Keys: A cautionary tale 😱

[Irishprincess]

This morning I headed to the arboretum for a 10K. As usual for this distance I wore a belt containing my phone, membership card, a big hankie and my car fob. I only ever run with one key, either the house key if my husband is not at home and I’m running from my front door, or the car key.

Anyway, I had a grand time listening to my playlist and playing amongst the trees. The bluebells are out and it is glorious.

After the run I was walking back to my car, opened my belt and…. shock… 😱 no key!!! What the…? I did that stupid thing where I knew logically that the key wasn’t there but I still did a great job of looking for it in the tiny belt pouch just in case it had shrunk and hidden itself in a corner 🙄😂 “it’s got to be here somewhere.”

Ok, think IP. I always keep the zip closed so at least I wouldn’t have to retrace my steps for 6 miles! I opened the belt twice, once to get the handkie out and once to take a photo. It had to be in one of those two places.

I asked at the welcome desk if anyone had handed in a car key and nope, no one had. What to do next? I would have to go back to the two points where I opened the belt but they were in opposite directions and about three miles apart. I was hungry and thirsty and didn’t fancy doing that and I was also a bit worried that if an unscrupulous person found the key all they had to do was press the button and they’d find my car in the car park!

So, I phoned my husband and gave him the good news (he was in the middle of a cycling session 😬) and asked him to drive to me and bring the spare key. I stayed with the car.

After something to eat, a shower and quick change, and driving our other car, I went back to the arboretum to look for the key. The first point was closer to the entrance so I headed there first. It was a bit off the beaten track so very unlikely to be found by someone else but luckily I saw it after a little search around! Phew. Thank goodness for that. The undergrowth was soft so I obviously didn’t hear it fall when I pulled out my handkie.

Normally I check the contents of my belt regularly on a run just to make sure that I still have everything. But, I was so engrossed on this one and happy listening to my music that I didn’t do that on this occasion. I won’t be doing that again.

In the meantime, my husband (ever the planner) had phoned to find out how we order another spare key just in case I didn’t find it and was told it would cost about £300! So, a very good job I found it!

So, a bit of a wee panic but it all turned out in the end. I did smile though at the comment from one of the chaps on the welcome desk when I returned to look for the key, “you look a bit different to how you normally look.” 😂 Cheeky. But a fact 😂

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon]

sounds like a frustrating end to your lovely run. Glad you found the key.

I often carry a small back door key in my belt but I’m lucky there is a clip I can attach the key to. I ALWAYS attach it in a rather paranoid way as I fear it will fall out.

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Shake-and-run]

I have a clip too but have never used it 🙄

[GTFC Marathon]

I love a happy ending...and technically you've saved £300!!

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to GTFC]

Haha, exactly! 😂

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

So you should be allowed to spend it? 😈

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Great logic BC but not sure my husband would see it that way 😂

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Maybe settle at 50/50 👍

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

I love your way of thinking 🥰

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Oh phew. Yep, car keys are expensive these days! I've lost a few things dog walking - often the lead - and had to retrace my steps. My phone fell out of my bike bag once, but as soon as the music stopped (out of Bluetooth range) I knew something was up!!!

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

I had no idea! I think I need to use the clip from now on like Shakes does.

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

I use the clip on my flipbelt. Definitely worth it 😊

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

I will from now on 🙂

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Just checked and neither of my belts has a clip ☹️ but one has a separate pocket so it’s going in there.

[Annieapple]

🍏Oh my heart failed me for fear when I read the title! However a true princess always has a happy ending to her story and a prince willing to come to her rescue 🤣 xx

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Annieapple]

😂😂

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

Yikes that could have been an expensive episode IP. Thank goodness for Mr IP for rescuing you, and also for being able to find it. 🙏 A close call!

I did the same on the common once. I also just take the single key fob and zip it into my leggings/coat/whatever I’m wearing. Still, like you, one day it wasn’t there and I was fortunate enough to backtrack and find it near one of the tracks - close to a Flossie comfort break where I’d reached in for a bag. It’s a horrid feeling isn’t it? 😨

Another time I found a whole bunch of keys with one giving away the model of car they belonged to. It was early in the day and the common wasn’t busy, so I left them on a big boulder and went on my way. I saw a dog walker and asked if she drove that particular model of car, and she said yes. I explained about the keys and they were hers. She then sprinted off to retrieve them. Now I’d have been beyond thankful and probably gone a bit overboard with gratitude. Not her. “You’re welcome” I said under my breath as she ran away. 🙄

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

It’s a heart sinking moment that’s for sure 🤬

That lady was just rude. Hopefully she realised afterwards and she was just caught up in the panic of the moment.

[Cmoi Marathon]

Some 40 years ago I lost the key to my very old car during a hike on the moors near Halifax. Couldn't find it. My then-boyfriend and I called at a farm to ask for help. Farmer removed part of the steering column and I was able to start the car with an old door key. Drove with a half-demolished steering column for months. Those were the days...

