The 5 Best Accessories for Runners
When I started running back in the 70’s, I didn’t have a lot of accessories. I think I had a shoe pocket and a reflective band. Today it’s different for me. If I were to go on a trip for 30 days and could bring just 5 things for running, here’s what I would bring:
1. iPod. It doesn’t matter whether I’m on a trail, in a hotel gym, on a track, on the street, or wherever- I can and want to listen to podcasts, music, lectures, audiobooks. I want it all. And the iPod Nano takes little to no room whatsoever in my bag.
2. Running Watch. This goes without saying, and I almost didn’t count it as an accessory. I wear a suit and tie to work everyday and I still wear a Timex Triathlon watch. No dress watch, no Rolex, no gold bands… just a tried-and-true Ironman watch with soft, nearly worn out velcro band. So simple, so functional.
3. Garmin GPS. 101, 201, 205, 301, 305… whatever. Doesn’t matter. I can be in Nashville, Las Vegas, Houston, Orlando… or Billings, Montana, and I’m still able to go out for a couple of hours and get in my 12.04 mile run with 10 100-meter strides. Very easy to do with a Garmin.
4. Water Carrier. I have a dozen or so of these that I’ve collected over the years, but this is another accessory that’s invaluable. I have a lot of choices: hand-held water bottle with wrist strap, fannypack water bottle carrier, or several versions of camelbak. All are OK depending on the situation and what I need.Why include this? I’ve run in places where it’s not smart to drink the local water, so I’ve learned to carry my own. Always. And the carrier usually has a pocket for keys.
5. Road ID. Right now it’s warm outside, so I run wearing shoes & shorts. I don’t carry a wallet or anything, and I tend to go on longer runs a lot. In the past 30 years I’ve passed out several times and woken up in the hospital once, all of it during/after a run. It’s smart for me to carry ID of some sort and Road ID makes it very easy to do.
