The Pittsburgh full and half marathons on May 3 are a little more than a month away, which means you’re probably not only getting some major miles in. You may also be getting a little stressed about how to best prepare for race day.
To help calm those jitters, we took a look at four cool running gadgets and accessories aimed at making the running life a little easier.
The Core by RunMD
Even when they remember to stretch, most runners experience post-workout muscle soreness from time to time. A good foam roller can work out the pain. The Core by RunMD has four distinct rolling zones, and two or more can be easily snapped together for those times when you need a longer roller (leg and back work). A hollow tube made out of ABS (crash helmet) plastic versus PVC, it’s a perfect travel companion for races since you can store everything you need for race day — sports chews, GPS watch, earphones, sunglasses — inside. A screw-on cap keeps everything secure.
Available for $45 at Elite Runners & Walkers in Robinson or at runmd.com.
Race Dots
Don’t you hate how your have to poke holes in your favorite shirt to attach a race bib? Hate it no more with Race Dots. These powerful, aspirin-sized magnets do away with the need for safety pins on race day. Just place one half of these rare-earth magnets inside your shirt, line up the other half on the outside and whoom! That bib isn’t going to move. The magnets are so powerful, you better have fingernails to pry them apart. Best of all, no worries about a safety pin coming unhitched mid-race and sticking you in the chest. They come in a packet of five or 10 and are available in 11 color combinations so you can coordinate with your favorite outfit. $22.30/$39.99 at racedots.com.
1 Voice Wireless Headband
One of the biggest pains in trying to take your music on the road is when you snag your cellphone’s headphone cord on your shirt or hands and pull your earbuds out. That’s not a problem with the 1 Voice Headband. Built-in Bluetooth earbuds allow you to stream music without a cord, and it also contains a built-in microphone so you can make or receive phone calls without having to stop and fumble for your phone. The band itself is made with a slip-proof fabric that keeps your hair in place while wicking away sweat and moisture. It has a battery life of 4 to 5 hours. $59, 1voicenyc.com.
FlipBelt
Running belts can really weigh you down, and tights and shorts don’t always come with big enough pockets for your keys, phone and packets of Gu. The FlipBelt weighs just 3 ounces and sits light and snug on your hips. Shaped like a tube, it has an internal pocket system that’s accessible from four openings — simply slip in the item, and flip the belt up to keep it secure. Bounce-free.
The belt’s not waterproof, but because it’s made of polyester/lycra, it will help wick away sweat so long as you don’t get dripping wet. And if you do, it’s machine washable.
Available in five sizes, in nine colors. $28.99, flipbelt.com.
Gretchen McKay: gtmckay@post-gazette.com, 412-263-1419 or on Twitter @gtmckay
First Published: March 31, 2015, 4:00 a.m.
