Best ways to store IDs/keys/money/bus tickets etc while I run?

Will you be staying in a hotel, or living on the street? Generally you can leave everything but the key to the room in your hotel room (lock the door). Helps to have shorts/pants with pockets, but many times I've been on the road and run simply holding the room key.

If you don't have a place in which to secure your belongings, I really can't help you.

I don't understand, are you going to be homeless?

I will be staying at 4-5 star hotels, sometimes in different countries. I like to take the public transit out to the nice places to run. I need keys, money, bus passes, ID, etc. because I sometimes do other stuff while I am out there like go shopping or eat lunch. I also want to be able to get a cab ride back to the hotel if I get injured and want the police to be able to identify me if something really bad happens and I am dead or unconscious. Finally, I want to be able to change clothes and put on some deodorant so I don't stink up the bus/trains and get mud/sweat everywhere.

Surely some people have done stuff like this. MAYEROFF? ;)

Jimi wallet or Flipside wallet?

Hide you key near a random bush, tree, cover it with something, come back for it.

These days, hotel keys are usually always the credit-card mag strip type keys. I usually lock stuff down in the room with multiple pad locks, then hid the keys in the room (tape them under a desk or table).

I bring along small zip lock bags (like sandwich size) and put in just enough money for transport, food, etc. Also make a photo copy of your drivers license or passport and put that in the ziplock too. Then cram the ziplock in a small pocket in your shorts.

Regarding a change of clothes, I usually try to make friends with a shop or restaurant near where I am running, and communicate (smile a lot if you don't speak the language) with them to try to explain that I am running, and I'll be back in an hour or so and please keep my stuff for me. Of course the "social contract" is that you ARE going to eat a meal or buy something before or after your run.

Just think everything through, lock your stuff down in the hotel room, be friendly, polite, patient and patronize the shop or restaurant that you need to hold on to your gear while you pound the pavement. A lot of people actually WANT to be of assistance to foreign visitors out of a sense of national pride. Of course this doesn't apply in tourist traps like Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Phuket, etc., where they just want to fleece tourists at all times. Go off the beaten path and you'll find humanity, usually.

most running shorts come with a pocket that will fit a credit card, id, and money. If the room 'key' is credit card size, then it goes in there as well. If it is a real key, then just tie it on to your shoelace (double knotted, of course). In foreign cities, you can often leave stuff in lockers at train stations. You can also leave some clothes or a small bag hanging inside bushes where they are invisible to the outside world. If I was able to do that often in Central Park right near lots and lots of people, without problems, other than once looking through the wrong bush(!), you should easily be able to find a place. In the event of rain, you can use a plastic bag.

I've never had any problem with the hotel key under the insole of my shoe. maybe it has some effect on my running, but I've never noticed.

This:

http://www.amphipod.com/products/holders/lock-on-micropacks/micropack-explorer-0

It is less visible, and thus arguably somewhat less dorky, than a fanny pack. They make a smaller one, but I find two keys, credit card, and bus pass to be a tight squeeze in the smaller one but fit quite comfortably in this. The clamp is very secure, and you will not feel it bounce around or anything (unless your shorts are too loose). I wear it on the center of the back of my waistband and never even notice it's there.

As far as the transit ride, just act normal, and maybe don't sit down next to somebody if you're exceptionally gross, but otherwise, don't worry about it. Chances are you won't be the smelliest nastiest dude on the bus or train or whatever anyway ;)

Butt hole

Thank you very much for the help! Special thanks to Mayeroff for answering the bat signal :)

I ended up buying a money belt for 6 bucks. They are primarily meant as a way to avoid being pickpocketed, but they are great for running to. Mine isn't waterproof, but I am sure waterproof varieties can be found for hot, sweaty summer days. Mine can't be seen since I never tuck my shirt in when I run.

When I take public transit out to the trails, I plan to either store a backpack at a business I plan to use later or stash some cheap stuff in the woods as jjjjjjjj suggested.

I saw this awhile back, running cap with a built-in pocket for some bills, keys, and ID...

http://www.trisports.com/desoto-skincoolerruncap.html

..

I think you need to get over your objection to fanny packs - that's the thing for the situation you describe. Otherwise it's a small backpack.

How about this?

http://www.thewaterproofstore.com/armpac.html

Also I would suggest using lightweight wool products, they have a natural resistance to odor which polyester based products (ie your running shorts liner) do not, so they are great for travel.

Also some individual packaged handiwipes work great if you cant get to a shower/stream/ lake.

http://www.icebreaker.com/site/icebreaker_man_icebreakergt200_baselayer_sprint_boxer_brief.html

http://www.icebreaker.com/site/icebreaker_man_beast150_anatomica_ss_anatomica_crewe.html

http://www.rei.com/product/730067/adventure-medical-kits-fresh-bath-wipes

Perfect solution...

http://www.brooksbrothers.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Merchant_Id=1&Section_Id=473&Product_Id=1437358&Parent_Id=1034&default_color=COGNAC&sort_by=&sectioncolor=&sectionsize=#null

someone had to do it wrote:

Hide you key near a random bush, tree, cover it with something, come back for it.

That's what I do with my car keys everyday.

Maybe I am still a little confused, but I travel 4 days a week, every week. I live in Hilton and Hyatt hotels across the US 180-200 days a week. I have never had an issue.

1) In the US, your stuff is safe in the hotel room. If you are nervous, hide it and put the do not disturb sign on the door and the maid wont come in. As suggested, stuff the room key and a $20 in your running pocket. I never bother with an ID.

2) Public transit....smell bad, who cares. You will never see any of those people ever again. I have been plenty smelly and gross in running shorts and a tee on the 6 train in NYC after a hard interval session on the LES track. If anything, I got a little bit more personal space.

3) Call, email, or check the website of a local running store. They usually have group runs. I actually met my fiance a year ago when I started working on Ohio by finding a local running store with racing team. My second week traveling to Ohio and I showed up to the weekly Monday night tempo run listed on their website. They had a place to change and leave my stuff. Even if their arent group runs, someone will be nice and show you a route or help you out.

4) I always have a rental car (expect in NYC), so I go on google maps and look at the satellite view to find a highschool track for speed work. Also look for rivers and parks, as there is usually a running trail nearby. Change in the car before your run and lock your stuff in the trunk.

5) You mentioned shopping? OK, odd but do it after your run. Or if you are near your office, leave the stuff at work till the next day.

All my traveling has been in the US except for 2 weeks in Mexico city. There I ran on the treadmill in the hotel gym. One day I went outside to run and after 30mins of circling the block because the bell man said that was the only "safe place for a skinny white American in those shorts" I got bored and went back to the gym.