My Running 2020

[Birdlady64]

So whilst on my run at lunchtime today - an easy 6.08km for linda9389 's Group 2020 Distance Challenge - I was thinking "10 months ago, as a life-long dedicated anti-runner, you would never ever have caught me doing what I'm doing now!"

Then I started to think about the kit I was wearing, and what other bits and bobs I had at home as well, and how much I have invested in this crazy pursuit that I now love.

So post-run I collected it all together and this is what I have manged to accumulate since starting c25k at the beginning of April:-

1)1 black vest

2)1 pair black capris

3)1 pair New Balance Vaygo road shoes – a reward to myself after a gait analysis at a local independent running shop 1 month after 25k graduation

4)4 pairs assorted quality running socks (2 pairs not yet worn)

5)1 pair black/burgundy 7/8 tights

6)1 blue/multi-coloured T-shirt

7)1 black T-shirt (from Santa)

8)2 pack beanie hats (not yet worn)

9)Virtual Vitality London 10,000 finishers T-shirt

10)1 pair blue/black full-length tights

11)2 pairs summer weight mono-skin socks

12)1 pair calf compression sleeves (for longer runs)

13)1 neon pink lightweight running jacket (not my colour but half price in the sale)

14)1 black/grey winter weight long sleeved top (not yet worn)

15)1 lightweight neon yellow long-sleeved top

16)1 grey/black gilet or body warmer (not yet worn)

17)1 pair black shorts

18)1 pair entry level Asics running shoes (usurped by item 3)

19)Undergarments (various)

20)Virtual Vitality London 10,000 bib (my first!)

21)Jelly Babies (in case I started to flag on my Virtual Vitality London 10,000)

22)Race bib magnets

23)1 black lightweight Sealskinz Waterproof Cap

24)Virtual Vitality London 10,000 finishers medal (my first bit of running bling!)

25)A Garmin Vivoactive 3 watch (a treat to myself for graduating c25k)

26)Barefoot running book (another treat from Santa)

27)Subscription to Women’s Running Magazine (an early Christmas present to myself)

28)1 pair black gloves

29)1 LED clip on light

30)Women’s Running 5k running bling

31)Buff sun visor – triples up as a great sweat band and/or earmuff

32)Buff – to keep my neck warm. Ok – this was bought for birdwatching walks, but I had a new one for my birthday, so this was demoted (sorry I mean promoted) to my running kit

33)Mid-weight long sleeved top (it’s a nice heathery purple colour)

34)I foam roller (used a few times when I was working towards my 10k)

35)I pair bright blue Salomon trail shoes – I love these! 😁

36)1 long sleeved high-vis reflective long-sleeved top (another present from Santa)

37)I pair Anker Liberty Neo wireless earbuds (an early Christmas present to myself) (I forgot to include these in the montage – oops!)

Scary huh!

[SlowLoris]

You’ve got a long way to go yet!

[misswobble Marathon in reply to SlowLoris]

😁

[Birdlady64 in reply to SlowLoris]

Ha ha! Need to make more space in my wardrobe and chest of drawers then😁

[Grannyhugs 10 Miles]

Wow so much stuff, a very dedicated runner. Have fun with all your gear. Happy running 🤗

[Birdlady64 in reply to Grannyhugs]

Fun it certainly is 😁I went on a bit of a spending blitz post C25K graduation, and then again at the end of the summer to get some cold weather gear.

An antidote to coronavirus maybe?...

[Grannyhugs 10 Miles in reply to Birdlady64]

I think running is an antidote to everything

[dijep 10 Miles]

Wow this is brilliant 😊At least as running gear is lightweight it doesn't take a lot of room up in your wardrobe 🤣

[misswobble Marathon in reply to dijep]

Of course it doesn’t! 😃The very idea 😎

[Birdlady64 in reply to dijep]

Depends how much stuff you have of course 😁 😂

[dijep 10 Miles in reply to Birdlady64]

True 🤣😂

[Buddy34 Half Marathon]

Can never have too much running gear 😊😊

[Birdlady64 in reply to Buddy34]

Thanks. Mr B thinks I already have!

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles]

Crikey!!! I can’t think of anything else to say to that list, a gatherer you are, i have headphones leggings that double up now for workwear under my scrubs , hat with headphones in which i wear round the house, and a few pairs of reeboks bought on ebay as they are right for me, the pair of expensive trainers i bought after gait analysis gave me aches and pains so sometimes i wear them for work, one time i bid on 5 pairs of reeboks and won 4 so am probably set for life lol

[Birdlady64 in reply to SueAppleRun]

Love the 4 pairs of Reebok's 😂

I always had 2 or 3 swimming costumes on the go, a couple of microfiber towels and spare goggles and hat when I was swimming, but I've never been called a gatherer before😁

There was an initial splurge after c25k graduation but I think a lot of it was just a way of cheering myself up during this horrid year.

