My last post covered marathons and why I think it's worth trying one, even if you hate running. This piece explores a few pieces of equipment that will make running any distance a lot more fun.
When you consider all of the sporting activities that a human can do, the barriers to entry vary considerably. Some are dangerous - you can't try a heavy compound lift like a bench press or a deadlift without knowing some basic technique, or else you may injure yourself quite badly. Some sports, like golf, are prohibitively expensive to explore as a beginner. Others are simply inconvenient or require you to travel a long way. You can't tackle cross-country skiing unless you're fortunate enough to live in a country with a bit of snow. And there aren't many budding competitive sailors in landlocked countries.
Still, some activities, like running, are easy to just try. You need to get a pair of shoes then step outside your front door. When you look at the quality and availability of equipment used, the difference between a complete beginner and an Olympic gold medallist is pretty negligible compared to many other sports. You can buy Eliud Kipchoge's shoes online. And a pair of shorts is a pair of shorts.
There are a couple of small purchases that I would recommend to anyone who wants to get in better shape or begin training for a race. They won't require a devastating financial outlay but could be the difference between you enjoying every run or hating it.
Whether you ever even go on a run or not:
A Stretching/Mobility Routine (Free)
My mantra is: if you have time to run, you have time to stretch. It will dramatically reduce pain, increase flexibility, and decrease the likelihood of injury. It’s kinda nice being able to touch your toes, too.
When I got my bib for the Boston Marathon, I had to go from running 0km a week to immediately running 40km per week, then increasing that to about 75-80km in two months. Any physio will tell you that that is a recipe for injury, or at least some serious discomfort. But I was (sort of) careful - I didn't run through pain, and I always stretched before and after each run.
Most people don't stretch because it’s too time-consuming, so I try to keep it as efficient as possible. I only use two stretching routines, both of which take 7 minutes, from the great Yoga With Adriene (links: warm up and cool down). It's a miraculously calming little ritual, helps you regulate breathing before and after a run, and just generally makes your day better. Even if you don't like running, try out these videos the next time you want to open up your hips, hamstrings, calves and quads.
For Your First Run:
A Good Pair of Shoes (€100-150)
This is the screamingly obvious one, but it makes a difference. Like any footwear product, there are an awful lot of variables here - what's your running style? How much cushion do you like? Do you overpronate?
Keep it simple if you can. When I binned the clapped-out Asics that were giving me shin splints, I walked into Marathon Sports in Boston, where a shop assistant picked one pair off the wall and said they'd do the job - Hoka Mach 4s. I was in the shop for less than three minutes. I bought two pairs after that and when they were discontinued, I bought the Mach 6s, which I still use.
Weirdly, I had another pair of Hokas in the meantime - the Clifton 9s - that I wanted to incinerate with petrol in a ritualistic ceremony of destruction. They felt like a pair of mahogany clogs compared to the lighter Mach model. My advice? Try two or three pairs, jog on the spot a bit, and buy the ones that feel good. Don't be in the shop for more than 15 minutes, don't read fifteen Reddit threads about shoes, and don't overthink it. If they feel good, they feel good.
Decent running shoes seem expensive, but I promise that you will get wear out of them one way or another. I didn't like running in my Clifton 9s, but I find them perfectly fine for long walks, hikes, and days when I want to stroll around town for a few hours or walk to/from work. Chunkier shoes have become more fashionable, which is a bit of a godsend for those of us with collapsed arches or awkward gaits.
If You Have Gone on a Few Runs and Don't Hate It:
A Good Pair of Socks (€12-20)
When I started running, a few experienced runners told me that I needed a good pair of running socks and I groaned. I had just spent $150 on shoes that I wasn't even sure about yet, and I didn't want to spend any more time in running shops with men that smelled like granola and Deep Heat - weren't normal tube socks fine?
Against my will, I went and bought a single pair of Feetures, nearly collapsing when I went to the till and saw they cost $23. Surprise surprise, I was wrong again. My feet stopped slipping around and moving in my shoes, and a scatter of ugly blood blisters cleared up in a week. I have worn the Feetures on probably 400+ km of running since, and they still feel good as new. Get proper socks.
If You Feel Discomfort on a Run:
A Breathable Training Top (€5-15)
When I started, I used to run around in 100% cotton tees that were optimised to keep heat in, rather than letting my skin breathe. My torso would get hot and sticky, sweat would weld the shirt to my back, and overheating would cause me to get confused and even a little bit angry on any run. Cursing silently under your breath is a perfectly fine way to survive any form of exercise, but it doesn't have to be the norm.
