Running to work - Advice?

I was able to get away with running consistently 9 mi to work and busing back by riding my bike in every 2 weeks with a fresh supply of clothes to change into (I had a pretty big locker to work with.) That way I didn't have to deal with a backpack except for carrying the occasional pair of socks or t-shirt. Whatever you choose, good for you for starting up. That hour was always the highlight of my day; I really miss being able to do it.

Another tip as far as the wallet: chances are there's a small subset of its contents that you actually need to go to work. I got an old baseball card protector and used it to hold my apartment key card, work ID and key, and a check card. Believe it or not that all fit comfortably into the key pocket on the shorts I wore. You'd be surprised what you can get away with.

easy, this is what i do. get the bus etc to work on monday morning and bring your bag of work clothes for the week...takes some planning, ironing etc sunday night :) also bring your running gear for that monday evening

Run home monday pm, bring your wallet, phone etc in a small backpack (i leave my wallet at work, locked away, but bring home my laser/credit cards, phone and house keys in a small belt/fanny-pack

Run into work tuesday etc.

You can also alternate the runs with a cycle into work/cycle home if you don't want to run every day.

cookie monster wrote:

One specific question I have is how to best manage running with a backpack (whether its advice about brand, size, straps, etc.) so that it's relatively comfortable and chafe minimal. Other advice is great too.

Don't run with a backpack. Take your clothes in ahead of time (either on Sunday, or if you can't get into the office, make Monday a don't-run-in day). This requires planning, but it's so much easier than running with a backpack.

On the wallet, get running shorts with a little zip up pocket in the back. Put your necessary IDs/cards and a $20 in a plastic sandwich baggy and put that in the pocket. Voila. I call it my "running wallet" when people raise their eyebrows.

What a great thing to do, I miss it.

I honestly feel as though i started a trend in my city when i started doing this like 7 years ago. I was the only one I'd ever seen do it, and as time went by, I saw more and more people running to work. That is probably my over-inflated ego though.

Here is the deal. The only things you need to make this work are a shower at the office and an extra pair of shoes. Keep an extra pair of shoes (or two) at your desk, and the rest is pretty easy to carry in a nice running pack. I have tried a lot of brands, and the best ones by far are Patagonia. Get the lightest one possible that is made for running, something like this -

http://www.patagonia.com/web/us/product/pocket-pack-bag?p=48827-0-763&pcc=1128

They used to have a better one - the Endurance Pack - that was even more lightweight and completely waterproof. Made from that new lightweight, almost translucent material they use in a lot of their gear now.

Anyway, a good pack is key. These sit high on your back, have enough room for pants, shirt, essentials and keep it dry if you are a sweat hog like myself.

If you try a normal backpack, it will be annoying and chafe like crazy. I used to use a regular small bookbag with a belt tied around my waste/through the straps to keep it secure. It sucked. Once I got over the $90 investment, I was happy I purchased a specific pack for the commute. It honestly made a big difference.

I now live less than a mile from my office, so I no longer run to work. I miss it.

You will be surprised how easy it is to hit 90-100 mpw when you commute via running. Astounding. Let me know if you have any specific questions, i clear all kinds of hurdles in my run-commute days.

I should also say that this is how I was able to train for and run two marathons while working 80 hours a week. Leave the house at 6:00 AM, get into work by 7:30 AM, take calls and return emails for an hour or so, shower and be back at my desk and ready to go before 9:00 AM with an hour of work under my belt.

Denver Runner wrote:

Don't run with a backpack. Take your clothes in ahead of time

I am not saying you are wrong, but here is the way it worked out for me...

I tried this for a while, but it just took too much planning. I also felt kind of weird using my desk as a locker. On the days I didn't have clothes there, or the right clothes, I didn't run.

Once I got the pack, I ran every day. I swear it wasn't annoying or even stupid looking. Get the right pack and you'll barely notice it. It also allows you the freedom of packing for the weather, etc.

If it takes too much planning, 99% of us won't do it. I made it my only option and by using the pack I had no excuses.

Normal Troll wrote:

Get the lightest one possible that is made for running, something like this -

http://www.patagonia.com/web/us/product/pocket-pack-bag?p=48827-0-763&pcc=1128

Yeah, that's all you need to cement yourself as the biggest douchebag in the office... a small pack from Pata-gucci to tell everyone you're a homo.

