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.
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.
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