Gear: Running

With the Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon quickly approaching (it’s only five days away!), I thought I would share some of my go-to running gear.

How I Track My Runs

Nike+ Running App for Android & iPhone
This neat app provides added features over the Nike+ shoe sensor I used to use with my iPod Nano. With the new GPS capability, it does a much more accurate job of tracking my distance than before, and it even lets you track which pair of sneakers you wore on each run so you can manage the mileage on them and know when it’s time for a new pair! Best of all, when you start a new run, you can post an announcement to a linked Facebook account, and your friends’ comments and likes will be translated into cheers for your ears!

I also like to track my fitness success, so I wear a heart rate monitor, specifically a Polar FT40. This heart rate monitor uses a chest strap and watch, and by inputting your height and weight and performing a fitness test where it takes your resting heart rate and other stats to calculate your max heart rate range, it will let you know at any time during a workout whether you are in the Fat Burn or Fitness mode. After your workout it will tell you how many calories you burned, what percent were from fat, and how long you spent in each zone. And, it stores the last 50 workouts so you can monitor your progress.

Pre- and Post-Run Must Haves

• Chafing Relief Powder-Gel® Skin Protectant
  When running you might find your gear rubs you the wrong way. This powder-gel, made by Monistat (don’t be turned off by the name!) is like a dream come true. I used to use Body Glide, which also prevents chafing, but which is also more “tacky” and I worried about what it might be doing to my nice workout clothes. It was also hit or miss on how well it worked. NOW, I swear by this powder-gel. It goes on smooth, is powdery instead of tacky, doesn’t really smell like anything, and works very well. Rub it on anywhere you have skin-to-skin or gear chafing and thank me later!
• The Stick
  There’s nothing better than a fast recovery from an intense workout. The Stick is literally a stick with large roud bead-like things around it that you roll up and down your sore muscles to increase circulation to muscle groups, to eliminate waste and reduce soreness. It also helps to warm up your muscles before a workout to prevent the lactic acid that builds up in your muscles. After running several miles it’s like a nice, quick muscle massage!
• Foam Roller
  The foam roller works similarly to the stick, but its size allows you to roll around ON it instead of rolling it around on your muscles. It is GREAT for working on tight illiotibial bands, which contribute to knee/”IT Band” pain when running. I lay on it perpendicular to the roller on my side, and lean my body into the roller, rolling myself down from the hip flexor to just below the knee, and then back again. This is done slowly and the position of your other leg can help determine the amount of pressure on the muscle. I do this before every run now and I have not needed to wear my IT compression wraps since I’ve started doing this. I also roll out again when I get back from a run.
• Foot Rubz Massage Ball
  The longer your run, the harder your feet are working. Even with good insoles you might find your feet are pretty sore after a good run. Place these little nubby massagers on the floor under your foot and roll it around, controlling the pressure to get the best foot massage you can give yourself!
• See also: hot shower, luxurious massage, nap!

Gear

As far as the gear I wear goes, I think I have already sufficiently covered my sports bra preferences in Gear: Sports Bras, so just as a reminder, I prefer the Moving Comfort Juno when I am running for the awesome support.

For pants, I dropped a good chunk of change last year on an awesome pair of compression running pants from Lululemon. They don’t appear to carry my exact pair anymore, but this pair comes sufficiently close: Runder Under Pants. They are silky and comfortable. The fit snugly and don’t ride up (or down) during the run. Plus, they have a tiny zippered bonus pocket on the back, great for stashing stuff like energy chews in.

On my feet you will find a pair of running socks featuring arch support (like these) and a comfy pair of Asics Gel-Cumulus. When I do “competitive” and “fun” runs, I also wear a Bee Cause shoe charm, which were invented to be ” a special way to commemorate runs, To note an achievement, To honor those who fight bigger battles, To run for those who can’t, To take our loved ones with us, To feel pretty as we crossed the finish line, To raise money for worthy causes”. I wear this charm for my Grandma Bea, who passed away a few years ago after a long fight with breast cancer and Alzheimer’s. I like to think she is with me every step of the run cheering me on.

Other Important Stuff

• Sunglasses or a visor
• Sunscreen (face & body) and an SPF lip balm
• Slide-Proof hair tie & Non-Slip Hairband
• MUSIC!

My “Power Song”

A New Yorker for life, no matter where I live, this song always does the trick to get me motivated. I want to run to it back in NY some day.

Empire State of Mind by Jay-Z & Alicia Keys

Did I miss anything? Put your questions in the comments!