Running to work: tips?

Murph_D

The office is only 4km away so I'm thinking of running in and home a few days a week. There are showers and changing rooms available so no problem there. But what would you recommend in terms of backpack, clothes etc. I'm in a very casual environment so no issues with having to have a suit on standby. Any tips on logistics and equipment?

mgadget

I think there is a running to work blog with gear recommendations online somewhere.
I have an old Camelbak backpack, I used to run with a normal, cheap backpack, I only use the Camelback because it's there. A dribag to keep a change of clothes in, a swingbin bin liner bag will do if you are not fussed. A microfibre travel towel - packs small and dries quickly, pretty much the only essential item to get. a rain cover for the bag as well. Beyond that it's my normal running clothes, + a spare pair of dry socks for the run home.

Murph_D wrote: »

The office is only 4km away so I'm thinking of running in and home a few days a week. There are showers and changing rooms available so no problem there. But what would you recommend in terms of backpack, clothes etc. I'm in a very casual environment so no issues with having to have a suit on standby. Any tips on logistics and equipment?

menoscemo

Murph_D wrote: »

The office is only 4km away so I'm thinking of running in and home a few days a week. There are showers and changing rooms available so no problem there. But what would you recommend in terms of backpack, clothes etc. I'm in a very casual environment so no issues with having to have a suit on standby. Any tips on logistics and equipment?

Just leave you work clothes in work before running home or else have a spare set there. No need for a backpack at all really just a pouch to carry home your phone and keys. You'll also need to leave a towel in work but that's about it...

KielyUnusual

menoscemo wrote: »

Just leave you work clothes in work before running home or else have a spare set there. No need for a backpack at all really just a pouch to carry home your phone and keys. You'll also need to leave a towel in work but that's about it...

+1 to this. I tried running with the backpack but its a pain in the hole, especially in the summer. A bit of pre-planning and you should be able to travel very light. My recommendation if you're going this route is to get a pair of shorts with an arse pocket that will fit your phone and whatever else you would deem essential to have with you.

Only drawback of this method is that you sometimes end up with numerous sets of clothing in work and you have to do a mass clear out every now and again. Maybe that's just me .

laura_ac3

I used to go in without a bag, it can be done but I found for me it got a bit awkward. So I got the below based on a recommendation from a thread on the gear forum. I bring in the bulkier items at the start of the week but this lets me bring my phone, glasses, blouse, small lunch etc. No hassles with it so far. I used to hate running with a bag but after a bit I don't even notice this one.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/deuter-speed-lite-10l-rucksack-hydration-compatible/

crisco10

I do 90% of my training either to or from work and have done for the last two years (including a full marathon cycle). Mentioned on here before but I alternate running/cycling. Bring in my gear/food Monday on bike, run home. Run in Tuesday, cycle home with gear on Tuesday evening.

I use cycling panniers but when I'm running I use the bag Laura linked above. I never minded it really, even during the hottest days of the summer last year. and it allowed me the flexibility to carry some stuff with me. E.g. lunch, meeting notes. Suppose it's a personal thing.

RayCun

crisco10 wrote: »

Mentioned on here before but I alternate running/cycling. Bring in my gear/food Monday on bike, run home. Run in Tuesday, cycle home with gear on Tuesday evening.

yeah, this works for me too - cycle in Mondays and Wednesdays with lots of food and clothes, cycle home Tuesdays and Thursdays with the laundry, run home Monday Wednesday and run in Tuesday Thursday. I've an arm wallet for carrying keys, phone and swipe card on the runs
Fridays I run in and out with a very small bag

Its a great time saver

average_runner

I run in to work on a Monday and Wednesday. One run is 16k and the other 10k(from inlaws)

So what i do is leave the bag in work on Friday so it be there for Monday and the same on Tuesday.

MaggotBrain

If you are really stuck drop your gear down in the car and run straight after. Oil is below $50 these days.

I usually drive to work in morning, get gear on at lunchtime, drive home and run back. Walk home in the evening.

Duanington

I started running to\from work a couple of months ago Murph ( 4 miles each way). It works out better for me to run with a backpack, it took maybe a week to get used to the extra weight and now I hardly notice it at all....it takes a couple of days to suss out your routine properly but after a week its just part of your day.

Like you, my work environment is casual enough so I really just fold my work clothes into the bag and off I go. I can imagine it may get a little tricky over the summer months so I might look at things then ( might do as some of the lads have suggested below - leave clothes in work)

I went for this backpack in the end http://www.wiggle.com/omm-ultra-12-marathon-pack/

jack presley

Would anyone have a good fanny pack or something they could recommend? I leave the clothes etc in work but end up bringing a back pack just to carry keys, wallet, phone etc. They're stored in the pouch at the front and the rest of the backpack is empty so it just seems a little wasteful. Anyone any recommendations?

rainbow kirby

I use a relatively cheap Karrimor backpack when I run in, similar to you I have quite a casual office. A dress, cardi, ballerina flats and tights and a towel don't take up an awful lot of space in the bag. I keep travel miniatures in my desk drawer at work so they're always there for showering.

