Running gear tips for women on the go

One of the biggest bonuses for runners is that running doesn't require much gear. You pretty much need decent shoes and comfortable clothes and that's it. However, there are products out there that may help make those long runs more comfortable. While I'm not a pro or an expert, nor have I tried every imaginable product out there, I can give some pointers on where to start and how to choose the gear that will work for you — at the very least share what works for me.

I'm what you might call someone of "athletic build." I'm certainly not "skinny." I usually carry my weight in my bottom half, and since the baby arrived, I've got a bit of extra flesh around the midsection … not to mention an additional couple of cup sizes on top. Needless to say, I've had to change up my running clothes to accommodate my new physique.

Let's start with the most important (for women, that is):

The sports bra.

Now, prior to conception, I've never needed anything more than the seamless stretchy bras sold at Target. Since getting pregnant, I've been introduced to the incredible technology that goes into modern sports bras. My most recent purchase was the Juno, by Moving Comfort.

I purchased mine in indigo (it's a fun two-tone animal print). First of all, the girls do not jiggle at all while running. Secondly, the straps are adjustable in the front, using Velcro. When I need to nurse Anabel, all I have to do is unhook the Velcro, and voila! The material is super moisture-wicking, and even if you were to lactate in it (this is one of my constant worries), you needn't worry that anyone else would notice. The interior of the cups is lined with this space aged fabric that keeps you dry. (Since writing this post, the Juno bra caused some chafing where the fabric overlaps at the hook and eye closure when doing a 10-mile run. I'm so disappointed!)

I've tried two other Moving Comfort sports bras, and I am happy with both. The Divine Mesh is an underwire bra, and has cups made of breathable mesh material. It's supportive enough for running, but does not pass the lactation test. The other was the Urban X-Over C/D. It has no underwire, and is lightly padded — thus passes the lactation test. This was my go-to before I got the Juno.

Shoes

I've never been one to go crazy at the running stores, spending astronomical amounts on the newfangled product of the moment. I go to the outlet mall, and find the shoes from last season that fit the best. What you want is a shoe that supports your particular gait. I tend to put pressure on the outside edges of my feet, and I've found that too much arch support has actually caused me pain in the small bones of my 4th and 5th toes — so much so that I had an X-ray to see if I had fractured something (this was many years ago). I like the Nike Lunar Glide.

I began using the Lunar Glide when the outlets sold the 2nd iteration. Now the 6th iteration is out on the market. I'm currently wearing the 4th iteration. They're lightweight, there's enough space in the toe box to avoid damage to the toe nails (yes, ill-fitting shoes lead some runners to lose their toenails), and there's enough — but not too much — arch support.

I like these shoes so much that I had Michael try a pair. He has a narrow foot, which Nike is known for fitting. He was sold the instant he tried them on. Every time we find ourselves in a Nike outlet, we look for a pair of Lunar Glides in our sizes on clearance. Currently we both have one pair in reserves in the basement — ready for the day we decide our current shoes need to retire.

My point: good shoes are important, but you don't have to spend an arm and a leg.

Honestly, you don't need running tights to run. That said, they're pretty comfortable. Most running tights you'll see have some level of compression, and most have flat seams. When I first started running, I was uncomfortable with the jiggling sensation from my body fat. Luckily, compression tights mitigate the jiggle, and are said to improve circulation and decrease recovery time after running. One brand Michael and I use is CW-X.

Running tights are usually made with a combination of spandex and lyrca. This can be a dangerous combination, because when stretched, some fabrics of this blend can appear shiny, and worse: become sheer. We runners have resorted to bending over in front of a mirror to test the quality of the fabric. Price does not always equal quality. Lululemon, whose running tights run upwards of $100, famously failed the see-through test in 2013.

I generally stick to Athleta's relay tight. They come in various legnths and colors, and they're guaranteed to pass the see-through test. What's more, Athleta has a generous "give-it-a-workout guarantee" return policy.

Tops

Gone are the days when people exercised in sweat shirts. Nowadays, moisture wicking fabrics are the new standard. Newfangled fabrics are currently on the market, which are interwoven with anti-microbial properties, so that your clothes don't stink — that's right, even after a workout. I know it sounds too good to be true, but I wear my anti-stink workout tank twice before washing it. Mine is the Chi Tank from Athleta. I like the extra long variety, for the added coverage.

Accessories