The Gear

Really, all it takes to run is a pair of sneakers, right? Well technically, yes. However...a few other items can be really handy as well. Here's a breakdown of the things I've found to be absolutely essential.

1. Running shoes (duh).
2. A good sports bra, because, you know.
3. Some loose cotton shorts. Some people like to run in bike shorts but they're not my favorite. I prefer cotton "soffee" shorts to anything else.
4. A watch. I have an old Timex from years ago that I wear every single time I head out. I really like knowing how long I've run because my pace is pretty consistent and that way I can estimate approximately how far I've gone.
5. A hat. I really hate having too much sun on my face and I've taken to wearing an old hat from a long-gone boyfriend. It keeps the sun off my face and out of my eyes without me having to worry about sunglasses slipping down my sweaty nose.
6. My iPod. Listen, I know about the dangers of running while listening to music. I also know about not being able to convince yourself to keep up the pace and put one foot in front of the other unless you have some upbeat music hustling you along. I keep my music low enough that I can hear traffic whizzing by or bikers yelling "on your left!" as they pass me. Music really really really helps me. I cannot imagine running without it.
7. Fancy headphones. Well, they're not terribly fancy actually but they are the only ones I've found that don't fall out/off of my ears every fourth step. That gets really annoying after a few miles, let me tell you.
8. A good sunscreen. Sometimes a hat isn't enough, plus who wants to be sporting a farmer's tan next time they don their swimsuit?

Am I missing anything? What is your go-to running (or other exercise) gear?

Here We Go Again

So ever since signing up for the half, I haven't been great about running. First there was the weekend, which was so busy I didn't have time to run. Then the weather in Chicago the last few days has been anything but encouraging. Yesterday the high was 65 degrees and it rained all day long. I thought hey, I could run in the rain, no problem, I won't melt. Then after walking home in the rain (I have a mile long walk to work and back every day) there was nothing I wanted to do less than put on different (dry) clothes and turn around to go back out into the rain to get all wet again. So instead I went to the gym where I plodded along listlessly on the elliptical and stared at the wall while I listened to podcasts. I couldn't even bring myself to hit up the treadmill, which makes a loud and high pitched whine and is absolute torture to run on. But I did pick up Jeff Galloway's Book on Running from the library and I plan to crack that open soon. It's supposed to be a great resource for runners and if the 80's-style cover is any indication, it should be pretty amusing as well. I also found a training schedule that I really like and am going to start that the week of June 20. I'm headed to Texas on Friday for a friend's wedding and may or may not run while I'm home. I'll try to get out there at least once or twice but I know it will be much much MUCH hotter and hillier than I'm used to, which is really going to damper my enthusiasm. Five miles is so much harder when it's up and down monumental hills, especially since I'm used to flatter-than-a-pancake Illinois. The only hills we have here are called overpasses. I'm going to try to make myself get out to the lakefront trail today, which should be much easier since the weather forecast calls for sunny, almost-80 degree weather. Perfect for running...I just hope Chicago keeps this up all summer.

Here We Go

I just lost half my freelance paycheck towards the registration fee for the Chicago Half-Marathon in September. Looks like I'm really doing this. Either that or I'm out $75. Man, races are expensive. I'm excited it's going to be in my neighborhood though. I can spend all summer running parts of the course for my training.

Event Name: 2010 Chicago Half Marathon & 5K
Date & Time: September 12, 2010 07:30 AM
Location: Jackson Park, S. Lake Shore Drive & 63rd Street

Phew. Let's do this.