Those who have traveled with me know that efficient packing is not my thing.  With all of the travel I’ve done, you’d think my skills would have improved  over time.  Wrong.  I was the guy who traveled around Europe pulling a bag behind me while all my buddies had sweet travel packs.  The whole process of trying to figure out how to pack for an 11 day running trip forced me to become an efficient packer.  What makes it difficult is that I need casual clothes and many running clothes.  Two outfits a day.

So here’s what I have:

• Running Shoes
• Casual Shoes
• 5 pairs of socks
• 2 pairs of  tights (of the running sorts for clarification)
• 2 pairs of running pants
• 4 long sleeve running shirts
• 2 stocking hats
• Running mask
• 5 pairs of skibs
• 1 pair of jeans
• 4 running shells – half zip jackets
• One belt
• Two pairs of running gloves
• 8 GU energy gels
• 8 sets of band aids (my nipples will get little air this week)
• Toothbrush/Toothpaste
• Razor/Shaving cream
• 2 ice wraps
• Deo
• Vaseline/Gold Bond powder (I’m stealing LeBron james powder move this week)
• Airborne
• Gum
• 2 t-shirts
• 2 thermal shirts
• 2 hoodies
• 1 button down shirt
• Phone/Charger
• Book
• Computer/Charger

My buddy Lex was highly disappointed that he didn’t make the packing list, so I gave him the opportunity to be in the picture.  Plus, he has an ego and needs to be in front of the camera at least once a day, so this was his chance.

An hour later, I was full to the brim.  The only issue I’m going to have is the monstrosity of a laptop that I own.  I’m going to have to carry it separately in a drawstring backpack.  I know it’s going to infuriate me.  By the way, the bag, $50 on Amazon.  Let’s just hope it can make it to Baltimore.  I can wing it for a day.

As a caring husband to a pregnant wife who was asleep, I decided to take my inaugural bathroom mirror picture of myself.  Notice, younger friends, I have a shirt on (multiple actually), I’m not flexing, and I’m not trying to make love to the mirror (actually I look pretty confused.)  They say 30 is the new 20, so this just may be my decade for bathroom pictures of myself.  Man, I didn’t even know where to look.  So confused.

All for now.