Hi there! Thanks for joining Jenn and me for Tuesday Topics- today’s topic is What’s one popular running or fitness item you CAN live without?
I feel like I’m a “running minimalist,” in that I don’t have a lot of fancy things- but when I really thought about it, there are many things I bring on every run! My phone (in a Nathan waist belt), my headlamp (if it’s dark) or sunglasses (once the sun is up). My headphones so I can listen to podcasts, and if it’s a longer run, I bring water in my hydration vest, and of course fuel, usually gels, for long runs.
Let’s compare this to my husband, who leaves for a run with literally nothing other than his shoes and the clothes on his back. He doesn’t bring a phone or a headlamp, even in the dark. I consider those to be safety items, but to each his own.
So maybe I’m NOT a running minimalist- but I’ll tell you when I will be packing minimally. On Friday I’m going to Chicago for the weekend to visit my son! I got a very cheap flight… suspiciously cheap, as it turns out. After I purchased the tickets, the airline informed me that I could bring a carryon for a “small” fee each way.
Well. The fee for bringing a carryon- not a checked bag, but a carryon- was more than the entire flight. Nope! Not doing it. This means I’ll be traveling with just a small backpack (I’m allowed a personal item that will fit under the seat).
Has anyone ever watched this Mr. Bean clip?? He’s packing for a trip and his suitcase is too full, so he starts paring things down- he cuts his pants off into shorts and breaks the stem off his toothbrush to make it tiny. That will be me!
After a lot of deliberation, I made the decision NOT to run on this trip. If I ran, I would either have to wear running shoes the entire time, or make room in my backpack for an extra pair of shoes. It will also be… GASP… chilly in the mornings, which would mean some cold weather running gear.
This was a tough decision (you better believe I’ll be front loading my workouts this week!) but it means I’ll have plenty of space in my backpack for the weekend. I’m planning to hit up some of the bookstores in my son’s neighborhood, which means I need to leave room for any purchases I make. I’ll bring one paperback book along with me, hopefully perfectly timed to finish while I’m there and leave behind. I’ll be wearing the same pants and sweater for the weekend (will bring a change of underwear and t shirts, obviously). That just leaves toiletries, which will again be minimal, my laptop (will I really need it? Oh well- it’s very slim) and a little bit of food for the travel day. I can do it!
Welcome to the new Tuesday Topics, hosted by Jenn at Runs With Pugs and Jenny at Runners Fly! Once a week, we come together to share random topics about running, fitness, and life! Use the weekly prompt or write on your own topic!
Next week’s topic: Tell us your best running moment of the year.
Do you run with your phone? Headphones?
Would it be hard for you to travel with just a backpack?
Top photo by Wiser by the Mile on Unsplash
23 Responses
I love that you call yourself a “running minimalist,” Jenny — I can relate!
I’m with you on taking a phone and sunglasses, but I skip the headphones and the headlamp. I find my eyes adjust to the dark just fine without the glare, especially when there’s a full moon. It’s such a calm way to run!
Enjoy Chicago – I’m sure you will have a lot of fun!!
If I didn’t have a headlamp, I would probably trip and fall fall on my face- parts of my route are SO DARK. But next time there’s a full moon I should give it a chance and see if my eyes adjust.
That’s how I packed for my last flight- some underwear and an extra shirt and skirt and toiletries- it fit into a small gym bag. . I bought something for the wedding I was going to at the destination. Those types of flights make us rise to the minimalist challenge!
Have fun with your son- the weather will be mild while you’re there- it’s still above normal for autumn in Illinois. ( My high schooler is on a school trip to Chicago fhis week- I’ve been keeping an eye on thr weather.)
Oh wow- you only brought a small gym bag and you were going to a WEDDING? If you can do that, I can definitely do this. I will be going to a concert, but don’t need to dress up for it.
Yes! The weather has been very cool and will cool down again right after I leave. The days I’m there will be warmer, OF COURSE THEY WILL. That always happens to me, every single time I travel.
I pack a lot! I would wear my running shoes the whole trip. lol.
I could live without my headphones. I usually just play music or miscast aloud.
A cap. I’d pull my hair into a ponytail.
Have fun!!
Thanks Darlene! You never know- maybe I’ll change my mind and just wear the running shoes. It could happen!
Yay that this is Chicago weekend! I think that your body will appreciate the planned running break.
If I’m running then I’ve always got my flip belt so that I have a place to put my phone. I forgot to bring it to FL and I really missed it. Airpods and sunglasses are my other musts. I *should* wear a hat to keep the sun off my face, but I’m kind of flaky about that.
One thing that I’ve loved about quitting running is the luxury of just being able to take one pair of shoes when I travel. My regular sneakers are fine for my short run/walks. I can do backpack only for a weekend trip.
Yes, the flip belt really makes a difference. It’s also a place to put keys. I would be sad if I forgot that on a trip that includes running.
