Edited by Anna Maria Sordjan
“What made you start running?” A question I myself, an amateur runner has been asked many times. What’s my answer? Easy, gym class! I completed my first ever 1km run in 9th grade gym when my two best friends and I were the last to finish the run. It took me a total of 11 minutes to complete the run, while my other classmates had finished in under 8 minutes. Needless to say I was disappointed. However, six years and hundreds of runs later I now average 5.35 minutes per kilometre with my furthest running distance being 12km completed in 62.58 minutes. As an amateur runner, I run an average of of two 5kms and one 8 km run per week with weight and power lifting training between runs. Running has become a habit, and lifestyle for me, and I have acquired dozens of habits to aid this hobby. Her are some of my favorite running/fitness gadgets;
Fitbit Charge 2
My Fitbit has been the newest addition to my gadget collection and needless to say it has been a great one. The Fitbit encompasses a variety of helpful features such as step tracking, heart rate tracking, stair flight tracking, calorie/water intake and sleep tracking. In terms of running, the Fitbit Charge 2 serves as a heart rate monitor, and kilometre counter, and through the use of the Fitbit mobile app, the watch is able to map and save your running routes. Functionally speaking, the Fitbit serves as more than a running device as its primary function is a watch. Additionally, you can also receive text message, call, and calendar reminder alerts on it. The Fitbit Charge 2 is a positive addition to any fitness guru’s collection.
Nike Running Club App
Although my Fitbit has become my primary means of tracking my runs, I still heavily rely on the Nike Run Club App. Nike Run Club gives you detailed breakdowns of your run pace, splits, incline, and estimated caloric burn. Additionally, through the app you can compete in weekly challenges and be awarded “trophies” for your run milestones. As the app is free (with no in add on purchases necessary) it serves as a significantly cheaper tracker to the Fitbit. Another one of my favorite features about the app is it allows you to track how many kilometers you’ve ran in each of your running shoes, which can help you decide when it’s time to retire your old shoes.
Nike Flex Trainer 7 Shoes
One of your greatest means of support as a runner are your shoes, therefore picking a reliable running shoe is highly important. Nike offers a wide variety of shoes for the purposes of running, basketball, leisure, and tennis, so it’s important to ensure you’re buying a shoe designed for running. My personal favorite shoe from Nike’s collection are the Nike Flex Trainer 7 shoes, which are offered in a variety of colors and designs (mine are grey and pink if you want to twin with me ;). It’s also important that you change your running shoes every year if you are running consistently, as after a year’s wear they will no longer offer you adequate traction and support.
Headphones/ Music Streaming
Often times people have asked me how I stop myself from getting bored during long distance runs, for me that process involves blasting EDM music during my runs. Headphone quality can serve to either be an enhancement or a nuisance to your runs. In the past I relied on earbuds which often would repeatedly fall out or get tangled. Recently I switched to Beats headphones which provide superior sound quality and a secure structure. Other brands such as Skullcandy Grind Bluetooth headphones provide equal sound quality for a lower price. In terms of streaming, I rely on Spotify as they provide a variety of running playlists, including ones that change the pace of your music according to the speed at which you are running.
Running can be both a physically and emotionally exhausting hobby, but it yields countless benefits. When I first began running I tried to convince myself that I “couldn’t run,” however with proper training and devices running is a learnable sport for all those who are able. With the right products you can enhance your running experience and develop a passion for the sport.