2014 Triathlete Buyer’s Guide: Beginner Run Essentials
The gear you’ll need for run training and the third leg of triathlon, featured in the 2014 Triathlete Buyer's Guide.
Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app.
The gear you’ll need for run training and the third leg of triathlon, featured in the 2014 Triathlete Buyer’s Guide.
Quick laces
Save valuable seconds in T2 by swapping standard laces for a quick-closure set, such as Xtenex X300 Series Laces ($15, Xtenex.com). Thanks to the knots running the length of these laces, they won’t slip through the eyelets on the run yet they can expand a bit to allow for foot swelling.
Race belt
A race belt, with your bib number attached, makes transition a breeze, and the T1 Pro Magnetic Race Belt ($29, T1belt.com), with its easy-locking buckle, makes T2 even speedier. Toggles on elastic cords secure the bib to the belt.
Mid-race nutrition
Keeping up your nutrition intake—specifically carbohydrates for fuel and electrolytes for hydration—will help you to finish a race strongly. A drink mix such as Infinit: Speed (page 98 in the Buyer’s Guide), with its quick-absorbing simple carbs and a good mix of electrolytes, is all the nutrition you’ll need in a sprint-distance race.
Run shoes
Finding a dependable all-purpose shoe is important when starting out in the sport—look for a cushioned trainer that’s light enough to wear during races, such as the Mizuno Wave Rider 17 (page 86 in the Buyer’s Guide). This versatile trainer’s platform feels solid and stable, yet it’s lighter than previous iterations and has a firm rubber sole, making it durable for miles of training and racing.
Watch
A heart rate monitor helps newbie runners learn the difference between easy, threshold, tempo and any other effort level used to describe workouts in many training plans. The Timex Personal Trainer Heartrate (page 92 in the Buyer’s Guide) will help you meet those zones without confusing you with extraneous features.
Sunglasses
Your top priorities in finding a good pair of performance sunglasses are a secure fit and a good field of vision. The Scott Leap Sunglass ($100, Scott-sports.com) holds onto your head well during runs—no bouncing—and offers a nearly unobstructed view that allows you to see up the road when riding in the aerobars.
Hydration
[buynowbutton:http://www.nytro.com/fuelbelt/revenge-r20-2-bottle-hydration-belt-6638]
Carrying fluids during run training helps maintain speed and strength through the end of a long workout. A two-bottle hydration belt, such as the Fuel Belt Revenge R20 ($43, Fuelbelt.com), holds 14 ounces of nutrition while keeping your hands free.