GEAR LOVE: RUNNER'S WORLD PRINT ISSUE

My copy RW. Screenshot of cover taken by PKSenagore. January 8, 2020.

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2020 MAY BE THE BEST FOR JUMP STARTING THE YEAR

ELITE FITNESS EXPERTS MAY OFFER ADVICE ON GEAR, including shoes, apparel, and exercise equipment that might help motivate regular physical activity.   As an everyday, recreational athlete trying to find personal motivation I have identified a single inexpensive item that reliably energizes my running and walking efforts throughout the year: a print issue of Runner’s World magazine.
 
This year I happen to have a gift subscription.  Previously I would seek out the current issue in a Barnes and Noble bookstore, buy it, and go through it cover-to-cover to juice-up my running (later only walking) efforts. In my heavy travel days, I found it at airport news stores. No matter how I obtained a copy over the years, however, the effect of having and reading it remains the same:  inspiration.
 
Every 2 months (6 issues per year) the staff puts out content that has a crazy way of making me impatient to get out and try what I learned after reading nearly every square inch of print, even the ads.  I can’t explain why the magazine’s paper copy has this psychologically stimulating effect and the online digital version doesn’t.  It’s a mystery to me.
 
Actually, because for so many years (this is mostly still true) I could not participate in the races and events highlighted by the magazine, its material contributed to the idea behind my founding Earned Runs. 
 
Back then I dearly wished to experience the running life as described in RW but could not find my way to fully realizing this aspiration. The expense in money and demands on time were more than I could afford.  My family and career would not accommodate it then; now physical limitations require that my adventurous spirit be quieted a bit (cost is always a consideration). With the bibs of Earned Runs I gave myself opportunities to compete, at least with myself.
 
Fortunately, even after 40+ years of only running, then only walking due to injury, and now running and walking to prevent injury, purchasing and reading one issue at a time still provides motivation and injects excitement into my fitness life.  Below is a sampling of the sections of the January-February 2020 RW that make it a valuable piece of gear for me:

Sections:

• Inside Knowledge: advice from the “coolest” runners
• Inside Lane: gear
• My Running Life: expert hacks, gear recommendations, and wisdom from RW staff
• How to be a Runner: an individual’s opinions

The Test Zone: assorted gear reviewed

• What to wear: hats
• Editor’s Choice

Feature articles on:

• Running to achieve personal victories by Jess Movold
• Running and expressing gratitude in one-mile segments by Matthew Meyer
• Best ever running trips around the globe, nominated by RW staff (my choice: Norway!)
• Grueling but rewarding desert relay team event by Lauren Steele
• New elite running team with huge aspirations of becoming the world’s best by Tracey Ross
• Amazing rise of a previously unknown Chinese ultra-runner by Pavel Toropov
• Review of latest shoe models

 
For athletic attitude boosting this first magazine of the year might be the best. Try scanning an issue before purchasing one to keep for reference. I’ve tried reading RW at a newsstand and not taking it home, but this practice doesn’t provide the same power. 
 
Consider buying just one print copy of Runner’s World or another fitness magazine that meets your sport needs for the first couple months of the new year as a piece of gear. Rather than just serving merely as interesting reading material it could add an anticipatory thrill to your athletic training efforts.
 
RUN & MOVE HAPPY!