Great 4 miles run today but also a bit of a logistical confusion in terms of gear!

[Redcello41]

Went out on my 4 mile 'long run' this morning and is went really well despite choosing a rather hilly route! A friend of mine recommended the audio runs from the Nike Run Club App so I decided to give that a go on this morning's run. But logistics turned into a bit of a nightmare because I obviously had to wear headphones connected to my phone (I never usually listen to anything while running so don't really need them) but I found that my hydration belt was in the way of my jacket pocket and catching on the headphone wires so I just ended up running holding my phone in my hand (I personally hate holding things when I run) for the whole run. Plus trying to work a phone with gloves on is also difficult. I also spent about 20 minutes before my run trying to adjust the straps of my chest light and spent a least spending 5 minutes trying to find the switch to turn it on! I eventually got it sorted but I didn't even use my light during my run! I basically need to work out a system where I don't have these logistical nightmares with my gear! I think I may need to invest in an armband for my phone...

Anyway, my run went well, really enjoyed using the Nike Run Club App, it really focused me on my running and pace and gave me something else to think about! However, I kept on getting this niggling pain in one of my toes of my left foot but didn't think anything of it because it wasn't that bad. And then when I got home I took off my running shoes and still didn't think to check my foot. It was only when I was looking down at the floor at something completely different that I noticed that the end of my lovely white running sock was covered in blood! It actually took me quite by surprise! It's just a little cut on one of my toes but I can't quite work out why it was bleeding a lot because it's not a blister and it definitely wasn't cause by my toenails. It's caused me problems before so I may just need to wrap a plaster round to make sure it doesn't bleed again on one of my runs!

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

Well done Redcello, you’re building back up nicely despite your gear logistic issues. 👍 Definitely get yourself an armband - they’re very inexpensive.

Do you use bluebooth headphones? Mine are Soundcore Spirits with an adjustable wire round the back of my neck which never gets in the way. Great sound and very comfy. I personally prefer them to bone conducting ones which have no wires at all (re-gifted those back to my husband!) 😅

It’s great to hear you’re feeling better though. Except for your poor toe!

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Ah I don't use Bluetooth headphones but will definitely do some research into them though! But I am also intrigued by bone-conducting headphones too!

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

Blimey that was a faff! But good news that it went well for you in spite of the faffing. I hate carrying anything in my hand too and use an armband for my iPod and put my phone and other bits in a belt.

How strange about your toe. Can you look very closely at it and see anything?

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Yes it was a complete faff hahaha! I usually put my phone in my hydration belt but there isn't enough room for my phone and gels too now that I'm running long enough distances now that I need a top up! Plus I don't want any accidents where a gel might accidentally explode all over my phone! So I might just invest in an armband because my fitbit shows me my pace and so on, so I have a designated place for my phone and then fuel and gels into my hydration belt.

In terms of my toe, I have had a close look and it is definitely not a blister but there's definitely a cut there. Mystery...

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Redcello41]

A gel covered phone would not be good ☹️ I buy armbands from amazon and can get them really cheap, a couple of pounds and they do me at least three years! I don’t think the really expensive ones are worth the cost.

That’s very strange about your toe .....🤔

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Yeah I'm going to order myself an armband to solve my gear logistic problems! My toe seems fine now, so let's see how I get on in my next long run! How's training going?

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Redcello41]

It’s going well thanks🤞 Just walked part of the route today with a friend, gorgeous day. Perfect running weather actually 🏃‍♀️🙂

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Yes I just read your post, very nice!

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Redcello41]

And I just read yours about your tummy ☹️

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Yeah, not fun...

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Redcello41]

How are you feeling today?

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Feeling fine today, I think the thing I had yesterday was just a 24 hour thing!

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Redcello41]

That’s great news!

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

I moved to bluetooth headphones very early on in my running as an armband and trailing wire drove me nuts! I bought some cheap TaoTronics ones which were great, although I've moved to bone conducting ones now because of cycling.

I don't like an armband either. I either use my flipbelt for my phone, or (my preferred option these days) I buy decent run tights from say underarmour or new balance, with a pocket in the side of the leg for my phone (not keen on the back of waistband pockets). The leg pocket means I can completely forget about my phone, but if I need it it is very accessible.

Never tried running with a light, Hope you sort your toe issue out though, I know how distracting it is to run when your foot isn't comfortable (in my case it's blisters - but that burn for the last 11k is miserable 😥)

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

oooh now those leggings sound like a good idea! I'm not so fussed about trailing wires when I'm running but bluetooth does sound like a good option too! Yeah, I'm going to wrap a plaster around my toe for my next run on Wednesday and see how that goes!

[misswobble Marathon]

I’ve had to give up with my Bluetooth freebies as they drain my phone battery too fast ☹️

I love coach Bennett on the Nike run app 🥰. Brilliant, funny, free coaching What’s not to like.

Tech and clothes can be a faff at times but you’ll sort it Don’t be downhearted 😃👍

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Coach Bennett is amazing, I love him too! And you are right, very informative in terms of training and stuff! I'm glad I'm having these gear blips in training and not race day!

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Redcello41]

Dont worry it's all part of running and we evolve and tweak as needs be. All part of running's rich tapestry

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Yes so true! 😃

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

I couldn’t cope with all of that red cello ..or any of it really 😊. Watch, Phone for emergencies, inhaler(would only need it if I didn’t carry it!) and cash for flat white and triple chocolate brownie; that is it! Maybe a drink in a bottle on a belt for long runs too. One of the attractions of running for me is its simplicity...probably a reaction to a very complicated working life! Great run though 👏👏👏👏

I used to get a very bloody sock on long runs; I couldn’t believe that two toes rubbing together could produce so much blood! Small plaster fixed it.

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Yeah gear logistics can be a bit of a nightmare but I am determined to find a solution. I felt like that I didn't have enough hands to hold everything on my run and gloves make everything twice as fiddly! I'm going to wrap a plaster round my toe for my next run on Wednesday and see how that feels. Why is it that such small cuts produce so much blood? It was a bit of a surprise/shock when I first saw my bloody sock!

[misswobble Marathon]

Blisters! Darned things. Bah

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

I hate them too...