I know how to accessorize

It was 72 degrees when I set out to run this morning. I was planning on a 9 miler. So I made sure I had everything I needed:

• fuel belt with bottles of water and gatorade
• sports jelly beans
• music player
• road id (I never leave home without it when I run)
• phone
• garmin
• compression sleeves
• hat
• sunscreen

I felt like a pack mule.  I noticed that most people didn't have half the stuff I was carting around. But halfway into the run, I was glad I had these things, especially the gatorade. In fact, I was thinking that the other people on the trail had to be jealous.  

I took it nice and slow, and the run was still difficult.  I didn't resort to my running playlist until the last two miles, and I really needed it.  The last hill was a killer.  Most people wouldn't call it a hill, but when you are running, and you are tired, sweaty, and just want to get home, it's a hill, dammit. And it can kick your ass.  I just listened to my tunes, swigged gatorade, and slogged through. I did the whole 9 miles. 

Great tip for running in hot weather:  if you use a fuel belt, put your bottles in the fridge with the liquid of your choice in them overnight.  I had leftover gatorade from yesterday's run, so I had put it in the refrigerator yesterday.  It was a nice cool icepack on my back when I put the bottles in my fuel belt this morning.  

That's it.  Happy 4th everyone!