CommuteToWorkAfter
Everything neatly rolled

Commuting On Running Shoes

I’d like to offer a first evaluation of my time commuting on running shoes.

The first week

I was not properly organized, which meant I had to start with what I had “in stock” around my house.
So I took my 20l hiking backpack and packed it with all my clothes, towel, soap, shoes, lunchbox, …. Put on my running clothes and shoes and off I went.

First impression “this is awesome, I’m running to my work, FFFRREEEDOOOOM!”
Second impression “This backpack is not OK for running to my work”.

Second day I tried pushing everything in my trail backpack that holds my camelbak. Waaay to small.

So although running to work felt like a good idea, I soon realized that preparation is everything (isn’t it always…)

 

General preparation nowadays

I bought a new backpack at Decathlon that was suited for long trailruns.
I think I’ll write-up a review some day for it, because it suits me pretty well for my needs.
The biggest plus about it, is that the band around the waist is with velcro. Why didn’t anyone think about this earlier!

Along with the new backpack I decided to leave an extra pair of shoes and one of my older jackets at work. I do not need these during my run and as I have a desk job, it’s ok it’s one of my older, more worn, jackets.
This way I could free up some space and my was my backpack more than big enough for my needs.

CommuteToWorkBefore
All of my stuff I need layed out.

I also have a small towel with fast drying microfiber which is just big enough for a quick shower at work.

Then it’s just rolling everything neatly in a roll and start filling the backpack.

CommuteToWorkAfter
Everything neatly rolled
CommuteToWorkBackpack
Still got some space left

The Dangers

  • My running form seems sloppier with a heavy backpack. It’s not rare I end up with stiffness in my lower back. That’s something new for me that I can work on.
  • The weather is unpredictable… Running to work is running home as well. Weather can change a lot during the day. I don’t really mind, but your clothes could end up wet…
  • Running too much.
    I had a sense of new found freedom and upped my weekly mileage too much in the first week. I needed to restrain myself or I knew it would be too much for my body.

The Big Advantages

  • Sense of freedom. You step out of the office and have an instant feeling of being liberated.
  • Easy way to get your weekly mileage up.
  • You run new routes

If you have any questions whatsoever I’ll be more than happy to  answer them.
Hit me up in the comments or info@tellemaboutrunning.com

4 comments

  1. Great post. I have a couple of questions. I’m considering doing my first ultra soon- a 50K. Could you recommend a backpack for me?

    Also, I too have noticed lower back pain since completing the Paris Marathon. Any tips on how to sort this out?

    Thanks for popping over to my blog. I’m looking forward to reading more of yours. 🙂

    • ignace_s says:

      Hey, thanks for reading.
      It’s hard to tell you whick backpack, because a fitting is essential.
      What I can tell is that it’s important you can pull it tight around your waist (hipbones) and that it shouldn’t be sliding up after a simple 100m jog in the store.
      An included waterbag is a big plus, as you can drink handsfree this way.

      Concerning your lower back pain I recommend checking if your shoes aren’t worn out and evaluate if you have been resting enough after your marathon.

  2. Mrs B says:

    How funny that we both wrote about this on the same day. I agree about the sloppy running form. I have to be careful about that. I’m lucky that I have a public transport option if I don’t want to run both ways, but I also like the way it churns through the miles quickly.

  3. Great post! I hear you on the dangers of getting carried away with the sense of freedom and overdoing it. Today was my first proper run after more than a year off with injuries. Loved it! But got to make sure I don’t get carried away…

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