Running to work-- how to carry stuff

I use a Camelbak without the water bladder. Keeps bouncing to a minimum.

If you don't have a gym nearby your work, try just running home. I don't think I could pull off going to work after just a sponge bath.

I'm pondering a run commute too and considering logistical options. Any chance a waist pack like Flashflo could hold a pair of (non-running) shorts, short sleeve shirt, and flip flops?

Small backpack.

Leave work shoes and some simple changes at work. Carry the rest. Bring home dirty laundry once a week.

I have known runners over the years who did this. In 1979 during the gas crisis I ran to and from work 2-3 days a week and drove in the others. My routes were 6-8 miles to work and 6-8 home.

No shower at work; I'd join a nearby gym for that. If they have "permanent" (overnight) lockers I could do as you suggest and use something small like one of those phone armbands for phone, wallet, etc.

3 weeks ago, I started run commuting (one-way) on Fridays. It's 9 miles from my home to the office.

The key is to cache your clothing and other items at the office and shower before running in. I stop running a 1/4 mile from the office to start cooling down and stretch once I am there. I then use a wash towel to clean myself. I tried baby wipes and didn't like the sticky feeling afterwards.

You will also need a backpack with a waist strap to prevent the pack from bouncing (depending on what you carry, it will be the longest 4 miles without the strap). I use Gregory's Wasatch. Osprey, Salomon, and Go Lite have some nice packs too.

Below is my routine.

Thursday checklist (leave all at work):

my car (leave key at work)

jacket

pants

shirt

belt

shoes

under wear

socks

wash towel

lotion

coffee mug

breakfast

snacks

Friday checklist:

toast with pb

hot shower

running shirt

running shorts

socks

shoes

hat

tail light

backpack

wallet

cell phone

water bottle

gamin

watch

thermos w/ coffee

lunch

Hope this helps.

Mondy

Hands

Next question?

I run to work and back most days and have been for years.

I wear a Lowe Alpine 'bum-bag' made for hiking. Wide main belt, and two restraining straps to stop the contents wobbling. I can fit in wallet, phone, keys, maybe a notepad or other small items if I have to, even a waterproof shell in winter. If it's just the essentials, I hardly notice it and often do fartleks or tempo on the way home. When it's overfull (e.g. books, papers) I have to yank on the tensioning straps a few times during the run.

Any proper backback always affected my style and got in the way, or gave me backache.

If you have to carry important papers, mail etc then fold them in half or roll them then put them inside a plastic bag, otherwise the contents get steamed gently while you run.

Hope this helps..

I keep 2 Bags at work. 1 has a second set of face cream, deodorant, make-up, etc. No shower, so I buy some disposable no-rinse face wash cloths from garnier to wipe down. The other bag I keep with clothes that are wrinkle-free. I take in fresh stuff, like undies, on Monday and take home dirty ones on Friday, but sometimes I'll just take them by the camel water pack without the water. In the AM I go slow so that I don't sweat very much.

It works great for me. The only thing is that I can't "do" my hair so it has looked the same pretty much for 2 years.

kicker wrote:

My routes were 6-8 miles to work and 6-8 home.

WOW, you mean you ran the same distance home from work that you ran to get to work? consider my mind blown.

Can anyone recommend a good online store of Waist Bags?

I have a ~6.5 mile run-commute and use a CamelBak with the bladder removed. Having both a waist and chest strap helps to keep it snug and minimize bouncing. I run to and from work with everything I need for the day except work shoes, which I keep at my office. I lay out my work clothes and roll them into about a 12" tall cylinder, which I then put into a waterproof bag (like the kind used for boating). That bag fits nicely into the CamelBak. I also have room for some snacks and food in addition to my clothes. One luxury I do have is a locker room with shower in the basement of my office.

I drive Monday morning with a week's worth of clothes and food. Run home Monday night, then Tue-Thu there and back. Run in Friday morning and drive the car back in the evening. Only works if you have good parking and don't need your car Mon-Thu. Easy way to rack up lots of miles and also to trick your boss into thinking you're working a lot. And then if you tell your boss what you're actually doing, you may score some extra points for being honest and up front. Win-win-win.

Check out Shower Pills wipes. I saw it on Shark Tank.

mrpantsman8888 wrote:

kicker wrote:

My routes were 6-8 miles to work and 6-8 home.

WOW, you mean you ran the same distance home from work that you ran to get to work? consider my mind blown.

No, he did not say that.

That sounds cool. I can use that as well. Thanks.

Carry your stuff in one arm, like Haile Geb running to school.