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Jennifer F.
Jennifer F. Sendmail

Running Gear You DON'T Need

posted almost 2 years ago | Report

Hi Runners,

I'm a runner and a writer of a running column and for my next story I'm asking runners what gear they find they DON'T need. There's so much stuff marketed to runners and some of it is incredibly helpful, but I'm wondering if you'd share what gear you think is totally unimportant and why. Thanks!

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24 posts

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  • Bo A.PRO
    Bo A. Sendmail

    Maybe because I live in the northwest US I find "Running Sunglasses" unnecessary. I good dark brimmed hat (I have a Nike ball cap) works quite well without the issues of getting sweat on the lenses.

    Gore-Tex running shoes - my problem isn't getting wet from the outside (like rain or water puddles, etc.). The problem is sweating. Gore-Tex might "breath" but it doesn't breath enough to prevent my shoes becoming a steam bath. Running shoes, in my book should breath as well as I have to when running. If you can't feel the cool air coming in on the up step then they don't breath well enough. (Running in my area in the October to April time frame is an experience in running in the rain. Out of 100's or runs in the rain this last season I got wet feet twice from rain. Once because it was simply pouring and the other from landing in a deeper puddle than I had planned for.) Whereas running in Gore-Tex shoes always give me swamp foot... even over fairly short distances.

    Compression Socks - while I appreciate a nice snug fit in the mid-shoe area for my shoes. And, while I appreciate socks not being baggy... I am not pleased with socks that want to smash my toes together it just makes them feel sticky (especially in Gore-Tex running shoes.)

    posted almost 2 years ago

  • Joanne S.
    Joanne S. Sendmail

    Last time I was in my local running shop I spotted "Body Glide for Women". I use Body Glide, but I'd been using the gender neutral variety, unaware that there was a version just for the ladies.

    Upon examination, I discovered that you got half the amount of product for nearly the same price and the only ingredient that was different was that the women's version had Red 40 (presumably to make it pink). Yeah, don't think I need that.

    posted almost 2 years ago

  • Jules C.
    Jules C. Sendmail

    - pretty much compression ANYTHING
    - the ubiquitous ipod/mp3
    - $50 tubs of "recovery" drink mix
    - misc. sensors & gadgets beyond a watch
    - oh and insoles

    posted almost 2 years ago

  • Tom W.
    Tom W. Sendmail

    I'll be a little bit controversial here and say the heart rate monitor. I am a big fan of the going easy when you're supposed to go easy, and going hard when you're supposed to go hard. I thing all the HR zone training stuff is too much detail for too little benefit. I don't need an HR monitor to tell me that I'm working hard.

    posted almost 2 years ago

  • Rob K.
    Rob K. Sendmail

    I run with the following:
    1. not expensive running shoes
    2. good running soscks
    3. Adidas soccer shorts (good price)
    4. lightweight shirt
    5. Nike visor
    6. Cheap sunglasses
    7. Ipod

    I don't have the need for any other accessories.

    posted almost 2 years ago

  • Jennifer F.
    Jennifer F. Sendmail

    Thank you all so much for these great responses. They're super helpful. Here is the link to the story! Thanks again!
    http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/03/03/running-gear-you-dont-need/

    posted almost 2 years ago | edited almost 2 years ago

  • Jennifer F.
    Jennifer F. Sendmail
    in reply to what Bo A. said:Maybe because I live in the northwest US I find "Running Sunglasses" unnecessary. I good dark brimmed hat (I have a Nike ball cap) works quite well without the issues of getting sweat on the lenses. Gore-Tex running shoes - my problem i... read more

    Thank you so much for your answer: http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/03/03/running-gear-you-dont-need/

    posted almost 2 years ago

  • Jennifer F.
    Jennifer F. Sendmail
    in reply to what Rob K. said:I run with the following: 1. not expensive running shoes 2. good running soscks 3. Adidas soccer shorts (good price) 4. lightweight shirt 5. Nike visor 6. Cheap sunglasses 7. Ipod I don't have the need for any other accessories.

    Hi Rob, Thank you so much for your answer: http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/03/03/running-gear-you-dont-need/

    posted almost 2 years ago | edited almost 2 years ago

  • Jennifer F.
    Jennifer F. Sendmail
    in reply to what Tom W. said:I'll be a little bit controversial here and say the heart rate monitor. I am a big fan of the going easy when you're supposed to go easy, and going hard when you're supposed to go hard. I thing all the HR zone training stuff is too much detail f... read more

    Hi Tom, Thank you so much for your response. http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/03/03/running-gear-you-dont-need/

    posted almost 2 years ago | edited almost 2 years ago

  • Andy A.
    Andy A. Sendmail

    Can I answer even though the article is already written? Of course I can!
    I don't need much, and what I do need I like to find on the cheap. I get my running shorts and shirts from thrift stores. I love the feeling of getting a pair of $40 shorts for a buck. I read an article somewhere that said something to the effect that the more expensive the shoes, the higher chance of injury. True or not, it appealed to my sense of cheapitude so I run in cheap, generally flattish shoes, usually a half size too big. I don't need fuel belts, when my bottle gets emptyish I just shove it in the waistband of my shorts.
    But socks are my downfall. I love good socks. A new pair of socks is like a fresh baked pie or a kitten sleeping in a sunbeam, a thing of true beauty.

