Gear

Published on February 8, 2020 By Thomas Watson

Best Marathon Running Shoes for 2020

Our group of runners and reviewers have gone out to the market and road-tested the best marathon running shoes for 2020 – and here’s their pick.

Whether you’re a marathon virgin or a veteran, selecting a pair of shoes for your event can be a tough task.

Sometimes you have a favorite style which suddenly isn’t available, or sometimes you need to upgrade your old kickers.

Let’s look at what you should be looking for in marathon shoes – and share with you our recommendations for the best marathon running shoes!

What I Look For In Marathon Running Shoes

As I detailed in How To Choose Running Shoes, the number one factor when trying out shoes is simply comfort.

It almost sounds too simple, but it’s true.

Any shoe you don’t find comfortable when trying on is not going to get any more comfortable once you’re out running with them.

And sometimes you can only discover that a pair of shoes are uncomfortable after running around in them.

Here are some more pointers for what to look for when picking your marathon shoes:

You want a thumbspace between the longest toe and the shoe box. This avoids the repetitive motion of the toe hitting the toebox, which leads to sore toes / lost toenails. At the same time, if the shoe is too big your foot will move inside it and your toes will strike the toebox anyway.

Pick shoes that suit the terrain of the marathon. Trail marathons have very different underfoot conditions to city marathons. (And don’t forget to train in the same environment as you are running!

Seek advice from a reputable running store. Avoid stores where the assistants aren’t runners themselves.

Stick to what has worked. If you have a brand or model you’re familiar with, there’s often no need to even change your marathon training shoe.

How Long Should You Trial a Pair of Marathon Shoes For?

Two months gives me plenty of time to train in my marathon shoes, ‘kick the tires’, and discover any small complaints.

It sometimes takes a few 15 mile + runs to figure out that you don’t actually like a pair of shoes!

How Many Pairs of Marathon Shoes Should You Buy?

If you’re in training mode for a full marathon, consider buying 2 (or even 3) pairs of the same shoe. (Only do this once you’re confident you’ve found the shoe).

Why?

Running shoes gradually lose their support and ‘bounce’. You should look to change out a pair of running shoes every 300 – 500 miles.

At the same time, running shoes need to be broken in. A brand-new pair of running shoes need a few miles on them before they are race-ready.

When it comes to marathon preparation, here’s how I like to do it:

I buy two identical pairs of running shoes.

Then I wear my first pair for almost all of my training – by the time the marathon comes, they are a little worn and dull.

As for the second pair (my ‘marathon shoes’), I save them until around 4 to 5 weeks before the marathon, then introduce them into the mix. I’ll alternate the 2 pairs, until the marathon shoes have around 50 miles in them. Then they’re ready.

Best Marathon Shoes for Men

Here are a selection of my top marathon training and running shoes for the guys:

ASICS Nimbus Gel 21

– Great for rookie runners

– Rates high for comfort

The Asics Nimbus line have been a favourite of aspiring marathon runners for decades now.

This well-supported, well-cushioned shoe is very forgiving – which can be advantageous as you increase the mileage. The Gel 21 model is slightly narrower than previous models.

But if a you want a shoe that is total comfort, this is the one for you.

Saucony Ride 10

The Saucony Ride 10 is well-regarded for distance running – it is known for its comfort, flexibility and reasonable price.

It is designed as a neutral shoe, and the mesh exterior gives a lot of breathability.

Overall, a good shoe to try out for your marathon training.

Mizuno Wave Inspire 15

The Mizuno is a great shoe that offers a ton of support and cushioning – which may be too much for some people.

It includes a 12mm drop (the difference in height between the toe and the heel) which is quite pronounced.

The Wave Inspire 15 offer a lot of stability, and the mesh upper makes the shoe breathable.

NIKE Air Zoom Pegasus 36

I’m continually impressed by how well Nike manages to make shoes that are both ‘lifestyle’ everyday shoes and great distance running footwear.

The Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 36 is the shoe which is currently my top pick of the Nike running range!

It’s durable, super-light, and comfortable to boot. Last year I clocked up most of my miles in their predecessor, the 35 model.

