Running Gear - Your questions answered!

Since posting about running in the upcoming NYC Marathon on November 6th 2022, I received many direct messages asking for recommendations on running shoes, running pants (cold runs), running shorts, running shirts, running packs, gel snacks, watches, mobile phone holders and headphones! As someone who is very new to the sport of running (still learning), I have experimented with many different sets of running gear.?Here is what I finally landed on - I have no connections/endorsements with these products and your final choices will be very personal as everyone discovers what they find comfortable, and stomach can handle. I put this quickly together and hope it helps with your questions. Good Luck! #nycmarathon

?Shoes = On Running Cloudstratus

?After trying many shoes ( Hoka, Nike, etc) I found "On Running Cloudstratus" shoes are very stable, not too mushy/soft and open up at the front for your toes and breathe well. The shoes are very well built and are designed around how your foot fluid/expansion will be in the middle/end of run vs other shoes that are designed around the first try on impression feeling light, soft and bounce/kickback. The Cloudstratus model has very good support and I replace them about ~750 km and have had no issues using them on the road/light trail runs or treadmill. It's true what they say about changing up shoes, if I try to extend them past ~750km, injuries show up. #onrunning

?Shorts = 2 in 1 fully lined from Nike Running Division - DriFit?

Below the below belt, I have experimented with mixing running brief X short and tight X short combos. I thought "2 in 1s" would not work until I found a pair from Nike Running Division. They work really well and provide good protection from rubbing. I however don't use the front pockets or zip pocket on the back for my phone, it changes the experience, and I can feel it pull on my shorts when I run, even with my light Iphone 12 Mini. For my phone, keys, etc I use a Nike running waist belt. #nikerunning For cold weather runs, I use running pants from Nike Running Division, they are a little expensive, but are worth the money and have extra tight ankle coverage that helps line up well with socks to avoid stones and cold air.

Tops/Socks = Castore Tops and New Balance socks

Castore makes great gear, especially tank tops for hot weather runs and I default to Nike DriFitADV running shirts for colder weather/long runs. The ADV is key, it really does a good job making the long run comfortable, no clustering. For socks, I replace them very frequently and have landed on New Balance ankle heights. They breathe really well on long runs. #nike #newbalance I always buy a size up to avoid friction with skin with my running tops.

?Backpacks/Gels = Nathan, no gel for me

?I got this recommendation from a friend who is a long time serious runner ( 125km + ); Nathan backpacks are built very well and everything is exactly where it should be. I live and run mostly in Victoria, BC, Canada, which has a great distribution of water fountains available along the seaside, other cities I have run don't offer water fountains and Nathan packs are really handy for water and storage of a light jacket/phone. However, I don't use running packs in marathons, prefer to grab water during the race and carry on. When it comes to gels, I prefer to stay away and stick with water along the journey. I have tried gels, this space is complicated, and it takes time to get the right gel and match it with your food intake on marathon morning/night before. I suggest trying different gels on your long runs to see how you fair. Nothing sat well with me. #victoriabc

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?Watch = Apple Watch, 40mm, Rubber strap

It works in the background and sorts everything out for you. Many watches/apps I found are over engineered with so many options, I prefer to keep it simple. Apple Fitness links with the watch very well and provides excellent high-quality content of classes for all levels, anywhere. ?#applewatch

?Headphones = Beats Fit Pro with wingtips

?I got this recommendation from a friend after my Apple Air Pods Pro finally burst from the bass from listening to Hip Hop while running. BeatsFitPro's are punchy on the bass, smooth sounding and very secure during running, I don't even notice them. They take a little twisting and turning to get them on properly, but once the wingtip is secure, they are great for running, short or long runs. #beats #apple

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?I hope this helps (sorry if I didn't answer you on Linked in messaging), please reach out if you want to cross feedback, always on the hunt for the latest and greatest in running gear. Thanks again for all your generous support and donations!!