Real-world review
My first half-marathon: all my running gear
Getting into running: my trail vest, my Kiprun shoes, my Forerunner 255 and 3 months of training up to the Porge half-marathon in 1h44.
Hi, I’m starting a new arc in my life and I want to share my experiences, not because they’re incredibly interesting, but mostly because after all these years of being into a bit of everything, I really feel the urge to pass things on and share what I’ve learned.
To start with: my name is Ayrton, I’m 32, and I work as a developer. I’ve long had an appetite for all sorts of activities, so I hope this space will help me channel all that and finally find some meaning in what I do day to day.
Last year I discovered running; and like every time I get into something new, I need the complete loadout:
Decathlon trail vest
I love this vest. It has several pockets, including a zipped one that lets me stash my stuff safely, plus a back slot for a bottle and two pockets for 250 ml soft flasks, super handy. The only flaw I find: when I run with the pockets loaded, it tends to bounce around quite a bit, but that’s probably because I adjust it badly.
Domyos shorts
Classic stuff here: lightweight, with a back pocket, nothing to say. You could buy ten of them and never be disappointed.
Kiprun KS900 shoes
Probably my biggest surprise. I’ve put 600 km on them and I still prefer them to my Brooks! They’re simple, effective and really comfortable, their lifespan is genuinely good, I can only recommend them.
Forerunner 255
I haven’t taken it off since I got it; this watch is a real joy. Exceptional battery life, GPS, Garmin Connect, it genuinely has everything. Once it’s got a read on you, about a week for me, you really start getting into it. From a health and performance standpoint, it’s just incredibly well done and intuitive.
Domyos 500 treadmill
A classic of the genre, but honestly not a luxury: rain, snow, 40 °C or -10 °C, you can run and train any time. I’m lucky to have the space at home; the treadmill folds up so it’s not really bulky, if you’ve got the room, obviously.
Right, once fully kitted out, I gradually started piling on the kilometres. My goal was the Bordeaux marathon, but bad luck, I couldn’t get a spot in time, so I found a half-marathon at Le Porge.
The plan I went with was pretty simple:
- 6 km a day, on the treadmill or outside
- one longer run per week, 10 to 15 km
- strength work: biceps + push-ups + abs
- 2 rest days
On the food side:
- 1800 to 2100 kcal
- 3 litres of water
And that for 3 months.
Three months later, I crossed the finish line in 1:44 and 15 kilos lighter! What a feeling. Clothes don’t make the man? Certainly, but you’ve never seen a monk in an abbey wearing a Lacoste tracksuit.