"There is not a single item in the apparel department in this store made from cotton. Socks and all running apparel, for that matter, have gone away from cotton," Burlage said.

"What's important is how much air flows through an item of clothing. The flow through polyester is three times that of cotton. With polyester socks, because of the flow of air, moisture is pulled away from the body, out of the garment and evaporates. That's not the case with cotton. I liken wet cotton socks to being in a steam room. The longer you sit in a steam room, the softer the skin becomes and the easier it is to peal away . . . which causes blisters."

Wool is the only natural fiber able to compete with polyester and does have some additional advantages. Natural wool fiber, processed down to the same thickness as polyester, tends to be warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. Also, polyester is a natural breeding ground for bacteria, which results in unpleasant odors. Wool is not a holding area for bacteria.

A good pair of socks will range from $7 to $15 for the new "smart wool" socks.

There are also products runners can apply to areas of the body, such as the feet and under the arms, to help eliminate blistering and chaffing.

Running attire has gone the same way as socks in that it allows more air to flow, is typically a polyester product and wicks away moisture from the body.

New running attire has also incorporated the genius of today's fashion designers to not only make attire more functional but also much more attractive.

Much of the new running clothing hitting the market these days also comes with sunscreen added, ranging from SPF 45 to 55. Some of the older running attire does, in fact, allow ultraviolet light to penetrate it.

One of the latest developments for runners is an energy supplement.

"For every 45 minutes an individual works out, he or she needs to replace depleted glucose, simple sugars and carbohydrates," he noted.

"All of the energy supplements do offer some benefits in the three areas, but some focus on specific areas, such as carbohydrates. The only way to tell which meets an individual's needs is through trial and error. Otherwise, try several different types."

The most popular supplements come in gel form, are easy to carry and are intended to be taken about every 45 minutes.

Burlage said his store carries an entire counter full of different brands and flavors of energy supplements.

Replenishing liquids is another important element of running. Utility belts that can hold one large 20-ounce bottle or four smaller bottles of 5 ounces each are available. Bottles can be filled with either water or a diluted sports drink product.

Watches noting time, splits and barometric pressure have been a popular tool with runners for a long time. New watches now offer features such as heart rate and distance monitors.

When it comes to questions about shoes or attire, check with a running technician in order to make the right choices.