no bumbag zone

May 5, 2008 2:22 PM

Runners of MeFi: What do you carry when you race, and what do you carry it in? Does anyone have any experience with this thing?

I ran my first half marathon yesterday, and while it was a blast, I definitely could have planned better...I felt kind of dumb clutching at my sweaty, jingling Ziploc full of jellybeans. I did most of my long runs where it was cool enough to wear a jacket, and shoved all my stuff in the pockets - but this left me with no plan for warm race days.

I'm particularly interested in non-waistpack and non-fuelbelt solutions; they just don't work with my specific anatomy and always end up flopping around my waist. I'd like to carry a couple keys, a little cash, dry socks, bandaids, a handful of candy, maybe half a bagel for really long runs and my fall marathon. Does the holster linked above have room for all that? Does it flop around at all? Any other ideas for holsters or bandoliers or leg sacks or whatever?

Or am I just plain carrying too much stuff, and could pare it down to a couple things that would fit in a shoewallet or running shorts pouch?

I'm okay on water - I carry one of those bottles with a handstrap when I think I'll need it.

Thanks, AskMe!

posted by peachfuzz to sports, hobbies, & recreation (13 comments total)

Get one of these: http://www.overtonfitness.com/spibelt.php
I bought one at the Expo at the Boston Marathon and I wore it for the marathon and it didn't bounce at all! I LOOOVED it! The bag itself is stretchy material that holds a ton. The belt is elastic and it stays put.
posted by SheIsMighty at 2:35 PM on May 5

A cycling jersey. (It has pockets in the back.)
posted by phliar at 2:42 PM on May 5

I have a few pairs of RaceReady shorts, which have a mesh band of pockets below the waistband. Yes, they may look a little silly, but if you don't over-stuff them, they are quite comfortable and serve the carrying purposes well. My only complaint is that the version of shorts with the back mesh pocket band has two front card-pockets, and the version without the back mesh pockets has one, so it's kind of an all-or-nothing scenario, in terms of carrying capacity. Overall, the shorts are very comfortable, and they often run sales.
posted by zachxman at 2:51 PM on May 5

I think you're carrying too much stuff. Dry socks? That seems excessive. So do the bandaids. Use body glide for those areas that chafe or blister for preventative medicine, and change your socks when you finish running. Unless you're running in a downpour, sweaty feet are sweaty feet and that's just the way the mop flops. For socks, I LOVE thorlos. They seem to wick sweat and they're super comfortable. Bagel? No, just have a slice of toast with peanut butter and honey before you head out on those long runs. One slice of toast and then gels along the way are fine for my 20+ mile long runs. Keys (you really only need your car key if you're driving to your training route or your house key if you're leaving from your front door) and cash (do you really need the cash???) should fit fine in your inside pocket. And I just got a pair of Brooks running shorts that are really comfortable and have small, inconspicuous pockets on the back for gels or luna chews (which I prefer much more than jelly beans. They're easier to eat and they taste delicious and they're bigger and don't jiggle around).

Have fun!
posted by cachondeo45 at 3:43 PM on May 5

For me, it depends on the distance. For anything marathon distance or less, I'll generally just go with the Ultimate Direction water bottle, which has a hand strap, but also a pocket to carry basic stuff like a key and a credit card. I've got a decent pair of shorts with good pockets that I can put some extra gu packets in, if I need to.

For longer runs and time out on the trail, I just rock the camelbak m.u.l.e. It's got more than ample carrying space for everything imaginable, plus a bladder that can carry up to 96 oz of water. (I almost never fill it up all the way.)

Personally, I'd feel a little uncool in a holster like that without a camelbak attached to it, but that's probably just me.
posted by ph00dz at 3:48 PM on May 5

I'd work on carrying less stuff as well. I tend to have a key and a RoadID. I generally run a route that has water fountains, but if those water bottle strap things work for you, try to cram everything else in there. I've seen them big enough for a energy gel or bag of sport beans. On race days, I make due with whatever is on the course. On training runs, maybe you could plan routes that circle back to your house or car where you've conveniently stashed that half bagel.
posted by advicepig at 4:24 PM on May 5

I know you said you're not that interested in fuel belt solutions, but perhaps you're just using the wrong size belt? I use this and it's worked wonders. There is enough room in the pocket for ID, keys, gels, and salts. My local running store had multiple sizes, and the size I original bought would bounce while I ran, which needless to say, is very annoying.

I went back later and bought a smaller size, and it has yet to bounce. I also wear it a little lower on my hips then you might think is natural, so that it is tighter and has less wiggle room.

So don't write off fuel belts all together yet, you just may not have found the right one for you.
posted by Arbac at 4:32 PM on May 5

I use a fuel belt for longer runs (2+ hrs) and can squeeze a gel and phone into the pocket on the belt. ID/bus pass/$10 go in the shorts pocket, keys in one of those handy pockets that go on your shoes. I used to use a nathan single bottle belt but the bouncing drove me insane, and chafed over a long period of time. I used to head out on long runs like I was going off to war, but I've pared stuff down over the past year, preferring to buy extra drinks etc en route, if necess.
posted by poissonrouge at 4:40 PM on May 5

I used to run with a fanny pack that could accomodate two water bottles plus some gear. Now I use the UD hand held bottles, two for longer and hotter runs. If I'm going longer than ~25 miles I wear a small fanny pack with some toilet paper and a bit of food.

I think you're carrying too much stuff. I used to do that too. But, consider, basically for anything half marathon or under you really don't need even anything to eat. For longer runs I cram something into my UD bottle pocket, or carry a gel in my had too.

Many of the things you're carrying are probably there for a kind of security, even if you end up using them you probably don't have to. I'm not sure how to convey this well, but I used to carry a lot of stuff too, even to the point of being worried I didn't have enough. Then I started to realize that even on very long training runs (I run fairly long distances), the only things I was using were toilet paper, water and a bit of food. Since water is the rate limiter, I've got to go by my car to refuel anyway, so I can stock up with everything else too.

The thing about not carrying a bunch of stuff when you run is that it's much more fun.
posted by OmieWise at 6:06 PM on May 5

I don't carry anything except an mp3 player and a car/house key. Anything more than that feels very annoyingly heavy and bouncy.

I don't run marathons though. I can run half-marathon-like distances but prefer the 5 mile range.

If you're a fan of long distances I suggest planning your route to include a cafe or at least a water fountain so you don't have to carry water.
posted by azazello at 6:52 PM on May 5

My girlfriend does longer runs, she usually relies on the water stations at marathons (or me, biking with a backpack of water alongside). She has a mini runners pocket that she uses to carry a couple of those runners nutrition/energy gel packs. She often laces a housekey or car key into her shoelaces. That's generally it.
posted by brownbat at 7:09 PM on May 5

scottevest for running chicks
posted by metacort at 10:12 PM on May 5

I think you guys are right - I'm just carrying too much stuff - it's mostly "what if" stuff that I've never had cause to use. Off to find some clothes with pockets to carry my newly lighter load!
posted by peachfuzz at 6:52 PM on May 6