less about doing the same.Despite their lofty position

Its time to perform a head-to-toe gear check. Having an arsenal of gear that keeps you comfortable while training for and running a marathon is critical. Heres the bottom line: You know youve picked the right gear when you dont even have to think about it. It might take trying different brands, fabrics and features, but once you find your favorites, it makes getting out of bed to run that much more exciting. The only thing on your mind should be the next stride, the next 100 yards, the next mile, not if your clothes are riding up or chaffing you.In this weeks blog, Ill give you my tips and tricks for picking the right gear for you.ShoesMany people think this is the only piece of gear you need. Its definitely not the only thing, but it may be the most important. And finding the right running shoe is vital. Running companies make their shoes differently, from varying types of support (think, high or low arches, more or less cushion, etc.) to assorted colors.Now, Im not an expert and cant tell you exactly what type of shoe will work best for you. But my best advice is to find one or two pairs that you like, regardless of the brand, and rotate using them.Rotation, I believe, is important because it allows your shoes to last longer. For the first couple of months of my training, I use two different pairs of shoes. Then, in the last two months of training, I buy the pair I will race in and put them in the rotation to break them in. Most running stores and experts recommend replacing your running shoes every 300 to 500 miles. For me, that distance falls about every four months, but I can stretch that time by rotating and not wearing the same shoe every day.ClothesMake sure the rest of your body, aside from your feet, is comfortable. And the key to clothing is testing out what feels the best.While training, I like to try out plenty of different outfits, including the underwear and sports bra, that I could potentially wear on race day. This helps me figure out what shorts or leggings wont ride up so I can feel confident going into the race. I like to test sleeveless, short-sleeve and long-sleeve shirts, as well as short spandex, shorts and leggings. I never like to race in anything I havent previously worn.I recommend testing completely new gear during easy runs. You should also try out potential race clothes during runs of substance, such as long, tempo and strength runs, because those simulate race conditions.Its important to remember that its not about how you look, its about how you feel. Still ...I like to wear a lot of color. For example, my compression socks, which help keep my shin splints at bay, are pink. But its not all aesthetic! Bright clothes -- especially those with reflective features -- help cars see me as I run against traffic. Better to be bright and be seen, than unseen and potentially in a dangerous situation.OtherGear is more than the clothing you put on your body. It can also include how you track your run, fuel your body and recover.I use a Garmin Forerunner 235 GPS tracking watch. I really like how easy it is to read its face while I run. It also has a heart rate monitor I can use to judge my pacing.Hydrating during a run is often overlooked, but its critical for me during these summer months (and year-round, for that matter). After using a hydration belt for the first part of the year, I invested in a hydration backpack -- and it has been my saving grace. I used to fumble with a bottle and worry about the belt, but without that struggle, my long runs have been much better. Again, everyone is different and its all about testing different methods and products to find what fits you.And the best piece of recovery equipment I own is a foam roller. Using it is certainly painful in the moment, but afterwards, you feel like youve given yourself a personal massage.And finally, Im unfortunately training for the New York marathon during the hot, humid and sticky summer -- personally my least favorite season in which to run. In fact, this is what I like to call high chaffing season. As a person who doesnt have a thigh gap -- but who would like to stay cool during my runs -- a product called Body Glide is my best friend. Body Glide goes on like a deodorant and helps prevent rubbing from your skin or clothes.So remember: Test things out, make sure they work for you, then -- forget about them! Happy gear hunting!!Training Notebook:Longest run: 13.1 miles (Bristol Half Marathon on Aug. 14) Hardest run: Bristol Half Marathon -- miles 7.5 to 10.5 are straight uphill Highest weekly mileage: 41 miles Biggest accomplishment: Bristol Half Marathon -- this is the second year I ran this race and I placed third in my age groupMegan Flood is a seven-time marathoner and half marathoner. She is on a quest to qualify for the Boston Marathon and hopes New York 2016 is her ticket to Boston. You can follow her progress every other week here on espnW.com and on Twitter @meganflood11. Nike Zoom Wholesale . -- The goal posts lying flat on the field, Arizonas fans lingered on the field, congregating around the locker room entrance nearly 30 minutes after rushing out of the stands. Nike Air Zoom Cheap .Y. -- Buffalo Bills coach Doug Marrone has drawn on his Syracuse connections once again by hiring Rob Moore to take over as receivers coach. http://www.nikezoomclearance.com/ . Laudrup revealed Thursday he was notified of his dismissal in "the briefest of letters which gave no reasons why such hasty and final action was deemed necessary. Nike Zoom Clearance Sale . "We have always prided ourselves on the way we play defence. Having two big pieces back is going to be a key for us moving forward for years to come," said Knighthawks head coach Mike Hasen. Nike Air Zoom Outlet . PAUL, Minn.Rafa Benitez was delighted with his sides spirit after Newcastle beat Leeds 2-0 in the Sky Bet Championship on Sunday. Dwight Gayles double secured victory for the away side at Elland Road, lifting them five points clear at the top of the table.We knew that it could be a tough game and it was, Benitez told Sky Sports. But I think we did what we had to do, we controlled the game for 30 minutes in the first half and scored the goal, but were under pressure for the last 15 minutes as they pushed us with corners and free-kicks. Highlights of the Sky Bet Championship match between Leeds and Newcastle [We reacted] in the second half, the team was doing well and we scored the second goal and afterwards it was more or less about doing the same.Despite their lofty position at the top of the league, Benitez insists that their approach will not change between now and the end of the season.We have to keep doing the same things, playing with intensity, no complacency andd try to get more points in every game, he said.ddddddddddddWe know anything can happen [in the Championship], so we have to approach every game with the same mentality. Leeds manager Garry Monk says critical moments did not help his side following their 2-0 defeat against Newcastle Benitez admitted he had a tough call to make whether to start Gayle or Aleksandar Mitrovic, with both strikers in such good form, but also reserved praise for the whole team.It was difficult for me to decide who to play, because all of them were coming back and training well, he said. So to decide to play one or the other was difficult. At the same time Ill give credit to the rest of the team. Weve kept a clean sheet in a very difficult stadium and the performance of the team defending and attacking was brilliant, and has been for the whole season. Also See: Gayle double extends Toon lead As it happened ' ' '