Portrait of a Runner

It's official... running season is here! Yes, I know that you can run year-round, but "real runners" train for events and a lot of the events are in the winter so the summer means the beginning of the "season." Last year, my sweetheart became a runner! He completed his first half-marathon in January. We were all so proud of him! Several of my friends are runners and they have persuaded their sweethearts to become runners this year too. Jason is super excited to have Scott and Troy join him this season.

Now last year when Jason decided he wanted to do the half, he told me that running was a "free sport." That was the BIGGEST LIE he has ever told me!!!!! You have a fee to join the running club, you have to buy shoes, a watch, Amphipod, MP3 player, GU or sports beans, Gatorade, special tech shirts & shorts, socks, pay a race fee... and the list goes on. But is all the stuff worth it for this "free sport?" ABSOLUTELY! All of the gear makes the training easier and more comfortable. And all of the purchases have been very well used. Even though running is not free, I 100% support Jason and he endeavors. (He supports my "free hobbies" too... you know scrapbooking and card making!)

So what does a runner look like in full gear? Here is my runner - ready for his run tonight. He is sporting his new tech shirt and shorts from the Under Armor outlet in San Marcos.

The shoes are a big, fat hairy deal! Last year Jason developed plantar faciatis, which was MISERABLE, so he sprung for a even better shoe this year... it's a Mizzuno.
And the MP3 player is a must. Running 4 times a week for at least 30 minutes warrants a little bit of jamming! He has loved loading songs and creating a diverse library to listen to as he runs... a lot of U2, some Bon Jovi, the Killer's, Foo Fighters and more! And the arm holder thingy is also a must!
Now you would think your regular watch would do... but not if you are training! The coaches tell you what intervals to run... 5 minutes walk, 1 minute run, etc. The watch beeps at you so that you know when to switch.

And that yellow bottle is his Amphipod... the fuel belt. It has 3 bottles that are usually filled with Tiger Gatorade, any flavor. This is also a MUST... a runner must stay properly hydrated!
This is new this year... the sweatband. Sweet Jason is quite the sweat-er, so he is trying this out to see if it helps. The jury is still out...
So that's what a runner looks like... or at least my runner! I am so proud of you Jason!!! Keep running and the boys and I will be cheering for you along the route this January!

(If you are interested in what a girl runner looks like, check out Holly, Maria or Heather in my side bar - they run like the wind too!)