The Running Thread - 2018

[Bree]

The phone conversation has been interesting. I use it for music and audiobooks when I run. I need to be accessible since my DH travels so much. I’m also the first point of contact for anything kid related (school, sports, therapies, etc). I also have an autistic teen boy. We have zero family here to help us. We live in FL and they all live in ME & MA. I have friends in the neighborhood I can probably rely on if I’m in serious need though. I use Garmin Live Track when I leave my neighborhood so my DH can keep an eye on me. I have to have a phone to be able to do that. I have been injured on a run miles from home before. I was thankful to be able to sit in the shade while I waited for DH to come get me.

 

[Sanchez]

Not really any must-haves, but certainly some strong preferences:

Shoes: Brooks Glycerin for long/slow runs. On Cloudsurfer for short/faster runs. On Cloudflash racing flats.
Socks: Swiftwick Vibe Zero.
Watch: Garmin Forerunner 935. This is new . . . and awesome.

Need some help here:

Headphones: No preference and need to settle on something.
Shorts/shirts: Under Armour. Certainly open to recommendations but we have an outlet near us and I have piles of UA gear.
Hat: I usually run in a hat but have no preference.

 

[gjramsey]

They discontinued them for all but the Apple Watch. They said it was getting to be an issue with maintaining compatibility for the various Garmin models, whereas the Apple stuff is pretty standardized.

Well, that is a bummer. It seemed like, at the time, Garmin had about 3 different watch band widths. Would not surprise me if they added more with the new releases.

 

[JeffW]

I find the phone conversation here really interesting. To make the dangerous leap of generalizing it seems that for some of us, part of the joy of running is to escape the "always on" nature of the modern world. Perhaps that is also why I run 95% trails. For many others being "always on" is just a great, normal part of life, and it seems odd to give that up for a run.

Many people keep alluding to their music being on their phone as well. There's a whole other discussion about long runs with and without music (my wife thinks I'm nuts that I go out for hours of running and never take any kind music with me)

 

[SarahDisney]

Many people keep alluding to their music being on their phone as well. There's a whole other discussion about long runs with and without music (my wife thinks I'm nuts that I go out for hours of running and never take any kind music with me)

I don't walk down the street without music on, so I think you're a little nuts too

 

[mankle30]

I'll second that the conversations about phones when running is interesting.

I'm not a millenial (tail end of Gen X) but I do run with my phone because it's the only run-tracking device I can afford. I've been using a Scoche Rhythm+ Heart Rate monitor to pair with the phone.

 

[Sanchez]

I must have

Shoes (Asics Nimbus are my go to now as I need cushion)
Clothes (mostly Skirt Sports) that fit right & cause I think running nude is frowned upon.
My phone in an armband (for safety if I need help, I don't listen to music. Also, if say there's a snake I want to take a picture)
Pepper spray

I can only assume (hope) there is some ecological reason behind this as it involves several conscious steps:
1. Seeing the snake;
2. Stopping;
3. Removing phone from armband;
4. Taking photo;
5. Returning phone to armband;
6. Resuming run.

Upon seeing a snake my involuntary actions would consist of the following:
1. Soiling myself;
2. Running at Usain Bolt 100 meter pace for several minutes until I pass out.

 

[apdebord]

The phone conversation is very interesting. Although I’m a millennial (I think? I’ll be 31 in a few days?), I wasn’t super connected to my phone in college like other people my age and would often leave it at home. Then one day I got in a bad car accident and didn’t have my phone. I rolled my car into a Jiffy Lube parking lot and they were nice enough to let me use their office phone, but I only had my parents’ numbers memorized and they were 4 hours away, and of course didn’t answer. I remembered my boyfriend (now husband) had his number on MySpace so I used their office computer to log in and get his number haha. I have never gone anywhere without my phone since that incident, and I now have his number memorized!

I always have my phone with me for runs. I do a lot of runs at work on a Navy base, so it’s nice to get alerts if something goes down while I’m out so I know to stay away, which unfortunately has happened. As much as I would love to disconnect, my phone has become a necessary accessory for safety reasons.

 

[LSUlakes]

I've seen a lot of discussion about people looking into new GPS stuff recently. So I decided to take a look at the new toys Garmin has out Maybe I just dont remember, but the cheapest running watch seemed to be around $250... $250!!!!! $350 was the high mark for the new running watch it seemed a few years ago. Tri watches a little more. It looks like the new ones start around $500 ish or so. I hope my 235 never dies, because spending $500+ for the new shinny toy is not going to be a fun purchase.