Nowadays if I'm running or hiking I put keys in a zipped or deep elasticated pocket with nothing else, so I don't need to use the pocket while out. On the rare occasions I use a flipbelt I use the clip.

Mind you, I lost a pair of headphones (luckily ultra cheapies) fiddling around with my hydration pack during my first event.

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Cmoi]

😂 Those were the days! I really do need to use the clip from now on 🙄

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

I never put my keys in a pocket with anything I will need to access during a run. My shorts have four pockets; 2 normal ones and 2 tight ones in the inner leggings. I use one of the latter for my phone and the other for keys and cash. Normal pockets hold handkerchief …and that is it. 🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

A lesson learned today BC 🙄

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Just unlucky.

[RunWillie Marathon]

That’s a horrible feeling losing keys. So pleased you found them. 😍

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to RunWillie]

Me too 👍

[Week7 Half Marathon]

So pleasedyou fiund them. I can imaginethat feelingof panic and the mental gymnastic sinvolved!!!

...and the keys were returned to the Irishprincess and they all lived happily ever after.

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Week7]

Haha 😂 I love a good fairy tale 👑

[SaskAlliecat Half Marathon]

phew! I’m so glad you found your key. Way to keep your head about it all. I would have panicked and retraced all 10 k, unable to think clearly and berating myself the whole way 😆

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to SaskAlliecat]

Hi Saska! Lovely to see you 🙂

My husband is teasing me because my first words to him when I called were,”we have a problem” 😂 We????

I’m so glad I found them at the first point 👍

[AncientMum Half Marathon]

Phew!! So pleased for you. The running gods were definitely smiling on you when you spotted it in the undergrowth.

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to AncientMum]

Hi AM! 🙂

I reckon, given my bad luck with various injuries, the running gods owe me! 😂

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles]

Thank goodness you found it, car keys are very pricey. The run was lovely though and all's well again

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to SueAppleRun]

I know. I couldn’t believe the cost of a replacement!

[Dexy5 10 Miles]

What a worry IP, but I’m glad you retrieved it. My flip belt has a key hook on a piece is elastic which is a bit of extra protection. My latest problem, is after I dropped our electronic key, it no longer has a ring to clip on. But I also only buy leggings/shorts with a zip up pocket to keep a credit card or a key safe, away from other things I need during a run.

I hope you had a good run before that panic.

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

I have a zip pocket too and sometimes use it but on this occasion I didn't! 🙄

I think it was because the run was so lovely that I was distracted and didn’t do my usual checking 🙁 but I will from now on.

[Freecloud Marathon]

Phew, that was close IP! I did the same a few years ago when I went out for a night walk. I had headphones on so I didn't hear it drop. We went around my walking loop in my wife's car and luckily found them. I think I also opened the pocket of my jacket to get a tissue. It can be fairly frightening alright.

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Freecloud]

That horrible sinking feeling… 🙀

[Cantstopmenow Half Marathon]

What a panic! I'm glad you found them fairly quickly.I once dropped my keys on some grass in the car park at the end of a run. Fortunately, someone saw them fall, otherwise I would have been needlessly retracing the 10k route we'd just completed! I also have clips in my running belt that I don't use. Time to reconsider.

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Cantstopmenow]

I just checked my two belts and neither of them has a clip! I thought they had. One has a separate pocket so I can use that but I’ll just have to keep checking like I normally do.

[Cantstopmenow Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

I've got a safety pin in addition to the clips. Definitely over cautious!

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Cantstopmenow]

That’s a good idea! I’m going to do that.

[misswobble Marathon]

cheeky so and so 😁

It’s a nightmare and can set off a dire sequence of events 😤. I avoid ringing my husband at all costs but did so only once because the dog was involved😁

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Isn’t that what marriage is for? Ring in emergencies 😂

[Cowladyrunning Marathon]

Phew lucky you found it!! I hate carrying a key. Well actually I'm a bit funny carrying anything and constantly check 🤣 I hate losing things! I even click my keys on those clip things inside bags which is quite sad isn't it 🤣🤣 My daughter is the total opposite of me and loses everything and doesn't mind!

[Cowladyrunning Marathon in reply to Cowladyrunning]

Actually it's not sad at all if replacements cost that much!!

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Cowladyrunning]

I couldn’t believe the cost!

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Cowladyrunning]

I normally constantly check too but on this occasion I didn't 🙄

[Cowladyrunning Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Nice you were distracted by enjoyment though!!

[Joster Half Marathon]

Oh thank goodness! I have a clip in my belt (no zip) and even though I KNOW the house or car key is clipped onto me, I am always checking I can feel it in my belt as I run! It's always positioned just in front of my right hip to help prevent mid run panics!! I am so pleased you found it AND saved yourself a very steep bill....

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Joster]

I know what you mean about constantly checking. I normally do but on this occasion I didn’t! 🙄