Hey...

Don't have a ton of time now, but do NOT get that water belt. I had the same one, and it's so big it will smack you in the ass constantly... it gets REALLY annoying after a couple of hours, LOL.

This is what I have for gear, all of it I recommend highly (and much of it is second and third product purchases, ala the water belt):

Water belt -- I have both a 2 and 4 bottle belt (in Hibiscus Pink, of course ;))
http://www.fuelbelt.com/fuel_belts/helium_custom.html#4bott

The 4 can get a little heavy, but the bottles are small. So if you want to get the 2 bottle belt, be sure you get the 10 oz bottles so you have enough capacity:
http://www.fuelbelt.com/accessories/bottles.html

The removable race pocket on there is big enough for some gel packets (I use shot blocks, and can fit a whole pack of these in there... I don't do the marg flavor though, LOL):
http://www.amazon.com/CLIF-BAR-INC-BLOKS-MARGARITA/dp/B002KDDLKG/ref=sr_1_5?s=gateway&ie=UTF8&qid=1285608869&sr=8-5

I then also have one of these, which I use for my keys, maybe some wet wipes (trust me, you never know when you'll want them), and sometimes my phone, if I don't want headphones:
http://store.spibelt.com/Spibelt-p/spibeltparent1.htm

For my phone when I want music:
http://www.holabirdsports.com/m/Miscellaneous/Packs-Carriers/Nathan/p1/Nathan-Rock-Band-iPhone-iTouch-Music-Carrier/052080.htm?utm_source=Google_Base&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=Nathan%20Rock%20Band%20iPhone%2FiTouch%20Music%20Carrier&utm_campaign=Google_Base

HTH!

Yay! Can I invite myself to join you?

I think your plan to jump in somewhere on the couch to 5k program is a great start.  You have an iphone right? There is a program by the same guy (It think) called "bridge to 10k" which takes you from the 5k to a 10k.  Once you can do a 10k, its just about getting 3 3-4 mile runs in during the week and one long run on the weekend.  I have been stair stepping mine, to increase mileage while giving myself a break, like this:
6m, 7m, 6m, 8m, 7m, 9m, 8m, 10m, 9m, 11m, 10m, 12m etc.

then a week or two out from your race, you will want to "taper" or "rest" and do a run of about 8.

I downloaded runkeeper for my iphone which I loved, but has been acting up lately.  I also have mapmyrun which I also like. 

next is my gear

I used to run in shorts, but, I always hated how they wadded up between my thighs. I ended up distracted and irritated the whole time by yanking my shorts out of my thighs. Then again, I have always had plenty there there to rub....

A few years ago, I started wearing skirts (with the bike shorts beneath), or compression capris or shorts. I much prefer them. Since you will be running in Denver, it is going to get cool soon and you will probably want running pants. They dont need to be like tights, I have a great pair that fit more like yoga pants and are a little soft inside. You will also want some throw away gloves ($1.00 at target), and a headband like you would wear skiing to keep your ears warm. If my ears and hands are warm, the rest of me is good!

It has also become a requirement that they have a pocket big enough for my iphone. I can't stand arm bands. Again, I end up messing with it the whole time.

Target has lots of clothes. You may want to check them out. I also like REI and Athleta. And the department store (Dillards, MAcys) has a pretty good selection of Nike and Addidas.



Hope that helps!

mctex wrote:

---

Hey...

Don't have a ton of time now, but do NOT get that water belt. I had the same one, and it's so big it will smack you in the ass constantly... it gets REALLY annoying after a couple of hours, LOL.

This is what I have for gear, all of it I recommend highly (and much of it is second and third product purchases, ala the water belt):

Water belt -- I have both a 2 and 4 bottle belt (in Hibiscus Pink, of course ;))
http://www.fuelbelt.com/fuel_belts/helium_custom.html#4bott

The 4 can get a little heavy, but the bottles are small. So if you want to get the 2 bottle belt, be sure you get the 10 oz bottles so you have enough capacity:
http://www.fuelbelt.com/accessories/bottles.html

The removable race pocket on there is big enough for some gel packets (I use shot blocks, and can fit a whole pack of these in there... I don't do the marg flavor though, LOL):
http://www.amazon.com/CLIF-BAR-INC-BLOKS-MARGARITA/dp/B002KDDLKG/ref=sr_1_5?s=gateway&ie=UTF8&qid=1285608869&sr=8-5

I then also have one of these, which I use for my keys, maybe some wet wipes (trust me, you never know when you'll want them), and sometimes my phone, if I don't want headphones:
http://store.spibelt.com/Spibelt-p/spibeltparent1.htm

For my phone when I want music:
http://www.holabirdsports.com/m/Miscellaneous/Packs-Carriers/Nathan/p1/Nathan-Rock-Band-iPhone-iTouch-Music-Carrier/052080.htm?utm_source=Google_Base&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=Nathan%20Rock%20Band%20iPhone%2FiTouch%20Music%20Carrier&utm_campaign=Google_Base

HTH!

---

wow. thanks for all the tips!  definitely will not get the water belt.

i saw some of those belts like what you recommended but i thought they'd annoy me b/c they're on the side.  they don't bother you?  i am definitely planning on doing the 2 bottle.  i don't ever plan on running a marathon, so i'm thinking the 2 bottle one will be enough?

those shot things!??! holy crap.  is that for marathons?  (i seriously have no idea what i'm doing)

i had an arm band for my iphone and i hated it.  it annoyed the shit out of me.  so i'm hoping to just find something that i can put my iphone in for safety for when i'm running the trails and listen to my shuffle when i'm running.

i also saw this one that got good reviews - but do you think it would bounce too much too?  (the other thing is that REI has an AWESOME return policy so if i buy something and i don't like it, i know they'll take it back).

http://www.rei.com/product/796245

thanks again!

