Call me high maintenance or just organized and prepared. There are a few essentials I never, ever run without. By a few, I mean 10 yes, 10 Things I never ever run without. (This post contains Amazon affiliate links)
10 Things I never ever run without
Running shoes
Well obviously! As a Brooks Run Happy Team member, I have the opportunity to try out a number of different styles of shoes. I am currently alternating between Brooks Ghost, Brooks Launch, Brooks Glycerin, and Brooks Hyperion Tempo. The Ghost and the Glycerin are my everyday shoes and the Launch and the Hyperion Tempo are for speed work days.
Sunscreen
Sunscreen is a must for me all year round. In the summer, I use this or this on my face and this on my body. In the wintertime, since I am covered up, I only use sunscreen on my face. Yes, it is important to wear even in the wintertime if you are running outside.
Running watch
I do like to keep track of my monthly mileage and other stats so you will always see me running with my Garmin. Currently, I am sporting a Fenix 6s. I love the ease of programming my workouts in the Garmin app and then having them right on my watch when I need them. Wondering how to do that? Read this.
Road ID
You never know when you might have some sort of emergency out there on the trails. I have my road id attached to my Garmin. It is always on there (except when I clean it) with all of my emergency contact information.
Sports Bra
A good sports bra is as essential as a good pair of running shoes. Not only does a good sports bra help to make you more comfortable on your run, but it is also a great part of your breast health regimen. These are my faves.
Sunglasses
Oh, I love my sunglasses! I would say they are my signature accessory. Even on a cloudy day, you will find me with a pair to keep dust and bugs out of my eyes. Sunglasses are also another essential part of protection from the sun’s harmful rays.
Hydration pack
I carry my Orange Mud hydration pack on every run all year round. Not only does it have a place to hold my keys, tissues & phone, but it obviously carries my hydration. I use SIS hydration tabs all year round and find I feel so much better when I do. On runs longer than 3 miles, I carry Honey Stinger chews as well.
Phone
Carrying a phone is a must for those runner selfies of course! All joking aside, you never know when you might have an emergency or more often one of your kids needs you. Twice over the years, we have seen a cyclist get hit by a car and have had to call 911.
Breakfast
As a nutrition coach, I have learned the importance of properly fueling for runs. Over the years, I have also realized how important proper nutrition is both before and after a run. My go to pre run breakfast: oatmeal bakes. They are easy to make ahead and warm up super fast. Check out this strawberry vanilla oatmeal bake recipe.
Running friends
95% of the time I have the privilege of running with one or more of my MRTT running buddies. Definitely helps the miles fly by! If I do not have a friend along, then music will have to suffice.
There you have it! These are the 10 things I never, ever run without. What are yours?
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Thanks for helping to make the Runners’ Roundup a huge success by visiting all of the hosts: Me, Debbie, Jen, Lisa
Haha, I love that you included friends as a no. 10!
You’re right about the phone. Kai carries one, but when I run alone, I don’t take a phone with me. Even last week in Italy, I went running alone without a phone. It went well, but who knows what could have gone wrong.
My friends are an essential part of my running success!
I run with alot of these things too, but I only bring my hydration pack on long runs. I carry my phone in my sports bra or Koala clip on all my other runs.
My sports bra has a lot of work to do already! LOL
I agree with most.
And yes, running friends are important.
I don’t think I’m high maintenance.. for me, it’s breakfast (& coffee), my phone, sunglasses, cap, shoes, skirt
I do not think I am high maintenance either really I consider these necessities. Breakfast and coffee are a must for me too!
I can match you on 5/10! I have the same hydration pack (love it so much) but only use it for long runs. Same with sunscreen (oops.) Phone, sunglasses, sports bra, shoes, and garmin are a must!
I have already learned the hard way about sunscreen so I really try to be diligent about it
Great, and very thorough, list of essentials! Well, I’m all about the phone (for the ALL of the reasons you mentioned), and the sunglasses. Sunscreen isn’t a huge priority, only by the fact that most of my runs are in the early hours when the sun is barely above the horizon (a different story for my bike rides, though). I have gotten in the habit of using one of the bottles from my hydration pack for my “hot-but not-too-long” runs…I just carry it in my hand (ergonomic design/shape) so I don’t need the entire pack. That’s a different story, as well, for my longer runs in extreme heat.
sounds like you are prepared!
I never bring hydration with me. Whoops. I just really hate carrying things. I’ll come home before I bring hydration.
wow! Don’t know how you can run in the heat without water!
love the list…..I keep forgetting the sunscreen…
This is your reminder!! 🙂
It looks like we have many of the same “must haves” for running. I usually don’t eat before a run as it makes me feel nauseous but I always make sure to re-fuel with a hardy breakfast after a run!
I do feel so much better when I fuel up before a workout but I have to wait an hour before running
If there was ONE thing I could not run without, it’s definitely the sports bra. I could run barefoot if I had to, and completely nekkid save for the bra, but if the girls were flying free I’d put my own eye out (and everyone else’s in the vicinity!! lol)
agreed! I would give myself a black eye for sure!!
Our lists are pretty close! I do use a handheld for my hydration though. And while if I’m lucky I get to run with a friend once a week or so (or my hubby occasionally) I’m usually on my own. With music (or a book).
Running with a friend or 2 definitely gives me that extra push I need
Great list! I would add a ponytail holder as an essential item for those with longer hair.
Sorry for accidentally linking up to this instead of your coffee post. It was quite the morning waking up to our internet being out and discovering that the loud boom we heard overnight was lightning hitting our deck.
yes, the ponytail definitely needed
I’ve recently returned to carrying my phone. I always felt safe, but lately without? Nope. Thanks for reminder to find or replace my RoadID. It slipped off when I was switching bands
Yes, I always feel more comfortable w a phone too (also photos!)