My Favorite Things for a Long Run (like Oprah's favorite things, but better :)

I have been doing a lot of thinking about my next steps in my running career, tweaking my training plan for this winter, taking inventory of what my goals are, and also getting excited to log some serious miles starting in just a few months.  This lead me to think of my favorite things to bring along with me on a long trail run.  I'm sure most of you have caught at least a glimpse of Oprah's favorite things?  Well, this is my version, I just can't afford to give all these things away to each of my readers. :) 

1 - One of my absolute favorite things in my arsenal of gear, are my sleeves.  It can be tricky to layer in fall and spring when temperatures can fluctuate, especially if you're out running for 4 or 5 hours at a time.  They eliminate the need for a long sleeve shirt, and they're easy to pull down around your wrists, and double as wearable Kleenex.  That comes in VERY handy.  :)

 

Not even my cool sleeves can make me look any less ridiculous here.

2 - My Camelbak.  I have tried fuel belts, hand held bottles, one bottle belts, and they just don't work for me.  I also tried a couple different kind of Camelbaks, and then I found the one.  The reservoir is lower on your back and wraps around your waist, which contours naturally with your anatomy, instead of feeling like you have a waterlogged tree trunk running up your spine.  It also has a few pockets that on the straps on your chest and waist so you don't have to take it off to get to what you need.  It gets old fast whenever you have to undo your straps and take your Camelbak off just to get at your second sleeve of gels or stash your gloves.

3 - Speaking of gloves, I love my glittens. (Those cool hybrids of gloves and mittens). I have a pair of Manzella's and I've somehow been able to hang on to them for three full years.  They're breathable, just warm enough, and the wrists aren't super snug.  It might all be in my head, but I feel like my wrists get annoyed when there's too much pressure on them.  And then my fingers get antsy. Maybe it's just me? 

4 - My North Face Flight Series jacket.  If you're not familiar with this line from North Face, it's a series of light, windproof, really quick drying gear.  I have a turquoise one I bought a couple years ago on a whim and it was the best impulse buy I have ever made.  Not only is it my favorite color, but it is super breathable, it packs super small so it's easy to carry, it's got those fun thumb holes, and the ends of the sleeves fold over into impromptu mittens.  What more could you ask for!  I love that thing. You can see it in the picture at the top of my blog.  That jacket has gone everywhere with me.

5 - Reflective gear as a whole.  I've got a nice little collection of lights - most are Nathan or Amphipod, an Amphipod vest, and lots of velcro reflective stuff.  Having been hit by a car in college while running, I like to be really visible, especially in those winter months where it's dark most of the time.  I probably border on looking like a running rave, but I'm okay with that. 


Rocking the night gear look - of course with my favorite sleeves!

6 - Chicken broth.  Back in 2011 I had a lot of problems with cramping and I could never get my sodium levels right, until I discovered the miracle that is known as chicken broth.  It can be a little tough to execute, because I really don't like it cold, but if you heat it up to where it's practically scalding, and then stash it along a route you're doing a few loops on in a thermos, it works just fine.  I find that even if I'm really nauseous, I always welcome the flavor of it, and I never had any cramping issues after that.

7 - My iPod filled with podcasts and movies.  Sometimes to get out of your own head, it helps to hear what's going on in someone else's.  I'm hooked on listening to any podcast from Trail Runner Nation and The Runners Roundtable.  I find myself laughing out loud, learning things, and feeling like I'm surrounded by friends even when I'm not.  As for movies, I love to listen to my favorite movies to pass the time.  There's quite a few running related movies you can rent on iTunes, so that can be a fun way to keep entertained when the miles are going by slowly. My absolute favorite is Running the Sahara with my favorite altruistic ultramarathoner, Ray Zahab. It's a documentary about three strong-willed ultra runners from very different backgrounds, that set out on a journey to run across the entire Sahara desert.  The story is incredible, and the soundtrack does wonders to help motor you through your long run. 

8 - Body glide.  I swear by using this on my feet when I'm doing anything longer than ten or so.  For a long time I had problems with sporadic blisters and black toe nails.  I still get the occasional black toe nail, but ever since I put Body Glide on the ends of each toe before I put my socks and shoes on it has made a world of difference.  It's been nice to not feel blisters burst, or nails pull away from my toes when I'm on the trail and still have ten more miles to go. 

9 - This is a bonus one, and only for my special occasions.  If I have a really long event planned, I will bring some emotional ammunition.  As I've mentioned in earlier posts, I coach cross country at a local high school.  These girls are such a source of inspiration for me, and when I'm out running my miles, I think of them, and look forward to telling them how it went.  When I was preparing for my North Face 50k in 2011 I brought a bunch of pieces of colored paper to a pasta dinner we had and asked them to write me words of encouragement on them.  I wanted to have them with me (in one of the front pockets of my Camelbak) so if I really started to flounder, I could pull one out and read it for a boost.  I didn't have to resort to reading them while I was running, but I really enjoyed reading them once I finished my race.  Just having those notes along for the run made me feel like I had the strength of my whole team out there with me. 

So these are a few of my long trail run must haves.  If there's anything you don't leave home without I'd love to hear about it.  We're a pretty quirky bunch and it's fun to hear what other people head out the door with!