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	Running Bag

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Whenever I go running, I take along my running bag.  It contains extra “stuff” that I will or might need on any given run.  It’s not a very large bag and I use clear plastic gallon bags to keep things organized so I can find them easily.

• Cold weather gear: hat, gloves, sleeves, calf compression, neck gator (muff), handkerchief.
• Dark stuff: flashlight, spare flashlight, batteries, blinker back light, reflective stuff.
• Heat gear: sweat band, camp towel.
• Rain gear: technical material baseball hat, trash bag emergency raincoat, baggie (for electronic gear)
• Miscellaneous stuff: trail maps, first aid, safety pins (race bibs), insect repellant, sunscreen, toilet paper, lip gloss, band aids for chaffing
• Nutrition: for during run; for after the run

Always keep extra empty bags just for extra stuff.  I use one to hold stuff that I know I am going to use on today’s run like nutrition, hat, sunglasses, flashlight ...

Take some extra plastic grocery bags for trash and to hold your wet gear after a run.

I also keep a list handy of the things I need for every run like shirt, pants, socks, shoes ...  I check this list twice before I leave.  You don’t want to get to a run or race missing some piece of essential gear.  See Lists for more ideas.

I frequently help set up for my local club races.  I’ve learned to wear other shoes and take along spare socks because I have gotten my feet drenched helping to fill up water jugs.  I’ve almost forgotten my race shoes because I typically wear the shoes I’m going to run in as I leave the house. 

So check your list before you leave.  I like to actually touch or point to items as I go through the list so I don’t just rush over an item and forget it.

When you are picking out gear, especially cold weather gear, consider the colors. It might be helpful to get some different colors or in some way differentiate between these items. If you have black arm and calf sleeves, you might pick up the wrong one by mistake if you are in a hurry. Having them different colors will help you avoid those costly mistakes.