This will be the least important page of the whole training.
It will also be the most frequented page.
For some reason, runners, whether new to the game or veterans of the sport, think there is a magical pair of running shoes that will solve all of their problems. Ha! We runners are some crazy people.
Don’t Be Cheap
For years on end, I would spend as little as I could to run.
I’d wear shoes for 6 months (800+ miles). I’d “deal with” chafing from poorly made clothing. I’d run holes into my socks.
This all was very stupid.
I have learned to spend money on the things I use or do a lot of. This greatly applies to my running practice these days.
It’s better to have quality gear that can last through the hours running a marathon calls for. I will spend twice or three times as much on gear if it makes life a little better while running and improves my experience and times.
You don’t need to buy four pairs of running shorts. Buy two good pairs of shorts and wash them.
You don’t have to buy three pairs of running shoes right off the bat. Buy one and use them for 300 miles.
You need half the stuff you think you might need as a marathon trainer. Make the half you do need the best gear you can afford.
The Perfect Shoe
Do you know what shoe is the best shoe for running the fastest marathon?
The one you like.
“That’s the worst answer I’ve ever received David.”
Don’t lie. That was your response.
“There’s gotta be a perfect shoe.” But there isn’t. Trust me, I’ve spent thousands trying to find it.
I’ve ran in Vibram Five Fingers. I’ve ran in zero millimeter (mm) drop (basically flat) Inov-8’s. I’ve ran in as high as 20 mm drop shoes. I’ve ran in them all. The best running shoe has been the one that feels right at that time.
For me, I like to stay under a 12 mm drop shoe. The Inov-8’s are awesome, but my current Adidas Supernova Glide 6 Boost come in around 12 mm drop and they are fantastic.
All of that mumbo jumbo about the shoe I currently wear doesn’t matter. What matters is that you find a shoe that feels comfortable running for hours on end.
How to Pick the Right Shoe
“I can return these if I don’t like them after a month?!?!?!?”
That was my response when I learned of my running stores return policy. I’ve never been able to return USED gear before. Yet, that’s how my running store and many others get us to be loyal shoppers.
My running store, Road Runner Sports (non-affiliated), is phenomenal, but most running stores have many of the same policies.
Here’s how it works: 1) Buy a pair of running shoes 2) Take them home and test them 3) If you hate them, return them within some specified timeframe.
That simple.
Obviously, don’t take advantage of them and return shoes as soon as you know they aren’t right for you. If you have no idea what shoe to go with, test them out with no worry that you have to stick with that shoe.
Also, most running stores have treadmills inside to test them on. I suggest wearing running clothes when you go buy shoes to specifically test them on the treadmill or just outside.
I’m circling back to one of the most important points now: Go to a running store and NOT a department store.
Running stores have these associates called RUNNERS who know what the hell they are talking about. Department stores just hire any high school kid off the street to grab stock from the back and don’t have any idea what a drop is (drop = toe to heel lift in millimeters). Running stores have the pro’s and you pay for it with higher shoes prices, but I’m willing to pay for knowledge that I will be applying to hundred’s of hours of training. It’s worth the extra few bucks.
“David, what shoe do I get already?”
There’s no right or wrong answer to shoes. Below are just a few of my tips to selecting a running shoe that might work for you.
Running Shoe Selection Tips
- Buy a pair of shoes that will ONLY be used for running. Then ONLY use them for running.
- Too much drop (15+ mm) can throw off natural stride and too little drop (zero mm) can effect muscle wear and recovery.
- Don’t be afraid to spend $100+ for the shoe that you love. You will be spending hours in them. It’s worth the cost.
- Trust your feel.
Clothes
As with running shoes, good clothes come at a high price. It’s worth it.
I wear men’s Lululemon running shirts and Adidas running shorts. I buy $100+ running shoes (unless I find them on sale). I use running specific socks from Asics. In other words, I spend moolah on my running gear and I couldn’t be happier.
Whether you have been a runner or not, promise yourself you will sacrifice a few Starbucks stops, cut out a few extra beers at the bar, and maybe a couple dinners out so that you can take all of that money you saved and apply it to running clothes.
I’m a guy. I hate clothes. However, I love my running clothes.
I spend a pretty penny to make sure that I buy the quality shorts that don’t cause chafing 20 minutes into an hour and a half run. The same goes for my shirts.
If you have ever ran a race or charity walk before, you probably got a free “technical tee” which sounds fancy. Most of these participants t-shirts are shitty. They shrink. They are built for everyone, but runners. They always seems to have loose threads after one wash. They suck. I wear them on shorter training runs, but toss them as soon as I have a new one to replace it. I hate charity or race tech shirts and use them sparingly.
I don’t want you to become as passionate against your running clothes as I am against those participant technical tee’s. Go to a running store like Road Runner Sports and browse their racks that have running specific gear. Go to quality clothing stores like Lululemon, which have amazing running and fitness attire for men and women.
Shoes are the most important, but your running clothing can make the difference between enjoyable runs and uncomfortable training sessions.
Everything Else
If you’ve ever been to a race expo, you noticed the endless “necessary” running equipment out there. I’m like a kid in a candy store at expo’s for this reason. However, there’s a major difference between need and want. We are only going to focus on the need. Once you have those covered, have fun buying whatever wants you desire.
We have covered shoes and clothes. Now, let’s dive into the running gear most runners 1) don’t know about, 2) forget the most and/or 3) gave up on too early.
This is going to be read better as a list so let’s dive right in:
- Body Glide | There is only one thing more important than shoes and that’s Body Glide. I could run naked as long as I had shoes and Body Glide. This is anti-blister, anti-chafing balm. It’s applied similar to deodorant. Chafing can KILL a run and continue for the next few runs. It might look expensive, but worth every single penny.
- GU/Bar/Gel/Waffle | Not specific, I know. This is something you are going to have to test. I have tested 100 or so different “fuel’s” during training runs and races and it’s all about taste and texture. Eating/fueling while running is drastically different then while not running. For example, I can’t chew energy gummies while running, but many people love them. I love licorice after 15 miles during a marathon. This is going to be all about preference. Buy a bunch of different energy foods and test them out while running.
- Compression Socks/Arm Covers | I’ve enjoyed these in two ways. When it is really cold on race day, they are more comfortable and easily removable during the race. I also like wearing them post-race or long training run. This could be a complete placebo effect, but they seem to help recover. These are not necessary, but fall somewhere between want and need.
- Running Hat | This isn’t a must. I just highly suggest it. It keeps the sun and sweat out of your eyes. A hat can keep your hair from becoming a frustrating mess. It’s just one of those things that’s better to have than not.
- Philips Over-Ear Headphones | This is obviously assuming you are going to wear headphones while running. I can’t run without music so these are a necessary. Buy these ones. Don’t buy any other ones. These are cheap, but extremely high quality. DO NOT BUY BEATS FOR RUNNING!!! Just appease me and buy these headphones. You will thank me later. (Amazon Link – About $7 – non. aff.)
- Running Smartphone Armband | Do you know who the runners with bad form are? They are the one’s holding their massive smartphone trying to figure out what song they should play next. Don’t be this person. I turn on a Spotify playlist, turn RunKeeper on, set it and forget it. Holding a big phone in one hand and fidgeting with it will lead to bad form which leads to injuries. If you listen to music while running, buy one of these compatible with your smartphone.
That’s it. Actually, that’s not it. Those are the items I try to always have at the ready. Anything beyond these items, you might want for preference, but aren’t necessary.
Gear Recap
- Running stores are the place to go to get pro advice on what gear will work best for you.
- Spend more for the quality every time.
- Take care of the necessary before the wants.