When I first looked into running, everywhere I turned people were obsessing over watches, heart rate monitors, and all kinds of fancy gear. I fell into the same trap for a moment—thinking if I want to start running, I probably need all of that too.

I almost convinced myself I needed to spend 400 euros on gear before I could even take my first step.

That’s complete bullshit.

Here’s the truth: I didn’t buy any of it. The only thing you truly need to start running is a decent pair of shoes.

I’ll say it again: you only need shoes.

A lot of people buy expensive watches because they think knowing your exact heart rate zone is necessary to become a “real” runner.

That’s also bullshit.

Why didn’t I bother?
First, that stuff is expensive.
Second, I didn’t even know if I’d stick to running long-term.

So instead of wasting time and money, I focused on what actually matters: getting out the door and running smart.

And here’s something no one really talks about: the best way to know your own Zone 2 doesn’t require a watch at all.

My method? Nose in, nose out.

As long as I could breathe in through my nose and out through my nose while running, I knew I was in the right zone—basically my own personal Zone 2. The moment I couldn’t keep that up, I knew I was pushing too hard.

This simple method is foolproof. It’s how your body tells you exactly where your limit is—no tech needed. Once you get good at reading your own effort like this, all the gadgets and graphs honestly feel insignificant. You know when you’re in the right zone, and that’s way more powerful than relying on a number on a screen.

Simple. Free. And it worked.

This method took me from total beginner to my first 16K without injury, burnout, or wasting money on gear I didn’t need.

If you want more real-world tips like this—the stuff that actually worked for me—I put together a free PDF guide that lays it all out.

Grab it here if you’re ready to stop overcomplicating and just get results: https://gum.co/u/qpk1zomt

Forget the gadgets. Build the habit.

– Noha

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