The official running thread™

[Agent_Smith]

This brings up a great question for me...

What is everyones "absolutely required" items?

For me:

Shoes (duh) ideally with decent padding (Asics Gel Nimbus, Nike Vomero's or the like)
Ultra Thin Falke running socks
Tissues (2 in each pocket of shorts)
Snug fitting undies (I dont think i need to explain this one)
Running belt if i have any keys with me (I hate things jumping around in my pockets)
Hat
Watch

Then items I like to have with me:
Earphones for loooong runs (and also my phone in my running belt then) - Podcasts make the time go by much quicker
Heartrate chest strap
Gloves and Buff if its cold
Reflective vest if its dark

Yeah, it's a varied list. For me it depends on where I am running (road or trail), the distance and whether it is a sanctioned race (which has their own list of mandatory gear) or just a weekend trot.

I've never been one to run with music so that straight away is not a pre-requisite. And besides, almost all ASA organised road races forbid the use of headphones. So why train with them if you're not allowed to use them on race day (that's my reasoning anyway). Otherwise my minimum list is:

Applicable shoes (road or trail)
Watch
Cap
Hydration bottle

That list grows once the distances start increasing.

 

[Claymore]

This brings up a great question for me...

What is everyones "absolutely required" items?

Shoes, ja.
I prefer the Falke thicker socks; more cushioning.
Shorts with inner compression liner.
One of my shirts from races (the FNB and JPMorgan shirts are the best).
Cap, always - stops sweat and good for sun
Phone - I often take pics on the way
Belt pouch big enough for phone and key/remote
A hankie for the sniffles
Buff or mask in case I go into a shop on the way
Wireless earphones - I like the ones that clip over the ear. All others fall out.
Anti-chafing gel!!
Running watch (Suunto Spartan Sport HR). Also been running with a new Huawei Watch GT2e to try it out.

For long trail runs without water points, I use a camelpak too.

 

[wise_guy]

Comrades Marathon 2022 confirmed for the 12th of June. It will be a down run and importantly, it will count towards your back2back medal if like me, you managed to do the up run in 2019. I was going to write it off if they said it would be another up run.

Comrades turned 100 a few days ago but 2022 will be a tight call.

 

[wise_guy]

This guy offers good advice. Gets to the point.

 

[Scary_Turtle]

Man the new Garmin forerunner 55 is great watch. https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2021/06/garmin-forerunner-55-depth-review.html

Basically a Garmin 245 for R4000, I cant wait to see what the new 255 and 655 bring to the table.

 

[Claymore]

For anyone doing the Comrades Centenary Hope Challenge next week, have you had the bib emailed to you, and info about fetching your shirt? I've had nothing since since I registered.

 

[RunningFromFat]

For anyone doing the Comrades Centenary Hope Challenge next week, have you had the bib emailed to you, and info about fetching your shirt? I've had nothing since since I registered.

I got an email 'ready to claim profile' and went and claimed it on the app and can see my bib number on the app.

 

[RunningFromFat]

For anyone doing the Comrades Centenary Hope Challenge next week, have you had the bib emailed to you, and info about fetching your shirt? I've had nothing since since I registered.

FYI, got the email today as well.

 

[Claymore]

Same, got the email, no info about shirt collection.

 

[Rouxenator]

I miss my running days. My last run was my 9th Safari half marathon in 2019....

 

[pinball wizard]

I miss my running days.

I don't.

Now I only run for two things, the toilet after a dodgy curry or if my bicycle breaks down.

 

[Craig_]

I participated in the Oxpecker trail run this past weekend. Extremely well organised
Really a great event.

I set a goal to win the Ostrich category (runners weighing more than 90kg)

I ended up winning that category.

But somehow also 5th place overall and second in my age category as well.

Was an amazing experience rubbing shoulders with the elites.

Geez, you are fit. I did 14km in 1h37m on saturday, only my second time running. And I'm still sore.

 

[Rouxenator]

Geez, you are fit. I did 14km in 1h37m on saturday, only my second time running. And I'm still sore.

Nice! I remember trying to bag me a sub 90 half marathon, so I opted for the flattest one around, Vlaktes on the way to Witsand. Only managed 1:37 on that 21.1km.... it was the peak of my running career.

After coming in just over 2 hours on my last one I decided to throw in the towel. There are a lot of fellow riders I know that used to run a lot but in the end your body wears out. The fact that lockdown made me heavier also contributes to the fact that I now ride instead of run.

But I do miss those days. Hey, here is a cool route for you to try considering your stay in the same part of town.

 

[Craig_]

Nice! I remember trying to bag me a sub 90 half marathon, so I opted for the flattest one around, Vlaktes on the way to Witsand. Only managed 1:37 on that 21.1km.... it was the peak of my running career.

After coming in just over 2 hours on my last one I decided to throw in the towel. There are a lot of fellow riders I know that used to run a lot but in the end your body wears out. The fact that lockdown made me heavier also contributes to the fact that I now ride instead of run.

But I do miss those days. Hey, here is a cool route for you to try considering your stay in the same part of town.

I might actually try that one day, maybe park my car at the spar there and do 7 km's of that route and turn back, I'm just still very unfit. And very apprehensive of running around this neighbourhood, especially when my wife is with. How safe is the klipheuwel road to run on?

I'm currently running with my wife's running club but I might actually suggest that route once I'm with them for a bit longer.

 

[Rouxenator]

I always run/ride with my pepperspray, however this route is safe to run. There are some runners/walkers on the R304 in the evenings, about half from Kayamandi and the other half from Cloetesville. On the R44 side it is a mix of Cloetesville and Welgevonden people. Very few people I know of does the circular route via Kromme-Rhee road.

My usual route these days (riding not running) is something like this where I dip into the Nooitgedacht village trail that runs adjacent to their estate on the Nooitgedacht farm. It has been a bit shortened now that the farm put up an electric fence between them and Lavenir.

 

[Craig_]

I always run/ride with my peppers spray, however this route is safe to run. There are some runners/walkers on the R304 in the evenings, about half from Kayamandi and the other half from Cloetesville. On the R44 side it is a mix of Cloetesville and Welgevonden people. Very few people I know of does the circular route via Kromme-Rhee road.

My usual route these days (riding not running) is something like this where I dip into the Nooitgedacht village trail that runs adjacent to their estate on the Nooitgedacht farm. It has been a bit shortened now that the farm put up an electric fence between them and Lavenir.

I'd be dead if I tried that 22km route now, I might try some of that on Saturday morning, her group are doing time trails now and I'm not ready for that yet. They did sprints there by the Hydro last Wednesday night, I almost bloody died. Not a damn am I doing the trails.

 

[FiestaST]

I know it's nothing for you guys but a personal best for me. I'm relatively new to the game.

 

[RunningFromFat]

That was a lot of fun, really got some good energy for the last 5k. My route also had a lot of other runners and it was uplifting. Well done on all the other runners/walkers today.

 

[Craig_]

I know it's nothing for you guys but a personal best for me. I'm relatively new to the game.

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You average pace is better than mine. Not bad.

 

[FiestaST]

You average pace is better than mine. Not bad.
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Shot bro