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The Only 3 Running Gadgets You Need

August 17, 2017 By: Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC14 Comments

I love it when people say that running is a cheap sport and you don’t need anything but a pair of sneakers. While that is true in the abstract, most runners who race regularly that I know have a TON of running gadgets. I have quite a few myself. But I think there are only 3 running gadgets that you NEED to have and so if you are just starting out, start with these and go from there.

The Only 3 Running Gadgets You Need-

  1. GPS Watch. This is the big one – the one that you will probably rely on the most. I try not to be a slave to pace, but I do need to know if I’m getting my goal pace for workouts and I also do have a bit of an obsessive need to know how far I ran. As far as what GPS watch, I think that is less important. I personally like my Garmin Forerunner 220 because it gives me my splits, and I can set it up in lap mode for various workouts. It can do more, but I’m pretty basic in terms of what I need, so it works great. I am thinking of upgrading to a Fenix only because I like it enough to wear everyday. But whatever suits your fancy should be great.
  2. Foam roller. Do not ignore foam rolling. I repeat, do not ignore foam rolling. It can be so important in keeping your muscles loose and preventing injury. Is it my favorite thing? No. Do I wish that I could skip it? Yes. Is it worth 5 minutes a day to help myself stay injury free? Duh. I have a very basic foam roller that I bought for $15. You can also use PVC pipe which is even cheaper.
  3. Training Journal. I use the Believe Training Journal and love it. While this blog also serves as a training journal, it is nice to record thoughts and details in pen and paper as well. Having pen and paper to flip through at the end of a training cycle really is helpful to get my mental state right before a big race. 

Are there other items that I sometimes run with? Yes. I sometimes run with a handheld water bottle, I use other tools to help recover, etc. But at the most basic level this list represents things that I really would not want to begin a training cycle without!

What do you NEED to run? What should I add to my list? 

 


Comments

  1. Chaitali says

    August 17, 2017 at 9:08 am

    Great list! I had a friend comment the other day that running seemed so expensive and I was trying to explain that it doesn’t need to be. When I started, shoes and some good running clothes were the things I had to get to start. I did invest in the shoes but was able to get running clothes on sale at target for a decent price. I used runkeeper on my phone to track runs and pace and didn’t really feel like I needed to upgrade to a running watch until I was further into my journey 🙂 The foam roller is something I wish I had gotten earlier!
    Chaitali recently posted…Preparing for Marathon TrainingMy Profile

    Reply
    • Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC says

      August 17, 2017 at 10:47 am

      The foam roller is a MUST! 🙂

      Reply
  2. TRAVELDOC726 says

    August 17, 2017 at 10:47 am

    Good list. I would add:
    – Something to hold your keys, either a wrist pouch or running belt
    – An arm band for your phone or mp3 player if you don’t have a running belt
    – And with safety in mind, some sort of ID tag like roadID makes

    Reply
  3. MCM Mama Runs says

    August 17, 2017 at 2:48 pm

    Oddly, none of those things would make my “absolute necessity” list. Instead, I’d have good sunglasses (not necessarily high end, but 100% UV blocking that stay comfortably on your face), running socks, and (if you are female) a good bra that supports and doesn’t chafe. So, I guess I’m not a “gadget girl” since none of what I consider necessary are gadgets LOL.
    MCM Mama Runs recently posted…Marine Corps Marathon Training: Almost halfwayMy Profile

    Reply
    • Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC says

      August 17, 2017 at 10:38 pm

      I think it’s interesting bc I would say a visor / cheap sunglasses (bc I lose them) for sure. Socks and bra I consider basic necessities not gadgets 🙂

      Reply
  4. Amy Lauren says

    August 17, 2017 at 5:12 pm

    I have a friend who was hit by a car when running, so I would add Road ID to the list. In fact I would say just get a basic watch rather than GPS, but get a Road ID. I use Strava to track my training (I seriously code my runs as long run/workout and even use it to track shoes, and I write information about my runs that I’m OK with others seeing).

    Running can be as cheap as you make it OR as expensive as you make it. I will say it’s definitely cheaper than triathlon or BJJ that my husband does! He pays a lot of money per month to train at his BJJ gym, so I’m thankful that the roads are free at least ;).
    Amy Lauren recently posted…Weekly Rundown: August 7-13My Profile

    Reply
    • Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC says

      August 17, 2017 at 10:39 pm

      What is BJJ? Brazilian jit jiu? And yes – as cheap or expensive as you choose to be! I have a road id but never wear it

      Reply
  5. Lauren says

    August 17, 2017 at 11:57 pm

    Totally agree with this list! I need to get on my foam roller tonight because I’ve been putting it off, ugh. I think a training journal is really helpful-I love looking back at old training weeks and cycles too!

    Reply
    • Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC says

      August 20, 2017 at 11:21 am

      Get thee on that foam roller, lady! 🙂

      Reply
  6. Paul gray says

    August 18, 2017 at 9:02 am

    Growing up we had nothing.

    The reason that my parents encouraged me to run was that the “barrier to entry” was so low – just a pair of sneakers and I was set.

    My coach told me that I needed to keep records of my runs but with nothing at home to write them down into I had to improvise. I still remember stealing empty exercise books (sorry Mrs Mckenna) from class so that I could keep a record of my runs!

    Now as an adult who uses his GPS watch and uploads each run to Strava, I still write down each run in my log book, although, I do pay for them these days!

    Reply
  7. Coco says

    August 19, 2017 at 8:38 pm

    I don’t use a training journal at all! I think I’d list my phone as my third gadget – from the Map app to the music, I couldn’t run without it!

    Reply
    • Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC says

      August 20, 2017 at 11:22 am

      I do run with my phone when I’m running solo (for safety) but I don’t usually race with it, if there is bag check and I can check it. 🙂

      Reply
  8. Abby @BackatSquareZero says

    August 22, 2017 at 11:11 am

    I will admit that after shoes and good running clothes the first things I splurged on were my GPR watch and stick/foam roller. I record all my training for free online in Google Sheets and use it as my journal.
    Being hot (and super pale) here in the South I would add running sunglasses, hat, and sunscreen, but I don’t know if those count as gadgets or more like clothes and are a basic need.

    Reply
  9. Debbie @ Deb Runs says

    August 25, 2017 at 9:33 am

    When I first started running in 8th grade and even through college, I had zero running gear. Zero, but I’m aging myself! I ran high school track in canvas Converse sneakers, the same ones I wore to school with my hip-hugger jeans. I think Nike’s first shoes became mainstream about the time I started college, but I remember Adidas better and don’t know if they were specific to running or were just cute sneakers. Sports bras hadn’t come on the market so I ran in my regular bras until I was in my 30’s and I remember how annoying slipping straps could be while out on a run. At some point I got a basic Timex watch with a stop watch feature and remember driving my routes in advance to figure out distances prior to my runs. 😉
    Debbie @ Deb Runs recently posted…2017 Outer Banks Lighthouse 5K Race RecapMy Profile

    Reply

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