didn't even think about it.
  • froeschli
    froeschli Posts: 1,293 Member
    I just bring my phone (runkeeper & music) and a juice box full of water. sometimes tissues if my allergies are really bad. so far that's been enough. but i rarely run more than 70 minutes at a time (just working up to 10k - usually do 8k every other day).
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    This is going to sound gross but TOILET PAPER!

    Jeez, I'm spoiled..........my Sunday long run route takes me past a golf course, I have the luxury of porta-potties.
  • MoreBean13
    MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
    Body Glide! It is a miracle product! Prevents chafing and blisters of all sorts!
  • chrissyrn04
    chrissyrn04 Posts: 119 Member
    Body Glide! It is a miracle product! Prevents chafing and blisters of all sorts!

    forgot about this one!
  • dmf80
    dmf80 Posts: 60
    $20 cash money and my ID. Nothing else. I live in Chicago and run on the lake front. Water fountains are everywhere. I only bring food/energy/gu if I am out for longer than 2.5 hours. Clif bars usually do they trick.

    I'm with CarsonRuns on the deprivation training. It has worked well in my first 3 marathons and hopefully will get me to my next goal.....50 miler! Pretty sure I have to eat during that raceh though.
  • twinmom_112002
    twinmom_112002 Posts: 739 Member
    My handheld water bottle. More about wetting the mouth than hydration.
    My visor.
    Ipod for music (used to run with my phone but then got a shuffle. Its heaven)
    RoadID (people rarely look right when turning right and I've had a couple of close calls)
    Bodyglide (important if I'm wearing a running skirt)
  • scorpio516
    scorpio516 Posts: 955 Member
    A watch
    music, most times
  • dmf80
    dmf80 Posts: 60
    OH, NO music...ever. It's a ZEN thing.
  • JustJennie1
    JustJennie1 Posts: 3,749 Member
    This is going to sound gross but TOILET PAPER!

    Jeez, I'm spoiled..........my Sunday long run route takes me past a golf course, I have the luxury of porta-potties.

    You're lucky! I had to run off into the woods. :blushing:
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