 

apies wrote:

---

 

mctex wrote:

---

Hey...

Don't have a ton of time now, but do NOT get that water belt. I had the same one, and it's so big it will smack you in the ass constantly... it gets REALLY annoying after a couple of hours, LOL.

This is what I have for gear, all of it I recommend highly (and much of it is second and third product purchases, ala the water belt):

Water belt -- I have both a 2 and 4 bottle belt (in Hibiscus Pink, of course ;))
http://www.fuelbelt.com/fuel_belts/helium_custom.html#4bott

The 4 can get a little heavy, but the bottles are small. So if you want to get the 2 bottle belt, be sure you get the 10 oz bottles so you have enough capacity:
http://www.fuelbelt.com/accessories/bottles.html

The removable race pocket on there is big enough for some gel packets (I use shot blocks, and can fit a whole pack of these in there... I don't do the marg flavor though, LOL):
http://www.amazon.com/CLIF-BAR-INC-BLOKS-MARGARITA/dp/B002KDDLKG/ref=sr_1_5?s=gateway&ie=UTF8&qid=1285608869&sr=8-5

I then also have one of these, which I use for my keys, maybe some wet wipes (trust me, you never know when you'll want them), and sometimes my phone, if I don't want headphones:
http://store.spibelt.com/Spibelt-p/spibeltparent1.htm

For my phone when I want music:
http://www.holabirdsports.com/m/Miscellaneous/Packs-Carriers/Nathan/p1/Nathan-Rock-Band-iPhone-iTouch-Music-Carrier/052080.htm?utm_source=Google_Base&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=Nathan%20Rock%20Band%20iPhone%2FiTouch%20Music%20Carrier&utm_campaign=Google_Base

HTH!

---

wow. thanks for all the tips!  definitely will not get the water belt.

i saw some of those belts like what you recommended but i thought they'd annoy me b/c they're on the side.  they don't bother you?  i am definitely planning on doing the 2 bottle.  i don't ever plan on running a marathon, so i'm thinking the 2 bottle one will be enough?

those shot things!??! holy crap.  is that for marathons?  (i seriously have no idea what i'm doing)

i had an arm band for my iphone and i hated it.  it annoyed the shit out of me.  so i'm hoping to just find something that i can put my iphone in for safety for when i'm running the trails and listen to my shuffle when i'm running.

i also saw this one that got good reviews - but do you think it would bounce too much too?  (the other thing is that REI has an AWESOME return policy so if i buy something and i don't like it, i know they'll take it back).

http://www.rei.com/product/796245

thanks again!

 

 

---

Honestly, I think that one would bang your azz (and not in a good way) almost as much. I would probably go with an amphipod if you really want that style... although it doesn't look like the pocket on those is as big.

On the Fuelbelt, you can adjust where you want the bottles... and Erin (and Megan) brought up a good point that I hadn't thought about -- I had to carry a shit ton of water, and you won't. So the small bottles that come with it should be fine. (And if they're not, you could always order the larger ones later.)

I will admit that I am just crazy partial to the Fuelbelt, because everyone that I started with had an ass-banger, and we all switched. The people that didn't do a Fuelbelt did this handheld sort of thing, but I personally think it would be annoying, too...

http://www.rei.com/product/796283

As to whether or not you need to carry water at all, I think that's a personal preference... myself, I carry my own even during races, because I'm a huge control freak and want what I want when I want it. :) You can stash it ahead of time on your long training runs, or if you run in a popular place in Denver, it might already be there (the local running store puts tons of jugs and paper cups along Town Lake in Austin).

As for the shot blocks... not just for marathons. Anytime you are doing intense cardio for over an hour, you need calories and electrolytes. Some folks do gatorade, many more do gels (which I found too messy)... I do shot blocks, but I know others don't because they don't like chewing while running. My favorite flavor is the black cherry. I've also tried the jelly rancher running beans... those are pretty fun, too.


Note to Erin... I was thinking of inviting myself too... that's a cheap direct flight from me now. Perhaps we should invite ourselves together? :D

 

apies wrote:

---

wait.

are you guys inviting yourselves to RUN with me?!?! i thought you were inviting yourselves to chime in! LMAO!

if you guys are interested, it would be even more incentive for me to get on the wagon. there's no way i could do a marathon like you guys do, but i could do a half, i think! :)

yay!

thanks for the product tips. i definitely couldn't do the handheld. i HATE having something in my hand when i run or work out. but i will go try some on at the store and see how i feel about it.

thanks so much for all the great info!

---

I haven't done a full yet, either... so yes, I'm thinking the half.

And you're talking the Denver Rock N Roll next October, yes? I will more than likely be just rolling off the Omaha at the end of September, so I'd definitely be game, because I know I'll be ready.

I'm assuming that's what/how Erin was inviting herself. But maybe I just kicked it up a notch, LOL.

 

Yup. I meant for the run. I would drive. Its about 6-7 hours but it will be time for another visit. :)
I don't have the time or inclination to train for a full these days but a half would be great! Yay!!

alright.

my sister said i could wait on clothes but i had to get a good pair of socks, so i did. :)

i also decided on this after putting a few on:

http://www.rei.com/product/767744

i hope it doesn't annoy the shit out of me. my phone fits in there perfectly, so i'm happy about that. i need to get an extra key made so i can put that in there too.

yippee!