Many people keep alluding to their music being on their phone as well. There's a whole other discussion about long runs with and without music (my wife thinks I'm nuts that I go out for hours of running and never take any kind music with me)

I'm almost certain my wife just thinks I'm nuts, music has nothing to do with it. Although when I told her on Saturday mornings, when I'm on the way to a long run I listen to swamp pop music on the radio. Good music and comical because people at 5:30 AM are already drinking beer. One of the tag lines from the show is "Swamp pop'n and pop-a-top'n" All these people hit him up on facebook and comment how they got a cold beer as they are doing whatever activity. Louisiana drinking culture is interesting.... ok i derailed my own comments. Maybe I am nuts???

 

[FFigawi]

Many people keep alluding to their music being on their phone as well. There's a whole other discussion about long runs with and without music (my wife thinks I'm nuts that I go out for hours of running and never take any kind music with me)

I'm with you in the "never run with music" club. I watch movies if I'm stuck on a treadmill, but that's as far as it goes.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

Well, I am now dealing with kidney stones. Doctor said that I can continue to run as long as I can handle the pain. But I'm still here.

 

[Princess_Nikki]

True story: the Monday after this year's frigid marathon? I was online, ordering Toasty Tights and a Wonder Wool jacket. I had a few more really cold runs over the FL winter and man-oh-man, those tights (and the jacket!) were amazing! Total game-changer. I think you'll love them!

Dang it! Now y'all got me on their site looking for new things....

 

[SheHulk]

Well, I am now dealing with kidney stones. Doctor said that I can continue to run as long as I can handle the pain. But I'm still here.

Isn’t that like saying, “I’m in labor but I can still run if I can handle the pain”? You deserve a medal if you run with kidney stones IMO

 

[BuckeyeBama]

Isn’t that like saying, “I’m in labor but I can still run if I can handle the pain”? You deserve a medal if you run with kidney stones IMO

The pain comes in waves - I am going to try to run between waves. Even breathing is difficult when the pain is in full force.

 

[kleph]

I've seen a lot of discussion about people looking into new GPS stuff recently. So I decided to take a look at the new toys Garmin has out Maybe I just dont remember, but the cheapest running watch seemed to be around $250... $250!!!!! $350 was the high mark for the new running watch it seemed a few years ago. Tri watches a little more. It looks like the new ones start around $500 ish or so. I hope my 235 never dies, because spending $500+ for the new shinny toy is not going to be a fun purchase.

The Forerunner 35 is under $200 and has the two key features you probably need -- GPS and the wrist heart rate monitor. I used it most of last year and it did everything I needed. I upgraded to the vivoactive 3 a couple months ago ($300-ish) and, while it's nice, there isn't much extra it offers I can't live without.

 

[avondale]

ETA: I'm also old enough to remember a time not that long ago when cell phones were not ubiquitous. People went for runs and shopping and lived their life fully and successfully without being plugged in and available at a moment's notice. Technology has improved our lives in many ways. I don't think this is necessarily one of those ways.

While I do run with my phone for music, etc., I also remember this time. Agree on the "sometimes nice to get away" and I could see sometimes turning off notifications, calls, etc.. to enjoy the time away. I rarely answer a call or text while on a run.

Also....some places I run have little to no cell signal, so having a cell for any kind of emergency is just to make you feel better, not to be effective. What do I do for saftey? I always tell someone where I'm running and my expected return time, similar to if I was hiking alone. And make sure to be aware of my surroundings and use common sense.

 

[FFigawi]

Well, I am now dealing with kidney stones. Doctor said that I can continue to run as long as I can handle the pain. But I'm still here.

Hope they pass quickly

 

[gjramsey]

Hope they pass quickly

This right here! I had them once, and would not wish that pain on my worst enemy!

 

[camaker]

The pain comes in waves - I am going to try to run between waves. Even breathing is difficult when the pain is in full force.

Good luck! I’ve had half a dozen or so. There’s not much worse. Cranberry juice and its variations are very good for easing their passing.

 

[JulieODC]

My favorites are my phone with podcasts, flip belt with a zipper pouch, aftershockz headphones, my Garmin watch, and my goodr sunglasses - these go with me on every single run or walk.

The phone discussion is interesting. I wonder if we took a poll whether there might be a gender divide here as well, more so than a generational divide. As a woman, I am always somewhat cognizant of my safety on a run and having a phone makes me feel safer.