Look: wake up early and do your run like the rest of humanity. Or run when you get home from work.

Our image in the eyes of the public is fragile enough that we don't need you at your desk sipping from a sport bottle, with small beads of sweat coming through your Van Husen shirt and knit tie and because you think it's cool to run to work. Or rummaging through your fanny pack for a clif bar while a company meeting is going on.

Did you carry food as well? I bring my lunch and also eat snacks throughout the day. I feel like this would be too much to add to the running pack, but by not bringing food, it seems like it would become a much more expensive option.

Son of Dad wrote:

Yeah, that's all you need to cement yourself as the biggest douchebag in the office... a small pack from Pata-gucci to tell everyone you're a homo.

Look: wake up early and do your run like the rest of humanity. Or run when you get home from work.

Our image in the eyes of the public is fragile enough that we don't need you at your desk sipping from a sport bottle, with small beads of sweat coming through your Van Husen shirt and knit tie and because you think it's cool to run to work. Or rummaging through your fanny pack for a clif bar while a company meeting is going on.

hahaha, you are a f***ing insecure loser.

drg wrote:

Did you carry food as well? I bring my lunch and also eat snacks throughout the day. I feel like this would be too much to add to the running pack, but by not bringing food, it seems like it would become a much more expensive option.

No, I guess it did make it a little more expensive.

Anyway, not the Endurance Pack, I meant the Houdini Pack. That was the best one I ever used...

http://www.shoebuy.com/pi/patag/patag193281_lg.jpg

drg wrote:

Did you carry food as well? I bring my lunch and also eat snacks throughout the day. I feel like this would be too much to add to the running pack, but by not bringing food, it seems like it would become a much more expensive option.

Bringing your lunch and snacks during the day? How old are you?

I can't believe what a bunch of pansies are on this board. Running to work with fanny packs? Worrying about snacks during work?

Maybe it's just a reflection of society these days... we used to do cool stuff like explore the wild west, build bridges like the Golden Gate, and shoot people into space. And doing it without $100 fanny packs from bougie outdoor companies or zip-lock bags filled with celery and trail mix. Admiral Byrd took less gear to the South Pole than you guys want to take on a 3 mile run to work.

The pussification of American society is now complete.

I'm about 6.5 miles from downtown Seattle and have been running to work periodically since last September. I almost always run with a pack--one of the smaller camelback packs that's designed for running is what I use. The key for me is that it sit very tight against the back. I also find that the belt sits much higher (just under the ribcage) than what is comfortable for normal hiking. It's not super comfortable initially, but I've gotten used to it.

During warm weather, it's big enough (just) to pack shirt, pants, socks, underwear, so I just keep a pair of shoes at the office. During the winter months, I would usually bring work clothes into the office earlier in the week and then in, or strapped outside the pack was a light jacket, or rain jacket (sometimes both) to wear for cooler/wet weather in the evenings when I took the bus home. If you brought clothes in earlier in the week, you could probably get by with a small waist pack for wallet, keys, cell, etc, and depending on your work and lifestyle, just a couple bucks and your house key to avoid any pack at all.

Last sentence above for a waist pack or no pack was applicable to summer. As noted, even though I brought the clothes earlier in the week in the winter, the extra jacket required me to wear the pack--I suppose if you had a jacket you could leave in the office for each day you run, that might work, but I don't have that many jackets.

Son of Dad wrote:

The pussification of American society is now complete.

WTF is your problem?

These are guys trying to log more miles and avoid sitting in their cars for an hour or more every morning and afternoon.

You can do this 2 ways - either take a weeks worth of clothes to the office or run with a pack. No gear needed, just a pair of pants, a shirt and your wallet.

Once you leave your parent's garage, you'll realize that maintaining your duties as a husband and professional limit your time to log high mileage.

Son of Dad wrote:

Bringing your lunch and snacks during the day? How old are you?

Running 90-100 mpw, I eat a LOT. So, yes I bring my lunch to work. In what sense is that NOT normal?

Another option is one used by Ron Daws. Drive to work with clothes, etc., for the following day. Run home that afternoon and back the next morning. Drive home in the afternoon of the second day. Repeat in a two-day cycle.

don't run w/backpack. destroys your form.