BeepBeep67

jack presley wrote: »

Would anyone have a good fanny pack or something they could recommend? I leave the clothes etc in work but end up bringing a back pack just to carry keys, wallet, phone etc. They're stored in the pouch at the front and the rest of the backpack is empty so it just seems a little wasteful. Anyone any recommendations?

The Inov-8 race series are great, small, light and adjustable to minimise movement.

huskerdu

BeepBeep67 wrote: »

The Inov-8 race series are great, small, light and adjustable to minimise movement.

I have one of these too. Very light and small.
Its straps very well to the body so it doesn't move at all.

I got used to it very quickly.

jack presley

Where would I get one of these inov-8s? I mean in a shop as opposed to online.

robinph

I picked up a small OMM backpack a month or so ago because it had a shiny sale sticker on it and I was therefore tricked into the purchase while spending a bunch of vouchers on some new shoes. The idea being to then use it for running to work. Have only done it a few times so far, but only done as much as run home one day, and then into work the next to collect the car. It's just shy of 8 miles to run the shortest route but will try some longer ways back over the next few weeks and then maybe do a double day with runs too and from work as well. Then it depends on if I think I might need the car during the day or not though.

menoscemo

jack presley wrote: »

Would anyone have a good fanny pack or something they could recommend? I leave the clothes etc in work but end up bringing a back pack just to carry keys, wallet, phone etc. They're stored in the pouch at the front and the rest of the backpack is empty so it just seems a little wasteful. Anyone any recommendations?

I just use a bog standard one (not specifically for running) and it works fine. Have used it for over 6 years now!!

BeepBeep67

jack presley wrote: »

Where would I get one of these inov-8s? I mean in a shop as opposed to online.

Think I was ordering something off Wiggle and I just threw it into the basket, only other time I've seen them is at various expos.

martyboy48

jack presley wrote: »

Would anyone have a good fanny pack...

Can't believe I had to google what a fanny pack was, I thought you were having a laugh ... Always refered to them as bum bags years ago, which I know isn't much better

I see in wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fanny_pack), they can even be refered to as a "snatchel" :eek::eek::D

menoscemo

martyboy48 wrote: »

Can't believe I had to google what a fanny pack was, I thought you were having a laugh ... Always refered to them as bum bags years ago, which I know isn't much better

I see in wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fanny_pack), they can even be refered to as a "snatchel" :eek::eek::D

You think that's bad?
http://www.active.com/bay-city-mi/running/distance-running-races/barc-freeze-your-fanny-5k-run-walk-2015

Murph_D

Thanks for the advice folks. Some very good pointers there. Did my first run commute this morning using an old (20L) backpack just to see how it would work out. Determined to do this without using the car or bike for now so had to have everything in there - clothes, shoes, towel, keys, glasses, wallet. Naturally I felt like I was hiking up a mountain with all that gear but at least I can leave shoes and some of the other stuff under my desk now.

kit3

Murph_D wrote: »

Thanks for the advice folks. Some very good pointers there. Did my first run commute this morning using an old (20L) backpack just to see how it would work out. Determined to do this without using the car or bike for now so had to have everything in there - clothes, shoes, towel, keys, glasses, wallet. Naturally I felt like I was hiking up a mountain with all that gear but at least I can leave shoes and some of the other stuff under my desk now.

The first one of the week will always be heaviest but should be light after that. I use this

http://www.mountainwarehouse.com/kids/accessories/backpacks/mini-trek-p6117.aspx?cl=PURPLE

cheap & does the job fine (my daughter's hiking bag though so must get one for myself before she cops on).

adrian522

I had intended to run home yesterday, brought all the gear ,work clothes for 2 days to leave in work etc. Weather was awful as I was leaving though so bailed out at the last minute.

After giving myself a stern talking too on the way home I managed to get it together to run in this morning. All my good plans of not having to carry gear out the window, I packed up everything I'd need.

The pack was a bit awkward at first but not too bad really. It's just over 3 miles using the shortest route. I may extend that if I didn't have a pack with me but for now that's enough, giving me 6 miles or so for the day after I jog home.

I'd thought I'd be slower with the pack but looking at my garmin seems I was over compensating as I went faster than my usual easy pace.

The run was fun but having to queue for the shower once I got in to work was not so much fun.

Following the trend of everyone posting their backpack, this is mine:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/deuter-superbike-18-exp-rucksack/

Bought it for cycling but it is quite comfortable for running too, probably bigger than I'd like but at least I can fit all my gear in there.

