1. A subscription to Runner's World magazine. It arrives every month full of useful information, pretty pictures and, most importantly, inspiration.
2. A good pair of running shoes -- possibly two pair so you can rotate wearing them if you're running back-to-back days. If you get two pair mark one pair (with a Sharpie marker on the inside tongue) "A" and one "B" so you can keep them straight.
3. A few pieces of "real" running clothes. Sure, you can get away with cotton t-shirts and yoga pants most days, but you should splurge on a few pieces of good moisture-wicking running gear (say, for reaching a certain fitness goal or for running an upcoming race). This is most important in the summer -- when you need the sweat-wicking stuff.
4. A race to train for. One of the most motivating factors to continuing your exercise program is an upcoming race date on your calendar. The Erie Runners Club offers at least one race every month. You can find information & applications on the club's Web site.
5. An Erie Runners Club membership. At $15 a year, it's a bargain. And this is the time to join because ERC membership run from February to February. What do you get for your $15? You get discounts on club races. You get the monthly newsletter delivered to your mailbox stuffed with race results and applications. And, If you join before March 30, you also get a free race -- the Poker Run -- on April 12. (though it doesn't say on this on-line application, this race is free to members who join before 3/30/08 -- which means, you recoup your $15 membership fee with this one race).
6. A rest day every week. Rest day(s) are important -- pounding away at your body day after day will not make you stronger, it will cause your body to break down. Rest gives your body (and mind) a chance to recover. Rest days don't necessarily mean doing nothing -- most runners cross-train on their "rest" days -- biking, swimming, etc.
7. Identification. Whether you're outside running or on the gym at the treadmill, you need to have I.D. on you. The easiest way for a runner to do this is to buy one of these or to go to PetSmart or PetCo and print a dog tag (right there at the kiosk) with your name & contact-in-case-of-emergency info and attach it to your shoelace.
8. A good lightweight hat. I, personally, can't run without a hat because a.) I have bed head when I run at 5:30 a.m. and b.) I can't stand anything hitting me in the face, be it sun, rain, snow or sleet. Women: they make hats just for us and they are worth every one of the $20 you'll likely spend on it. I recommend a dark hat to hide the sweat marks.
9. Yak Tracks. You need these if you live around Erie (especially if you live south of I-90) and are going to run outside in the winter. These babies will keep you upright and leave a cool Yak Trak print behind you.
10. A running friend, or two, or 275. You need someone else to talk to who shares your passion and can keep you inspired and answer questions you might have If that's me...great, you're welcome to join my circle of running friends -- feel free to e-mail me any questions you have & I'll find the answer for you. Another way to meet other runners to start going to local running events -- like the races, the ERC membership meetings (second Monday of the month at the Plymouth in the "front room") and Barb Filutze's summer training program (beginning on Mondays in June at Presque Isle).
One more essential need for women: You need a good sports bra. This is a topic I've covered a few times -- search my blog entries (using the search feature at right) to find old posts about buying the right sports bra.