I used to brag about the superiority of running over other sports.
All you need is a pair of shoes and some shorts. 👟 🩳
I would roll out of bed and be able to run without needing to find others to play with, grab a ball, or secure a court. There was no specialized equipment required. It didn’t matter if it was sunny or raining. I didn’t even have to plan my route. I could just run. It was beautiful and pure. And when I was done, I’d have a buzz for hours afterward. Whether I ran on a local track, a 5K, or a 10K — running was the best!
And then someone invited me to run a marathon with Team World Vision.
Running suddenly got a lot more complicated. Each week we’d run, I’d learn about new gear I needed. I needed a running jersey, and I discovered my usual shorts were fine… until I started running 7+ miles.
I had heard about chafing, but I didn’t fully appreciate it until I experienced it firsthand. I experimented with different short lengths and materials before finding what worked best for me. I tested shorts with and without pockets because I started running with energy gels. I didn’t want them to fall out mid-run. I also learned that zippered pockets could jam if the fabric got caught, so I decided to leave them open during runs. Surprisingly, I never lost a gel, glove, hat, or water bottle that way.
Speaking of cold weather, I started wearing gloves and a hat. I prefer a knit hat that I can stretch to cover just the right amount of skin on those chilly days. Check out our Cozy Classic Knit Beanie.
Then my buddy asked, “What are you doing about hydration?”
I said, “You mean drinking water? I drink before I run.” He told me I needed to bring water along on my runs. At first, I thought he was being overly cautious. But as our mileage increased, I realized he had a point. He bought me my first water belt — basically a fanny pack. Not exactly cool, but functional. When you load it with a couple of water bottles and wear it backward, it’s… well, still not cool. But I learned to love it. Later, I bought my wife and daughter their own water belts. Now, whenever I run over 8 miles, I wear a belt — or more recently, a hydration vest.
The bladder in my vest holds 2 liters of water. That might sound like a lot, but experts recommend 1 liter per hour of running. For a half marathon, which might take 2 hours, that’s exactly what I need. During my last half marathon, I easily drank one full liter.
When you run for over an hour, it’s good to bring nutrition as well. I was told that GU brand gels were a great place to start. I tested several flavors and found my favorite: Chocolate Extreme. It has sugar, salt, and caffeine — all essentials for long runs. I take one every 4 miles when running over 8 miles and recently started taking one at mile zero. I buy them by the case now. While I didn’t have stomach issues with any of the options I tried, I’ve heard that some runners experience sensitivities, so the best advice is to test as you train so you never try something new on race day.
Back to jerseys and running shirts — stay away from cotton! When it gets wet, it chafes badly. Most synthetic shirts will do the job just fine. Our running jerseys are synthetic and mesh to help you stay cool. My running shorts are actually based on swimming trunks because I want something that dries quickly in rain, sweat, or snow.
I still love running, but I no longer brag that all you need is shoes and some shorts. 👟 🩳
Wait, I forgot.
