farfromfearless
The Road ID (You Know, Just In Case…)
Now we’re in a strange new town, my wife has wanted me to carry stuff with me ‘in case the worst happens’. This includes details of our current address and telephone number and a quarter in case I get stuck somewhere and have to arrange a ride home. I thought it would be nice to include a five-dollar bill, too, as you never know when the munchies will hit you.
Of course, all of this stuff needs to go somewhere, and the best I’ve been able to come up with is a teeny, tiny plastic baggie (like a square-inch or something) that all of this can fold into and then be tucked into the key pocket on my shorts.
I haven’t actually done this yet, because prior to this week I’d basically been running the mile loop around our house. But now I’m venturing further afield - and twice already I’ve had strange comments from the good ‘ole boys in their trucks (we’re meeting for drinks later this week) - it probably makes sense to keep some kind of identification and emergency resources on me. You know, in case the worst happens.
There was an advertisement for a product called Road ID in Trail Runner magazine and it looked interesting so I thought I’d give it a look. Road ID is essentially a soft bracelet that you wear on your wrist (or ankle, shoe, etc - different options are available) that contains your emergency contact details. It comes in two varieties - the basic model, which is just the band, and an ‘interactive’ version, which includes a personalised serial and pin number on the back which allows emergency personnel to quickly access your medical details through a secure website.
Here’s the blurb:
Meet your new training partner. The stylish little guy is extremely durable and comfortable-never mind the fact it very well might save your life someday. Wear it running, cycling or swimming. In fact, make a lifestyle statement and wear it all the time. The WRIST ID is the perfect piece of gear for every athlete. Like all our IDs, it can be laser engraved with your emergency contact information. It comes standard with two 3M reflective stripes to enhance your visibility when training in the dark. The WRIST ID is available in six colors and both Original and Interactive versions.
It costs $19.99, and can personalised in any way you like over the six lines of text (each carries 24 characters). It’s available in six different colours. I like the mustard yellow, myself.
Sure, the sales pitch is a bit guilt-trippy, but shit, as they say, happens.
I’m seriously considering buying one. It’s too late and not much use to me while I’m here in the States, but as I plan to increase my mileage when I get back home it could be extremely helpful there. Of course, ideally, nothing is ever going to happen and things are going to be fine and dandy, but for such a cheap price this seems like a good option to help take care of anything bad that might occur. The good thing about this is that it’s something that will be quickly seen by somebody else (certainly if you opt for a bright colour). I mean, nobody apart from our fellow runners knows about those little pockets in your shorts - and do you really want them digging around in there, anyway?
The Road ID is definitely worth a look if you find little baggies in your pocket as annoying as I do. 
What do you guys carry with you?
11 people have left comments
Spartan7 said:
My wife has asked me to do the same as yours has and carry some sort of ID or my cell phone. The last thing I am going to slam into my little pocket is a cell phone, no matter how compact the thing is!
I usually put my military ID in the pocket for long runs or trail runs. It’s plastic, so the sweat won’t hurt it, and the military police would be able to start dialing units while I’m being taken to a hospital. The process may be slower off post, but in the local city they would know to call the post and start the search there.
The only other thing I carry is a tiny d-ring with on key, and sometimes a small plastic wrap with a small sample from “the scrolls of wisdom”.
AndrewE said:
I have a road ID I bought earlier in the year. I got a firefly flashing light from them as well.
Have you bought yours yet? I had a discount code somewhere if you want it.
Rahn said:
A number of people in my group have RoadID’s, and everyone seems to like them. I’ve seen a combination of the bracelets and shoe tags.
Now, don’t laugh at me, but I thought the price was just a little high. So I went to the local Walmart that sells dog tags, and got one with my information on it. Yeah, there wasn’t quite as many lines, and it doesn’t have the reflective stuff, but it fits on my shoe laces and gives me piece of mind. And since I could have made it with a picture of some cute puppy on it, who wouldn’t want one.
Michelle said:
Hey Sheamus, i have to admit i carry no ID with me at all. Not good i know but where i run, up on the boardwalk there are A LOT of runners and there are runners that know me. I also run with 2-3 other people at any given time. But, there are times when i run alone and i have thought about carrying some sort of ID, The only thing i carry is my ipod!!! Sometimes my keys. Thats it!!!
Good idea though to get the wrist ID!!
Shéamus said:
@ Andrew - That discount code would be much appreciated if you can track it down. Thanks.
I think carrying some sort of ID is pretty important. I usually dismiss these things and it’s easy to assume you’re going to be fine but better safe than sorry, and all that. Be nice if somebody bought out a cheap one with a GPS chip built in. I don’t like the idea carrying my phone with me as it’s something else to carry.
Having said all that, down the line I’d like to get me one of those North Face Dogfish packs, which should allow me to carry pretty much anything I want. Plus it takes care of the water problem, too.
Ted said:
Hey dude.. I rarely use RoadID in my hometown. My hometown is only 2.7 square mile. The truth is that everyone in this little town knows me. Just like going into Cheers bar. Its a place where everbody knows your name. I only use RoadID when I am in a strange place.
Shéamus said:
As I would. But my hometown is pretty big and the only people who know your name are the police. 
Blaine Moore said:
I have a dog tag style road ID that I just wear everywhere. The advantage of getting it from the Road ID folks rather than a pet store is that it will last longer and won’t wear out; I tried the pet store variety and it basically wasn’t usable after about 6 or 7 months, whereas the ones that I’ve bought from Road ID still look fine and are readable years later, and the lack of a hassle to go out and get another one a couple times a year is worth the extra 10 bucks or so.
I’d recommend against the interactive version though. They are cheap enough to buy a new one when your info changes, and they aren’t going to have access to your info from within an ambulance.
Pete said:
Sounds like a good idea - I’ve thought of this when i’m moutain biking down a narrow trail - what if i ran into a tree, crashed and got hurt - and no-one knew who i was? I may have to think about getting one of these..
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