Carrying loads of stuff!

I'd really like some advice. In the cold weather I'm finding the organisation of the run a bit of a slow down. I have to carry an inhaler, phone for music and GPS, and I have a small drink in a squishy bottle. I start off cold - hat, gloves, jacket etc and then find myself gradually peeling off layers. Does anyone have a favourite technique or gadget for dealing with all this? Thanks!

[Rignold]

Put your phoe and inhaler in your jacket pockets. Leave the drink bottle at home. tie your jacket round your waist when you take it off.

[misswobble Graduate in reply to Rignold]

Exactly !

[roseabi in reply to Rignold]

Hat and gloves can go in the other pocket

[Razouski]

I'm like you, start of cold and gradually peel the layers off. I have my phone and front door key in a running belt with zip up pocket on (Karrimor at Sports Direct). My jacket comes off and gets tied round my waist, but my hands often remain cold so I'm often then running in a vest but with gloves on - looking a bit ridiculous, but who cares. If my hands do overheat then my gloves either go in my jacket pockets, or tucked under my bra straps. My head band has to stay on whatever, as it is multifunctional, not only keeping my ears warm but giving me the most unruly hat hair once removed. 😂

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

You don't need a drink for any run under an hour.

You probably don't need a jacket...... I have never run in one in four and a half years.

I carry my phone in a Karrimor waist belt, which would probably hold your inhaler too.

Anything in your hands is creating muscle tension in your arms, which is not helpful in creating a relaxed and symmetrical running posture.

Use a buff as a hat and it can be wrapped round your wrist if you want to remove it.

Keep it simple and leave as much clobber at home as possible.

[Hidden in reply to IannodaTruffe]

You might not need a jacket for a run but in this weather I think at the start of the programme when there is as much walking as running I would get cold.

[Hidden]

All of the above, or buy some Velcro and sew some sticky patches to your running top, so that you can attach all the peeled off layers to your top! 😉😜

You may look slightly dodgy or like a rotary clothes dryer...

Or in all seriousness can you time your runs to loop back to your home/ office to dump the unwanted stuff mid-run? I’ve done that a few times when I’ve got uncomfortable with the heat.

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

Phone in a running belt, try some wireless headphones...brilliant..don't bother with the drink.

I do have a thin running jacket with a pocket, which I just undo and leave open when warmed up.

A running buff is good for absorbing sweat but keeping you warm.😊x

[Realfoodieclub Graduate]

I peel off through the run. In really cold weather or rain. I have racer back top, short sleeved top, jacket with zip and pockets, gloves and buff, baseball cap and a small pouch that holds phone and keys round my waist. As I warm up the gloves go In The jacket pocket, then as I warm up some more the jacket gets taken off by unzipping while running and is tied round my waist under the pouch, then I am set for the rest of the run.

[Cornet-Carolyn Graduate]

I have a running belt where phone goes if I need it and car keys if driven somewhere.

Someone on forum posted you should dress like it is 10 degrees warmer than actual temperature

[MarkyD Graduate in reply to Cornet-Carolyn]

The "10 degree rule". When you consider what to wear, add 10 degrees to the temperature outside, then dress for this (higher) temperature. Of course, there is some walking in the early weeks of C25K, and your extremities may get cold. So always factor in wearing gloves, hat, buff.

[GoogleMe Graduate]

I'm like IannodaTruffe and don't bother with a top layer... the most disagreeable runs I have had have been when I have worn a jacket. Head, hands and neck do need taking care of, but that's it.

I don't run light... as I often fit my runs around the rest of my life I often run these days with my normal backpack on (so handy to have my M&S Sparks card in the middle of a wood...) And I always have an over the shoulder bag with dog treats, and with Dicky bag attached for poo bags, empty and filled.

But I don't take a drink!

(Interestingly my son's occupational therapy assessment said he *should* have a heavy backpack...)

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to GoogleMe]

This has really made me laugh.. the M and S Sparks card.... priceless! x maybe if I took mine on my runs, i would know where to find it!!!

