All I want for Christmas

-

It's that time of year when everyone is making a list, clothes, books, gadgets, perfumes...hoping that Santa will pop what they wished for under the Christmas tree.

My wife has explained that she is happy to have a list from me as long as it doesn't contain anything running related. Mainly because she knows the whole list would be exactly that, but also as she says correctly, that these items are what I spend my money on the rest of the year.

Fair point. However, what would my list look like if she hadn't added that caveat? And yes this is a good excuse to share some ideas for anyone who wanted to buy me a present.... I'll do a top 10 because that's what you do at Christmas.

10 - Compression socks - No matter how often I trim my toe nails I still seem to get a whole in the big toe every couple of months so these are always in demand.

9 - Gloves - From November through until March these are essential both before, during and after a run.

8 - Shades - In the summer these are essential to stop the glare of the sun and the swarms of flies. In the winter they stop me needing to squint with the sun so low in the sky and keep out the rain and snow.

7 - Meggins - Rarely used to be honest as my compression socks reach almost to the bottom of my shorts, but for a few days each year I get to wear tights and it feels great. Not weird.

6 - Compression top - Most of the time if I wear one of these it ends up a sweaty mess and I have to take it off mid run or else leave it to freeze on my body when I finish. I'm not a fan. However occasionally when the temperature dips below freezing it is essential and enables me to keep warm throughout the bitterly cold run.

5 - Buff - one of my favourite accessories and I rarely leave without one now. Multi-functional piece of kit that can be used as a sweat band, a hat, a neck warmer or a sun blocker. It easily wraps around the wrist when not needed and weighs next to nothing.

4 - Ear buds - A more recent addition to my kit list. When I first started running listened to music a lot. Over recent years I preferred to appreciate the sounds of the world around me. Now I strike a balance but do love the opportunity to keep up with the latest tunes when on a long run. I also  find that when I hear songs they remind me of particular runs making a soundtrack to some memorable times.

3 - Jacket - On those rainy runs or when the temperature plummets you need to layer up. I always have two jackets at hand for varying conditions. One is a lightweight waterproof one with a hood for when it rains, the other is a half zip top. Both have pockets for keys, wallet etc. and can easily be tied around the waist if needed.

2 - GPS watch - I don't need to wear one of these and sometimes wish I didn't, but I can't deny the fact that I find almost as much enjoyment in dissecting a run afterwards as in running it in the first place. Checking my heartrate, cadence and splits, searching for fast segments and comparing times with previous days adds to the feeling of progression and achievement.

1 - Trainers - I used to get through 2 pairs per year. Since my mileage has increased I now need at least 4 and that is just road shoes. Add trail shoes and it soon adds up. The makers recommend getting a new pair every 400 miles. I usually squeeze 600 out of mine but when running 2500 miles, you do the math. I always buy Asics GT-2000 as my feet are accustomed to them. They retail at £120 but I've never paid more than £70 as I always buy in the sales and usually the previous year's model.

So there you have it. You'll notice there are no running shirts mentioned. This is because I have a drawer full. These include shirts from runs I have completed, parkrun milestone shirts, and a couple of special ones including my Bald Monkeys Running Club shirt and a France one I bought especially for the Paris marathon.

There it is. I could also add books on running and race entries but this will do for now.

Popular posts from this blog

Human v Horse

-
Image
The trail is ankle deep in mud. There are large U shaped holes in the ground. My brain is working overtime to relay information from my eyes to my legs to avoid breaking an ankle. I'm descending at speed through pine forest with shouts of 'Horse!' echoing behind me.  Moments later I hear the heavy breathing of a quadruped moving at speed. The drumbeat of hooves on turf are replaced with the splashing and squelching of the sodden earth. I feel a warmth on the back of my neck, almost imperceptible, likely imagined. Turning my head I risk a fall, but I need to see my foe. I glimpse the auburn mount bearing down on me, helmeted rider perched atop. I dive to the side of the trail just in time. The speeding steed is past in a moment. I watch as horse and rider gallop on and vanish into the shadows.  This isn't a recurring nightmare - that's the one about leading parkrun and then getting lost - nor is it my experience of participating in an anti-hunting protest. This was h...
Read more

A bridge too far?

-
Image
A post on Facebook caught my attention. This is how many of my running adventures begin. Bex Band, founder of the women's adventure community Love Her Wild had walked across all the bridges in Greater London. Obviously this meant the Thames River. Less obviously there are 33 bridges in total starting at Hampton Court and ending at Tower Bridge. Of these, 26 have pedestrian access and she had crossed them all. 'Hmm, that would make a good run' was my first thought. Seed planted. A couple of months later on a mild, bright January day I travelled to Richmond. My first run was Richmond parkrun with my friend Vicki and her pal Nicola. 3.1 miles, no dear and a warming coffee later, I ran the nine miles to Hampton Court. Twelve miles done and I was ready to start my run! My goal was to cross each bridge when I came to it. That meant crossing Hampton Bridge and a sign denoting entrance to Surrey before turning and re-crossing it to begin. Yes, I am a pedant. Hampton Court Bridge I ...
Read more

Great Lakeland 3 Day

-
Image
We had been descending for close to a mile. It was a steady descent, more than runnable. A chance to stretch out the legs. At the bottom we stopped at the checkpoint to refill out water bottles from the fast flowing stream when cramp struck.  I watched as my friend Matt grimaced in agony and beads of sweat fell from his brow. The muscles of his inner thighs had completely spasmed. He was unable to move. We were nine miles into day two of our three day Lakeland adventure with fifteen miles and numerous summits still to go. It was a relief when after a few minutes he was able to take a few hesitant steps. Disaster seemed to have been averted. We continued along a flat road before beginning our next ascent. Suddenly, Matt let out a cry and fell to the floor writhing in pain. The cramps were back. The day seemed to be over and we began to discuss how to get back to the campsite. ----------------- Matt, his wife Kelly and I had booked onto the Scarpa Great Lakeland 3 Day that is held in...
Read more