1. Altra running
shoes. I had seen them advertised in
running magazines. The advertisement
features words to the effect of “large toe box” and “designed for runners’
feet.” The words spoke to me. I’ve always had trouble with finding shoes
that don’t hurt after about seven miles.
I’m pretty sure my friend Sue diagnosed my problem. I strike forefoot, so after pounding the pavement
for a while my feet start to swell. If
there’s no place for them to expand, they hurt.
Altras are designed for the way I run. The instruction card in the box even says so. I’ve run in my
2. Camelbak hydration
vest. My decision to purchase the
Camelbak Circuit hydration vest was actually driven by two separate events, one
of which was not related to running.
When I ran the Las Vegas Half Marathon last year, I felt great and had
the lower altitude working in my favor, yet still finished two minutes slower
than my PR. I attributed the lost time
to having to slow way down and maneuver in and out of traffic at the water
stops. Next time, I thought, I’m
carrying water.
I already owned a water belt with a pouch and space for four
small bottles, of which I usually carried two.
When I upgraded my cell phone, the new phone wouldn’t fit in the
pouch. I looked for a replacement
pouch. They don’t make them. I looked at belts with large enough pouches
to fit my cell phone. The water bottles
interfered with my arm swing.
The vest is an ideal solution. The Camelbak Circuit is the smallest of the
Camelbak vests. It holds 1.5 liters of
water and has pouches for chapstick, tissues, Gus and Sport Beans, and yes,
that huge cell phone. www.camelbak.com
3. My final “must
have” running item is one I hope to never have to use. It’s called a Road ID, and its purpose is to
speak for me if I can’t speak for myself.
It’s a lightweight bracelet that gives my name, the year of my birth,
and phone numbers for people to call if I’m found collapsed on the side of the
road. Again, I hope to never have to use
it, but the fact that I have it gives me a sense of security, especially when I’m
running alone. www.roadid.com
Oh, and if you happen to find me collapsed on the side of
the road, please pause my Garmin.
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