It’s the start of a new year — and runners are being flooded with ads for expensive shoes, supplements, and “must-have” gear.

In this episode, Coaches Chris and Maya cut through the noise and perform a true runner gear audit: what actually improves performance and recovery, and what most runners can safely skip.

We break down the Core Four essentials that matter for half marathon training:

• Why magnesium plays a critical role in sleep, recovery, and nervous system balance
• How electrolytes (especially sodium) support hydration and performance
• Fueling strategies to avoid bonking and train your gut early
• The one recovery tool most runners need — and why expensive gadgets aren’t necessary

We also cover what’s mostly hype, including fat burners, BCAAs, and carbon-plated shoes for beginners — and explain why simplicity beats overbuying.

🎯 Runner Tip of the Week: Never race in brand-new shoes. Use the 2-week break-in rule to stay injury-free.

🔗 Resources & Coach Picks:
We’ve put our exact recommendations in one place so you don’t have to guess:

• Magnesium (Sleep/Recovery): The Best Magnesium for Runners (Review)
• Shoes (Daily Trainers): Beginner's Guide to Half Marathon Shoes
• The Plan: Download the FREE 14-Week PDF

This episode builds on earlier conversations about magnesium, fueling, and recovery — perfect for runners starting the year focused on training smarter.

This has been a production of the Half Marathon Training Plan Podcast. Visit us at HalfMarathonTrainingPlan.com for in-depth articles, training tools, and gear recommendations.

Train Smart. Run Strong. Finish Proud.