Fun run season is upon us, so whether you are lacing up for the Real Insurance Sydney Harbour 10&5k, the Sydney Marathon or another event, we thought we would ask a seasoned runner for his top tips when it comes to his “gear guide.”
Ben Lucas, the Director of Flow Athletic has run 47 marathons and hopes to reach 50 by early next year. He has tried every relevant product to up his game, but here are his favourite products to help him run his best race.
The Watch
I have tried a lot of smart watches in my time and I love the Apple Ultra Watch. It has a built-in GPS, wifi and pairs with high-performance bands so you can track so many things when it comes to your performance. It is also water resistant which is a win if you are running long distances.
The Shoes
I really like the ASICS Magic Speed Shoes. I have worn them in my past few fun runs and they are so comfortable and light on your feet yet are very supportive. I tend to wear them for most of my fitness activities, as I like to wear shoes in before a long run to prevent blisters and therefore I want to wear them to do as many things as possible.
The Underwear
Step One makes great underwear for runners. They are supportive with a 3D pouch, they also have panels in the inner thigh area to reduce the risk of chafing. Chafing is the worst when you are running a marathon! Additionally, they are made from bamboo viscose fabric which is naturally breathable and moisture-wicking. Every bit helps.
The Clothes
I mix and match my clothes and don’t have one particular brand that I wear. My number one tip when it comes to both clothes and shoes though, is to wear the products in before you take them to a fun run. It’s all well and good to buy new things for the event, but you don’t want to be breaking in your shoes only to get blisters, or wear a new shirt or shorts only to find that they are not comfortable or that they ride up.
The Nipple Tape
We have a bit of a chafing theme going on here, and that is why I recommend that if you are running a long distance, guys, bring nipple tape. One of my most memorable runs is the one where my nipples chafed during a marathon in NY. It was horrible. I will never let that happen again.
The Diet
Eat foods that you are used to the night before a fun run to save any bad reactions. Most fun runs happen in the morning so you may not have enough time to sort yourself out. I also like to wake up at least an hour before I need to leave for the run to have some coffee, maybe a banana or peanut butter toast. I need enough fuel to get me through the event, but not too much that I have a stomach ache. Also leave enough time to digest it.