People say running is an easy activity to do because you don't need much special equipment. That said, after running for some time you do accumulate a lot of stuff. This is what I use the most.
Shoes - I run in Brooks Cascadia shoes. This is a 'trail' shoe, but I do almost all my running in them. I think they are very flat, having a low heel even for running shoes. I don't track mileage per pair, but when I've worn down a few of the lugs on the sole to almost nothing I get a new pair.
Shorts - Gotta be a little fashion conscious ... shorts have gotten a little longer since I started running (and I've gotten older). My favorite shorts are Nike - soft! - but I just found the Brooks Cascadia shorts, which have great pockets for other stuff on long runs. Lots of shorts have a little pocket for a key or ID card, but these have virtually a small 'cargo' pocket.
pocket stuff - I carry a credit card (a lot of my runs are planned around passing by places I can get something to eat), and a $20 bill for emergencies. On runs toward the city I carry my metro fare card - it gives me an option to cut a long run short if I run out of gas and just want to get back home. And I need the key to get back into my house.
water - On runs over an hour I bring water. I alternate between a handheld bottle, the same bottle carried in a waist pack, and a full-on hydration pack. My hydration pack is from North Face, and I can also remove the bladder and use it as a light running pack - good for carrying a towel and something to read at the pool. The packs from Nathan 'Human Propulsion Laboratories' look pretty nice though - I like that they have small pockets for a little accessible storage on the front straps.
gadgets - I run with a Suunto T6C running watch, its heartrate chest strap, and sometimes the shoe pod which enables the watch to show distance and speed. I use software on a PC (Firstbeat Athlete) that reads the data from the watch and gives me some input on how hard I've really been working (or not) and what I need to do to improve. Looking at this data and trying to make sense of it all has provided a lot of new insights. Other gadgets include a flashlight - I use a small 4 x 2AA battery powered light, that is cheap, bright, runs a long time for runs after dark. I don't mind carrying it in my hand.
misc. - Socks - I like Wrightsocks. A collection of 'technical' running shirts ... can't wear cotton running shirts anymore. I like a hat with a visor if it's raining. Sunglasses and sunscreen. Occasionally a camera, and an iPod Nano (surprisingly the music only appeals to me on a shorter hard training run, not something long and easy).
I don't carry first aid gear - which would be emergency foot care. In my experience, I haven't had the need for it but when you need it you need it.
That seems like a lot of stuff, considering the most fun I have is running light!
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