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Jogging gear
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Joggers should choose the running surface as well as outfit carefully.
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THE MOST important running equipment for joggers is Mother Earth. Choose your running surface carefully. Avoid tarmacs and hard ground. Grassy or sandy surfaces are best as long as they are fairly even. Another alternative is to run on the rubberised track of a large sports centre or of a treadmill. Make sure you have easy access to drinking water.
The next step is to choose the clothes you are going to wear. Remember, the clothes next to your body surface are as important as the ones visible to the world.
Women joggers must wear a well-fitting bra if they are to avoid friction-related sore nipples.
Underwear must be loose and elastic, especially at the thighs. Tight briefs and panties can cause underwear cuts on the inside of the upper thighs, and joggers are better off wearing boxer-style apparel or loose-fitting tracksuits.
Some men find the absence of scrotal support uncomfortable. They will be better off wearing large-sized briefs, or by taking a scissors to the thigh elastic of their regular briefs. Wear loose breathable fabrics on top. Wear light colours in summer, and darker colours in winter.
Choose your shoes wisely. The state of your foot arch, the way your weight transmits to your feet, your individual gait, and even minor orthopaedic problems determine the kind of shoe you will need.
A few minutes with an orthopaedic surgeon will help you make the correct decision. Visit the shoe store in the evening when your feet are swollen and stretched by a day of weight bearing. Spend at least an hour trying out different sizes. Try the shoes in socks and any orthotic devices that you usually wear for running.
You may need a different sized shoe for each foot. The shoe must fit snugly, leaving at least half and inch in front of your great toe. You should be able to move your toes freely in the toe box.
Over all, the shoe must be lightweight, with a thick heel and a flexible sole. The midsection that encloses the heel after tying the laces must be a snug fit, with good padding. Otherwise, the foot will slide back and forth in the shoe while running. This can cause blisters, or even an ingrown toe nail.
Once you have found a pair that fits, consider buying two pairs. Wear each pair on alternate occasions. This will give the shoes time to dry naturally.
Sweat affects the mechanical properties of synthetic material. So does the heat of sunlight. Shoes need time to dry naturally in the shade. Buy a new pair of shoes after you've run about 500 km in the old one.
RAJIV M.
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