Online Running Gear Newsletter 7
In this Issue…
1) Update on my quest for the Boston Marathon
2) Proof how shopping online can save you bundles
3) Treadmill Running
4) Improve your running form with this one simple tip
Hi Again,
Since my last newsletter, I’ve been thinking more about my goal to qualify for the Boston Marathon. Quite frankly, it makes me a bit nervous. I guess I’m nervous about the disappointment if I don’t qualify. So, my main focus is what do I need to do to qualify?
First of all, I needed to get training with a heart rate monitor again, and since my old “Polar Beat” has been around since the dinosaur age with the batteries long since dead and probably leaking battery acid into the unit, I thought that I would spring for a new one. When I started my research into what I wanted to buy, I came across the Garmin Forerunner 305 at what I believed to be an amazing price. Put it this way, it was going to cost me the same as what I had expected to pay for a heart rate monitor, and if I went for the Garmin, with it’s GPS unit, I would have so much more information at my fingertips. So I bought it.
Read my review comparing the Garmin Forerunner 305 vs 405
So far I’ve had my Garmin out for one run and I must admit that I’m a bit frustrated with the amount of information and technology that I need to learn, but I’m getting there. I have been reading through the running forums and learning from other runners challenges.
Second of all, this time I seriously need to follow a proper marathon training program. So I’m currently researching what’s available and will choose one soon. I also want to do a half marathon early in the year, then probably a late spring marathon and if I don’t qualify, I think that I will sign up for the Sacramento Marathon in December (2010). If anyone has any recommendations for good qualifying marathons, please leave a comment. That would be a very valuable list to have.
The Real Price of Running Gear - Don’t Get Ripped Off!
I have made it no secret how much I love shopping online - because I LOVE saving money. I visit our local running stores as I would like to support them and sometimes just stop by for a visit because we know so many on our local running community. When I check out the prices that they charge for the same and comparable products that you can buy online for a fraction of the price, it blows my mind. I know that I won’t be giving them my money any time soon. To prove a point, I recently captured a screenshot of my online transaction for a pair of running shoes. I then went into a local branch of a popular chain of running stores and took a photo of the same pair of runners (the Saucony Hurricane Pro-Grid 10).
Other than taking out the brick and mortar running store name, these images have not been altered in any way. Just look at the difference in price. The running shoes that I bought online were half of the price of the running store. And that’s not even including the tax that will be added to the running store price. They are identical shoes. I can think of plenty of other running gear that I would like to buy (online) with $80.00 that I just saved.
This example isn’t just a one off, but very typical of the savings that I see when shopping online. Are brick and mortar store overheads that high that they can justify the rip off?
I bring this up just before Thanksgiving, the largest shopping weekend of the year, because the savings go even deeper right now. My inbox has been flooded with “Black Friday” and “Cyber Monday” Specials that online sports stores are offering. I don’t want to litter my newsletter with all the specials, but if you need to get some running gear then now is the time. You can check out the specials on my Deals and Steals post.
Treadmill Running
With winter around the corner and daylight hours getting shorter and weather getting colder and wetter, it’s sometimes hard to motivate ourselves to get outdoors to get a run in. The treadmill can provide a great alternative to outdoor running. I’ve talked to runners that live in extreme weather conditions and sometimes a treadmill is their only form of a run for months at a time. Try training for a marathon on a treadmill 
If you find yourself on a treadmill this winter, take the opportunity to utilize the treadmill’s functions to give yourself a workout that you may not typically challenge yourself to do when running outdoors. If you don’t usually run hills, give the incline of the treadmill a boost and get some hill-work done. Same goes for speed workouts. If your regular runs don’t include intervals or speed bursts, turn the speed up on the treadmill and and work it. Most treadmills offer set programs that will take you through some challenging hill and/or speed training. I find that playing with the treadmill functions to see what I’m capable of is like playing a game and keeps the boredom out of a treadmill run. Treadmill’s surfaces are also softer and more flexible than most outdoor running surfaces, so it’s gentler on your feet and legs. The sounds and smells of the outdoors might be taken away, but hopefully your treadmill is placed near a window so that you can still get the sights.
Running Form Tip
On a recent visit to my massage therapist, he gave me a simple but very effective tip to try while running that will help to maintain good running form. Try to keep your thumbs pointed upwards during your run. This is more efficient as it helps propel the body forward, while also keeping your shoulders square and moving in a motion that doesn’t cause stress in your upper back, shoulders and neck. I have been trying it out during my runs and I can notice the difference. To begin with, the hardest part was remembering to keep my thumbs up, but now it almost seems second nature.
Well, that’s it for another issue. As always, we would love to hear from you as we value your opinion & comments.
Happy Trails,
Jacquie
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