The Right Gear Could Mean the Difference between a PR or Just a Finish.

As a new runner I thought I would need minimal amount of equipment and gear, running is an inexpensive sport, shoes and sweats then hit the pavement. Again during my running career, which it has been a short time, I was wrong. When I was beginning to walk, shoes and sweats are an ok combination. As a walker I was not really worried about distance, time and pace. But as I entered the running world things changed. As my body got attuned to the road and to running it began to change in gate, stance and how my arms moved as I ran. I started to notice that my clothes were becoming a hindrance, in an early article I talk about the right shoes, now I want to talk about wearing the correct clothing and gear. These slight changes in your wardrobe will allow you to increase your speed and distance, helping your endurance.

How is this possible? You might ask, well, I didn’t ask this question, I just kind of stumbled into the right gear and clothing. Through the beginning of my running “career” I bought and wore what I thought would keep me warm and would last a while for running. Then as I learned about the right shoes see article here I wondered about all the clothing and gear in the running store and would that make a big difference. So I bought some running tights because my sweats (actually I had bought wind breaker pants to help keep me dry in rain but would hold up for running) were heavy and bulky when I ran, so I wanted to see if the tights would help me run better. I was a bit concerned about the tights I wasn’t sure they would keep me warm, considering I bought them in October going into the winter months. I was so wrong; they not only kept me warm, they also cut my time down, I got faster I was amazed and astonished. So by increasing my speed (not by a lot mind you, but a lot for me, a fat girl losing weight and wanting to be at a specific time for Disney) I also needed to have water on my runs, I was also increasing my distance too, so I needed a water belt. My sister-in-law and brother-in-law got me a Nathan 4 holder water belt for Christmas; the feel of it and the way it sits on my hips is great, some times I forget it’s there. The pocket in front allows me to have my essentials on the run: Chapstick, Hand Sanitizer (you never know), some cash for emergencies, ID and Phone. The water bottles hold 10 oz. of fluids per bottle and all four full still do not weigh me down. I am looking at moving to a camel back for marathon training, but for now the belt gets the job done.

 

My shirts have changed too, again my sister-in-law and brother-in-law gave me a dry weave long sleeve running shirt, and it did wonders. Before I was wearing a sweat shirt and they were heavy and too hot. Now with a long sleeve dry weave, a short sleeve dry weave over that, and a light wind breaker running jacket with my tights and dry weave shorts on top of that, even in the coldest of weather (19 degrees was the lowest I ran in) I was warm with gloves, hat and ear muffs. I have run in rain and cold, staying dry and comfortable the entire run.

My toes were another matter. At Disney I felt like I was running on blocks of ice because I had the wrong socks, after that run when I got home I bought thermal running socks by Mizuno, for the rest of the cold season they kept my toes and feet snug and warm. Now in the warmer months I have several pairs of Balega Endure Unisex Socks and they are divine. They are comfortable they breathe and my feet don’t get hot.

As the weather is getting warmer, I have moved to running Capris, I like the feel of the tights on my skin, while shorts are too loose the Capris are perfect. I will stay with the dry weave short sleeve shirt and if raining a running jacket.

Also I wear a hat to keep the sweat out of my eyes, to hold up my head lamp (when dark) and to shield my eyes when running during daylight. I also wear running sunglasses to shield my eyes from the harmful rays of the sun when running during daylight. 

The best gear you can purchase and should not scrimp on is reflective attire so you can be seen. I have a reflective vest I wear all the time. I have a hat with a headlamp I attach to it so I can see and cars can see me. I have a reflective dry weave shirt that is neon yellow for the daytime. This is one area you should not scrimp on with investment; your life is too valuable.

If you are serious about running, get out and run. It doesn’t have to be a major investment, but if you want to compete (mostly you will be competing against yourself and time) you may want to invest some money in the correct gear; to be comfortable and to beat that last Personal Record and not just to finish.