Gear Junkie or Douche?

I wouldn't consider myself a high-maintenance gal and I definitely didn't grow up that way. I love to shop at Costco, Walmart, Old Navy... Gap clearance is as expensive and high scale as I go (I should say in America, since nothing in this country that is good quality costs as little). However, I have come to notice, that as the years go by and I am becoming more obsessed with running, I find that I cannot stop myself from indulging in all the "gear" one would need to look their best, feel their best while running and making all those around them envious. I do attribute this obsession partly to my stint working in the 1st professional running store here in Israel, Pro:Sport. During one of the many years I was studying at Wingate and living in Givat Shmuel, I worked in Tel Aviv at Pro:Sport helping people find the right running shoe for their foot, making sure that they had the sweat-wicking dry fit running shirt that wouldn't slow them down, the sunglasses that blocked the glare of the sun so that they wouldn't run into the street by accident, the watch that made sure they were getting the most out of their workout, the fuel belt that held their water for those hot days and long runs so they wouldn't dehydrate, the right socks and even the right underwear that wouldn't ride up as they run. Most importantly, I received the employee discount and made sure that I took the utmost advantage of that perk. I slowly stocked up on sneakers, socks, dry-fit shirts, fuel belts, sunglasses, hats and water bottles. The one thing that I have yet to buy is a watch. I think that the main reason for my not buying a watch is that I can't be bothered with all the technology and linking it to my computer, downloading all the different programs making sure that it works, too much of a headache, I like simple, (yet elegant). The truth is, my favorite part of working at Pro:Sport was the anatomy/biomechanic aspect of finding the right shoe for each individual.

After the 2 great years working in Tel Aviv, I moved to Jerusalem and had to cut back on my gear purchases but only for the reason that I couldn't make it to Tel Aviv as often. Soon after, I started buying my running shoes online and having them sent to my house in Edison and then brought over here or I would go to specialty running stores in NJ. I then started "importing" Clif Bars, Gatorade packets and Jelly Belly Sport Beans along with my Runner's World magazines. I would occasionally make my way to TA on my rare days off to get my gear fix. Slowly but surely, I was finding more convenient stores to go to, although none compare to Pro:Sport. My last trip was almost a year ago and I picked up the newest fad in running, the Vibram Five Finger Sprints (you can read about that experience and all the woes of running "barefoot" by clicking on the link). I love them! I love walking around in them, training in them, running in them is another story that will take more time to get used to and when I have the time to try them out slowly without worrying about not utilizing that time to train for a marathon... I love the looks I get and the comments people make when I wear them out in public. My dad told me that there is a huge billboard on the Turnpike that has a picture of the shoes with the caption "What the heck are these?!" I wish I could find it online to post here... I was so excited when I saw people running the 1/2 marathon last week in them. Hopefully one day I will run a race in mine.

So, to the point of this post.

Once I started training for the Venice Marathon last year and had to go out for long runs, my pre-run organization was taking longer and longer, for the one reason that I had too much to put on before I could leave my house. My leggings, special sports bra, socks, shirt, hat - all dry-fit and sweat-wicking - my fuel belt filled with gatorade and water, some beans, some form of a clif bar, depending on the distance, phone - also depending on the distance - and music. What happened to the simple days of just lacing up and jetting out the door?? Anyway, at first I was a little self conscious that I looked like an idiot, that I would be better off with just hat and headphones and a regular set of running clothing, then I realized, who the hell am I kidding, I love that I look like this and that is the exact reason that I buy all the things I buy. You gotta walk the walk in order to talk the talk. I wanted all the people out there on the street to be envious/think I'm crazy. When I train for races I make sure to wear my previous race shirts, that is unless they are really ugly or I have given them away to my family, just so that people know I am serious. Not that the average exerciser wouldn't know that I am serious, on numerous occasions at the gym I have been asked what my sport is. I have yet to come up with the perfect answer. I tend to be baffled by the question and always leave out the most important part to my answer: "Oh, I am a personal trainer and I run marathons."

This week, I have not run. I took the time to let my hip get a bit better and I will see on Sunday how I feel when I go for my run.

Of course this post would not be complete without a link to Runner's World. So here is their page on all the Shoes and Gear needed to become the Junkie we all are deep down inside.

'Till next time.

Peace.