[Hidden]

Commiserations, i'm finding it a pain too. I use my inhaler before i go, but I'm not actually asthmatic, just have a congested chest through allergies. I have my phone in an arm holder, my key in the pocket of my running jacket. i stash my gloves in there too when my hands get hot, but my gloves are super thin running gloves so stay on for most of the run. I usually end up carrying my hat when it's cold enough to wear one starting out, but that isn't usually till the warm down walk at the end. The arm holder is large enough to put credit card or cash in too, along with keys if you want - it's really useful. My jacket is windproof but very thin so not a problem to keep on, just unzip. I dont carry water as dont, so far, get thirsty on a run - will be different in the summer no doubt. I dont run to music, so look forward to the time when i've finished c25k and dont have to attach myself to my phone. The bluetooth headphones i have cut out my phone ringer so i have to use wires. It IS a juggling act. i have to remember to lock my watch onto a satellite too and strap on my knee support.

[RuthL Graduate]

I have a small, flat, rucksack, one designed for runners to carry a bladder of water. Don’t carry water, but put phone, Garmin, keys, tissues, and some change in there. No room for clothes, but could fit gloves in if necessary.

[angemum Graduate]

Should I ever find a solution, I'll let you know!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

A running belt... loads online... I have a Freetoo for shorter jaunts.. takes phone, keys, sugar free Polos.. and a Zikee one for longer and hotter runs.. I sometimes use two bottle sometimes one

Coat.. tied round waist.. with gloves/hat shoved in pocket... in cold weather the Buff never comes off"

[Midriff_Crisis Graduate]

I just have a little waist belt that I got from tk maxx for my house key and phone. It also has my parkrun card in it which has my wife's number in case I get run over or something. Anything else would be unnecessary gubbins, unless it was a fell run when I'd carry more gear just in case mountain rescue gave me a rollocking for being unprepared. 😀

[Hillrunner2201]

A running belt will hold small items. Some include drink holders although I agree that for a run under an hour you don't need water. A buff is a good hat substitute, just wind it around your wrist if you need to take it off. I wouldn't wear a waterproof type jacket personally as I'd get too hot, but do wear a light breathable jacket if it's particularly cold/wet/windy. That can tie around your waist if you warm up enough. As for gloves, fingerless gloves are great if it's not too cold.

[Javert]

Flipbelt for phone and keys and sometimes my debit card (if I'm getting papers and milk on the way home) and inhaler.

Forget the drink - it's not needed for runs of this distance - just hydrate before (even the night before) and then have something when you get back.

I do wear some light windproof gloves and also a beanie hat which I refuse to take off unless I'm on the warm down phase in this weather. Also have a windproof jacket but again always have it on in temps below 8deg C.

Good idea regarding the buff from others.

[Nobbywatts Graduate]

Don't take a phone but clip iPod shuffle to my waist band and feed the headphones through under my clothes. Garmin on wrist. Don't bother with water as others have said its not really necessary for 5k (nice big glug when you get home though!). Zippy jackety-thing which I undo whilst running and tie round waist, except when high-viz needed, which just has to stay on. No hat or buff but thin gloves which get tucked inside top or bra once I'm warm enough. And REALLY important for this time of year: A TISSUE in a pocket somewhere.

[AnneDroid Graduate]

I've often thought I would like someone running alongside me taking things from me as I discard them.

Running belts are the business though. I have worn out some and rejected others but my current favourites are a very neat but hugely stretchy thing I got for not much money in Dobbies and also a bumbag thing I got from the pet shop that I can attach the dog to when she's coming along.

Alternatively I find I can stow things here and there: inhaler in my bra, discarded hat and gloves in the waistband of my running leggings.

You shouldn't need a water bottle with you unless you're in a hot country or doing long distances. But recently I was hillwalking so going to be out longer and I found I could put one of those water bottles with a handle built into the design into my belt by clipping the belt through the handle of the bottle.

Finally, never buy running leggings which don't have a wee zippy pocket. Why are they even made? Car key, parkrun card, coffee money belong in there.