Sunglasses, headphones, comfortable shoes, shorts – YOU’RE READY TO RUN!
Whether you are preparing for a half marathon or run recreationally, you need to feel relaxed during physical activity, and the choice of suitable gear in which you will spend your time running can contribute a lot to that feeling.
Certainly one of the most important pieces of gear is shoes, on which comfort will depend the most. You know that constant friction between the foot and the shoe often causes blisters, which are not only painful but can make physical activity harder for you. Interestingly, most people who have no running experience believe that the most expensive shoes of well-known brands offer the best comfort and quality, but is that really so? The most important thing is that the shoes don’t squeeze you too much, but they shouldn’t be loose either, and when it comes to the model that will suit you best, that depends on the width of your foot. You should also know that there is no shoe model that suits everyone perfectly; however, once you find the right one, the next thing to pay attention to is their maintenance. When choosing a shoe model it is also very important that they are not too deep, because the ankle must be free, but not too shallow either, because you will get blisters. The sole should be flexible and light, thinner at the toes and thicker at the heel. If you still have trouble choosing shoes, we advise you to consult more experienced runners, but rest assured that when you put the shoes on, you will know you have chosen the ones that are best for you.
The second, no less important part is running clothes, and the good news is that clothing does not have to be expensive or anything special. Since the 7th Subotica Half Marathon is held on 25 August, you will need shorts and a T-shirt. But if it is colder outside, you should avoid wearing thick sweatshirts, because you will warm up quickly, and cotton clothing soaks up all the sweat or raindrops, which will hamper your movement. It is best for clothing to be made of artificial materials or synthetics that do not let wind or rain through, and instead of sweatshirts wear a hooded windbreaker. If you run in winter, let a hat and gloves be indispensable, and when we talk about socks, they shouldn’t be cotton either.
A sports watch is also part of the gear, but it is not compulsory. It can help you if you want to measure time, speed and even your pulse while running. If you wear a watch while running, you will notice every change, improvement or drop in fitness more easily, and looking at the watch and measuring the average lap time will help you keep the same pace while running, which is very important when you run longer distances. You don’t have to buy the latest and most expensive model; you can find perfectly decent sports watches at very affordable prices.
You know that runners spend a lot of time outdoors, exposed to the sun, so they need to protect themselves from radiation. It is recommended to use sunscreen with a high protection factor that is waterproof and protects against UVA and UVB rays. To protect your eyes, you can put a cap on your head or sports sunglasses with UV protection.
It is best when you have company for running, but if you cannot find anyone who would like to join you, or you prefer to exercise alone, an iPod with good music can help you break the monotony, but be careful when using an iPod or MP3 player, especially if you run on city streets or somewhere with traffic.