July

I love the philosophy of the 'zen of running' https://www.blogger.com/blogger.zenofrunning

I would love that concept to be the focus of my running regime. As something as natural as running for exercise is; I seem do a lot of preparation and put on a lot of equipment to do it. It feels as though I am gearing up as a special task force agent ....I even have a holster and an ear piece.

Here is my preparation in no particular order: (and I'm sure this won't be all of it)

• clip and tie hair back
• sun cap (with sweat band)
• face sun cream
• body sun cream
• brush teeth, put deodorant on (put 'body glide' on if long run)
• sunglasses on (ones that don't slip)
• mp3 player (remember to charge) clipped on and ear piece try tuck through clothes
• Garmin watch (remember to charge) over a sweat band
• clip on foot gps
• heart rate monitor
• sports bra
• technical t-shirt or singlet with shorts/leggings
• running jacket
• calf guards
• lip gloss
• drink water hour before
• eat before I go but not too close before I go something that wont upset stomach
• take antihistamine
• go to toilet
• pack replacement tissues, phone (remember to charge) to an already stocked waist belt
• fill hydration belt bottles with water and sports drink
• think of the general route I will take if going alone, contact friend if meeting up 
• send Bran a message that I'm going, general direction 
• (sometimes) warm up stretches
• oh and put running shoes on

Maybe barefoot & zen running is the blissful way to go as there is far less to remember/prepare. I feel envious of those who just slip on some trainers and go for a run.

I don't take much time to do all of this prep though as I have got it organised so everything is in easy reach to run through this regime to go running.

When I go to the gym/leisure centre I just put on clothes, shoes and pick up my gym bag and I don't feel I need to do much else at all.

I know some of the things I do is just to lessen anxiety while out. I feel I need to go through the list of things I do when I go running outdoors to see if I can go without doing some of these things - but I know I will find it difficult to choose which ones I will feel anxious about not doing - especially the lip gloss!