What Running Equipment (10 easy points)?

Question

I've just start running been at it the last two weeks and hope to do a marathon in Octuber.

What running equipment if any, would you suggested to help me improve my running time.

I'v been told a heart monitor is very helpful, which would should I get?

And whats your thoughts on Nike+?

Answer 1

just run run and run

Answer 2

Of course good shoes is important and to be comfortable running clothes.  Heart rate monitor is helpful but not necessary (NIke + is pretty good, Polar or Garmin is really good).  If you want to improve your running, sign up for a marathon training class at your local running store, if you don't have one, sign up online.  They are very helpful and have loads of information and support.  I trained with a local running club and was fanastic!

Good luck in October.

Answer 3

We ran for years before they invented heart monitors so I don't think that is necessary.

If you have a program and work out on schedule you should be fine.

The most important thing is good shoes. You should own several and rotate them, don't wear the same pair everyday until they are worn out and then buy a new pair of shoes.

Answer 4

nike is an excellent shoe.  but so are many others, i'd get shoes that have a lot of cushion especially since your gonna be runing a marathon.  i'd also buy light comfortable clothes and a watch.  nothing is better than a watch to see your pace and a pair of good sneaks.  but make sure you run in the sneaks a couple of time before that long run so your feet can get used to it and not have any problems.

Answer 5

Running a marathon is a great goal; if your base is sufficient you should be able to train for a fall marathon.  At this point you should be running 25 – 30Km per week and be able to run 10Km comfortably.  A typical schedule is approx. 16 - 18 weeks in duration so you have time to bring your base up.  If you never have run a marathon before I might suggest trying a ½ first as it is less intensive in terms of training.  

In terms of equipment, number one before anything else is running shoes.  Get them properly fitted at a running store.  Its important not only to have comfortable shoes but also to fit your gait.  Ten Percent of folks need either a stability or motion control shoe.  Look to spend anywhere between 90 and 150$ for a good shoe.  You will more then likely use 2 – 3 pairs of shoes during training.

There are plenty of toy’s and gadgets out t here for you to use, Garmin Forerunner’s, Nike + chips to use with your ipod, heart rate monitor.  Basically you only need a watch that can do intervals.  Depending on the program you will want a watch that can do run/walk intervals.  You can spend 50$ for a simple timex type watch or 400 – 500 dollars on a GPS with Heart Rate Monitor.

For clothes, I recommend technical gear, some shorts and shirts.  Look around for some deals, but expect to pay a bit more then a normal cotton t-shirt and shorts.  They are well worth it for the wicking ability of the fabric.  My favorite place to buy online is www.runningexpo.com they offer a good selection and are nicely priced even with shipping I find myself saving money.

Good luck

Harry

Answer 6

You dont need several pair of running shoes to be a fast runner. One pair is sufficient. You dont need much of anything except practice. Maybe a good watch but as long as you push yourself a little on your runs youll get faster as your cardio develops.Get a mArathon training schedule and follow it as close as possible. Marathon training should bea bout 2 minutes per mile slower than  goal pace for your marathon. Dont clutter up your running with a bunch of technical baggage. I have an ipod that rarely gets used but some people like them. heart rate monitors are not for me... Who wants to look at a monitor constantly while running.Its really immaterial what your rate is from one second to the next. Its more important that you maintain a comfortable pace that develops your ability to run safely through your entire training. Then on race day aim for that goal pace. By then youll know how hard to push.My friends told me before my first mararthon to go easy till mile 21 Then to hold back til mile23 Then if I felt ok hold back til mile25 Then wait about a mile and really push hard the rest of the race.