8 Purchases That Changed My Running Life

[@craigrwc]

For books, don't forget the free option of libraries if you have them available near you.

[@jennierayner2152]

yes, definitely, support your library if you can! you can often request purchases or get interlibrary loans if they don't have want you want...if a subject area is popular, that = more books!

[@momcom5]

Books are free at the library! Ebooks and audiobooks too!

[@missingmimic]

I recently bought a cheap hydration vest because the hydration backpack i initially splurged 90 bucks on was practically impossible to access while running. It had zippers for snacks but its on my back lol i had to stop anytime I wanted to eat something. A cheap hydration vest has tons of front pockets and a little back pocket for the water bladder. Sometimes a cheaper solution is better 😊

[@JanneRasanen2]

Can your wear it in front of you? You may need help in closing and opening the fasteners.

[@philliphickey2687]

Injinji toe socks and Topo Athletic shoes my 1, hydration vest 2, event entries 3, vibit roller 4, BOA shorts because they are fun 5. Pure sport nutrition a game changer for me 6 and my garmin 955 i don't take it off unless charging it 7. Not a purchase but finding running mid 40's changing my life.

[@RunningUphill]

I agree with a lot of these. Love my running vest. I struggled for a long time with feeling like belts bounce too much or make my shorts fall off, trying to find one that worked, and my vest solved all those problems. I hate gels and have looked for 1000 other options. This one, I know there are "scientifically better" products out there, but I ended up going simple. Gummy bears or an apple get me through without upsetting my stomach. It wouldn't work for a road race so much, but for trail races/endurance runs or just the weekly long run, it works so much better for me. As for books, you've mentioned the Endurance Diet in other videos, and I couldn't agree more. When I started fueling for performance instead of working on keeping a low body weight, I saw a lot of improvement in how I felt running but also in general during heavy training blocks.

[@mandyclancey4180]

I LOVE sniffing new books!

[@SNIPEZONE23]

Me too! 📚 📖

[@Marc-Tu]

Books smell good new and old.

[@peterfullarton5690]

Very old books smell amazing!

[@moggy992]

@@mandyclancey4180 mine are all second hand lol. 😆 🤣 😂

[@jotaylor1684]

Living in a small rural french town, with no gyms or park runs, and no women runners my age, these are my not-in-order valued 'resources' - some free, some not😂 French runner friends who kindly turn up to pace me on my 5km time trials, my beautiful town park feels like my private running track, KZbin prime subscription so can do ad-free strength/mobility etc classes, our converted spare room to gym, my basic Garmin 45 watch, Balega socks, massage gun and foam roller, trail vest, and jelly babies which friends bring over from the UK. Oh and an understanding husband who supports and encourages me❤

[@doop2541]

In the same boat here in the USA

[@dresden_slowjog]

Lovely to hear about your town buddies, and wow you're right, that KZbin Premium subscription is such a luxury for me. I cherish it. Was shocked the other day when I watched YT in another phone, so many ADS!

[@AntonioLewis1]

Upgrading from running with my phone and the Nike Run app to having a Garmin Vivoactive 3 was a game changer. Then i upgraded to the Forerunner 955, another game changer. Investing in a good watch would be number 1 for me. HR monitor for more accurate data was a great purchase too. Also my Strava subscription, I couldn't live without it.

[@bannistercoach]

I 100% love my Theragun. Bought it 6 years ago and still going strong. I use it every day on my calves.

[@mikeb3717]

Books: 1. Born to Run 2. Slow AF Run Club: The Ultimate Guide for Anyone Who Wants to Run

[@drbikeshorts]

I bought a Runly hydration vest and it was a game-changer for me. I wear it for almost all my runs.

[@Melissa-gh7qn]

Books I absolutely recommend to everyone: How to win friends and influence people, How to stop worrying and start living, both by Dale Carnegie, and Atomic Habits by James Clear. Atomic Habits helped me a lot with building running and strength& conditioning habits you can stick to, and the other two helped me dealing with insecurities related to my job. I work in research where you often have to expose your work and yourself to other people, reading the books of Dale Carnegie really helped me being more relaxed with it!

[@moggy992]

I think I once put on this channel that I wear compressport socks. They ate fantastic an wear only for races as I can't afford to wear them all the time. Good video again Ben and Mary. Always subscribe too.

[@UlisesRosas]

I’m going to Chicago as well. I really hope to see you there. I’d love to have a pic with both of you.

[@50Something]

My new Garmin Forerunner 265 is my favorite piece of gear followed closely by my my stash of Endorphin Speed 2's. Honorable mentions go to a good yoga mat and dipping my legs in a cold mountain stream to reduce inflammation.

