Due to that nasty Coronavirus restricting race entries I have had more time to buy running stuff online. Being injured also helps , so it’s a double whammy. This is now beginning to become a problem. In the last few weeks I’ve brought two pairs of shoes (which I needed) , two head torches , a pair of poles (is that the right term? ) a running waterproof jacket and a new GPS watch (all for the Irrational South , which is now postponed until October (   http://irrationalsouth200miler.com.au/ )  Truth be told I’ve probably brought more than that but just in case No1 Wife reads this post (which is highly unlikely, luckily?) I need to be careful, also Mum and No1 Wife are close so they talk and I know Mum reads all my posts.

Anyhow  reason behind this post is I have become am Amazon Affiliate which means if I recommend stuff to my reader(s) and they go and buy it from Amazon I get some coin. Unfortunately my readership currently consists of my 80 year old Mum who funnily enough doesn’t run but in the off chance someone else comes across this post, probably by mistake, then I can recommend the items I brought. It’ll be a win-win for all as I do make an effort and try to buy the best products,  at the best price, albeit on Amazon.

Right,  here’s the items I’ve purchased recently that I can recommend for quality and price, at time of posting of course. There’s no price promise from the BK Running blog , I ain’t Bunnings Warehouse people ! If you do find any of these items cheaper let me know and I’ll update the post. This really is a tester to see if you guys are interested in the same items I am and if I can get a small back-hander from Amazon to help towards running costs for the blog ?

The first product is a real bargain because for some reason the product on www.amazon.com is over $370 AUD but on www.amazon.com.au it’s $236.41 AUD.  (See the link below)

https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B00MN96JT2/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Good news for you , bad news for me as the link I get is for the Amazon.com listing , which is over $140 AUD more expensive? This really is a bargain and if you want an awesome GPS watch for around half price use the link above. The reason I brought it was for the incredible battery life , easily more than enough for the 4 day (or quicker?)  Irrational South race in October. In fact I have had my one for nearly two weeks and it still has over 70% batter life, albeit I have only used once in that period. (Being injured)

I have attached a review below but do your own research, the watch has been around for a few years and now represents great value for money.

https://andrewskurka.com/long-term-review-suunto-ambit3-peak-gps-sport-watch/

Next is my watch of choice and the one I am currently wearing and have been for the last 4 years, the GARMIN 235.  Again this watch has been around for a long time but if something works why change it. ! Before this watch Garmin’s were to be used only when you ran, they were not your everyday watch. This all changed with the 235. It was bye-bye Rolex Submariner and hello sports watch. This watch is light , has an inbuilt wrist heart rate monitor which I feel is very accurate (Don’t listen to Mike Kowal!) and provides clear and accurate data as well as having the ability to download maps via apps. It may be looking a tad old in the tooth but for this price you’re getting a whole lot of watch. My Suunto is really for ultra races,  where as the Garmin is my ‘use everyday’ watch.

Garmin Forerunner 235, GPS Running Watch, Black/Gray

Head torches, I hear you ask ? According to the link below this bad boy of a head torch is just under $40AUD.  Unfortunately it looks like this is out of stock at the moment but keep trying, this is the headlamp of choice for quality and price.

Black Diamond Storm Headlamp, Dark Olive

My backup torch, because you need two at all time on the Delirious and Irrational 200 milers and there’s no point buying the same one ?, is the Petzl Tactikka 300. Petzl are a great brand and always good to have the best as a backup just in case. Not as many lumens as the Black Diamond but for me it’s a good product as a second torch. The link below is for the 200 Lumens, where as I brought the 300 and you can go higher of course, right upto 750 Lumens;  which apparently you can see from space.

PETZL – TIKKA Headlamp, 200 Lumens, Standard Lighting, Black
Socks are next on the BK recommendation list and nothing beats the Injinji brand with the unique design giving each toe their personal sock thus stopping blisters, apparently. (The 5 Toe Fit System, funnily enough )  I used a pair on the Delirious recently and after nearly 18 hours of running my feet still felt great, unfortunately my quads were goosed but my feet , no problem. Each toe is cocooned in their own personal cotton sock thus , in theory, eliminating blisters.

Injinji Men’s Trail Midweight Mini Crew Toesocks
Ok, that enough for today. If you have any bargains you see on Amazon you think would benefit other readers of this blog, other than my Mum, please feel free to leave a link or email me and once a in a while I’ll write a post and advertise to the greater good of the readership, and some extra coin for me to keep the site going and/or retire early.