DubOnHoliday

I've been planning all week to run from work well not exactly. I'll get off a stop early on the dart and run Bray to Greystones along the cliff walk. Even though I've everything I need listed five times over in my head, I know I'm gonna forget something.

Murph_D

Wouldn't fancy the cliff walk in the wind. Or have they build a fence since I was last up there?

DubOnHoliday

Murph_D wrote: »

Wouldn't fancy the cliff walk in the wind. Or have they build a fence since I was last up there?

Not supposed to be as windy tonight and yes its fenced off. If its too windy, will change plans.


Edit... Force 9 winds on the East cost!... will have to postpone!

kit3

One tip I picked up on my way home yesterday which is just common sense really but ......

Always make sure your backpack is closed properly before you run - I was running home yesterday & thought my backpack was moving a bit more than usual. I looked around to see that it had opened and then I saw a trail of my belongings along the path behind me ....top, hat, socks, underwear :eek:
Just managed to gather it all up before anyone came along !

RayCun

yes, happened to me too, the 'moving more than usual' is a giveaway

robinph

I'm prone to being convinced that I've not done the backpack up properly and then have to stop and take it off and check again, despite knowing that I checked it 50 times before heading out the door.

Then a mile later I'll probably think I left it open again.

kit3

robinph wrote: »

I'm prone to being convinced that I've not done the backpack up properly and then have to stop and take it off and check again, despite knowing that I checked it 50 times before heading out the door.

Then a mile later I'll probably think I left it open again.

Yes - spent the rest of my run fairly paranoid - believe me, gear that I had cycled to work in that morning was NOT fit to be seen by anyone. Almost resorted to wearing the backpack on my front but copped on

tmh106

robinph wrote: »

I'm prone to being convinced that I've not done the backpack up properly and then have to stop and take it off and check again, despite knowing that I checked it 50 times before heading out the door.

Then a mile later I'll probably think I left it open again.

And then, after one of you checks, you'll probably forget to do it up and run on with it open ;-)

tmh

DubOnHoliday

robinph wrote: »

I'm prone to being convinced that I've not done the backpack up properly and then have to stop and take it off and check again, despite knowing that I checked it 50 times before heading out the door.

Then a mile later I'll probably think I left it open again.

I think your bag is open.

I've had to get a small lock, to lock the zips together, now I'm paranoid about losing the key and keep checking my pocket for it.

PaulieC

I once ran a recce for the Art O'Neill from the Ballynultagh carpark south, down through Ballinagee (I think). I had a backpack with some gear, stopped halfway for a drink and whatnot and opened the zip part at the top of the bag to take my phone out to take apic or something. The zipped part also had by car keys and wallet in it. Put the phone back in, bag on the bag and headed back to the start, through the boggiest peat hags and all sorts of sh1te.

Needless to say, I never zipped the pocket back up...:eek:

uvox

http://www.runningtowork.co.uk/equipment/

Article on the phenomenon: http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/the-running-blog/2014/jun/05/run-to-work-day-commute-exercise-save-money

Also (US site):

http://theruncommuter.com/

backpack roundup: http://theruncommuter.com/running-backpack-roundup/

BeepBeep67

kit3 wrote: »

One tip I picked up on my way home yesterday which is just common sense really but ......

Always make sure your backpack is closed properly before you run - I was running home yesterday & thought my backpack was moving a bit more than usual. I looked around to see that it had opened and then I saw a trail of my belongings along the path behind me ....top, hat, socks, underwear :eek:
Just managed to gather it all up before anyone came along !

Pop everything into a dry bag 1st, allows you to condense to reduce space, reduces movement and adds waterproofing.

Here's what I have: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/lifeventure-dristore-15l-dry-bag/ have also seen a Karrimore version in Sports World and other brands in outdoor stores.

ronn

I was going to ask the same question, I'm looking for a bag and I was in a popular outdoor shop and the Lowe bags were €50 odd quid and up,
Now they looked the business but very steep for a sports bag,
Anyone use the Lowe bags are that worth the money???

Murph_D

Any heavy duty plastic bag (like the one they give you for DCM bag drop) should do the trick.

RunRoryRun

ronn wrote: »

I was going to ask the same question, I'm looking for a bag and I was in a popular outdoor shop and the Lowe bags were €50 odd quid and up,
Now they looked the business but very steep for a sports bag,
Anyone use the Lowe bags are that worth the money???

I use one of the lowe alpine ones. The 20L is plenty big - comes with mesh expandable pockets on the front and sides along with a rain cover.

http://www.greatoutdoors.ie/images/AirZone-Z-20_Black-Pumpkin-40a06.jpg