The Newbie’s Guide to Deals on Marathon
Seasoned runners, aka “road warriors” and marathon newbies alike are gearing up for the 89 scheduled marathons that are being held between now and the end of the year. Preparing for race day isn’t easy as lacing up your sneakers and setting out on the road. It takes dedication and consistent training to ensure that your body can handle the 26.2 miles that will soon be calling your name. If you’re new to marathons, here are three must-haves to help boost your training process (besides a great marathon buddy, of course):
Got My New Shoes On
Last year’s sneakers won't exactly make your feet happy after a grueling marathon…and they’ll probably slow you down. Purchase a pair of kicks that you’ll feel as comfortable in as you round out the first 10 miles of your race as you will for the long haul. Do a little research and ask your running friends what brands they recommend before forking over the dough for a new pair. You’re looking for stability, traction, and breathability. Shoes.com wants to help by giving you 10% off your purchase, plus free shipping on Adidas to Reebok, and everything in between. BrooksRunning.com is also offering free shipping with any purchase, including on their Adrenaline GTS 11 shoe, an award winner in the industry.
Proper Fit
As any good runner will tell you, oversized t-shirts and baggy basketball shorts on men or sweatpants and a loose fitting tank top on women do not make for ideal marathon apparel. For an easier run, choose tops made of Coolmax, a performance fabric with a moisture wicking system, or nylon. Shorts come in a variety of cuts and styles, so choose what is most comfortable for you, whether it’s a 3 or 4 inch racing short or a longer compression short. One thing that you don’t want to buy just for the race is a pair of socks, because, in this case, blisters and irritation don’t occur when you stick to what’s familiar. Right now, SportsAuthority.com has running clothes featured in their 50% off shop, and RoadRunnerSports.com is offering up to 75% off apparel in their online outlet store.
Equip Yourself
Runners just need the road to train, right? Nope. When the weather isn’t cooperating, it’s important to not take a day off from training to wait for the rain or snow to subside. If you’re really serious about getting your body ready, invest in a treadmill for use in the comfort of your own home. Right now, Mercantila.com is offering treadmills at up to an amazing 40% off, with free shipping and no sales tax fees. Don’t forget that keeping the muscles in your upper body engaged is vital to overall good health, so if you’re not afraid to run in a little rain, invest in a Bowflex system, instead. Currently all Bowflex home gym systems are being sold with a free strength training mat, plus waved shipping costs.
Preparing for your big race day will be a walk in the park if you’ve got these three essentials incorporated into your training program.
