Runner's Schwag

Running in races is addicting.

Seriously.

This past weekend I volunteered at the Austin Marathon (just because I love being around marathons and half marathons so much).

And because it does, in the end, all help charities.

Which further helps my love for races.

I had fun volunteering too. I helped check in the runners and give them all their runner's "schwag." Which is all of the "free" stuff they get for running the race plus the needed stuff like their bibs. Most of the volunteers were in service fraternities/sororities at UT and were there just to be volunteers and had no clue about running a race. So I was glad I was there to actually be able to answer some of the runner's questions and, well, let's be frank, not be annoying like some of them. I sat next to a girl who decided to explain EVERY LAST ITEM we gave the runners. And her line was out of control because of it. As a human being in general, I think I would rather figure out the "schwag" on my own than stand in a line. But hey, maybe that's just me.

But speaking of runner's "schwag," I've recently had a major increase in the amount of mine. I mean sure, I started out with the normal amount of runner's gear. But now the list of runner's gear has grown to:

1) Shoes - of course, the biggest must-have for a runner. But after my first marathon and an un-usual amount of blisters on my feet I was told I needed to go to a running store. Shoes cost about two times their normal cost at a running store as they would at any other store, but they are specially matched for your feet. Probably the best and only investment a runner needs to make. But yet I continue...

2) Socks- sure I started with normal socks. But then a race gave me "runner's socks" in the "schwag" bag. NEVER TURNED BACK.

3) Pants- I tried shorts of all athletic types, I developed "carpet burn(?)" on my legs with all of them. Shiny running pants feel like they are always falling off of me. So Cotton pants it is.

4) Running shirts- I was totally okay with wearing old t-shirts until just once, one of the 60-year-old leaders (it wasn't a fast running club) made fun of my cotton t-shirt. I never looked back on cotton shirts when it comes to running.

5) Bras- lets be honest, it's plural, I have "extra" that needs taking care of. I wear a regular bra and a sports bra. It must be both, not one or the other.

6) iPod(s)- My first iPod could no longer hold a charge as long as I could run. So I got another iPod. Now if I could just remember to always charge it before I want to work out...

7) Sweat towel- I shamelessly wore wrist sweat-bands for the longest time (literally until about two months ago). But just recently I have discovered that I LIKE to hold onto something while I run. So now I just carry a washcloth towel. And yes, I sweat that much that I need a towel when I run.

8) Water bottle- can't run out of water! I usually carry my hand-held water bottle. But if it's a longer run I have one that goes around my waist and carries the water on my back. Very nerdy, but very nice!

9) Contacts- now that I wear glasses most of the time, I have to plan ahead and bring contacts to wear if I want to work out. I can't stand glasses slipping with all the sweating that's going on.

10) Anti-chaffing stick- I have to run this on many parts of my body before longer runs so that I don't chafe or get blisters... life saver.

And most recently:

11) Sweaty Bands- at the expo in New Orleans I was suckered into buying one, and I am amazed, it is the only headband that doesn't slip off of my head! Love it! (Though, I never remember saying to myself before I had one, "you know what I need now, a headband!" So I definitely don't NEED it.)

12) Power Balance bracelet- I saw my friend Chelsea had one and she raved about it. I've wanted one ever since. And this might shock you, but I actually went to sporting goods stores and mall kiosks to find one but never could. So of course, when they were at the expo I was already sold that I was going to buy one. I may or may-not feel better with it. To be honest, I was so un-prepared for that half marathon I was willing to pay $30 for a little placebo effect. They did the test on me and I felt nothing different with the balance, but incredibly different on the power part. The jury's still out on whether I really think it's working... I will let you know what the jury decides.

But for now the jury thinks I should still wear it until I decide otherwise...

13) Spy Gear- well that's the name brand, which I don't have. But it's basically a smaller kinda fanny pack. The thing about it is that you can put your phone, keys, etc. in it and it's water proof and doesn't bounce. This I also picked up at the expo (dang expo).

14) AHHHHHHHHH.... (Lights should shine for this one).... A GARMIN GPS RUNNING WATCH!!!! Once again, Greg (whom I stayed with in New Orleans) surprised me with buying me something REDICULOUS for my birthday. Last year it was a Kindle. This year a Garmin running watch. I don't even know what to say about him getting me this stuff.

But I do know what to say about the watch, IT'S AMAZING!!! I've had the Nike+ plug-in for an iPod for awhile now, and it tracks how far you've gone, but it's not that accurate. I would always say I "think" I ran about ____ miles.

Now I know I ran ____ miles (or not). Plus, he got the heart rate monitor for me. I would have never thought that would be anything I am interested in, but it is probably more interesting to me now than the GPS part. I can see how hard I am working myself and I am amazed when I feel like I am working harder than I am, and I actually push myself harder because I am not. It's pretty motivating!

Plus, I can finally settle distances that I have always wondered about. There is a loop a lot of teachers at my school either run or walk and they've all said it was 2 miles, no question about it. I started running with two teachers at work and I told them I thought it was longer than 2 miles and they said no they didn't think so. So I measured it with my new "fancy" watch, boy, they sure were surprised to find it was 2.6 miles, no kidding!!!

I LOVE all my running stuff. However, it's a lot to keep track of. And it's a lot to put on, it takes me like 20 minutes to get it all on and be ready to run. Then there's also the fact that with so much work-out clothes it gets hard to remember the little things like, charge your iPod. So the other day I ran with my iPod, but with no power, NICE.

But if you asked me right now if I'd give up any one of those things, I wouldn't. I guess I am stuck with all of that runners schwag!!!

And if you know anyone who sells runner's schwag, please, don't point them in my direction. I can't afford to have any more of this stuff that I can't live without!