Midlife Athlete: Basic Running Gear

Editor’s Note: Midlife Athlete will publish on the second Friday of every month

By Jennifer McDonald

Last month, I talked about a basic running plan that will help get you started. As a runner, you’re going to need a few very important pieces of gear, so here’s a list to get you started:

• Good sneakers—Don’t cheap out on your footwear and definitely don’t buy shoes just because they’re cute. Go to Ragged Mountain Running Shop (RMRS) or Charlottesville Running Company (CRC) and ask the folks there to help you find the sneakers that are right for you.

• A good running bra—Regardless of your size, your girls need to be properly supported. Locally, RMS and CRC have good ones. For larger sizes, try Title Nine (up to a DD cup), Moving Comfort (up to an E cup), and Her Room (for larger cups). Get bras that are made for high-impact sports because you need as much as you can get. For even more information about running bras, visit my recent blog posting.

• Running socks—You need socks that are made of synthetic fibers, NOT cotton because you will get blisters from cotton socks. I prefer SmartWool socks and have had zero blisters since I started wearing them.

Those are the must-haves. Here are some things that aren’t as vital, but still quite helpful:

• Running clothes—Sure, you could run in your old sweatpants and T-shirts, but I can assure you that you’ll be much more comfortable if you wear athletic clothes made from technical fabric. Cotton is NOT your friend―it chafes horribly, especially when wet from sweat. You can get gear from the running shops, as well as Target, Dick’s and even Old Navy.

• A running watch—I wear a Garmin that measures my time, distance and speed, but those aren’t necessary. You can just as easily track your time on a cheap digital watch or your phone.

• Music—I prefer to run with music, because it helps me stay focused and on pace. I have a little iPod shuffle that’s lightweight and I bought athletic earbuds that wrap around my ears and stay in place.

• BodyGlide—Most runners experience some chafing, so BodyGlide is how you deal with it. The difference is huge and will improve your running experience. Available at local running shops.

When you’re feeling self-conscious about your weight, you might be tempted to wear extra-large workout clothes to hide your body. Don’t. All that fabric will flap around and get in your way. Go for a slightly snugger fit—you’ll be able to move unfettered.

I wear black running leggings with a skirt on top for modesty. My favorites are by Sweet Spot Skirts because the skirts wrap around, so as I’ve lost weight, I’ve simply tightened up the snaps a bit and haven’t had to buy smaller sizes. Plus, not only are they super cute, they’re also reversible, so it’s like you’re getting two skirts in one.

So those are the basics on running gear. Next month, I’ll talk a bit about where to run —treadmills, the track and outside—and about the differences among the three.

If you have any questions for me, feel free to leave a comment here or go to my website to find my contact information.

Disclaimer: I am not employed by any of the companies mentioned, nor was I asked to review their products.

Jennifer McDonald is a freelance writer and running enthusiast. You can find more from Jennifer at her blog Jen On The Edge and Jennifer McDonald writes.