A few questions answered
I got a few questions in my last blog post so I thought I’d take the opportunity to answer them:
Annalisa asked what do I carry on my runs?
First and foremost I wear my Garmin Forerunner 305 GPS watch. I love this and I love knowing how far and where I’ve gone.
I tend to start off wearing a jacket as it’s normally very cold when I start my run. Normally after about half an hour it goes around my waist though. For my long runs it’s normally dark when I start off so I have a flashing light that clips on to the back of my cap.
When I remember to wear it I also wear my RoadID just in case anything bad happens.
As I’ve mentioned before I love listening to podcasts while I’m running so of course I have my ipod either strapped to my arm or in my jacket pocket. I normally wrap it up in clingfilm if it’s raining! I have Sennheiser MX75 running headphones which I think are absolutely brilliant but I’m not an audiophile by any means.
I also carry my phone so that I can call my beloved wife for a pickup if needed. I’ve only ever had to do that once fortunately. Another major reason that I carry my phone is so that I can take photos with it. I’ve got a Sony Ericsson phone that has a 5 megapixel camera in it – it’s more a camera than a phone. I wanted a phone with a great camera and that was the best I could get when I bought it. It’s pretty nifty to be sure.
William also wondered how I get water on my longer runs. If I’m doing more than 20km I carry water in my Camelbak. For less than 20km I don’t normally bother during winter although in summer I carry water on all my runs as I think I’d dehydrate very quickly if I didn’t.
Bruce asked if I do any cross training/strength work and I have to admit that since I let my gym membership lapse at the beginning of the year I haven’t really done any strength work besides pushups. I’ve started cycling a bit on the weekends but that is very much a leisure activity rather than a training one.
Today’s run was an easy 3-miler recovery run which I did with my wife. It was a great little run around the neighbourhood. It’s really nice to be able to do our runs together when our programs coincide. 
July 29th, 2009 00:12
It’s interesting to hear what other runners carry along. I love listening to podcasts as well, which is interesting as I never thought I would. Need to get a good cameraphone though. I’ve missed out on some golden opportunities.
Twitter: livefitblog
Reply
William
reply on July 29th, 2009 8:29 am:
Thanks for answering our questions – the RoadID actually sounds really useful. I don’t enjoy carrying anything in my hand during a run. So during long runs I’ve flitted between either using a route that goes past my own letterbox with my water inside; or wearing a fuel belt which I’m still not used to running with… I’m still not sure which one would work better though.
William´s last blog ..How my running is going (Week 7 update)
Reply
Aaron
reply on July 29th, 2009 9:51 am:
If you live near parks there are often water fountains around. I find mapping long routes which go past these fountains is a good idea and saves carrying too much.
On a different note knowing where public toilets are located is useful too!
Reply
Andrew
reply on July 29th, 2009 10:01 am:
I have to agree with Aaron. Knowing where the bathrooms are is crucial!
Running along Tamaki Drive is pretty good as there are heaps of water fountains.
Twitter: AndrewENZ
Reply
July 29th, 2009 11:02
I could have wrote that post – honestly, the only difference being that I usually don’t listen to music \ podcasts (and I’ve a different set of Sennheiser earphones!
I actually feel quite uncomfortable leaving the house for a (longer) run without my RoadID – as it is, I generally don’t tell people where I’m running or when I should be back (live in a shared house). For the shorter runs, I generally don’t carry my phone either, so at least with the RoadID, I’ve got the numbers handy if needs be.
The other thing I’d recommend for longer runs is some cash (or a debit \ credit card) – never know if you’ll need a taxi home, or some to get something in a shop (water \ sweets if you’ve bonked), etc. Obviously avoidable if you plan ahead properly, but you never know.
Chris´s last blog ..W11KW#1 – Intervals
Reply
Andrew
reply on July 29th, 2009 11:27 am:
I never leave home without my VISA card. Should have mentioned that.
Twitter: AndrewENZ
Reply
July 29th, 2009 12:01
Andrew- I think you should tell Visa that. Maybe a new advertising strategy
Reply
July 29th, 2009 20:59
I love my Garmin too!
I don’t normally carry my phone. How do you carry it while running?
Andrew(AJH)´s last blog ..More cortisone and dry needling …
Reply
Andrew
reply on July 29th, 2009 9:50 pm:
Pocket or Camelbak. It’s pretty small.
Twitter: AndrewENZ
Reply
July 29th, 2009 22:35
as a newish runner loved this info and q&a.
any chance for a weekly ASK ANDREW post?
MizFit´s last blog ..Viewer mail: Spotting 101 & Losing the Guilt.
Reply
July 30th, 2009 08:59
Thanks for sharing this. I’m mainly a walker, but I always like to hear what other people take along. I like to use my mp3 for radio and podcasts!
Diane Fit to the Finish´s last blog ..But I Love To Bake. . .
Twitter: fittothefinish
Reply
August 1st, 2009 22:07
Nice answers. Hope you’re not tempted to whip the Visa out as you run past one of the malls on your long run tomorrow.
Bruce´s last blog ..2009 Training log
Reply
August 2nd, 2009 04:35
As of this week, I used to run with my Garmin 305 but have now been trying the Nike+ with my iTouch and I have to say, I am really impressed. The way it integrates with my music and podcasts is brilliant. The Nike+ site is also pretty good.
This is my first time to your blog and have been going through it – very motivating!
Jeremy
Jeremy´s last blog ..My 5 Favorite iTouch (iPhone) Fitness and Weight Loss Apps
Reply
August 5th, 2009 09:04
[...] is Getting Fit: A few questions answered [or, the secrets of one of the most inspirational fitness bloggers I've ever [...]