I picked up a few training tops from Decathlon and haven't looked back since. They cost six euro and don't wrinkle, so you can scrunch them up and stuff them into your sock drawer if you're tight for storage space.
If you're always cold, pick up a breathable training top too, with long sleeves and a pocket for your keys. There are a ton of decent brands, but you can probably find one in a charity shop and give it a wash before using, if you want to save a few quid.
I also get my running shorts in Decathlon. They cost €21, feature a very handy zippable pocket for keys and headphones, and have a slutty little 5" inseam that make me feel like a bargain basement Paul Mescal. And he's famously a bit of a runner himself.
If You Get Bored While Running:
Wireless Headphones (€20-200)
The single purchase that changed my everyday life more than anything else was a pair of Airpods. They are embarrassingly important to me functioning normally from day-to-day, and they changed running from a 5/10 experience to an 8 or a 9/10.
When I started training for longer runs, out on the road for an hour or more, the headphones became crucially important. I finally started to listening to albums in full, without skipping to my favourites. It was really fulfilling - I would finish the run and feel like I had had two separate sensory experiences.
It's still worth going out without them when you've had a stressful day, to hear birdsong and people chatting and other nice things that remind you that you're not alone in this life, but generally I enjoy having some auditory company. Airpods are pretty pricey, but any wireless headphones will make a huge difference.
If You Get Sweaty:
Wireless headphone holders (€5-10)
Is there anything sexier than a man with sweaty ears? The jury is still out.
Anyways, I love wearing headphones on a run but often the earbuds will slip out when I start perspiring. Few things strike fear into my heart like the thought of a single Airpod slipping out at the crucial moment, and bouncing once - twice - on the pavement, before dropping through a storm drain to a permanent subterranean grave.
These little rubber things (that you can buy on Amazon) stop that from happening, by pressing the headphone against the inside of your ear. They give you a sense of security that will allow you to relax, untense your knot-filled shoulders, and actually enjoy what you're listening to.
BONUS for Runners with Pain:
A Podiatrist Appointment (€70-90)
A few weeks into my journey as a new runner, I started having bad knee pain when I was out for more than forty minutes. I booked in with Firefly, a podiatry clinic in Sligo, where I got advice on some stretches, rehab exercises and insight on my running style. It helped a lot. I also got a pair of insoles made, which brought me from hobbling through an 8km run to completing a pain-free marathon about 9 months later. They weren't cheap, but they indirectly brought a lot of joy into my life.
If you're having pain, it's probably something to do with your feet, and it is probably fixable. Check it out, see what you can claim back on insurance, and clear up the doubts that are holding you back.
Other little things:
- I got these sunglasses for runs on a brighter day. They cost €8 and stopped me from squinting through the sweat stinging my eyes.
- A phone pouch is as essential to me as my shoes - I like this one. I like having my phone with me to track runs on MapMyRun, but also in case I want to stop and buy a drink or something on my cool-down walk after.
I was really taken aback by the response to the last Shiprecs piece. It seemed to strike a chord, so I thought I'd share a couple of little purchases that make running more fun, something that you look forward to rather than dread.
If you haven't noticed, I like Decathlon stuff (It's like the IKEA of exercise, you can spend less than €100 and utterly transform how much you enjoy moving your body) but you can get the things discussed in this post anywhere.
I think you'll be able to get fully kitted out for under €200, and if you hate running, you'll still have a pair of shoes that will protect your feet and joints on long walks, and clothes you can wear to the gym. You have nothing to lose. Seriously.
Cool People Accidentally Saved America’s Feet
Millennials popularized bulky, super-cushioned shoes. Then Millennials got old.
by Amanda Mull in The Atlantic
I love this piece about the surge in popularity of chunky footwear: Hokas, Reeboks, New Balance, all the lads. It’s an interesting take on what happens when fashion meets comfort, which has probably been a broader trend of the last decade or more.
The Flying Maestro: A Top Conductor Moonlights as an Air France Pilot
Daniel Harding scaled the heights of classical music. Then he set out to conquer the skies.
by Javier C. Hernandez in The New York Times
“In flying, we have to identify all the threats and make sure we don’t go anywhere near them,” he said. “In music, it’s the opposite: We have to get as close as we can to catastrophe.”
This is your fun piece of the week. Enjoy it.
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Cheers - Joe