[@ann_intube]

I also love smelling new books! And a big fan of the classic "Wild" by Cheryl Strayed.

[@elizam9023]

Thanks to everyone posting about their favorite books! Here are 2 from me: Run Like a Pro (Even If You're Slow): Elite Tools and Tips for Runners at Every Level and How Bad Do You Want It?: Mastering the Psychology of Mind Over Muscle by Mat Fitzgerald are very informative, but also easy to read and captivatong. Great for all level runners. Endure By Alex Hutchinson is one of my favorite books of all time, not only ror runners!

[@julie99nl]

I'm listening to Run like a Pro now. Although a lot of it is "yeah that makes sense" to me...I don't do almost any of it and I don't know why. It's making me think about why don't I do some things.

[@smep-v6z]

I love the smell of new books and sniff them too. I have read so many great running books - not sure what to mention. A stand out book is Haruki Murakami "What I talk about when I talk about running". Also Vassos Alexander - Don't Stop Me Now: 26.2 Tales of a Runner's Obsession. Many thanks for the video and good luck for your training.

[@julietwistguernsey]

Nothing wrong with smelling new books 🙋‍♀ You need to do a video on books, or another newsletter with recommendations! I've just started Will It Make the Boat Go Faster - it's about the mens rowing eights at the Sydney 2000 Olympics and how they trained and got the best performance.

[@emillsommer-kt4mb]

Born To Run

[@conormcclure5687]

I would have a structured training plan at the top of my list. Either via an app or PT, I have found that the best gains I have seen are since I started following plans. I use them in the run up to races, but also for maintenance in between.

[@stephensimmons8657]

Meditations of Marcus Aurelius. Fantastic book , giving many thoughts to ponder on 👍

[@idawson998]

Toe socks are easily my best discovery this year

[@saikame5833]

My feet are way too tactile sensitive to have something hugging each of my toes individually. That's all I'd focus on and probably give myself a foot cramp in the process lmao.

[@dresden_slowjog]

Love my Salomon 12 l hydration vest. (1) Bigger is better - I don't want to waste money on a small and a big vest, only one (2) Some races have a huge mandatory kit list this one fits all stuff (2) it fits 1.5l water in the front plus gels plus I can carry a thin towel, a ziplock bag with a fresh shirt and deodorant in exchange for my very smelly shirt before I enter the public transport home, my keys, a mobile phone, a plastic bag if anything of interest appears on my run, etc etc etc.

[@TheJoshLange]

Ben: an easy improvement to future "list" videos like this for your viewers would be to add a small line of text in the corner that shows what item you're talking about and what number it is on the list. I looked away for about 45 sec and then came back to realize I'd lost track of where we were in the video. Hope you make this change, I think it will help! Thanks

[@rodginator]

Buying a Garmin Forerunner 965 last Nov transformed my running. I've smashed 5 year old PBs all year so far.

[@tadejdanev5030]

lol that's not cause of watch but your training + gym etc :)

[@H0A0B123]

@@tadejdanev5030 Maybe they mean the watch motivated them to train

[@tadejdanev5030]

@@H0A0B123 COULD BE :)

[@GrassFedKao]

@@tadejdanev5030 The metrics that Garmin provides you inside and outside of running has transformed my training and health as a whole

[@paulmainwaring6674]

My performance improved a lot when I started using a Forerunner simply because I trust it so much more than my previous watch. Having trust in your watch on race day is a gamechanger

[@PentagonFortress]

Funny this popped up as I was making a list of wants I wanna buy

[@LaustinSpayce]

Compressport better be giving you commission as I went out and bought some socks earlier today!

[@stevencauser15]

Great video as always. You mentioned your achilles tendonitis and how the ball helped. That's interesting I have been out for 2 months now with it. Will give it a go. Is there any other things that helped your recovery it's destroying my brain now. 😂 Keep up the great work guys ❤

[@joemoya9743]

Nicely done. Excellent list of purchases and point on. Books - "Winning Treadmill Workouts" combined with "Training the Darkside" - by Richard Diaz Close second - "Injury Free Running" by Tom Michaud.

[@panos6584]

Ultramarathon man must be the best book about running I have read until now

[@mantasvilkelis2224]

Great advices just on some maybe you should specify next time if it's for more advanced athletes or for the beginners. Gels for example is great source of energy but there great alternatives which in better pricerange and in the end you don't need high end gels for 7 usd if you are starting or running for hobby, there are plenty options which does asgood job without breaking a bank. Thank you for content and hope you will continue and maybe separate advertisement sections or provide some different priced alternatives. See you on the next starting line :)

[@Scholli_1988]

shokz headphones xD where i live, its quite hilly so we all share the same runners/cyclist/strollers on the flat paths, its very nice to have open headphones where you can hear the surroudings, 👌

[@definit1on119]

Training for the uphill athlete is awesome

[@Buffalobill77]

Feetures is the item splurge on. Expensive socks but worth every penny. Never had a blister wearing them

[@50Something]

That's odd, I have not bonded with my pair. I just find them way too snug.

