What are some of the accessories that helps when you are out running?

Now these are accessories and are not must haves when you start out but if you are going to actually take up running and do it seriously these items can help.

The first item I find that helps is music. Now you will have some people out there that say that running with music is cheating yourself. They say to really experience to "art" of running you need to run without any distractions and take in the outside. Well if you are anything like me I need to be distracted when running. It's not an easy thing for me to do and I will let the music fill my mind. Now I have ran without it because I signed up for a race that didn't allow any type of earphones or headphones. I needed to see how I could handle the run. It wasn't easy but I did it.

Now there are multitudes of devices to use. I like to use my I-Pod shuffle. It's small and doesn't interfere with my arm swinging. I clip it to the back of my ball cap and tuck the wires in. I don't even feel it there when I run. But whatever you use will be fine. It's whatever is good for you. You may even run without music and that is a personal choice.

Another item that is not necessary to run with and I did run without it for years but now that I have one I wouldn't run without it. I have a Garmin Forerunner. I love this. I got the one with a heart monitor. It's a bit expensive but well worth the investment.

What is really nice about this watch is that once I get back from a run I plug the wireless thumbdrive into my computer and it automatically downloads to my computer. It will show me how long I ran, the minutes I ran, my heart rate while running, my pace while I ran, and the date. It has other functions but I only use the ones I mentioned.

There are reasons for and against running with these items but for me it has been awesome. I ran without either for many years but now that I have them I wouldn't run without them now.

One thing you'll discover with running is that it is a very individual sport and what works for one person may not work for another. In time you'll find what works for you and what doesn't. Till next time see you out there.