    posted almost 2 years ago

  • Jennifer F.
    Jennifer F. Sendmail
    in reply to what Joanne S. said:Last time I was in my local running shop I spotted "Body Glide for Women". I use Body Glide, but I'd been using the gender neutral variety, unaware that there was a version just for the ladies. Upon examination, I discovered that you... read more

    Joanne, Your response was my absolute favorite! Thank you so much. http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/03/03/running-gear-you-dont-need/

    posted almost 2 years ago

  • Jennifer F.
    Jennifer F. Sendmail
    in reply to what Jules C. said:- pretty much compression ANYTHING - the ubiquitous ipod/mp3 - $50 tubs of "recovery" drink mix - misc. sensors & gadgets beyond a watch - oh and insoles

    Jules, I appreciate your response: Thank you so much. http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/03/03/running-gear-you-dont-need/

    posted almost 2 years ago

  • Matt B.
    Matt B. Sendmail

    In the summer, shorts and a teeshirt are it, with a watch that keeps time, so I can get back home at a reasonable time. Anything else is just extra. I can't think of any other activity that can be done so cheaply.

    posted almost 2 years ago

  • Suzy
    Suzy Sendmail
    in reply to what Bo A. said:Maybe because I live in the northwest US I find "Running Sunglasses" unnecessary. I good dark brimmed hat (I have a Nike ball cap) works quite well without the issues of getting sweat on the lenses. Gore-Tex running shoes - my problem i... read more

    Bob try the toe socks :) Injini makes really good ones. I love them!!

    posted almost 2 years ago

  • Suzy
    Suzy Sendmail
    in reply to what Andy A. said:Can I answer even though the article is already written? Of course I can! I don't need much, and what I do need I like to find on the cheap. I get my running shorts and shirts from thrift stores. I love the feeling of getting a pair of $40 shorts ... read more

    I *heart* new socks! 'Suzy, what do you want for Christmas?' Never fail answer, new socks!!! :)

    posted almost 2 years ago

  • Gehr 1.
    Gehr 1. Sendmail

    Ipods and cell phones are never needed on a run!!!!!!!!!!

    posted almost 2 years ago | edited almost 2 years ago

  • Stuart B.
    Stuart B. Sendmail

    I agree. I think the only benefit to a HR monitor is to use it when you DON"T want to work hard, like on a recovery run.

    posted almost 2 years ago

  • Laura A.
    Laura A. Sendmail
    in reply to what Joanne S. said:Last time I was in my local running shop I spotted "Body Glide for Women". I use Body Glide, but I'd been using the gender neutral variety, unaware that there was a version just for the ladies. Upon examination, I discovered that you... read more

    Ha! I'm glad someone checked on those details- I saw it but never even picked it up because I've been using regular BodyGlide and it works fine.

    posted almost 2 years ago

  • Craig L.
    Craig L. Sendmail

    See "In Reply to What Gehr1 said."

    posted almost 2 years ago | edited almost 2 years ago

  • Craig L.
    Craig L. Sendmail
    in reply to what Gehr 1. said:Ipods and cell phones are never needed on a run!!!!!!!!!!

    I don't run to music, but I ALWAYS carry a cellphone--especially since a friend collapsed and died on a club run several years ago. I realize the probability that this will ever happen again is low; however, you never know when someone will get injured or have an asthma attack or need attention in some other way. I'm not willing to take that chance. Also, I don't like the idea of saying that any "thing" is "never needed," no matter how many exclamation points are used.

    posted almost 2 years ago

  • Jimmy J.
    Jimmy J. Sendmail
    in reply to what Tom W. said:I'll be a little bit controversial here and say the heart rate monitor. I am a big fan of the going easy when you're supposed to go easy, and going hard when you're supposed to go hard. I thing all the HR zone training stuff is too much detail f... read more

    I actually got a heart-rate-moniter one time, but every time I start to use it, I usually take it off right before I walk out the door. I did all my training up to my 10th Marathon finish and never used one. Great Comment. Although I have one I know I don't really need it. God Bless...+ JJ. ( =

    posted almost 2 years ago

  • Jimmy J.
    Jimmy J. Sendmail
    in reply to what Jules C. said:- pretty much compression ANYTHING - the ubiquitous ipod/mp3 - $50 tubs of "recovery" drink mix - misc. sensors & gadgets beyond a watch - oh and insoles

    Great answer, Jules. I remember all the miles with nothing more than a pair of shoes, a cheap pair of shorts, and a cheap timex watch. Anything else would not have made me any faster, or happier with the local trophies I won, or the medals I recieved when running 26.2-miles. God Bless...+ JJ. ( =

    posted almost 2 years ago

  • Jimmy J.
    Jimmy J. Sendmail
    in reply to what Gehr 1. said:Ipods and cell phones are never needed on a run!!!!!!!!!!

    Very True. I think we need to leave everything but our hearts at home. Well, all the extra stuff we don't really need like Ipods or cell phones. God Bless...+ JJ. ( =

    posted almost 2 years ago

  • Lenny G.
    Lenny G. Sendmail
    in reply to what Jimmy J. said:Great answer, Jules. I remember all the miles with nothing more than a pair of shoes, a cheap pair of shorts, and a cheap timex watch. Anything else would not have made me any faster, or happier with the local trophies I won, or the medals I recie... read more

    Yup, that's pretty much what I take with me - cheap shorts and my decade old Timex. I don't need any compression garments, though I need moisture wicking fabrics for my shirt and socks (or bad things happen). :/ I can do without cotton fabrics. Most days I do without sunglasses and can sometimes do without my iPod.

    posted almost 2 years ago

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