[@joshbull6467]

1. Garmin watch (or similar)

[@megmikerodriguez6011]

BOOKS!!! 💛❤ Choose Strong: the Choice that Changes Everything by Sally McRae; Far Beyond Gold: Running from Fear to Faith by Sydney Mclaughlin-Levrone; and any book about Eric Liddell!!

[@TriStruggleBus]

I use the same socks (mid length Compress Sport), for the same reason! Living and running in Singapore! :) Although the Balegas work really well for me too. I found it's a combination of sock and shoe, with some shoes the Compress Sports work better for me, with others it's the Balegas. But only these very two brands and types.

[@kimdecker8901]

My top buys: my Garmin watch, the services of my beloved coach, the services of my similarly beloved physio and--'natch--good shoes.

[@ColeRunning]

Great video guys

[@JasonFarrell]

- 2 Toms Sports Shield anti-chafe roll-on. Better than Body Glide, Nut Butter, and all the rest. - Injinji toe socks! No more blisters between rubbing toes - Shirts that don't sag down over your butt when wet. So many shirts are TOO LONG, even size small

[@bbjunkie]

My top investment, local running club membership. Great for motivation, accountability and free coaching. As a new runner (now 2 years in) this was invaluable

[@TheStrolchy75]

my favorite books: How Bad Do You Want it by Matt Fitzgerald - you recommended it - and Mental Toughness for Runners: A Complete Guide by Michele Ufer

[@angelvargasvlogs]

good video!! For me the ring doesn't make much sense because as a runner my hands tend to swell so wearing a ring is not an option.

[@johns3859]

I love the smell of a new book! 😁

[@johnlogan8672]

SiS Beta fuel is my go too as well. Though I tend to mix it up a bit and have one of their caffeine gels sometime early during a long run too.

[@michaelheiden8118]

I‘m into sniffing (new) books as well 😮… build an encounter group or let‘s just continue enjoying ? … 😅 cheers from Vienna

[@jonathanpeck61]

Sunglasses 😎. Always buying sunglasses. They are essential. at my age I worry about cataracts and injuring my eyes. Always wear sunglasses.

[@Martin-kc1xj]

Simply updating from my forerunner 45 to 255 changed everything for me, and it's not just about running. I have IBS, and being able to track and quantify a flare-up is life altering... I can see how my body works now. Going by feel doesn't work on stuff that slowly creeps up for weeks until it reaches a point of no return that requires a week of complete rest and severe dietary restrictions. Knowing I'm starting to go down allows me to get back on track with minimal effort. Same when coming out of it... "I feel better"... but how much? Am I back to baseline or is it just that this morning I have a temporary boost of energy? My watch tells me, mostly with HRV and stress level at rest. I wish I had known about all this for the last 20 years.

[@dresden_slowjog]

What is IBS?

[@Martin-kc1xj]

@@dresden_slowjog irritable bowel syndrome. Chronic inflammation of the digestive system, triggered by some foods, or stress, leading to spikes of severe bloating, water retention, drop in metabolism, poor nutrients absorption and lethargy. I can gain 5 pounds over two days on a bad flare-up, and my stomach bulges out like I was pregnant. Running consistently has greatly reduced it... and now the watch let's me know when to change my routine so it doesn't get to that point.

[@kritan84]

Or just use your garmin for the aame stats the ring give.

[@karlbratby4349]

Agree, my 965 tells me more than enough in all aspects of down time and training, hate wearing rings, never worn my wedding rings so don’t think the wife will like me saying it’s a ring I must wear to track my body metrics 😂

[@ThisMessyHappy]

I mainly use it for sleep though and I hate wearing a watch in bed. So this is a little less intrusive. I guess I use a combo of both 😊

[@SimonBaxter]

Time to update your KZbin 'About'? London 2020 was a while ago.. Good luck in getting to 100k subs!

[@ThisMessyHappy]

Ha ha probably should 😂

[@AH87saxo]

As for gels, in the years since my first race (September 2012) until now I can’t remember all the brands I’ve used/tried, but I think I’ve definitely used 226ers (small ones or “hydragels”-->no need to add or drink water), SiS, and Maurten… I think I’ve tried some other brands, but not in training or racing, and it seems I’ve been lucky so far because I’m not aware if it improved my performance, but at least I didn’t have any gastric or gastrointestinal incidents 🙄😅🙈 The 226ers without water are more compact and easier to carry, as they take up less space. As for socks and compression stockings/material, I’ve been a fan/supporter of Compressport from the beginning; Although it is an expensive brand, most people consider it excessive to spend that much money on running socks. I think that the advice that I accept and agree is basic is followed: do not skimp on money on anything that has to do with our feet when the sport we do is with the 👣… and I think that not only includes footwear, but socks, etc.

