Every athlete has a certain wardrobe depending on the sport they do. Whether you are a marathon runner or only run once a week to stay in shape, there are certain things you should own in order to run.
Of course, to run you need shoes! The type of shoes one would need to buy depends on whether you run for distance or run short sprints. In order to determine what shoes you need you can answer the following questions: Where are you planning on running? Do you want more or less cushioning underfoot? Do you need extra support? In general, good running shoes should last between 400 and 500 miles which equates to about 3-4 months for regular runners. In order to get a good feel for how they fit, go try them on in person.
If you run track, you will also need spikes. Spikes are special shoes used for racing that have holes in the bottom designed to affix little spikes. Depending on if you run short distance or long distance will determine what type of spikes you should buy. You can determine this by looking at the bottom of the shoe. If the shoes are more flexible, it is a long-distance spike. Also, often long-distance spikes will have more spike holes in them than short distance spikes. Spikes can be very dangerous and often during races runners will get scratched with them, an event known as getting “spiked”.
The weather and location will usually determine what type of clothing you would want to wear. Let’s start off with what to wear on the bottom. If it is cold out, most runners will wear leggings. Finding good leggings to run in is very hard. They need to fit your waist so they don’t ride up or down mid-session. The material is also very important as you want to stay cool and dry. The leggings you choose need to have a balance of flexibility with compression to enhance not hinder your runs. When it’s warmer out, most runners will often wear shorts. This can range from baggie shorts or tight shorts like spandex. Depending on what and how long you are running will depend on what you will wear. Some common brands are Nike, Under Armor, Adidas, and Lululemon.
Now on to what to wear on the top. When it's summertime, a lot of girls will wear tank tops or even just a sports bra on their runs. This is because it is the least amount of clothing to wear when you are on a very hot run. Otherwise, you can wear a t-shirt. In the colder months, you will want to wear either a long sleeve shirt or hoodie or sometimes even both. Layers are key. You can always take off but you can’t always put on. I always start with many layers and end up taking a couple off as I go.
Now you are probably thinking that’s it. But, you also have to remember there’s always socks, headbands, hair ties, ear wraps, gloves, and even headphones to consider. All of these are little accessories that really add to your run and allow you to personalize your certain style.
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