Basic Gear for a Beginning Runner

By Josh Clark
For Active.com All you really need to get going is a good pair of shoes. They don't have to be expensive, and they don't have to have all kinds of new-fangled bells and whistles, but don't underestimate the importance of a decent running shoe.

Tennis shoes won't do, and neither will those beat-up running shoes you've used occasionally for the past six years and have just retrieved from the back of the closet. You need fresh, well cushioned shoes that fit well and match your foot type and gait. Running shoes are designed, after all, for running, and as a beginning runner your legs and feet need all the protection they can get.

Shoes are really the only piece of equipment you need to invest in, and while you don't need to buy the most expensive pair in the store, don't short-change yourself. Good shoes are your best protection against injury.

What to Wear

Wear what's comfortable. Keep in mind that many new runners overdress at the beginning. Once you're warmed up, your extra body heat will make it feel about 20F warmer. No need to wear more than shorts and a tee-shirt for temperatures above 55F. Step up to tights/sweatpants and a long-sleeve tee for temperatures above 45F. Add a sweatshirt, or better yet, a lightweight nylon or goretex shell for lower temperatures. Also consider a stocking cap and cotton or polypropylene gloves (cotton gardening gloves will do the trick for under $2). To find out more about these various high-tech fabrics and what they do for you, read "The Well Dressed Runner."

Time to Run

To show everyone you're really in the know, just start calling that thing on your wrist a chronograph. For some runners, it's just not the same if you call it a watch. Whatever you choose to call your timepiece, you'll probably find a "chronograph" with a stopwatch helpful, especially if it can store lap times.

At the beginning, you'll only need the watch to keep track of how long you're running, not how fast. Your emphasis as a new runner should be on the effort and time of your outings, not your speed.