| There are several run-equipment choices I feel can | | | | shoes.FUEL BELT-I was so glad to see these come |
| help you quite a lot in your quest for your first Ironman | | | | on the market. It used to really bug me to run a long |
| Trathlon finisher medal.SHOES- Of course well fitting | | | | distance in training with a water bottle on my hip. I just |
| shoes are a priority. I've tried every sort of shoe you | | | | seemed out of balance. For that reason, I never |
| can imagine over the years and have come to this | | | | bothered taking a water bottle out on an Ironman run |
| conclusion:You can train just as well and stay just as | | | | course. You should really make a fuel-belt a part of |
| injury free in $50 shoes as you can in $150 dollar | | | | your Ironman run-equipment for training and racing. The |
| shoes. For instance, what if an outlet has a brand new | | | | belt I prefer holds 6 smaller containers. They are |
| 2003 model shoe on sale for $69, and sells the new, | | | | spread out around your waist so you don't feel out of |
| improved (same shoe) 2005 model for $149. Does that | | | | balance and you hardly know they're there during your |
| mean the older model was no good and will hurt your | | | | runs. These are a particularly good idea for the |
| feet? Of course not! In order to stay competetive, | | | | Ironman marathon because you can use them for |
| manufacturers have to continually make small changes | | | | your favorite fuel if its not being supplied on the course. |
| and/or improvements in their product to stay in step | | | | The belt also has reflectors built in for night |
| with the competition. The same as cars for | | | | running.HEART MONITOR- I really feel that everyone |
| instance.The change from one year to the next may | | | | training for an Ironman should make use of a heart |
| just be in the color, or new lacing system or a bit more | | | | monitor. It's just a really important piece of |
| build-up in some part of the shoe. Sometimes the | | | | run-equipment. See my page on training with a heart |
| change is really small.Just shop around. See whats out | | | | monitor.WEAR A CAP- I'm not sure why some |
| there and in your training try several different types of | | | | Ironman Triathletes don't wear hats. They provide |
| shoes and when you find the one that just feels great, | | | | protection from the sun of course--but more than |
| fits perfect, and never gives you blisters no matter | | | | that--they are ideal for putting cold water in(or ice) at |
| how far you run---then that's your race day shoe. Try | | | | aid stations to keep you cool. On extremely hot days |
| and make your choice for a race day shoe the lightest | | | | you just HAVE to do everything you can to keep your |
| of all your shoes.Remember: Whatever you do, don't | | | | body cool.CLOTHING- For training of course, you have |
| go out and buy some fancy shoe for Ironman day | | | | to dress for the weather in your part of the world. For |
| because it looks really great. Go with the old shoe that | | | | race day however there are a few ways you can |
| got you there. Don't make any late changes.I heard this | | | | go.TRISUITS are a really good idea. You wear the |
| story years ago and have never forgotten it and it's | | | | trisuit under your wetsuit and you're good to go for the |
| just a great example of what I'm talking about.It's 1960, | | | | other two events. Usually they dry out pretty quickly, |
| Rome Olympic Games. An African from Ethiopia | | | | but you may be cool in the early portion of the bike |
| shows up for the games. He is running in the marathon. | | | | ride.A second option is tri-shorts and a seperate top. |
| He has no shoes. He didn't train in shoes. He trained | | | | The shorts are padded for the bike and like the trisuit, |
| back home by chasing rabbits for miles in his bare feet. | | | | you just wear the shorts and top under your wetsuit.A |
| A major shoe distributor at the games gave him a | | | | third option is just wear a swimsuit under your wetsuit |
| brand new pair of shoes to wear. He put them on. | | | | and make a complete change into clean, dry, and |
| They hurt his feet. He took them off. Said "No, thank | | | | warm cycling clothes. Then make another complete |
| you". He ran the marathon in bare feet. Twenty miles | | | | change at transition two into running clothes.In my later |
| were over the cobblestones of Rome.HE WON THE | | | | races when time was more of a factor for me, I went |
| GOLD MEDAL!!Now the shoe manufacturer really | | | | with the second option. I preferred a seperate top, |
| LOVES him and gives him shoes to train in at | | | | because I had pockets (similar to a cycling jersey) |
| home.FLASH AHEAD 4 YEARS TO THE NEXT | | | | sewn into the top to hold food. Normally trisuits don't |
| OLYMPIC GAMES--This African runner from Ethiopia | | | | come with pockets and its not really the type of |
| shows up at the Olympic Games. He is entered in the | | | | material you can sew a pocket onto. Also, if I felt like |
| Marathon again. He is wearing shoes that he trained in | | | | changing into running shorts at the second transition it |
| at home. They don't hurt his feet now.HE WON THE | | | | was a simple operation. Just wear the same top and |
| GOLD MEDAL!! AGAIN!!HIs name is Abibe Bikila. The | | | | change shorts.For your first Ironman the run-equipment |
| first African to win olympic gold--now they are a | | | | you choose can make a big difference in how you |
| dynasty.The moral of the story is:If he had worn the | | | | perform on the day.The clothing you choose will make |
| shoes for the 1960 Olympics, not only would he have | | | | a difference to your comfort level on race day. I would |
| not won gold, he would have trashed his feet. Just | | | | recommend for your first Ironman Triathlon, that you |
| imagine the blisters. He wasn't accustomed to wearing | | | | take your time and go with clothing option number |
| shoes.If he had not worn shoes in the 1964 Olympics, | | | | three. Just wear a swimsuit under your wetsuit, make |
| not only would he have not won gold, he still would | | | | a complete change into cycling clothes, and make a |
| have trashed his feet. He wasn't accustomed to bare | | | | complete change into Your favorite running clothes |
| feet anymore and his feet would not have the same | | | | and shoes for the marathon.My name is Ray and |
| toughness as the previous olympic games.So I repeat: | | | | although I'm a veteran of over a dozen Ironman races, |
| Go with the footwear that you've done lots of training | | | | distance running is where I have the most experience. |
| in. Don't make any late changes. When I found a pair | | | | Hopefully this article on run equipment will help you |
| of racing shoes I just loved, I wore them training until | | | | prepare for the Ironman. Also, I have a website full of |
| they were nicely broken in. I put those elastic, lock | | | | racing and training tips that you may find helpful in |
| laces on them, so I never had to tie them again and I | | | | preparing for the big day.My site is called "Ironstruck", |
| put them away. I wore them for 5 Ironman races. In | | | | the address is can also contact me with any |
| that last transition, it was like putting on a favorite pair | | | | comments or questions. All e-mails will be answered |
| of slippers. I NEVER had blisters or foot problems. I ran | | | | as soon as possible. |
| one Ironman marathon in 3:34 in those same | | | | |