What’s in my race bag? CBC host Scott Russell

After putting in the physical preparation for race day, runners want to be confident they are ready with everything they need for the actual date. It’s easy to leave out a race day essential. That’s why this season, we’re asking Canadian runners to show us what’s in their race bags. Objects that are absolute must-haves differ from runner to runner and by peeking into other runners’ bags, you can start to plan for what should go into yours.

This week, we’re featuring Scott Russell. Russell is a seasoned sports journalist and host of CBC Sports Weekend. He is also quite the runner having raced the Boston Marathon in 2005. To date, he’s done three marathons, the Around the Bay 30K as well as 15 half-marathons. Here’s what he keeps in his race bag:

1. Outfit: I run in black – black shoes, black shorts, black socks, black shirt.
2. CBC shirt: I always wear something with the CBC symbol on it as I’m very proud of working with the public broadcaster. I have for 30 years.
3. Race bag: My race bag is a knapsack. You guessed it: it’s black.
4. Flip-flops: I bring flip-flops for after the race. My feet kill me and the sandals provide relief. They are black.
5. Watch:  I have always worn a Timex Ironman running watch. It’s the only one I know how to work. I am technically challenged. It is black.
6. Visor: I wear a visor not a cap because I have too much hair.
7. Bottle: Of course, I bring along a water bottle for hydrating after. Mine has the CBC logo on it, in black.
8. Boston medal: In my race bag I have my Boston Marathon medal. I ran it in 2005, the highlight of my plodding running career. It’s a major motivational symbol for me.
9. Pan Am Games wrist band: I wear the wrist band of TO2015 the Pan Am/Parapan Am Games. It’s orange. We at CBC are broadcasting the games as well as Orange is the New Black.
10. Hip Pouch: It’s black. In it is $20, just in case. I also carry with me pictures of my wife and two kids for good luck. This is also where I store my race bib which I dare not forget.
11. Breakfast: I eat a Fig Newton bar for breakfast before every race.
12. Book: In the bag I put the book Why We Run by Robin Harvie. I read a passage on race day to remind myself what I am doing here in the first place. I tend to get a bit philosophical about running.