I’m a running noob. While several of my colleagues on the Tom’s Guide fitness team just completed the London Marathon — with rather impressive times, I might add — I’m prepping for a much more modest event: My first 5K.
Though I’m an avid cyclist, hiker, snowboarder, and all-around outdoor adventure enthusiast, running has never really been my cup of tea. But I’m trying to change that! Which is why back in March, at 38-years-old, I signed up to run my first 5K and began training.
There have been some bumps in the road: sore lower back muscles, likely from over-extending my stride (an issue I have since corrected), rolled ankles, dropped AirPods, etc. However, with under a week to go until the big day, I’m feeling cautiously optimistic that I won’t only survive my first 5K, but actually enjoy it.
With that said, here are the five pieces of gear I’ll be using come race day to help me get across the finish line in a timely (for me) fashion.
1. Smartwatch: Garmin Forerunner 570 and Apple Watch Ultra 3
“Two watches??” You bet! As a wearable tech reporter, I’m always eager to test the tracking performance of popular smartwatches head-to-head in real-world scenarios (even if my race performance is far from noteworthy).
I chose the Garmin Forerunner 570 because it’s been my go-to smartwatch for training. It’s also incredibly lightweight, easy to view in bright sunlight, great on battery life, and perhaps most importantly (to me), has onboard storage to save my Spotify running playlists.
The Apple Watch Ultra 3, meanwhile, should be Apple’s most accurate fitness tracker thanks to multiband GPS. $150 pricier than the Forerunner 570, the Ultra 3 similarly boasts an ultra-bright display, solid battery performance, and detailed post-race fitness insights.
Stay tuned for a post-5K article on how the two devices ultimately compare, both in terms of race-day comfort, performance, and metrics. In the meantime, here’s my 5,000-step fitness tracking accuracy comparison with the Ultra 3 vs. the Forerunner 570 (spoiler: it was almost too close to call).
Earbuds: Beats Powerbeats Pro 2
I mentioned losing an earbud while training in the intro; more specifically, it was an Apple AirPods Pro 2 that managed to dislodge itself from my dainty ear canal not once but twice during my month of training.
To avoid similar issues on 5K day, I treated myself to a shiny new pair of Beats Powerbeats Pro 2, which offer excellent battery life, powerful bass, and most crucially, over-ear hooks to ensure a secure fit. They're also our top pick for best workout headphones in 2026.
That said, I’m not 100% sold on the design, especially coming from a pair of AirPods. Out of the box, I’m finding the hooks on the Powerbeats Pro 2 a tad uncomfortable. It’s something I anticipated, but hope to overcome sooner rather than later. Either way, I’m planning on bringing my AirPods Pro 2 along as a backup, just in case.
Running shoes: Rossignol Vezor
Rossignol is a relatively new player in the running shoe world, but skiers will likely recognize the name. The French-based brand has been manufacturing skis and outdoor gear for well over 100 years.
The $180 Rossignol Vezor is a trail running shoe, which I prefer to standard running kicks. Seattle, Washington (where I live), is a wet, hilly city, and I need all the traction I can get while training, especially when you factor in deadly piles of rain-soaked leaves (IYKYK).
These bad boys are mighty grippy, with a responsive, plush heel and breathable, lightweight design. They are also quite loud. Not in terms of foot-on-ground sound, but in terms of color. I have the neon red option, and you can probably see me coming from a mile out.
Ultimately, I broke in my pair of Vezors while covering CES 2026 earlier this year, where I walked roughly 65,000 steps in three days. Comfortable from the moment I put them on, they’ve also treated me well during my short training period.
Shorts: Pudulla running shorts
I’m not too picky about running shorts. I also wasn’t looking to break the bank on a pair, which is why I opted for the well-reviewed Pudulla Men’s Running Shorts from Amazon for just $19.
Technically, two shorts in one, a skin-hugging spandex layer wicks sweat, prevents chaffing, and keeps, erhm, everything in place. The outer layer, meanwhile, is lightweight, fast-drying, and loosey goosey.
Though I’m not planning on running the 5K with my smartphone on me, I also appreciate the hidden phone-sized pocket in the spandex layer.
T-shirt: REI Saharaha Shade T-shirt
When it comes to working out in the great outdoors, whether hiking, kayaking, cycling, or climbing, REI’s lightweight, quick-drying Sahara Shade T-shirts are my go-to; they’re also fantastic t-shirts for travel.
Available in a huge range of colors, these tees are rated UPF 50+ for sun protection and feature a regular fit with plenty of underarm room. So soft, comfortable, and functional, I’m frankly convinced that these are the best darn t-shirts under $40. The only question is, which color do I wear on race day?
More from Tom's Guide
- I finally splurged on a pair of Apple AirPods Pro 2 — and I'll never wear cheap earbuds again
- I ran a half marathon with the Apple Watch Ultra 3 vs Garmin Forerunner 970 to test the GPS and heart rate accuracy — here’s the winner
- I logged 37 miles at MWC 2026 on my Garmin Instinct 3 — here are 5 things I learned
