When I started my running journey a little over fifteen years ago. I started out running with nothing. I was just holding my phone in my hand with my corded headphones plugged in like a little leash.
Then I upgraded to an arm band and was an avid user for years. While I found the arm bands easy and fairly comfortable, I realized my phones were getting damaged from the sweat. I know they have sweatproof ones but those are usually more bulky. Plus I kept getting a weird tan line on my arm.
Around that same time, I started seeing more and more people on social media running with vests or small backpacks. At first I thought it was an overindulgence. I wasn’t that much of a “professional,” and I was afraid of looking silly.
Then I started training for a marathon. I started training mid summer so obviously, it got really hot and I wanted something to carry water bottles and gels on my longer runs. Finally, I caved when I saw a vest on sale. Sales are my downfall. Especially when trying a new item because when it’s cheaper, I figure if I hate it, it wasn’t a big investment. So I went for it thinking it was the most practical option and hoped that I didn’t hate it.
Now, two years later, I still run with the nerdiest little running vest. At first I admit I was a little embarrassed to wear it. It reminds me of a tackle vest for fly fishers. But I quickly got over it because it’s so damn convenient. It’s handy and has so many different compartments. Who doesn’t love compartments?
It doesn’t even matter if I’m going for a long run or a short run, I’m taking that baby with me. It’s hands free! Plus, who cares? I follow a few runners on Instagram who I love like Savannah Sachdev and Alex Hermanson. They inspire me to care less about what others think. I like to use running as an escape from my mind, it can get so tiring in there sometimes.
So running vest it is. What does it matter what you look like? Or how far you’re running. You’re running! Be comfortable. Be you.
