Running Tip 2

Dear Friends,

Greetings! 

Yesterday I started publishing my series of running tips on this blog page. It is good to see more than 100 visits for "Running Tip 1". If few of the visitors start making use of the tip and switch to fitter and active lifestyle through running, it will make me more than Happy. 

I believe you have your objectives clear on running. If not also no hurry, take your time, give thought about it before getting yourself ready :). The early birds who are raring to go, let's get to the second running tip. 

Running Tip 2 - Get your running gear

In general, running is the least complex sport when it comes to equipment and clothing. You might have heard people saying, all you need is making up your mind and start moving your body :). During morning times, I can see many people running bare foot, wearing casual clothes. I have seen many women running wearing salvar and chudidars. I wholeheartedly appreciate their spirit and effort. In addition to that spirit you can make your running experience better with proper clothing. 

Let me begin with basic things. Your bare minimum running gear should have the following - 

1. Sports T-Shirt
2. Shorts/Track pant used for sports. 
3. A pair of sports shoes. 

If you are a beginner, and you have all these, then you are ready to start. 

But if you don't have your running gear and planning to buy new ones then right away I would like to suggest you the kind of fabric which is useful for the runners. Always go for moisture wicking clothing. It is also called Technical clothing and the most commonly used term is Dri-fit which actually is the brand name from Nike. Different apparel manufacturers have come up with technical clothing with their own brand names and versions. The basic purpose of technical clothing remains same - to provide light and comfortable clothing for athletes. The clothing is made of a hydrophobic material like polyester which is also light in weight and designed to wick moisture away from the body and move it from the skin to the outer side of the garment where it can evaporate. The garment remains drier and don’t cause friction with body. It is unlike cotton which is hydrophilic and soaks up the sweat till it gets thoroughly wet making the garment heavier. Then it starts rubbing with body while running and leaves the runner with red colored rashes after the run.

In market almost everything from T-Shirts, Shorts, Track pants, Track suits, Inner wears, and socks woven from the moisture wicking material are available and at regular prices only. So I suggest you to buy your running kit accordingly. As mentioned earlier there are many brands available in the market, so you can choose as your pocket permits. 

Coming to Shoes, you can buy a sports shoes specially meant for running. All top brands in their product lines have shoes specific for running. You go for shoes with lighter body weight, with soles sturdy on outer (lower) side but with soft cushion effect at inner side. The salesman himself at shop will be of good help in knowing the details of the shoes. If you are a buyer from net, you can visit the websites of manufacturers to know more about their offerings and the technical details of each offering.  

The decent running kit comprising 2 T-Shirts, 2 Shorts/track-pants, 2 pairs of socks and a pair of running shoes may cost you around INR 4-5K but it would be one time investment for a year or two. 

For longer distance running aspirants, you can additionally purchase a head band (to prevent the sweat from hairs to get into eyes), wrist bands (to sock the sweat flowing on hands), a cap and inner wear also meant for running. May be a sports super store like Decathlon can help you get all your running kit needs. 

So get your running kit ready till my next tip! 

Thank you,

Regards,

Chetan