Now that the warm weather is back, my jogging has (like it does every year at this time) moved from the treadmill back to the great outdoors. Now that my jogging has left the relative security of my home with my EDC gear sitting comfortably on the table right next to the treadmill, this brings up the questions of what to carry and how to carry it. Like most runners (I presume) I like to be as light weight and comfortable as possible.

I actually do two types of running. Trail running and the typical urban pavement running that most people associate with adaily jogging for exercise. I'm not talking about trail running. For that I carry water and my normal PSK plus an RSK and (if I know orienteering will be involved) a high quality compass, in addition to the SAS button compass in my PSK. What I am referring to is the typical everyday 3-6 mile jog I do through the paved roads, sidewalks and wooded parks of the "lush" urban jungle in which I live.

I have to carry the key to my apt... that's a given. So far I've kept my spare key on a neck lanyard that I toss around my neck as I'm leaving house for a run. I have considered adding a small photon light and some type of sturdy, ultralight knife with a lanyard hole also.

I'm just looking for ideas and wondering what other people do. With all the talk about how fitness plays such an important role in survival, I know I must not be the only runner here....right? <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> So, fellow runner's and joggers... what (if anything) do you carry?

I carry an Inova LED microlight on the keychain, when jogging. Probably a good idea to carry a small knife, but it would be bouncing around too much.

Brian,

I jog but most times I fast walk over twelve miles six days a week weather permitting. So far this year, not counting jogging or snowshoeing, I have walked over 785 miles. Now that the weather is nicer and I have switched from boots to shoes, I travel at between 4 and 4.3 miles per hour. With boots I average 3.8 miles an hour. The coarse I take varies 200 feet in elevation a number of times. I track my travels with a Carmin Forerunner 301 GPS with pulse monitor and then download the results to my computer. Since I travel in the Columbia River Gorge along the river, the weather can change drastically especially the wind and temperature. The prevailing westerly winds off the Pacific Ocean are very strong but fairly warm but if the winds change from either the north or south, they bring freezing temperatures from either Mount Hood or Mount Adams both of which are around 12,000 feet in elevation.

Most times I carry a Maxpedition Proteus Versipack with one or two canteens of water. The Proteus is full of my normal EDC gear, Casio Exilim Camera, quality wool socks, gloves, a couple of Lucks Sesame Snaps, and during the winter, ear muffs or light baklava. In cold weather, I wear the appropriate weight but as light a coat as possible. During warmer weather depending on whether I am carrying one or two canteens, I keep the compressed coat either in a separate belt pouch or under the top straps of the Proteus. The most important thing I try to do is keep the pack from bouncing and prevent my swinging arms from banging into the canteens. I also carry two six foot leases for my two German Shepherds. They are the reason I don’t jog to often since they have tripped me up once in a while. Usually one does point guard and the bigger one protects my back but if a squirrel should happen to chance ahead of us, I have been taken down like a bowling pin. The leases are normally stored attached to the handle of the Proteus. The Maxpedition Bully Dog bounces to much and has to be cinched to tight to keep from sliding off. I keep trying to use it but I have not found a way to make it comfortable for my use. You might check into Amphipod Runlite Waist Race Hydration System available at REI.

Even though I see osprey, eagles, cranes, geese, ducks, kit and swift foxes, mule deer, an occasional beaver, and beautiful scenery, traveling the same route every day gets boring, so I also carry and listen to a Delphi XM2GO MyFi. Jazz is my pleasure and by the time I get back I am ready for a light breakfast and the start of the day. I usually start my walks at 4:45 AM in the summer before it gets to hot. Last week it got to 97 degrees F.

Do you have a good route that you repeat each day? I live about 20 miles south of Portland and I get to the Gorge when I can. I take different routes and usually go with my lovely wife. Dog Mountain, Beacon Rock, Munra Point and Mt. Defiance are my favorites but I like them all. The southern exposure offered by the Washington side of the Gorge keeps me walking in the fall. Thanks for the gear tips.

