The Runner’s Toolkit

Running Gear Lab
Reviews and Training Tools for Everyday Runners

Choose running shoes, compare GPS watches, build a training plan, find a local club, or debrief a half marathon or marathon that did not go to plan.

Find Your Gear → Read Our Guides
15+ Years Running
15+ Free Tools
50+ Races Run
100+ Athletes Helped
Most Popular

Find Your Shoe

Find the right shoe, then read the reviews that back up the recommendation.

Running Shoe Finder Best Shoes for Arch Support Shoe Reviews
Explore → New

Training

Build a personalized plan and find the guides that make it work.

Training Plan Creator Missed Goal Debrief What is a PR
Explore → Favorite

Watches

Match your GPS watch to your training style, then compare the top models.

Running Watch Finder Garmin Forerunner 165 Review Watch Reviews
Explore → Find a Race

Races

Browse marathons and find the guides to get you to the start line ready.

Marathon Finder Running Clubs in Canada Race Day Checklist
Explore → Community

Running Clubs

Find road clubs, trail groups, track clubs, store runs, and beginner-friendly groups across Canada.

Canada Club Directory Province Club Pages Beginner-Friendly Groups
Find Clubs →
Free Tools

Train smarter, not just harder

Use these free tools to choose shoes and watches, build a training plan, find race pace targets, pick a marathon, or figure out why a half marathon or marathon goal did not happen.

Running Race Training Plan Creator

A personalized, periodized training plan generated in seconds. Built on the same principles I use coaching real athletes.

  • Adapts to your experience, race date, and goal time
  • VDOT-based pace zones & 80/20 intensity balance
  • Marathon, half, 10K, 5K, plus Couch-to-5K and Couch-to-10K
  • Built-in strength training & printable weekly schedule
Build Your Plan →

Running Shoe Finder

Find the perfect shoe for your foot, gait, and training needs in just a few questions.

Find Your Shoe

Running Watch Finder

Match the right GPS watch to your training, budget, and goals. No more guesswork.

Find Your Watch

Marathon Finder

Browse marathons by date, location, and difficulty. Find your next race goal.

Find a Race

Missed Goal Debrief

Missed a half marathon or marathon goal? Check whether the issue was training build, goal choice, pacing, fueling, race-specific work, or recovery.

Start the Debrief

More Free Tools

Pace calculator, race predictor, VO₂ max estimator, heart rate zones, race debrief, and more.

View All Tools
Top Gear Picks
Tested and coach-approved · Amazon affiliate links
Best Seller
Socks
Balega Blister Resist Performance Socks
My Favourite Socks
Amazon → Top Pick
GPS Watch
Garmin Forerunner 165
My Current Watch
Amazon → Editor’s Pick
Daily Trainer
Brooks Ghost 16
Best neutral trainer for most runners
Amazon →
From The Lab

Latest Guides

View all →
01 Best Running Shoes for Flat Feet
Shoes →
02 Missed Your Half Marathon or Marathon Goal? Start Here
Race Debrief →
03 Find Running Clubs in Canada
Community →
04 The 80/20 Running Rule: Why Most Runs Should Feel Easy
Training →
05 Heart Rate Zones vs Pace Zones for Running
Pacing →
Justin running
About

Hi, I’m Justin.

I’ve spent the last decade chasing finish lines. From Olympic distance triathlons to full Ironmans, road marathons to trail running. Along the way I became a triathlon coach, because I love helping other runners figure out what actually works.

RunningGearLab exists to help other runners. The tools here are built from real coaching experience and tested on real athletes, including me.

Triathlon Coach Ironman Finisher Marathon Runner 10+ Years Racing