Best Marathon Shoes for Women

And here’s my pick of the top marathon training and running shoes for the ladies:

Asics Gel Venture 6

Offering support and a firm sole, the Gel Venture 6 is rugged enough to be used on either the road or the trails.

It includes a lot of support, including the long heel collar – making it very versatile.

If you’re used to running in lightweight shoes however, you may find this one a bit clunky.

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 20

With an engineered 3D mesh upper, and forgiving cushioning, the Adrenaline GTS 20 is well-suited for runners looking to increase the mileage.

The guide-rails structure are designed to protect the knees from over-use injuries.

Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 36

The Zoom Pegasus 36 offers a great distance running trainer.

It’s lightweight, it’s comfortable without drowning your feet in cushioning, and its responsive. The flymesh upper is awesome too.

The Nike range are known for being great running shoes that also look good and are comfortable enough you find yourself wearing them all the time!

Asics Gel Kayano 26

This shoe gives a very stable run – it provides plenty of support where you need it.

It’s also comfortable and versatile enough that you’ll find yourself wearing it to the gym.

The Kayano 25 features a wider toe box, which allows your toes to splay out naturally – good if you have big toes!

New Balance Fresh Foam Arishi V2

NB’s Fresh Foam range is all about combining tons of cushioning with lightweight – two features that haven’t traditionally gone together.

The result is this dynamic range of versatile shoes, that look good whether you’re out for a half marathon, or in the gym!

Published on February 5, 2020 By Thomas Watson

21 Things You Should Know Before You Start Running

So you decided to start running.

Congratulations!

You may have a few fears and anxieties, but there should also be joy and excitement on this new venture.

Here are 21 things you need to know before you start running to help you properly and safely dive into the sport.

1. You CAN Do This

First and foremost, you can become a runner.

Truly, anyone can become a runner.

That is one of the most beautiful aspects of the sport.

2. You Need Proper Shoes

With a strong will and a pair of good shoes, you can become a runner today.

There are a few tools we’ve listed below to help you along the way, but when you start to doubt, remind yourself that yes, you can do this.

Check out our detailed Choosing Running Shoes article!

3. You Need To Ease Into It

While it may be tempting to go out and see just how far you can run without keeling over, we don’t recommend trying that.

It’s best to ease into running as a beginner.

Check out running apps like Nike Run Club and Couch to 5K for programs to help you begin.

4. Running Buddies Are The Best Buddies

A great way to motivate yourself and find even more enjoyment in the sport is joining a local running group.

The friends you make while running really are the greatest.

You’re creating memories while getting fit and enjoying time outdoors – it’s tough to beat that.

5. Buying Running Gear Is Addictive

Forewarning, once you start running multiple times a week, you’ll want to buy all the gear.

From rain jackets to GPS watches to water bottle belts and running tights, buying brand new running gear is addicting.

While it doesn’t hurt to invest in nice, new things for your new routine, it’s also not necessary.

6. There Will Be Hard Days

Your body is turning itself into a runner so there are bound to be some tough days. Maybe you’re chasing a faster time or you want to start running more miles.

Whatever it is, there will certainly be days you don’t feel like lacing up. However, if your body is healthy, you will thank yourself after.

7. Walking Is Okay

If you need to start out by alternating between walking and running it is a great way to get started.

Using a walk/run method can help your body adjust to the physical demands of running.

In fact, many runners do this and see positive results. If you have past joint injuries, consider speaking with your doctor before you start running and ask if a walk/run method would work for you.

8. Rest

Rest days are a very important piece of running.

Your body is working hard as it builds muscle, endurance and intensity. It needs a rest day to recover. If you skip it, then you are putting yourself at a higher risk for injury.

The best way to take a rest day is to truly rest!

9. Consider Adding Strength Training

Did you know that resistance training will increase your leg strength and enhance your endurance?

According to the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, three days of resistance training a week will benefit your running. This could be done with free weights, machines or through a fitness class.

10. Everyone Is Prone To Injury

Overworking your body or running with incorrect shoes can lead to injury.

Unfortunately, none of us are superheroes and need to be aware of the risks out there. The good news is our bodies are resilient and we can come back stronger from them.

Listen to your body and you’ll have a better shot at fighting off injury.

11. Races Are The Best Part Of Being a Runner

Easily the most fun piece of running is racing! This may sound intimidating at first, but you’ll learn to love the excitement and hype around race day.