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles in reply to Birdlady64]

It’s been a terrible year! and every time i want something i say it’s my no smoking money but i have a feeling i’ve spent about 5 years worth of no smoking money The trouble with trainers is i walk through a milton solution going in and out of work and the sole has started to peel off a couple of pairs but a colleague gave me some glue to stick them back on again lol

I think of hunter gatherers as runners, we run and we buy things 😀and gather them to us so we can run more lol

I miss swimming

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

😅😅😅 what a glorious collection and a great 2020 😅😅😅

[Birdlady64 in reply to linda9389]

Thanks!It's not quite as bad as it looks - honestly A lot of stuff was on sale. 😉

I don't know if I will wear all of the cold weather stuff I got at the end of summer as I am learning that I run hot. I can't believe what I see some runners wearing and there's me in a thin top and cropped tights. But I can always use it for winter walks and birdwatching

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Birdlady64]

Ooh, yesterday I was in long tights, a thermal base layer and a hoodie on top! But it was short and slow and I was hot!!!

[Birdlady64 in reply to linda9389]

7/8 tights and T-shirt underneath lightweight thermal long sleeved top for me. And yes, I was hot too.

[CBDB]

Love the 2020 and love all that stuff! 🤩🤩🤩👀👀👀 Fabulous!

[Birdlady64 in reply to CBDB]

😁👍I was slightly taken aback when I saw it all together in one place like that tbh

[CBDB in reply to Birdlady64]

Yeah, it creeps up on you! I always thought the only thing I invested in was my V1 Vest, but that had very quickly been joined by 1 pair of toe socks, running rucksack, pair of running shoes, another 2 sets of leggings, 2 shirts, 2 sports bras, 1 running app subscription...... 🤣💪👏🏃🏻‍♀️

[Birdlady64 in reply to CBDB]

Ha ha! 😂

And I have found a couple of other things too since yesterday,😁

[AlMorr Half Marathon]

Wow Birdlady64, out of that list of 37, if you had only to pick ONE, a bit like Desest Island Discs, which would you choose?

[Birdlady64 in reply to AlMorr]

Oh that's such a difficult question Al.

The right shoes are critical of course, but in terms of practicality, I would say the one thing I couldn't be without is my running bra. In fact, I think that was the first thing I got! Something you boys will never quite understand 😁

I wouldn't want to be without my watch, now that I have one, but as an item of pure indulgence it would probably be the wireless headphones. It was a revelation to me not having a cable stuffed down my top which was always irritating, especially on longer runs.

[C3PO Marathon]

Wow! Clothes and gear are great motivation when you’re starting out.

[Birdlady64 in reply to C3PO]

Yes I guess that's a big part of it. When I decided I wanted to carry on with this crazy persuit. And having invested like that I have to now, don't I?

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

WOW!!!!!

[Birdlady64 in reply to roseabi]

Erm yes - it is quite a lot isn't it? 😁

A lot of it was a bit of a blowout after I graduated C25K.

Spending on running kit was my treat to myself. Didn't really fancy going to pubs/restaurants given circumstances so there was nothing much else to spend money on.

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to Birdlady64]

Fabulous!!

[Lifluf]

Very clever use of your kit Birdlady. A good way to show the end of a rubbish year the door with all your running gear. But I suppose in some ways it's not been too bad for you because you've found (and fully embraced) running. Happy New Year.

[Birdlady64 in reply to Lifluf]

Thanks Lifluf.

Yes discovering running has definitely been the highlight of a crappy year

[Hidden]

Wow, what a great way if representing your year of running and retail therapy, brilliant 🤗

[Birdlady64 in reply to Hidden]

ThanksIndividually it felt like I could justify every item but putting it all together it's a bit scary

Plus there are a couple of other things I found since I posted this.

I'll show more restraint next year - promise

[Hidden in reply to Birdlady64]

🤣 my hubby always says to me ‘stop making promises you can’t keep’ 🤣

[Slothgoesrunning]

Love this! Was telling myself the other day I could look at the Jan sales for running gear because I only have a few bits and pieces but now you mention it I realise I have accumulated a fair bit myself 😂🏃‍♀️👍🏻

[Birdlady64 in reply to Slothgoesrunning]

Yes - you don't quite realise how much there is until you put it all togther!