Running is uncomfortable, highly so. Body parts jiggle, compress, collapse and chafe. The heart pounds and thuds and sweat pours and the whole ordeal is an exercise in tolerating discomfort.
I like to be as comfortable as possible when tolerating discomfort, and over the years I've honed my running gear to a mandatory set. I can't run without my marshmallow earbuds and my Lululemon tall pants and if my iPod is dead, it's a deal breaker.
Here are my top 5 absolute must haves for long runs in particular.
Great Ear Buds
The grey earbuds that come with the iPod don't even fit in the hole of my ear. I can't walk with them in, let alone gallop. As soon as I discovered the power of music to enhance my running stamina, I went off in search of an Awesomely Perfectly Fitting Set of earbuds. The result was frustratingly elusive: I tried 4 different pairs and actually had one brand (Sony!) get stuck in the recesses of my ear, which was only slightly more pleasant than having a grasshopper stuck behind one's eyeball.
Finally, after scouring message boards and Twitter, and actually, mostly trial and error, I found these JVC marshmallow ear buds and I'm not sure if they just fit me perfectly or if they're superior in general, but these babies never fall out of my ears. Also: they allow enough ambient noise that I can tell if a car is about to run me over or if a bear is crunching around in the woods behind me. A handy feature.
A Kicking Run Mix
I am a woman of repetition, and I loathe change - and so I generally change my run mix four times a year. I am totally loving my Fall 09 run mix, a blend of cheesy pop and introspective indie: all have good beats.
1. Stronger - Kanye West (yeah, he's a creeplor but this tune gets me going for whatever reason)
2. Viva la Vida - Coldplay
3. All This Time - Heartless Bastards
4. Time is Running Out - Muse
5. Don't Stop - Innerpartysystem
6. Rainy Monday - Shiny Toy Guns
7. Supermassive Black Hole - Muse
8.Polynesia - Mother Mother
9. Girl and the Sea - Presets
10. Hey Rosetta! - Red Heart
I've got a few more but I want to hear yours for my Winter 09 mix!
Lululemon Yoga Pants. Yes, they have to be Lululemon.
Lululemon yoga pants cost over $ 100.00. And they're worth every penny.
I bought my first pair over 5 years ago, before I had my son, and I still have them and wear them, only a little worse for the wear (frayed at the bottom only). These things lift your butt and make you feel like you look fit while you're getting more fit. Plus, they breathe perfectly and are as comfortable in cool weather as they are in the searing heat. Their shorts are the only shorts I'll wear. Bonus for tall women: most Lululemon athletic wear comes in tall too, so you don't feel like you're wearing inappropriately cut capris while running. This brand has a cult following for pretty good reason.
A supportive sports bra
Since I'm not well endowed, I wear a simple sports bra (Lululemon, I'm loyal) without a built in bra, but when I was pregnant I grew a chest for the first time in my life and I remember the pain of running in an inappropriate sports bra. Most running stores will be able to recommend a fit suitable for your build, but running in a regular bra is kind of like swimming in your jeans.
Nike Plus
This thing has changed the way I run. It tracks distance, calories, and pace - fairly accurately, too. It tracks how far you've gone and your pace for each kilometer or mile run and it's a huge motivator. I find it hard to run without this thing now, it feels like a waste when I run 10K and I don't have it to track and "prove" it.
So those are the top 5 must haves. There are a lot of things I never run with - those little plastic bottles you see strapped to the waists of the runners who seem to gather in groups. The baseball cap. The nylon mesh shorts, god no.
Two things I'd love to know from you: what are some of the faves on your run list? And is there anything else must-have that I've missed?
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