run 4 it road test 40
jogscotlandmagazine Summer 2011
road test Going the distance
Race season iswell and truly upon us and jogscotties and sisters Gillian Grant and AdrienneMurray are in training for the FullMonty: themarathon! Sowe sent them along to Run 4 It on Lothian Road, Edinburgh, to test out some kit to help get themacross the finish line!
Gillian:
I’m running the Edinburgh Marathon for the fifth time this May and therefore Iwas delighted to be given the chance to test some products to help me get round the 26.2miles.
Run 4 It kitted me out with a rather stylish Ron Hill Contour Vest, an Asics marathon waist pouch, a stick of Bodyglide and sachets of SIS GO Electrolyte Energy lemon and lime fuel.
So bright and early on a Sunday morning, I turned up to try it all out on a 20 mile run with The Edinburgh RunningNetwork. The vest was a great success, more fitted and flattering than most of the others I own. It has a wide hem which prevented it riding up and was lovely and cool to run in. Top marks from me!
The belt is designed to be worn with the water bottle at the back. I've never run with one like that before and really liked the way it kept my bottle out of my way but it was easy to pull it round to access a drink when Iwanted it. A draw string held the bottle firmly in place. Storage is a small mesh pocket with no zip which could really only be used for non valuable items like jelly babies and tissues, and a zipped compartment which only had room for four gels in it.
So for a runner like me, famed for running with gels, tissues, bus pass, ipod and lipstick (its a girl thing!) such limited storage would be a problem. It was however very comfortable to run in and would be ideal for runners who carry less odds and ends than me.
The Body Glide was a great success. Normally I use Vaseline but as my runs have got longer chaffing has become a bigger problem. It is just like putting a stick deodorant on, same solid texture. It was easy to apply it exactly to the problem areas and it worked very
well.No chaffing at the end of the run. And no fear of clogging up my washing machine with Vaseline!
Sachets of the fuel were mixed up as per instructions and one bottle went in the belt and one in my hand. It was one of those runs with all weathers, sun in the town, mist on the coast, but it was quite warm so I started sipping it when ever I felt like if from four miles onwards.
It didn't taste very great, but then they never do. I think a squirt of fresh lemon next time would vastly improve them. Drinking it did boost in my energy levels and I credit them for helping me to finish my 20 miler with a smile on my face.
Vest 5/5 Belt 4/5 Body Glide 5/5 Fuel 4/5
Adrienne:
Although the items Iwas given from Run 4 It did not include a fetching trilby and a press card, my road test run made me feel a bit like a secret reporter!
The Saucony ladies textured tank top I tried out was a pretty shade of pink and grey, but as the under vest is stitched to the outer one at the shoulders, it was easy to get it twisted round and inside out! Once on however, it was comfortable to wear and wicked well on a hot day and no chaffing.
My hydration was being carried in aNike no- look wide mouthed bottle sleeve. As the ‘no look’ suggests, you carry the bottle at the back but I admit, I cheated! As the miles built up, the extra powers of co-ordination required
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