[@rydo2012]

Ive got a book coming next week..printed in 1989...not sure itll smell too great !

[@tworunningbrooms]

Sniffing new books? Definitel yes. More niche habit here of sniffing old books as i buy lots of antique books for research. You can actually estimate the decade by the aroma.

[@karlbratby4349]

Great content budd… do you know anywhere in Uk that does the strength testing you showed in the video ? I to have been on a perfect sock hunt, even some pricey socks give hot spots in various areas.

[@jina-z7y]

My favorites… Forerunner 955 watch Salomon Skin vest Injinji socks Energy Gu Outdoor Research hat 32 Degrees Sun shirts

[@stephenelliott6923]

Hi Ben, I've been watching your videos for a while now, for both comedy and motivational purposes. Just curious, what's your height and weight? Keep up the good work.

[@paulmulks]

I'd love to purchase a treadmill but I just don't have the room for one

[@olivertwist6523]

"Lessons learnt on the run" David Kempston

[@blindinginspiration]

Hi Ben, I'm always on the lookout for some good running socks. Where do you get your Compressport socks from in Thailand? I'm running a half marathon tomorrow in Bangkok, aiming to break 2 hours for the first time. "RUN FOR MOM" @Queen Sirikit National Convention Center.

[@mikestevenson1334]

Books that I've got recently which might be interesting to others: 1. The Pulse Cure 2. Atomic Habits 3. into the forest 4. The Daily Stoic 5. Meditations

[@medsuit1686]

isnt the ring completely obsolete since most of us have a watch that does everything the ring does?

[@suzyaustin6066]

Yes! I like sniffing new books too! 😂

[@BigRedScouser]

Did I see a Metallica top at 6:36 Mr. Messy Happy? Where'd this secret come from?!

[@andydevinewine]

Nike spark socks

[@LeoShoSilva]

My favourite cost I heard is don't forget to take change with you for the Blackpool marathon toilets!!??....Is this just fake news?

[@anthonylarsen2757]

Loving the Metallica tee

[@trollpatsch.]

Wait... shoes not important? I would have guessed that's the first thing to invest in

[@stevebailey1682]

Did you post books that inspire you?

[@nextsteps]

Endure by Alex Hutchison

[@rc1906]

What are those compressions you had on

[@markm3747]

Looked like Compressport leg sleeves.

[@pennynoss]

so massage gun is recommded or not?

[@ThisMessyHappy]

It’s an ok addition for sure but not in my top 10. Depends if you have the spare cash. They’re not always cheap!

[@jotaylor1684]

The elephant in the room- not having kids has a massive impact on having more disposable income🤔. I/we chose not have kids, and over the years it has really sunk home how much that has allowed us both to pursue our passions, hobbies and interests. Appreciate this is a sensitive subject for some. But at 70 and still running 40 years on, being grand child free has enable me to focus on my run fitness. How on earth people with kids do it - huge admiration for them🙏

[@theghostofpcs2391]

You're right. As a mother of 4 (now grown) children, I had zero time for myself for many years. Never regretted a single moment! Looking forward to having some grand kids somewhere down the line.

[@ringspanner]

My children are grown up, so this year I started running at 60, the most I have ever paid for a pair of shoes LOL

[@definit1on119]

All comes down to discipline. Wake up earlier. Put money to aside ect.

[@NellyMin-e6d]

So true. Took 7 years off running to take care of my son. Getting back into it now he’s almost grown 😊

[@50Something]

Having children is something that I will be eternally grateful for, wouldn't change it for anything. I'm 5 years into my running journey at 57 and loving every second of it.

[@nmmerri]

sniffing new books, yes, but the real crack heads sniff *old* books (scientifically proven, btw)

[@dimitar297]

Gels are so expensive it adds up fast why not just eat a banana and a nut.

[@ThisMessyHappy]

Because they don’t do anywhere near the same thing sadly. Oh and also nuts would kill me 😂

[@regcrux1970]

#1😁

[@ThisMessyHappy]

Winner! 🏆 😂

[@ラッセル美紀]

You gotta sniff new shoes not books!

[@tombola4046]

The middle class guide to running kit 😂😂

[@CaliGiggles]

New book smell is one of the best things! 🤗📗💮