There are about 12 weeks until the marathon. This weekend I have 18 miles on the schedule.
Eighteen is significant for me. It was the longest run I completed last year during marathon training before I got injured. I’m hoping this year is different.
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| 18 miles DONE in 2010. |
Eighteen is no joke. So I think I’m going to test some equipment during the run. It seems long enough to really give it a good test, but short enough that if my equipment fails, I’m not totally screwed.
One of these pieces of equipment is my phone. It’s a Samsung HTC with WP7 and I’d like it to be the sole piece of hardware I carry with me on race day. I downloaded a pretty hefty playlist and I’ve already been testing it on shorter runs. It’s not perfect as it occasionally stops a song just short of its ending or pauses mid-song. But the key is it doesn’t stop the playlist, so it doesn’t really bother me.
What’s great is that, according to Mr. T, the music plays in the background while my phone is in sleep mode, so it doesn’t eat up the battery. I will test that theory on Sunday’s 18. Also, I can still use my phone while the music plays (ie take pictures and text). I also will give that a try on Sunday as I have not yet attempted to do that.
My issues are not with the phone. I’m happy I don’t have to carry my bulky first-gen Zune and my phone. It’s the headphones I really need to fix. I got some over-the-ear hangers that I can snap my earbuds into (I still use the buds from one of the first iPods that came out years ago), but they still manage to come loose. What should I get to replace the buds? Suggestions needed!
My other unknown is how do I want to carry my phone/music? I plan to wear my pretty pink Nathan hydration belt during the marathon. Putting my phone in the pocket of the belt only leaves room for one gel. I do not wish to wear more than one belt, and since the race is at the end of June, I predict the weather will better be warmer, which means fewer clothes with pockets. Ideas?
The last thing is my clothing. Since it will better be warmer, I won’t be wearing long tights and raincoats and hats. I’d like to wear my pink plaid RunningSkirt, but I think it might be too big for me now. I might have to break down and buy this one:
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| Does it come with this stomach and these thighs? 😉 |
I got a cute white Nike skirt from eBay, but haven’t been able to test it out yet. I also got a new short-sleeve sweat-wicker shirt yesterday at TJ Maxx. I’m thinking I’ll wear a visor on race day. Not that I own one yet. Doesn’t matter. I won’t be able to test any of these out on Sunday as it’s supposed to rain.
And I think I need new socks. I discovered on my 16-miler that the socks I’ve been wearing are too thick. I wore my thinner RunningSkirts Swift Socks that day and not a single blister. But I don’t know if I want to wear those on June 25. Might better be too warm.
What else? What am I forgetting?
15 comments
Love that running skirt! One of my favorites!!!!! Good luck on your 18, that is a big accomplishment!
What about sunglasses? Haven't ever tried this, but have heard about safety-pinning your Gu onto your belt; pin through the top, so then all you have to do is rip off the bag to consume it (not unpinning); leaving the top pinned. May not be the fashion-statement of the year, but its a thought…
I put my phone on my arm in a sporty armband. I can barely feel it there, and then you'd have more room for your gu. Plus, its easier to get to if you want to change songs!
1) Which Nathan belt do you have ? Did you see the crap I had shoved in mine on Sunday? 2) What size is your pink plaid skirt? 3) I just got a visor – will be here this week. You are welcome to try it some weekend. I need the visor part…but get entirely too hot for the hat part!4) Yes on the replacing earbud thing. I have a pair I love (for work, can't wear while running) they are cheap, sound good, and don't rattle. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000IG66VS 5) Shove the gels in the pocket of your skirt. 6) my little captcha below this box is 'unfer'. Which sounds funny.
Girl, we are on the same wavelength! 12 weeks out and I'm thinking about outfits! That darn RunningSkirts site just came out with new patterns…and I WANT but don't really need but I think I will but will wait in case they have a sale coming up next month. Funny thing – I just ordered some smarwool compression socks & smartwool ultra light socks (LOVE this brand) on REI last night using my rebate + 20% off coupon. AND, my new big-screen HTC barely fits into my nathan hydration belt and DOES NOT fit into my cool wait belt/pocket-thing. Damn! The whole point of that belt was to carry a phone. I plan on getting a new tank & a VISOR for RNR, too. I always use a hat but am thinking a visor will be cooler? Wait for the expo or get one in advance and break it in? We should hit the running store in Renton (what's it called?) together after one of the sunday runs 🙂 a little shopping reward for a long run?
oh yeah – pockets can be found in your skirt & shirt even (small zipper pocket) to hold your gel! and don't forget sunglasses!
I have not yet embraced running skirts, but that one is cute!Have you tried an arm band for your phone? I was skeptical about trying one for my iPhone, but it didn't bother me at all when I tried one for the first time this past weekend.
If you get the new running skirt, you can put your other gels in the pockets. It sounds like you probably need to get that one. :-)I can't stand the original iPod headphones. I bought some Sony ones on Amazon (similar to these http://tinyurl.com/3rmnayc) and I love them. My husband and mom both have some now, too.My new sock love is Newton socks. They're nice and thin and great at wicking.Are you going to run with sunglasses?
i love that skirt!! Good luck with your 18 miles! I'm sure it will go well!!!
Love the skirt and it does have pockets, so maybe that is an excuse to buy a new one. As for the socks, I have tried many pair and when I found a pair I liked, I bought a bunch of them. I am blanking on what brand they were:( I also like cycling socks to run in, they are really thin and usually you can find some funky ones!Oh and I tried the pinning the gel to the bib thing, maybe I did it wrong but it drove me crazy, bounced too much, I ended up shoving them in my bra so maybe that is an option:)
I have been battling earphone buds for years. Have tried so many (wasted lots of $$)… None of them stay in my ears. I use a Sony pair that go overtop my head. I really need to learn to just run without music (fat chance!).This past winter I started using my phone for GPS and ipod. Same dilemna as you… as it warms up, no jacket pocket… I've been testing out an armband that I like, but not sold yet how it will feel in warm weather (sweat!).I've been known to shove extra gels down in the sports bra between the girls… !! no joke…
I can't wait to see you break through the 18 mile barrier!!!
I LOVE the skirt! If you find out that it comes with the abs and the thighs let me know cause I would love that! I am such an earbud dork…I still use the ones that were original to my ipod…so not high tech! They work and stay in so why mess with what works. I have pinned my gu to my belt before. Then I would just tear it off and be left with the tab still pinned to the belt. This could work for you. Try it out first though cause I had to finagle it so that the bouncing was minimized…it drove me nuts at first! Good luck with 18…you'll be great!
Have fun on your 18! Looking forward to hearing about it.I just ordered an Amphipod Ballistic Endurance Pouch for my Amphipod belt, and it has four stretchy things to hold gels and empties, two on each side of the pouch itself. I am going to try replacing my regular pouch with the new one, mainly because I hate putting empties back in the pouch and I should carry my phone there instead. Maybe Nathan has a similar pouch that coordinates with your belt? You are smart to be planning ahead. It's part of the fun anyway!
After many frustrating issues with previous ear buds I switched to something called Yurbuds. They are AWESOME. They never, ever fall out, not during the longest or sweatiest runs. You can buy them as either add ons to your current Apple style earbuds (I actually have them on my Sony earbuds and they work just fine). They are made of silicone and just slide over the buds. When you buy them online, you send them a pic of your ear and they custom fit it. They are the best buds/covers I have ever used and I have gone through many styles.