Tacohead's Running Gear Review

At the camp I went to as a teen, people prided themselves on making do with scavenged gear. Beat-up hiking boots, Goodwill wool sweaters... it was 1996, after all -- deep in the flannel grunge years. And no deeper was it felt than at a canoe tripping camp where you couldn't even wash your hair. But since my parents always sent me off with appropriate REI gear (as they should have), I always feared being called a one of the dirtiest words around camp - a "gear-head."

So you can understand why I'm embarrassed to show my stash of running accouterments. Heck, I was embarrassed to buy most of them. But I quickly learned when I finally tried my first goo-gel that there's a reason this gear exists -- most of it really works. Many of them come recommended from very sensible, experienced people. So I bring you:

Tacohead's Running Gear Review



















BioFreeze. This product has been a near daily part of my life since its purchase. I love it. It's like Icy Hot but fancier and more effective and in a spray bottle. It helps soothe sore muscles and joints and can be applied in seconds.

Frozen veggies. Broccoli and spinach go under the legs, corn and edamame go on the knees. I've used this a lot as a preventative -- when things are a bit sore to prevent them from becoming really sore. Good before and after a run.

Goo gels. I actually like the taste of these enough I could eat them anytime. But for some people they upset the stomach, so test before race day. Although I have no proof, I'm a believer that caffeine helps, so I always pick the kind with caffeine. (Favorites: Powerbar green apple and tangerine). I felt really silly when I started to use these, but it makes sense -- your really body needs the 100 calories and (during hot weather) the sodium that these supply. I use 1 for 13-14 miles (taken at mile 10 or so), 2 for 18-20 miles. About $1-$1.50 each.

Endurox. I was most embarrassed to buy this, but everyone I know who trains uses it. It's a muscle and joint recovery powder that you mix with water and take after long runs. And again, I can't prove it, but I feel like I started recovering better and quicker after taking this. $25 (enough for me and Husband); available at REI and running stores.

The Stick. I finally got one because I figured why not -- it's a staple at my run club, and they were doing a bulk order (only available online) and I figured it was better than trying to massage my own leg muscles. I don't really think it does much, but it helps you feel like you're doing something. $20 (bulk price).

Garmin Forerunner 301. This GPS running watch tells you your pace, speed, and distance -- all based on a satellite. This means you can stop guessing at mileage or counting up long columns of numbers and know exactly how long you run. It also means you always know your pace -- which is amazingly helpful. While this watch has been invaluable to my training, I know there are other good watches out there, so if you're interested, I'd do the research. The only drawback is that it doesn't work in the woods (too much tree cover) or in the rain. It's also big, although the new versions are smaller. $150 (on sale, regularly $200. There are also different version available for different prices).

New Skin Liquid Bandage (not pictured). I've had a blister on my left pinky toe for over a year. It was really causing me pain last fall, but then I read a Wired article about Dean Karnazes (the guy who ran 50 marathons in 50 days) and he talked about using Krazy Glue on his blisters, so I took his suggestion but took it one safer. The blister is still there, but now it doesn't hurt. I apply it every morning as I blow dry my hair (when else am I regularly sitting immobile for five minutes?). Now if I could only figure out how not to get a blister there...