'Running' your errands

Most of the time when I run, the workout has a purpose: I run 400 meter repeats at the track to build up speed for a one-mile road race. I run hills to prepare for a hilly race. I run long distances to build up endurance for longer events like a half marathon or marathon.

I also sometimes run for a more practical purpose. I "run" errands. I live in a walk-friendly area of South Jersey, so it's easy to hit a few spots in a three mile loop: the bank to deposit a check, the vet to pick up my dog's medicine, the post office to empty my P.O. Box, or the CVS to pick up toothpaste.

I'm not the only one. Katie Baker of Philadelphia started running errands when she moved to the East Falls section of the city "and had the post office, library, etc., all within in close distance," she said. "I like to get things done quickly and I love any excuse to run. Running my errands, when I could, seemed like the best possible combination."

Emily Collier, who lives in West Philadelphia, tends to run errands when she's pressed for time "and trying to be efficient with my day. If I can check off the little annoying things I need to do and fit in a run, that's great." Like Baker, she also includes the post office and library on her running errand list.

Baker and Collier don't bring a bag to carry their stuff (though Collier says she'll try to hit the library first if she's returning a book). Jamie Gusrang of Haddon Township, N.J. either uses a drawstring backpack - like the ones a lot of races give you for free - or stashes things in her son's running stroller. She's been running her errands since high school.

"I hate having to get in the car, find parking, etc., and would much rather run where I need to go," she said.

Neil Gussman of Lancaster uses running to avoid getting a ride: he'll run to pick up his car or bike from repair shops, which is between two and two and a half miles.

Sean Agin of Collingswood, N.J. will end his run at a Wawa to "grab the musts for the day like milk, bread and a cup of coffee or a chocolate milk," he said. "Then the walk home is a nice cool down."

Do you run your errands? If you do, what kind? Let us know in the comments, or tweet us at @byJenAMiller and @phillyhealthsci. And if you have a recommendation of how to carry those items and run at the same time - comfortably - let us know what you use.

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