Happy Friday everyone! The topic for today's DC Trifecta link-up is "What's in my gym bag?". Um, nothing...I don't go. {Yes, I intend to do strength training at the gym this year, but I've got tennis elbow so bad right now it hurts to pick up my cell phone. Ugh!}
For years, I spent my lunch on the treadmill at the Y. This topic would have fit perfectly then. But nowadays, I do my running outside. So I decided to alter the title of this post to the much more appropriate --- What's In My Mailbox.
The first race I ever registered for was a half marathon. 29 of them later, I never got out of the habit of that weekly long run. My distance typically varies from 8 to 13 miles depending on the date of the next half. {It will soon exceed that when I start training for my first full marathon. Eek!}
My neighborhood traffic is light and there is a city park connected to one end. I'm lucky I have such a nice place to run. I can loop back to my house at any time just depending on how often I need to access my supplies. And if truth be told, how many times I want to climb The Hill leading back to my house.
MAILBOX CONTENTS1. Water - I usually have at least one 16 ounce bottle.
2. Gatorade - I usually have one 16 ounce bottle of Gatorade Endurance mixed up. I like to practice drinking what is typically served on race day. I also like the extra potassium and sodium in the endurance formula.
3. GU - My favorites are Peanut Butter and Salted Caramel. I feel better if the GU has no caffeine kick. Oh, how I wish they would leave it out of the Salted Caramel.
4. SaltStick Caps - I added these over the summer when I was experiencing painful calf and hamstring cramps during races. I continue to use them in a lesser quantity now that it's gotten colder. I'm really not sure they help, but I'm afraid not to use them.
5. Various - If the weather changes, you may also find my gloves, outer layers, ear warmers, arm or calf sleeves, hat or any other item I've discarded during my run. You may also find a handheld bottle than I'm trying out and decided I simply cannot carry. And, well...the mail. It's still there because I haven't cleaned it out since my last long run.
Is there something you can't do without?
Are there any other mailbox runners out there?
Are there any other mailbox runners out there?
Thanks to Eat Pray Run DC, You Signed Up For What?!,
& Mar on the Run! for hosting the Friday Five.
after i cramped up while running richmond, i was super curious about the salt caps - are they tough to get down?
ReplyDeleteIt's a very easy capsule to swallow. In a race, I will go ahead and take one when I see a water stop is coming and then chase it with water when I get to the stop.
DeleteThat's awesome haha! Great idea to put your water, fuel, etc. in your mailbox and loop back when you need it.
ReplyDeleteWhatever works, right? I used to put a stash in the park but was always worried someone would tamper with it.
DeleteI love this....I was not a mailbox runner, but I used to hide stuff in my old neighborhood all the time! I probably did not need to hide it either, since everyone knew I was a runner! There were water stops for me in on the golf course too which was nice so I did not have to carry water.
ReplyDeleteThere is a water stop in the park that I will use too. I used to stash other items in the park, but I feel safer with mailbox.
DeleteCreative twist on the topic! Gatorade is my fave for long runs too. happy Friday
ReplyDeleteGatorade does not upset my tummy so I've stuck with it..it's what you'll get most often in a race anyway.
DeleteI've never heard of this but what a great idea! I would hate to have to go back inside for supplies- its too tempting to stay there! This seems like the perfect solution.
ReplyDeleteI've done this on vacation too! Oh, no -- I could never go back in the house! Dogs, kids, hubs...no way.
DeleteI couldn't get into the Gu...maybe I should try it again. I like Clifshots but they're not the best for my teeth!
ReplyDeleteI like the GUs that are thinner and easy to swallow. Some of them are too thick to get down, especially in the winter. In a race, I've been known to keep them in my bra to stay warm!
DeleteSuch a good idea to leave those things in your mailbox and loop back for them! I also started taking Salt Stick caps last year. I take them to help prevent nausea when I'm doing a hard effort, and they work really well for that.
ReplyDeleteI won't do a half without them. Even in the last one I took two, and it was cold. I figure it can't hurt. I didn't know it worked for nausea.
DeleteThose are some great contents! I won't go without salt in summer as I discovered (finally!) that I feel SO much better when I take it. I used to be a mailbox girl, now I go all the way inside. I know I'm playing with fire doing that...
ReplyDeleteI couldn't go inside...no way. Over. Done. Recovery seems better if I take the salt, especially in summer.
DeletePerfect example: My son and I ran in FL at the muggiest race ever. The one where you couldn't see the water for the fog. I tried to get him to stick a few salt caps in his flip belt, just in case. "I never get cramps". Well, guess what. I took four of them - no cramps. He cramped...for the first time ever! Next time, you listen to your mama!
ReplyDeleteI like those flavors of GUs as well. I really like the salted watermelon too. I have never been a fan of Gatorade. I don't even take it when they had them out at the finish line.
ReplyDeleteI also like the salted watermelon. But sadly, it has caffeine too. I need Gatorade...I sweat too much. :)
DeleteOh, my gosh! Using your mailbox is such a fantastic idea; this would never have even occurred to me. You're so creative; I love that you put all sorts of things in there to support your run. I've not yet used the salt tablets, but I have a friend who ran a 50K in July last year and we're pretty sure it's the only thing that saved her - ha! Thanks so much for a great post; hope you have a wonderful weekend!
ReplyDeleteI began by packing a whole bag of stuff and taking it to the park when I trained for my first half marathon. Over the years, I've whittled it down to fit in the mailbox! Enjoy your weekend!
DeleteI know a couple people that do this. They run loops by their house and just stuff some things in they might need.
ReplyDeleteIf you can run in your neighborhood, it's just the most convenient place for storage.
DeleteHow clever!
ReplyDeleteTotally agree on the caffeine - all my faves are caffeinated. Wish they'd make regular and decaf of Vanilla, Salted Caramel, BluePom Roctane. Jet BB needs to stay caff I think.
It just does me wrong. I hope I can still depend on Peanut Butter being caffeine free.
DeleteGreat idea--if you have a roadside mailbox! My mailbox is attached to my house, so I may as well come inside for my snacks and stuff! LOL!
ReplyDeleteI thought about that before I posted! LOL. No, that would not work well at all.
DeleteI LOVE this idea!!
ReplyDeleteThanks. It works well for me!
DeleteThe mailbox - awesome! Love your take on the theme!!!
ReplyDeleteWell, I'm not going to the gym...just keeping it real.
DeleteI love your adjustment to the theme since you don't carry a gym bag. I used to call up friends and ask them to leave a water bottle setting by their mailbox for me to have as I ran by during my long runs, so I can relate!
ReplyDeleteThat's a great idea too! That way you can vary your route, depending on where your friends live.
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