Regardless of if you’re running a 5K or half marathon, there will be a high.

Additionally, signing up for a race is a great motivator as you start running.

12. Treadmills Are a Great Option For Bad Weather

Often referred to as the ‘dreadmill,’ the treadmill isn’t always the most exciting way to get a run in.

However, it is an extremely practical piece of equipment.

When weather is bad or you are in a time crunch, a treadmill can serve its purpose.

13. Although, You Can Run In (Almost) All Types of Weather

If you’re up for it, you can run in rain, snow, heat and wind. Though it is not for the faint of heart!

If you do choose to run in extreme weather, be sure you have the proper gear to keep your body temperature safe.

14. Don’t Skip Stretching – After Your Run

A common mistake many runners make is walking through the door and calling the workout complete.

When you skip stretching you are making a big mistake that can lead to injury and muscle fatigue.

Take ten minutes every day to stretch and your body will thank you.

15. A Strong Core Is Key To Proper Running Form

Training your core will help with balance and stability, both of which will positively impact your running form.

Try to add in a few minutes of core work a few days a week.

You’ll notice a difference in your running posture as your core gets stronger.

16. Educate Yourself on Hydration and Nutrition as You Increase the Miles

If you are going on a run longer than an hour you need water and carbohydrates to replenish the nutrients you lost. There are many different ways to fuel, whether you reach for a sports drink or a gel.

Choose what works best for you and your body.

17. Stick With It

You may not fall in love with running at the get-go. It can be a tough fitness routine to get in to, but if you stick with it, you’ll see many benefits.

Not only will your body change as you get fitter and faster, but it’s likely your mental health will improve as well.

18. The Runner’s High Is Real

“Psychologically, runners may experience euphoria, a feeling of being invincible, a reduced state of discomfort or pain, and even a loss in sense of time while running,” says Jesse Pittsley, PhD, president of the American Society for Exercise Physiologists.

So the runner’s high is real and sounds like something worth chasing!

19. Mix Up Your Run Types

Once you get into a solid running routine, consider changing up your types of runs.

For example, one day do a longer run, the next day a shorter run at a faster pace and the following day sprint intervals around a track. This will help you stay interested and excited about your running.

20. Runners Are Mentally Tough

Ask any elite runner and they’ll tell you the same, running is both a physical and mental exercise.

There will be days you don’t want to go on a run or days you mentally can’t get into the run. A great resource for learning more about the mental aspect and training your brain is Deena Kastor’s book Let Your Mind Run.

21. Did We Mention Rest?

A day of rest cannot be stressed enough! There is no shame in taking a day off and actually is highly encouraged.

Your body will thank you!

Published on December 22, 2019 By Thomas Watson

Best Running Vests Guide: 2020 Edition

In my opinion, every runner should have a good running vest.

Yet so many runners go without them! They end up carrying things in their hands as they run, or wearing a fanny pack which rubs and bounces around everywhere.

I wear my running vest all the time; even if I’m just going for a shorter training run, I often find myself slipping it on.

What do I use it for?

Keys, money, my phone, headphones, water bottle, gels, salt tablets; you name it.

I discovered the benefits of a running vest after spending years running around carrying things in my hands pockets.

It was annoying.

A good running vest will fit snugly to your body, and provide no chafing or interference to your running form.

I actually find that when I run with my iPhone in the back of my vest, the weight gently rolls my shoulders back a bit and helps open up my chest, improving my form!

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What I Look For In A Running Vest

Just like a good pair of shoes, a good running vest should first and foremost be comfortable. If it annoys you at any point as you run, it’s not for you.

Here are some more pointers for what to look for when picking your running vest:

Pocket size and accessibility. My running vest has a myriad of tiny sleeve pockets that are flush with the body of the vest; they’re perfect for money and gels, and I can comfortably carry up to 15 gels in them (I’ve only done this a couple of times . . .).

Hydration system. Here’s something controversial . . . I don’t like running vests or packs with bladders in the back. I find them cumbersome to clean and operate, a pain to refill on the move . . . and it’s hard to tell how much water you’ve got left. Instead, I prefer a running vest with a couple of smaller bottles that hug my chest. It makes them easier to access and manage!

