Here Are 5 Items That Will Guarantee a Comfortable and Safe Run
Congratulations! You have successfully registered for a running event. Well, the easy part is done. Now to the hard part—running.
But not so fast. To have an easy time on the road, you need to wear the right gear.
If this is the first time you are doing it, you must wonder what should I wear when running, right? Well, there are plenty of things you can wear.
Many people have the notion that you need expensive running gear, but this isn’t the case. All you need is simple but effective gear. Some of the items you need include:
Running shoes
This is an obvious one, right? You can’t comfortably and safely run without shoes, can you?
You need a good pair of running shoes with the right fit and made from good quality materials.
Is this your first time buying a running shoe? You need to consider plenty of factors to buy the pair of comfortable shoes. These factors include:
Weight: You don’t want shoes that feel clunky when running, so you should ensure that you go for light shoes.
Cushioning: You will be on your feet for a long time, so you need heavily cushioned shoes, so you are as comfortable as possible. Cushioned shoes tend to feel heavy, so take your time and ensure that the material used in cushioning is lightweight.
Tread: The tread you choose will be influenced by the surface you will be running. Will you be running on the road, track, or trail? You need to consider this. If running on a trail, you will need your running shoes to have deeper and thicker treads than running on a track or road.
Reflective surface: Besides running during the event, you will still be running during your regular running hours, right? If you will be running in the evening or early in the morning, go for shoes that have a reflective material that makes you more visible, so drivers and cyclists don’t run you over.
Top tip: Don’t buy a running shoe simply because you like the brand, color, style, or price. Buy the shoe because you love it, and it gives you comfort and helps you run safely.
Running clothes
You need to wear running clothes you are comfortable in. The last thing you want is to cause inner thigh chafing or nipple chafing. Some of the running clothes you should have with you include:
Running socks: Your feet will thank you for wearing good quality running socks. You should buy good-quality, seamless socks designed to wick away moisture and sweat from the foot. This comes in handy in reducing friction and preventing blisters.
When you are in the store, look for shoes with more padding at the soles to provide you with more cushioning.
You should note that some socks are designed to be left and right-specific, so take your time and wear your socks on the correct foot.
Running shorts: Choose running shorts that are comfortable, lightweight, and easily wick away sweat when you run.
Most running shorts come with pant liners, so you often don’t need to wear anything. If you choose the wrong size, the inners can be a little restrictive and even sometimes chafe your skin, so always try them on before making the purchase.
Most running shorts come with an elastic waistband. While this is often sufficient, for the best outcome, buy those with a drawstring as well. They will cost a little higher, but it will be worth it as you will be able to tie the shorts to your specification.
Ensure that your shorts aren’t too tight that they cut off circulation around the waist. At the same time, they shouldn’t be so loose that they flap around when you are running.
Running tights: If you will be running in cold weather, you will need to wear running tights to keep your legs warm, reducing the chances of injuries.
The tights you choose should properly hug your legs, stopping the rain and wind from penetrating inside. This way, you reduce injuries from cold muscles, ensuring that you enjoy your running even when the weather is awful.
Like shorts, try the tights on before buying them to ensure that they are snug, fitting, and comfortable.
Other running gear that you need
Water
If you will be running for more than 30 minutes, it’s vital that you drink water to stay hydrated. Most running event organizers provide water along the running routes, but come with your water if this is not the case with your event.
If you will be on the road for more than an hour, consider taking sports drinks as they will hydrate you and provide you with essential electrolytes that you won’t find in the water.
Buy high-quality sports drinks from reputable stores such as Tailwind Nutrition for the best outcome.
Sports watch
You need a sports watch to time your runs, stay on pace during the race, and track your route using GPS. If you don’t have money for a fully stacked sports watch, go for a simple one with start and stop buttons. It will serve the purpose.
Sun protection
You will be outside for long hours, so it’s wise to protect your skin from sun exposure. To be on the safe side, wear waterproof sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. The sunscreen should also provide broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays.
Besides applying sunscreen, wear a hat or visor that gives your face with extra protection. Also, wear a good pair of UV-blocking running sunglasses that will protect your eyes from the sun’s damaging rays.
Parting shot
You need to wear the right gear to get the most from your runs. As a rule of thumb, never wear 100% cotton as it tends to stay wet when it gets wet, which becomes exceptionally uncomfortable when running in warmer weather.
The wet cotton is also dangerous in cold weather as you can easily catch a cold.
Cotton tops and shorts also increase your chances of chafing. While running is a competitive sport, don’t strive to compete—focus on completing the race