Best,

Oregon

Oregon,

I take the Discovery Trail along the Columbia River. When complete, the trail will go between The Dalles Dam and the Discovery Center about ten miles long. The River Front Park portion is closed through June to facilitate Canadian Goose nesting but when it is open you can only go four fifths of a mile before a water barrier prevents you from going further east unless you scrabble along the side of I-84 in some nasty rocks that at times are infested with rattle snakes. That four fifths of a mile had some of the best black berries until last year when the National Guard bulldozed a major portion of it for the trail. My wife and I put up 200 pounds of seedless jam last year from that patch. Hopefully it will grow back but now that it is so accessible, there will be competition for the best berries.

I would recommend that if you want to try the current trail take I-84 east to exit 85 and turn left into the Boat Basin parking lot. Park there. It is a more visible and generally has a Fish and Wildlife person on duty paying for bounty fish. If the River Front Park is open, walk east to the current end of the trail. There are public restrooms at both the park and Boat Basin. Then turn around and follow closer to the river along a the old original foot path back to the park rather than the new paved trail. Once you are back at the Boat Basin continue west were you again will be on the Discovery Trail. The paved trail ends along side the Cherry Growers Associations Processing Plant. Keep going west along 1st Street, which is the road you are on. Turn right at your first opportunity, go one short block along the front of the offices of the Growers Association. Then turn left on Bargeway Road. Continue on Bargeway until you see the paved trail again going to your right heading to the Wind Seeker Restaurant on the river. The trail is complete from this point on. If you are ever in doubt where there is a fork in the trail always head for the river. The Disovery Center is about another four miles. Take plenty of water especially if it is hot.

When you get to the Columbia River Discovery Center and Wasco County Historical Museum, relax by spending a few hours there. Then go around back on a paved trail to the west to an over look of the Klickitat Hills on the Washington side of the Columbia. Their restaurant is good but if you can make it back to the Wind Seeker, I recommend you eat there on their outside deck. This is the narrowest part of the river. They also have both a good selection of wines and beer. The prior owner used to serve great Yak and Bison cuts that was from a ranch across the river. Then head back to the Boat Basin. I recommend this direction since you will be walking against the prevailing wind and going up hill part of the way. On your return it will be mostly down hill and with the wind to you back. Bring a camera and have it at the ready. The wild life is not always where you think it will be. Most of the mule deer and foxes are just west of the Rodeo Grounds along River Road.

If we ever meet, I will trade you bing cherries for filberts.

Identification
Fox OC spray, Stream
Cell Phone
Knife
Light (if at night)

I carry a Keltec P3AT in a Desantis Nemesis pocket holster. In a Mountainsmith Vibe 2 fanny pack I carry:

SAK (Huntsman?)
Mag Solitaire
Mini-Bic
Pepper spray
Spare magazine

When I am running around my house, I typically carry just simple supplies: Freedom Light, Gerber Air Ranger Knife, cash, and my cell phone. When I am running in remote locations or on the trail I add my PSK and a Heatsheet. For longer trail runs I carry my Large PSK.

a My runs from home typically are no longer than 10 miles, and I am no more than 3 miles from home and have a few stops where I can refill water etc. I carry an Ultimate Direction Solitaire or Access Plus depending on the distance.

Turbo,

You are a genius! Terrific recommendation on exercise venue. http://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/pa/cp/2005-06/riverfront.asp

I cannot wait to head out there. Next week for sure.

Filberts, we feed them to the squirrels in this neck of the woods.

Try not to wear out the pavement on the trail unitl I get there.

Best,

oregon

Oregon,

Thanks for the link. It is a little out of date. More of the Trail is complete. The grass is six feet tall in places and I pass a poor sole just after sunrise each morning out there with a weed wacker cutting it down. It does not sound like much of a job unless you go out there and see how many acres he has done and has yet to do. I would hate to be out there when the grass is dry and a fire starts. The railroad traffic often starts fires in the dry season.

I also forgot about the otter. I see them behind the beaver dam on Chenowith Creek at between mile marker 2 and 2.4. Milage and kilometers are painted directly on the side of the pavement.

Have you tasted duck with filberts and huckleberries. If you did, I don't think the squirrels would get as many filberts.