Before you go ahead with this article, please do read the one I wrote about starting to run. This article continues to add aspects to injury-free running. Getting the outfit for jogging right is an important part of increasing comfort in long-distance runs.

Carrying water

Yes, I am going to talk about carrying water even before I talk about clothes or shoes. This is because, clothes don’t impact your running comfort as much as hydration does. Whether you are running short distances or longer ones, hydrating is critical. It is recommended to take small sips and not gulps. Carry your own reusable water bottle instead of disposable ones. If you are running short distances (5 km or under), I recommend holding the bottle in hand while running. For longer distances, you can think of fuel belt around hips or back. Another option is to keep the bottle on route where you make loops to get back to it.

Running Outfit

Clothes for jogging or running are a huge category in sports merchandise. Jerseys have been considered a great fabric for running. But there are equal fans for simple cotton. Synthetic is certainly not a good choice if you want to avoid chafing near arms or chest. Make your pants are tight enough to avoid chafing between thighs. At the same time, they need to be thin enough to let your legs breathe. Decathlon and other sports brands have come up with very good fabrics that are breathable and come with many pockets. Better to wear used clothes on event days rather than experimenting with new ones.

Shoes

There are books written about the right kind of shoes for running. If you have read “Born To Run“, you would have noticed the whole history of the evolution of the running shoes. But the reality is, every individual is different. There is no brand that can guarantee running performance if you do not practice enough. If you are a beginner, keep it simple and go for basic Decathlon running shoes. Check for a higher heel and some cushioning for the landing. Test what shoes you without shelling out too much money initially. You may be the type who is most comfortable barefoot. If you suffer from odd-shaped feet, only then, consider getting arch analyzed at an ASIC showroom and so on.

Gadgets

Beginners, stop right here. Clouding your minds with complex stats at the beginning of a hobby is just going to kill the fun for you. I started tracking my distance only after a year of jogging. By then I was pretty sure that running is a part of my lifestyle (like brushing) and not just an occasional interest. If you have to track distance right away, stick to what you already have. A mobile app and nothing else. If you are already a regular jogger or runner, go for one of the fitness trackers that are not bulky (like Fitbit or Honor) and are water-resistant. Wireless earphones are another good gadget to carry. That should be it. I do not see a further need for mobiles even, once you have trackers on wrists.

I hope these tips resonated with you and motivated you to try out some running. Share your experiences of your runs by commenting below.