Body hugging. The running vest needs to be body-hugging while remaining comfortable; the closer everything is to your body, the less inertia and bounce will occur. Look for vests with at least one chest-strap, and adjustable straps everywhere else.

Volume / size. If you are going to use your own water bladder with the running vest – or want to carry extra items along – then make sure the capacity is big enough.

Best Running Vests

Here is my selection of the top running vests:

Nathan VaporAir Hydration Pack

Although I’m not crazy about hydration packs, if you’re looking for one the Nathan VaporAir is one of the best.

It carries up to 2l of water, and is designed with super-breathable body-mapped material. It has two large pockets at the front for easy access, and two smaller stash pockets for gels and keys.

Finally, it’s flourescent colours help it you’re someone who trains in hours of darkness!

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Salomon Advanced Skin Backpack

Salomon describe this vest as a ‘carrying solution’ – with a multitude of front pockets, this pack is perfectly suited for a trail run or race where you may have to carry your own fuel.

No bladder is included, but 2 x 500ml soft water bottles are, which fit snugly into front pockets for easy access. Made from elastic power mesh; the pocket count and comfort levels makes this my kind of vest!

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Nathan VaporAiress Pack for Women

There’s a lot to love about this vest / pack designed specifically for women. It comes with an optional 2l hydration bladder, as well as pockets at the front for bottles if you choose.

It has great reviews in terms of both comfort and practicality, and it looks great!

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Camelbak Ultra Pro Vest

Camelbak’s Ultra Pro is a simple, front-loaded running best. Featuring two 500ml soft bottles on the front, several pockets, and two front straps.

The back pocket is smaller – no room for a separate hydration bladder, for example – but this vest has all you need to run far!

Published on December 22, 2019 By Thomas Watson

Best GPS Watches for Running Ultramarathons: 2020 Edition

Hey guys,

Finding a good GPS watch for your ultramarathon – the training and the race itself – requires some research. In this post, I’ve broken down the key features you should focus on, and make recommendations on different models.

The requirements of an ultramarathon GPS watch are way different from your regular GPS watches.

For example, for my day-to-day training runs I tend to use my Apple Watch. It’s functional, it syncs with my iPhone, and the GPS and Strava app are definitely decent quality.

But I only use my Apple Watch for runs shorter than around 25 miles.

Once you’re into ultra-distance runs, you need a GPS watch which has great battery life. Some other features such as heart-rate monitoring are handy too.

Let’s look at some of these features:

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What I Look For In An Ultramarathon GPS Watch

Battery Life

Battery life is a key feature of an ultra-running watch. Most GPS watches on the market are good for 8 – 10 hours, then you’re on your own.

So finding a GPS watch that boasts and extended ‘GPS Active’ battery life is essential. You should also consider the length of ultras you’re running, and the maximum time you’d expect to be out in the field.

An important factor to consider is the ‘sample frequency‘.

This is how frequently the watch checks your position.

A regular GPS watch will record your position every second; however some will have different settings to allow you to extend this to up to once every minute, in order to extend the battery life.

While this is a great feature, it leads to less accurate real-time position / speed data when you’re on your run. So be aware that when a watch advertises “up to 50hrs battery life”, you should check the sample rate of those 50hrs.

Actionable Metrics

In other words, these are things the watch tracks which gives you information about your performance. A watch with a heart-rate monitor is useful, especially if you have been tracking your HR in training runs, or are training based on HR zones.

Altitude is also useful, as you can pace your efforts dependent on the difficulty of the gradients.

Finally, some navigational features can be useful (dependent on the nature of where you run, or your race). I once ran a self-navigated trail race where the race director sent my the trail route as a data file before the race began.

Ability to Re-charge While Running

This is a feature specifically for really long races, where you’re going to be out for 15hrs+. Several watches still function while being re-charged: good models include the Garmin Fenix 5 series, the Suunto Ambit Peak, and the Suunto Spartan series.

Good Software Platform

Modern technology gives us the ability to go back through the data of our running GPS watches and analyse every aspect of our run.

Comfort and Durability

A good GPS watch should also be comfortable for wearing while running for hours on end, and durable enough to withstand the hours of knocking and sweating they’ll inevitably be exposed to. All the watches I recommend below fall into these camps.

