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Tips To Get The Most Out Of Your Run

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By MARY SHEDDEN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 31, 2008

Running isn't as simple as throwing on a T-shirt, a pair of cotton shorts and a pair of sneakers.

There's actual purpose behind the shoes, clothes and accessories at running stores, says Nicole Brownell, manager of the Bay to Bay Boulevard Feet First store, one of three Tampa Bay area locations.

"You don't have to spend a lot of money, but if it's not the right fit, running's not going to be an enjoyable process," she says.

Brownell, and Timothy Boyson, general manager of Fit2Run at Tampa's International Plaza, recently offered a few lesser-known clues to making the most out of your next run:

Hatin' on the cotton — Nearly every American road race provides a cotton T-shirt to its participants, but this iconic emblem of running is horrible race day gear. Wicking material — which pulls moisture away from the skin — has become the norm for running shirts, shorts and even socks, Boyson says. Staying dry is better for your skin, and wet shirts and socks get soggy and heavy.

It's gonna get gross — Runners stink. Brownell said running apparel today includes anti-odor materials that will fade after a series of washings. If you want to smell like springtime at the finish line, investigate which manufacturers make a big stink about odor control.

Smelling bad is the least of some runner's worries. If you want to run any serious distance, blisters and chafing will occur. Products such as Body Glide — think high-tech Vaseline — can be applied between the thighs, under bra straps and in between toes. Men may want to add one more spot: nipples get chaffed and even bloody thanks to the repetitive motion of a shirt rubbing the chest.

Gettin' all wet — Every personal trainer, coach and mother will tell you how important hydration and nourishment are to a successful run. What they don't explain is how you're supposed to replenish your electrolytes in full stride.

Brownell, who prefers water to high-sugar drinks, warns first-time racers to be careful at popular volunteer water stations: The paper cups you get can be hazardous.

"Slow down. Come almost to a full stop, actually take the water and go on," she says. "Otherwise, it's up your nose or down your shirt."

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