Run
What to Carry on Your Long Run
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Somewhere past the first hour, a long run stops being about pace and starts being about logistics. Do you have water? Do you have fuel? Is your phone bouncing against your hip? A short, simple carry list takes most of that worry away so you can just run.
Here’s the setup we’d start with: something to carry it all, something to fuel with, and something to drink from.
1. A vest that holds everything close
A running vest sits snug against your torso, so your phone, keys and fuel stay put instead of swinging. That matters more the longer you’re out. When you shop for one, look for a fit that doesn’t bounce when you jog on the spot, pockets you can reach without stopping, and room for a soft flask up front.
Women’s running vest
A women’s running vest with space for water, fuel, keys and your phone. Check the sizing notes and reviews on the product page before you order.
View on Amazon2. Fuel you can open with one hand
On runs longer than about an hour, many runners take in carbohydrates as they go. How much and how often varies from person to person, so use your long runs to practise and see what your stomach likes. Don’t try something new on race day. If you have any health conditions or dietary needs, check with your doctor or a dietitian first.
Maurten Gel 160
A gel that’s popular with distance runners and easy to carry in a vest pocket. Try it on a training run before you rely on it.
View on Amazon3. A soft flask that packs down small
Soft flasks collapse as you drink, so they stop sloshing and take up less room as the run goes on. Pair one with your vest’s front pocket and you can sip without slowing down.
HydraPak SkyFlask Speed
A lightweight collapsible soft flask that packs down small, so you can carry water without a bulky bottle.
View on AmazonSmall extras worth packing
- Your phone, in a pocket you can reach easily
- A house key or card
- ID and a note of an emergency contact
- A little cash or a card for an emergency
- Lip balm and sunscreen for sunny days
- A light layer if the weather is changeable
How to pack it so nothing bounces
- Fill your flasks before you tighten the vest, then adjust the straps so it’s snug but you can breathe deeply.
- Put heavy items low and centred, and put the things you’ll want mid-run (gels, phone) in the easiest pockets.
- Jog on the spot for a minute before you leave. Anything that rattles or bounces gets moved.
- Do one short run with the full setup first, so you know how it feels before the long one.