Added bonuses like the ability to sync over wifi, play music, etc. all come down to personal preference and budget.

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The Garmin Fenix series for ultramarathons

The Garmin Series 5 Plus range are really leading the way these days for ultramarathon watches. Though expensive, they are top performers in every feature and are packed with extras.

Here’s a breakdown of the range:

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Garmin Fenix 5S Plus

The smallest of the Fenix 5 Plus range, the 5S boasts a GPS battery life of up to 11hrs, or 25 hrs in ‘UltraTrac’ mode (lower sampling rate).

It also can store up to 500 songs, has navigational maps. The ‘S’ stands for small – it is well suited to women, or thinner-wristed runners (like myself!).

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Garmin Fenix 5 Plus

The most popular watch in the series, the Fenix 5 Plus boasts a GPS life of up to 18hrs, or 42hrs in UltraTrac mode.

Note that listening to music roughly halves the watch’s battery life. Like the other watches in the series, it even features ‘Garmin Pay’ contactless payment system!

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Garmin Fenix 5X Plus

The ‘X’ is the best-in-class watch in the range, for the serious distance runner. Boasting up to 32 hours of GPS time (or up to 70 in UltraTrac mode), as well as a blood-oxidation monitor for sleep improvement and altitude acclimation monitoring), the ‘X’ is slightly bulkier than the other two watches in the line.

More Ultramarathon GPS Watches

And here’s my pick of some other brands’ offerings:

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Suunto 9 Baro

The Suunto 9 Baro watch really stands out in terms of potential battery life. By using it’s Intelligent Battery Mode, you can be tracking your activity for up to 120hrs before this thing will die on you.

The secret behind this is the ‘Fusedtrack’ technology – the watch checks your GPS position less often than it regularly would, and uses it’s sensors and algorithms to adjust and ‘fill in the gaps’. Field reports suggest this technology is pretty reliable and getting better. One for the 100-milers!

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Suunto Spartan Ultra

On the cheaper end of the ultramarathon GPS spectrum, the Suunto Spartan is built for a variety of activities.

There’s no HR monitor built-in (though you can purchase an optional HR chest strap), and the watch has a maximum GPS life of 26 hours – though it maintains a good sample rate of 1 second.

Which features are important to you when choosing a new ultra-running GPS watch?

Which model are you currently running in?

Anything to recommend to me?

Best GPS Watches for Marathon Training: 2020 Edition

If you have a marathon in your sights, one of the best investments you can make is in a great GPS running watch.

In order to train effectively, you have to be able to track your runs.

A GPS running watch will tell you your running speed and distance while you run. Then, later on, you can track and compare all your runs via your smartphone or computer, using a service like Strava.

Nowadays, running GPS watches often come with a bunch of additional features. These include: estimating your VO2 max, measuring your heart rate, and also tracking your daily activity. Some GPS watches are suited for all kinds of workouts, including swimming. Others – like the Apple Watch – can even make and receive phone calls – if that’s what you’re looking for.

A GPS running watch is particularly important when you’re training for an event like a marathon. You want to be able to log all your run distances, and track your pace, in order to quantify your progress.

Then of course, come marathon day, you want to keep track of how you’re performing on the big event!

These days, I always wear my GPS watch when running – it’s a simple way of recording every run I make, and means I’ve got a library of my training and progress I can check on at any time.

Different GPS watches are suited to different situations – for example, I’ve got a simple Garmin which is great for regular training runs, but it’s battery only lasts around four or five hours. So when I go and run ultras, I take the spruced-up version.

Can’t I Just Use My Phone?

Yes, of course! All smartphones on the market have GPS capabilities.

However, the devil is in the detail. Smartphone GPS technology is not always optimised for outdoors exercise like a GPS running watch is.

Manufacturers like Suunto and Garmin realise that their users primarily use their devices outdoors to track activity, so they prioritise metrics like pace and distance. They also spend a lot of R&D in developing algorithms which work with the raw GPS data to ‘smooth’ it, so it resembles your actual run as closely as it can.

If you’ve ever recorded a workout with your phone that looks spikey and erratic, now you know why!

For accuracy, and for ease of checking my progress, I always reach for my GPS running watch.