Running is Cheap

Yeah. Whoever said that, never actually ran. Like as a hobby. Running in itself is cheap. The accessories, not so much. And to be successful in long distance running, the accessories are key. Here are a few that I've discovered are super important to me.

Shoes
This seems like a pretty obvious one. Did you know that you're supposed to replace your shoes after 300 to 500 miles. Guess I threw all my other ones out too soon. Ah ha ha! Shockingly, I'm on my second pair of running shoes and they're nigh unto death. I'm debating the wisdom of nursing them through the half marathon I have coming up in April. But when a quality pair costs $100, wisdom and economics don't always speak the same language.

Clothes
Another no brainer. For me, spandex is my friend. No, no, no! A blend, I swear! I have been pleasantly surprised by Old Navy's active wear line. They're inexpensive, comfortable and cute. I will reluctantly admit, I wear my running pants far more often than I actually run.

Socks
Yes, this is so important, it is in a separate category from clothing. COTTON IS ROTTEN! Ok, I read that somewhere. But it's totally true. If you don't have synthetic socks, you'll regret it. They even have these fancy ones with the extra supportive band around your arch. Gotta try those....

Bra
Again, super important. I have experienced both extremes of badness. The pain of having your boobs bouncing all around because your bra is too loose, is a special kind of pain. However, the squished, I can't breathe because my boobs are invading my lung space, feeling-is also special. And when you're running, you'll find that breathing is important. But tight sports bras are impossible to get on and off by yourself. And that's a tough thing to realize. Until you have to say, "Honey, can you help me get my bra off?" Especially when you're sweaty.

Armband/RunnersPack
This is for holding your iPod (or other such music listening devices). I despise holding anything in my hand. I can't even carry water with me. So, this is uber-important for making sure I have my tunes! The washable ones are good. They, too can get pretty stinky!

My sister, Katie (Our Adventures) swears by the RunnersPack. She puts all sorts of stuff in it when she runs. Keys, water, phone, my crap, etc. Me, I don't really see the need for one. I just run with her.

Tunes
I debated putting this at the top of the list. But, you know you look at those people that run barefoot like they're a little bit crazy. So, put some shoes on first and then create your playlist. You can use whatever device works best for you. But be sure you know how to use it! For me, it is for my iPhone. Let's call a spade a spade: I'm a little klutzy. So that means running with a device that allows me to listen to music and dial 911 when I've fallen and made a fool of myself. Back to the songs. There's nothing crappier than struggling to make it up a tough hill and the slowest, stupidest song comes on. It's enough to make you pack it in for the day. Conversely, the right song, with the perfect beat, at that tough moment, can make your feet lighter and that hill a little more manageable. So, put some thought into that playlist. Tweak it as needed. And delete those stupid songs!

Apps
Finally, get a good app! When you're out there hitting the sidewalk, or treadmill, by yourself, you need a good coach. There's a ton of apps that can help you on your merry, running way. The one that got me started was the Couch to 5K and from there I've gone on to RunKeeper. (Katie swears by Run Coach Pro). They're all pretty inexpensive and you can tailor them to fit your needs.

So there you have it. All my secrets. And now you know why I scoff at the people that say running is cheap. And you can scoff right along with me.

Amy

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Ok, I'm only mostly kidding. But if you're interested in helping support my habit, you can check out the things I have for sale on my facebook page "Sewing to Run" :)