Where’s your ID?? Get your Sidekick!

Disclaimer: I received an RoadID Sidkick ID to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check outBibRave.com to review, find, and write race reviews!

RoadID. I’ve actually used them on and off for quite some time, going back to my days in Philadelphia. I started off with a shoe ID, though since I switch shoes around so much, it wasn’t working so great. When I got my Apple Watch, I got one for my watch since it was something I was always wearing. When the Sidekick came out, I was excited, because I have an option for my Garmin.

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Because you can never have too many @roadid! I wear one on my Apple Watch, now some for my Garmin 🙌🏻 follow the link to get 20% off yours (https://road.id/Bibrave) #roadIDBR #bibchat #runchat #roadid #bibravepro

A post shared by Christine (@cgrunstheworld) on Jul 17, 2019 at 1:43pm PDT

I’m a fan of RoadID because my runs tend to be solo. I’m also the one who always runs with pants/shorts that have pockets for ID/credit card back up and to keep some extra cash on me. Not going to lie, it’s always in the back of my head if something happens to me, people might not know unless I don’t show up for work, to the gym, for a meeting, etc. My mom is also one who appreciates it I’m sure.

The Road ID sidekick is easy to use and slides over any wrist ban pretty easily. It doesn’t slide around and really adds no weight to your watch/wrist band (so extra weight is really no excuse to not get one for yourself). The bonus of RoadID is you can customize the ID portion with names, address, contacts, etc. I also encourage people to get the online emergency response profile to go with it. Why? if you can’t speak for yourself, it gives EMS/Healthcare professionals a way to figure you out. As a side note to this, In my daily professional life as a physician, I actually look for RoadID or any sort of medical information badge on patients when I’m at work. I actually get excited when people ask about my RoadID because it gives me a chance to make sure people know to look for it because it can provide good info for us especially in healthcare. I’ve already convinced a pharmacist at work to get one for him and his entire family!

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True story. I have a @roadid for every watch I own because I have either my Apple Watch or my @garmin on all the time, where my pair of running shoes isn’t the same from day to day. Get a @roadid that works for you! As someone in #healthcare, I always look for one on people if I stop to help them or if they’re coming through the Hospital. I encourage any #firstresponders, people in the #er and anyone else to look for @roadid on unidentified patients as well, they may have something on them (watch, shoes, bracelets, etc!). #roadID #roadIDBR #bibchat #runchat

A post shared by Christine (@cgrunstheworld) on Jul 31, 2019 at 8:45am PDT

Getting your RoadID is quick and easy. Very easy to order online, but make sure to triple check your information/name plate correct (I’ve ordered ones where my mom is my emergency contact though it’s my cell phone listed…insert eye roll here). You know where your road ID is every step of the way and you even get a personal note from your packers at RoadID headquarters!

Convinced? Search the RoadID website, then go get your own Sidekick for 20% off over here!

Runners, Finish Safe

Today, I saw my mom post something that had the word FREE in it.  I’m in school so FREE is always a good word to hear.  FinishSafe, a website that allows people to register on their website and put their medical information together.  In return you (normally) can purchase tags that attach to your shoe, luggage, race bib (if you’re a runner, triathlete, etc), key ring and even a larger one for your wallet.  You’re given a pin number so should you pass out, get injured, go unconscious, etc and medical personale are trying to figure out what to do for you, they can call the FinishSafe number, put in your pin number and find any sort of health info unique to you.  FREE TAGS, you hear me?!?

This is very similar to RoadID Interactive, only (until the end of April), you don’t have to pay to get the tags.  Also, you don’t have to worry about paying a yearly fee like you do for RoadID Interactive (I know since I have an account).  What’s better?  There’s an APP for that if you’re an EMT.

So hurry up and go take advantage of this.  It’s free and it’s for your own good.  You don’t want to be collapsing during the Chicago Marathon (like people did last year when I ran it) or cramping up and dehydrating during the Cherry Blossom Run and not be able to communicate with the medics about your medical history…you won’t regret it!

What Happens When No One Is As Crazy As You?

Running Broad Street, a Philadelphia 10 Miler with me, myself and I

And no, I don’t mean your mental health.  I mean more of those who think it’s an awesome idea to do 13.1 miles, 26.2 miles (like Ryan Hall, Deena Kastor and all the Kenyans and Ethiopians) and then some.  But what happens when you’re the only one of your friends/family who are doing this?  I always think about that.  I’ve had roommates who’ve said that they do longer distances or vow to run in order to keep their sanity during the academic year and then it falls by the wayside and it’s still, only me, running for long periods of time and figuring out when I’m doing my long runs.  And yes, people sometimes worry about me when I do have to run long distances on my own, thus my reason for signing up for whatever race over 5 miles while training for a marathon.  At least my parents are in peace of mine that there’s help and volunteers around should something happen to me.  But what else do you do?

The Road ID

I actually have 2, one that goes around my ankle and one that attaches to my shoe laces (since I never know which pair of shoes I’ll be wearing).  You can put your name, contact info, critical health/allergy info on it.  You also have the option of adding an interactive option where, heaven forbid you end up on the way to the hospital so dehydrated or hurt, you can add any extended medical info that can be accessed by medical personal by a pin # and a 800# should you be out of it completely.  Good thing to have and my parents appreciate it.  Best of all, you can usually find a coupon code for it when you search the internet that can be used on the RoadID website

 

The Race Bib

There’s good reason the back of the Race Bibs for insane runners (anything longer then like 5 miles) have info for you to fill out.  If you’re running a race without a posse, not a bad idea.  At least know about how long it takes you to run certain distances, tell your family them and call your parents when you’re done so  they can stop worrying and congratulate you on finishing your race

Hydration

Running a race and being under hydrated isn’t the best idea in the world so Gatorade/powerade and water will be your best friend in order to not pass out while your running (by yourself or not).  Take it from someone who finished the 2010 Chicago when it was 93*, I appreciated not feeling crampy, headach-y and not having double vision or that I didn’t have to stop for an IV on the course like so many runners did (I could just about walk but that’s what 26.2 miles will do to you

Where to Run

Running on your own can be tricky.  Recently on a surgery rotation, I was at the hospital everyday at 5 AM, meaning I was up at 4:30 and didn’t get done until 6 or 7.  This was an away rotation, so I didn’t know the area at all and ended up doing all my runs at the gym since there weren’t any safer places to run to begin with.  Know the areas you’re running in and run when there are people around, so if there is trouble, you’ll have a shot of people helping you.  Should you run at night, wear bright clothes or use some sort of light that attaches to your arm.  More than anything, be aware of any sort of creepers around or if there’s been recent suspicious activity where your running.  A gym membership can be your best friend.  That or search for a running group near you :-).