One of the best things about running is that it doesn’t require any special equipment. It’s just you and the open road (or trail or track or treadmill). But even though we don’t have to have fun accessories or high-tech gear, it’s still fun to try it out. And runners are the kings (and queens) of experimenting when it comes to their running (as long as they’re not in the middle of training for a serious race). And who knows? You might improve your pace and endurance in the testing process. So whether you’re a minimalist or a technology junkie, you’ll want to check out all the new gear, clothing and accessories our staffers have put to the test.

Experiencing burning in your calf muscles may be caused by a number of conditions. The calf muscle is situated on the back of the lower leg. The two muscles that make up the calf are the soleus and gastrocnemius. Injury, strain or burning can occur when your calf muscles are overused.

Running has many benefits -- improving your cardiovascular fitness, losing weight, reducing your risk of Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke -- but it’s hard work. If you’re new to running, commit to two weekly training sessions and start slowly. Running is great for exercisers on a limited time budget.

Runners knee, otherwise known as patellofemoral pain syndrome or PFPS, is a generic term used to describe knee pain that occurs when you are doing repetitive, high-impact activities. It applies to any type of movement that places tension on the patellofemoral (front aspect) of the knee joint.

In 2012, 487,000 runners finished a U.S. marathon, according to Running USA's annual marathon report. Some runners completed the 26.2-mile race in a little over two hours. Others took more than seven hours.

Jogging is the favored mode of exercise of millions the world over, largely owing to the fact that it requires no special equipment other than proper shoes and can be done virtually anywhere at any time.

Go to any gym and you'll see the same scene: a roomful of people doing slow cardio on ellipticals, exercise bikes and treadmills. They plod away on the machine while looking at the display to make sure that their heart rates stay in the magical "fat burning zone." Not too high, not to low.

A proper warm-up is an important part of any type of exercise routine. Warming up loosens and warms your muscles, decreasing your risk of injury. The fast pace of sprinting calls for quick action from your muscles. The rapid race times can cause muscle and ligament strains if you are not properly warmed up.

The heat of the summer is a time to shed heavy winter sweaters and wear more skin-revealing clothing such as tank tops. However, if you are insecure about your weight or body shape, this can cause unnecessary anxiety.

You know you can run a 5K. Maybe you’ve already finished one. But a 10K? It has a notch-up-from-novice feel that’s appealing, a true distance quality. But you are a new runner, so you wonder—should I?

You’ve been running. It feels good, maybe a little hard, but it has prompted you to flirt with the idea of entering a 5K.

If you're overweight, you can lose your excess fat and improve your appearance as long as you're willing to devote time and energy to your goal. Developing a runner's body requires adding exercise to a weight-loss program. A healthy dose of realism also helps keep you on track.