Have so much fun visiting your son! Will you see your sister while in Chicago?
Because we mostly do road trips these days I’ve gotten into the habit of packing a lot of stuff, much of which i don’t even use. I would add a sun visor to your list of non-minimalist items needed for a run (walk in my case).
Yes, I will be staying with my sister! And, I bet it’ll be overcast while I’m there- probably no need for a sun visor.
I am NOT a minimalist when it comes to packing, but that’s because I usually drive to my destination (I haven’t flown anywhere since 2019!) so there’s typically more room for overpacking. I’m impressed that you’re able to travel to Chicago with just a backpack!
For running, since I’m on the trails I always wear my hydration vest with at least some water, even for a few miles. In the winter I might not drink much on a shorter run but 6 months of the year when it’s hot I absolutely do! And the vest gives me a place to store my keys, phone, ID and any other miscellaneous items. I haven’t had to use my waistlight yet but that will be happening in the coming weeks as the sunrise continues to get later. And I also bring snacks and gels for longer runs!
Yes, in the summer I started wearing my hydration vest for anything longer than 4-5 miles. It really makes a difference to have water! And… we will have some dark runs for the next few weeks, until we turn the clocks back (can’t wait for that!)
I went to NYC once with just a backpack and it was…fine. We were arriving early in the morning and couldn’t check into our hotel until late that night. We were there for 3ish days. I made it work, but think I’d struggle more these days!
Have the best trip!!
Thank you Elisabeth! Yes, I think it’ll be fine. I would be a little happier if I were bringing a carryon bag, but it’s so short. I’ll make it work!
Airlines are the worst. I hate all the Jedi Mind tricks and sneaky ways they add to the cost of a flight. I could fly with very little, I think. I run similar to your husband – but I do carry my phone. He’s really bare bones. I also don’t run crazy far – four and a half miles.
Yes, they’ve also been emailing me every day trying to get me to reserve a seat, for a small fee of course. Leave me alone! i’m not paying extra!
I could NOT meet those packing guidelines, but you are a pro! One of these midwest visits, I would love to connect and host a midwest blogger event– let me know when you will have a few extra days to spare…
You can do it with the backpack. For me it would feel very satisfying to not use any of the add on fees they try to sneak in. Maybe do some short work outs like Caroline Girvan’s deadbug workout that you can do barefoot. The mild fall weather will be helpful for minimalist packing.
I’m a minimalist for short runs just my phone and my watch. I don’t need a headlamp because I refuse to run in the dark. I just don’t really run in the winter.
I so relate to feeling like a running minimalist but having a “hold my beer” husband. I have converted Phil into a watch wearer, though. He ended up buying his own Garmin as he came to love having stats on his pace and distance, etc. I used to not run with my phone back when I had an iPod. But I had a run go terribly wrong when I was in Seattle years ago. I fell… and then got terribly lost because all I had was a crappy hotel map. I kept stopping people and asking if they knew how to get back to the Queen Anne neighborhood and they were like – ON FOOT???? Granted, I was doing a 14 mile marathon training run so I wasn’t quite near the hotel… But eventually I found a restaurant that was open and they called a cab for me and the cab let me go to my hotel room for a credit card (also did not have any money on me). I mean the cab took the freeway to get back to my hotel so I was quite far from my hotel. Anyways, I think after that I vowed to never run phoneless again!! But that was back in 2012 so quite a long time ago but I’ll never forget that story. People were very appalled by my cuts/bloody legs, too, so getting people to stop and talk to me was challenging.
Have the best time on your trip to Chicago!! It’s challenging to just have an under-the-seat bag but it sounds like you can make it work. The nice thing about Chicago this time of year is that the weather should not vary greatly, so you won’t need a lot of different types of clothing. Layers are definitely key these days! I hope the weather is wonderful for your visit!! I am a carry-on only kind of traveler as well. But guess who is even more minimal? Phil. He backs a duffle bag that is not at all full. Sometimes I make him put my stuff in his bag which he grumbles about a bit but oh well. He’s a good pack mule. 🙂
You do seem like a minimalist to me . Running requires more than just shoes for sure! Traveling is a whole other situation. I do like to go carry on for shorter trips but that means my roller bag and a big bag. Not sure I could go as bare bones as you are! I picture you wearing like 4 shirts and a jacket LOL
Oh my gosh!
Running clothes and shoes takes up soooo much room! And I’m a taller, larger framed person with huge feet, so that takes up even more room! It’s frustrating when you’re trying to “pack light.”
I hope you have an incredible trip, even without running!
And I am somewhere between you and your husband. I carry my phone and sunglasses, but I don’t have or use the rest of the gear.
My husband always books the cheapest flights to visit his Mom and just takes a backpack. He needs very few toiletries and minimal changes of clothes. I be never tried!
Dang, I mean, I have traveled with just a carry-on and it’s been tough, but you’re attempting to go with just a personal item (=backpack). Wow. Color me impressed.