Top 5 Essentials to Encourage your New Years Running Plan!

It’s the end of January and you’re already getting fed up with your New Years resolution to get out running and stay active and fit – DON’T GIVE UP! To help you stay motivated, here’s a few running essentials that will help drive you throughout your training and hopefully help you to enjoy it more!

1. Garmin Watch
Tracking and monitoring your runs is essential if you want to stay motivated and see your progress throughout your training, so a Garmin GPS running watch is the ultimate accessory for any runner.

The Garmin watches track distance, pace, time, calories and heart-rate and all of these are visible on your wrist. You can connect your watch to the smart phone app via bluetooth for a more in-depth review of your training and all sessions will be saved here.

Garmin Forerunner 35 – €169

Garmin Vivoactive 3 – €275

Garmin Forerunner 645 Music – €399

2. Good quality Running Shoes to suit you
Investing in a quality running shoe is vital when running as you need great comfort and support that will last. It is important to make sure you are wearing runners that best suit you to ensure that you are running correctly and can prevent injuries or blisters.

Running shoes are either structured or neutral and which one you wear depends on the pronation of you feet. Some people overpronate which means their feet fall outwards when they run, some people are neutral which means they have a naturally straight running pattern and some people underpronate which means their feel fall inwards when they run.

If you are unsure about what runners you should be wearing, we offer free testing in-store here at Brian McCormick Sports with our SafeSize fitting machine which will then recommend what shoes from our stock best suit you. We have top quality running shoes from brands such as Asics, Brooks, Hoka One One & more.

Asics Running Shoes >

Hoka One One Running Shoes >

Brooks Running Shoes >

Nike Running Shoes >

New Balance Running Shoes >

3. Running Socks
As well as having a good quality pair of running shoes, wearing the right socks is also important when running as you need socks that are breathable and cushioned to help prevent blisters. We have a great variety of running socks available from 1000 mile and Stance which are made with sweat-wicking material to keep your feel dry and comfortable throughout your run. We have cushioned trainer liners and anklets or compression socks which improve blood flow and help prevent the build up of lactic acid reducing swelling of the muscles post-training.

Stance Sock from €12.95

1000 Mile socks from €9.95

4. Aftershokz Headphones
Music is a great form of motivation when running as it helps to lift your spirits and it also keeps you company if you are running alone. What many people don’t like is listening to music through their in-ear or over-ear headphones and not be able to hear cars/cyclists etc around them. Aftershokz headphones are the safest headphones for exercising outdoors as they have an open ear design which allows you to hear your surroundings as well as your music. The bone conduction technology delivers music through your cheekbones ensuring the ears remain completely open.

Aftershokz Titanium Mini – €125

Aftershokz Titanium Standard – €125

Aftershokz Trekz Air – €150

5. Foam roller
It is important to remember that recovery after your run is equally as important as the run itself. In order to prevent tightness, knots and injuries you need to ensure that you are stretching and rolling any major muscle groups or areas that may be prone to injury. A foam roller is a great tool to have to aid your recovery. Foam rolling helps alleviate any tightness or knots within the muscles and should be done for 10-15 minutes post-run. We have smooth foam rollers or ridged foam rollers that are great for a more targeted massage of the muscles.

Foam Rollers >

If you combine all of these elements and tools then you will have a much more enjoyable and pain free running session. Another good tip is to arm yourself with friend. A good running buddy can eat up those miles!