Which accessories do you use when out running? Do you ever feel that you are weighed down with too many items?
When you’re heading out for a run,
what clothing and accessories do you opt for? It can be hard to strike the right balance. You want to be properly prepared, but you don’t want to be weighed down with needless clutter.
So how do you decide what’s right for you? It’s usually easiest to start by thinking about what you’ll be wearing. This will probably depend, to a certain extent, upon the weather and underfoot conditions.
Personally, I think that a pair of comfortable running shoes are absolutely vital. They don’t need to be wonderfully shiny or new. I don’t think they need to be manufactured by a massive brand. But they do need to be incredibly comfortable.
There’s nothing worse than trainers that are too tight, or start to rub. You don’t want to be suffering with pain during the run, or dealing with the consequences for days after the event. It never makes sense to wear a brand new pair of shoes either. In fact, this seems to be asking for trouble. Instead, always make sure that you’ve worn running shoes a few times around the house, or maybe on a few short walks.
What about the rest of your clothing? Shorts are ideal for summer and many runners choose them throughout the year. You may prefer jogging bottoms, but do make sure that they are a loose enough fit to enable you to move easily.
The same should be true of any T-shirt that you select. If the weather’s particularly cold, you may wish to opt for additional layers. Some people prefer running vests, which can certainly work well. These allow for considerable freedom for your arms, helping with your running action.
A suitable cap can protect your head in the warmest weather, but may also be used if there’s rain in the air. Some friends tell me that they simply can’t run with a cap on their head – they find it too uncomfortable. So the choice here is very much yours.
On sunny days, you’ll also need to consider sunglasses. If you need prescription glasses, then do make sure that you choose a pair of prescription running sunglasses. You’ll want to be able to see where you’re running!
Finally, I would suggest that running can sometimes be a little boring. We may all struggle for some motivation. I get around this problem by listening to music when I’m out running.
You might choose to use a small MP3 player for this purpose. If your smartphone is nice and light, then this could be ideal. In fact, some smartphone applications will even plot your route and tell you how many calories you’re burning.
The only note of caution that I would add is that smartphones, MP3 players and other gadgets may be dropped when running. So you might want to invest in a simple strap or holder to keep them secure.
You should not be all set for a great run!
