Posted on: Friday, December 10, 2004
Gearing up for big run
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By Jonathan Lyau
Special to The Advertiser
There is no doubt that the most important aspect to running a good marathon is to put in the proper training. However, there are other things that can help you feel better during the run. Having proper running gear can help you feel more comfortable, which gives you a better chance of shaving seconds or minutes off your time.
Running gear has come a long way with advances in technology and design.
Shoes
Jonathan Lyau photos Socks
Wearing socks made of microfibers such as Coolmax can help prevent blisters by keeping your feet dry. These materials send moisture to the surface to enable quicker evaporation.
"I am overzealous about keeping my feet as dry as possible to prevent blisters," said Neil Voje, 44, a corporate recruiter. "They have enough padding like cotton socks, but add the benefit of removing moisture around my feet."
Avoid cotton socks as they will soak up sweat, and become heavy and abrasive on your skin.
Russell Kong, a 46-year-old project manager, said he likes to wear thin Dry Fit Nike socks.
"They feel lighter and seem to make my feet feel cooler and if they get wet it is not heavy," he said.
Lace locks Lace locks can be helpful as they secure your shoelaces without having to tie them. This will make it easier for you to take your shoes off and on if needed.
"I have switched to lace locks after having to stop and waste valuable time and momentum to tie up laces that became loose even after I double tied them," said Mina Casey-Pang, 30, one of Hawai'i's better runners.
Shorts and tops
Shorts and tops also made of microfiber will make you feel more comfortable. It will keep you drier, lighter and cooler. A lot of them come with pockets or pouches for carrying small items. Kane Ng-Osorio, 29, Internet store manager for Reyns.com, can't run with any other material. "It is very comfortable, doesn't absorb too much water and stays light on me," Ng-Osorio said. "My shorts has a series of open pockets on the back where I can stuff energy gels. I can put salt tablets and a key in the front flap pockets."
Wristwatches Chronograph wristwatches that have the ability to take lap splits can be helpful to help keep track of pacing.
It is an important tool for 35-year-old engineer Tim Noonan.
"I check my splits at every mile to see where I'm at and how I am feeling for a given pace," Noonan said.
Watches with GPS (global positioning system) are gaining popularity. These watches will keep track of your pacing, speed and distance. It can also tell how close you are to your goal pace.
Osorio said he has become a fan of the technology. "It has not let me down," he said. "It has helped me run best times in all distances by keeping me on track during the run."
Eyewear Although the Honolulu Marathon starts in the dark, sunglasses are good for when the sun comes up. It will keep your eyes relaxed and protect them. If your eyes are relaxed then it will help the rest of the body on down.
"Sunglasses keeps glare out of my eyes, reduces eye damage from bright sun, plus helps you look cool," said engineer Mike Friend, 40.
Headwear A cap or visor can help keep sweat, water and sun from your eyes. If you do wear one, make sure it is very breathable and made of microfiber so that your head does not trap too much heat.
Casey-Pang added another reason for women. "For those who do not have hair that neatly stays in a ponytail, a cap is a good way to assure no hair gets in the way or becomes another irritating thing to deal with in a 26.2-mile run," she said.
There's more gear that one can wear, but these are the most common ones that can help you feel more comfortable during those hours on the road.
Jonathan Lyau has run in more than 20 Honolulu Marathons.
Companies have put a lot of research into running shoes. Shoes are made of lightweight and breathable uppers and all have cushioning/stabilization systems to protect your feet. It does not matter what brand you wear. Make sure you have the right type of shoes for your feet, and that it feels comfortable. As long as you have run some long runs in them with no problems, you should be fine with them in the marathon.
Running gear has come a long way with advances in technology and design. Some of the gear that can help a runner include the right shoes with lace locks, top, a GPS wristwatch, middle, and tops and shorts made of microfiber, above.
