If you're training for the Twin Cities Marathon (or any fall marathon), I think these tips will be helpful as you start to finalize your gear for the big day.
I'll share the video of our webinar soon, but I thought I could recap here for Fit Tip Friday just a few of the things that we talked about. You should definitely check out the webinar as soon as its available as it will have even more good information. Stay tuned!
What to Wear During the Race:
Rule #1- Test Out Your Entire Race
Day Outfit.
Don't
try anything new on race day.
Have
every detail planned out- socks, shoes, shorts, sports bra, tank, etc.
Shoes: Race Day Gear
is about more than shoes, but shoes are still very important.
I am a Brooks
Ravennas
girl. I always buy a new pair of my same shoe a few weeks before the marathon,
ideally in time for my last big run. This way my shoes are "fresh"
but I have time to break them in a little bit before race day.
Do not wear a brand new pair of shoes on race day, even if it’s the same shoe you always wear. You still need time to break them in and you never know that they will be the exact same shoe.
Do not wear a brand new pair of shoes on race day, even if it’s the same shoe you always wear. You still need time to break them in and you never know that they will be the exact same shoe.
Extra Shoe Tip! Double-knot your shoes on race day! You do not want to have to bend over and
tie them at mile 24….you might not bend back up! Check out THIS POST on Minneapolis Running on how to tie your shoes.
Fuel belt: If it's really hot or
you have been training with a fuel belt or a handheld water bottle, feel free
to carry it on race day. However, I do think there will be plenty of support
along the TCM course that you won’t necessarily need it, but go with what makes
you more comfortable.
 |
| A long cabin run with my fuel belt |
SPI Belt for gels or a belt for
pinning on your bib number:
Sometimes
I use a little “fanny pack” for my gels if I don’t have enough room
in my shorts pockets. A lot of people in my run club also use the belts for
pinning on their bib numbers, especially if they are planning to shed layers or
go shirtless (which is a whole other debate HERE)
Do plan ahead if you plan to shed so your bib is on the bottom layer.
Do plan ahead if you plan to shed so your bib is on the bottom layer.
For the Ladies only…
Ladies...the
most important piece of apparel in my opinion, other than a good pair of
running shoes, is a good sports bra. Big or small, it doesn’t matter- a good sports bra can make a huge difference
over 26.2 miles of bouncing around.
Moving
Comfort is
one of the best in the business, and most running stores that carry that brand
have the knowledge to size you correctly in a bra that is perfect for you. (I
know Running Room in Uptown definitely does). I have also had good luck (and so
have a lot of my friends) with the lululemon bras (the Bitty Bracer, the Ta Ta
tamer- the names are fun, but they actually work.)
Hair:
Plan ahead how you are going to keep your hair out of your face. I'm a
big fan of BIC bands or Sweaty bands which
have velvet on the underneath so that they stay in place.
Bring an extra hair binder/tie- it would not be fun if your hair tie breaks during the race! I wear an extra one around my wrist just in case.
Bring an extra hair binder/tie- it would not be fun if your hair tie breaks during the race! I wear an extra one around my wrist just in case.
For the men…
From
what I hear…it’s important to put band-aids or a lot of body glide over your
nipples.
For everyone…
Body
glide- Use it. All over. A lot of it.
If you
think you'll want to wear a hat, practice wearing a hat on a long run.
Same
with sunglasses.
Worrying About the Weather and What to Wear Before the Race...
For the Twin Cities Marathon, you really never know what to expect with the weather. I ran it on
a very hot year and I ran it on a pouring rain year (2008). The past few years,
it’s been a perfect 40 or 50 degrees at the start.
Weather Forecast:
Even
the 10-day forecast can change drastically. I mean this is Minnesota. Plus, there are some things you can’t
control, and the weather is one of them. All you can control is how you
react (mentally) to the weather. If it’s hot you may have to readjust your time
goals. If it’s windy, you might have to readjust (unless it's a tail wind, then
you're golden!)
In case of rain..
You can
start with a poncho and lose it after you warm up.
Visors
help in the rain.
Body Glide on your feet to help with the blisters.
Body
Glide everywhere when it’s raining.
In case of Sun/Heat:
Sunscreen
Body
glide.
In the
rain or the cold, you can adjust and still keep the same goal in mind. In the
heat, it can be tough. The people who aren’t affected by the heat are few and far
between. If it really is hot, you will need to adjust your time goal.
In case of cold:
Ideally,
you WILL be cold at the start. The colder the better!
Bring
layers- layers to shed in your gear check bag or layers to toss to the
sidelines.
Arm
warmers : I have used these for the start and then either tossed them to a
friend, or if I have made my own out of tube socks to toss. Some people think
the arm warmers look silly, but they really work for me.
Addtional Race Day Gear Tips!
Tell your friends and family what you will be wearing so they know how to spot you in the crowds.
Tell your friends and family what you will be wearing so they know how to spot you in the crowds.
I
highly recommend putting your name on your shirt. I use electrical tape in a
contrasting color from what I’m wearing. You can write it in marker on your
arm. I swear, it will make a HUGE difference.
As an enthusiastic TCM spectator, I also have to tell you that it makes a difference
when I can yell “Go Dustin” to a stranger vs. “Go #308” or “Go green shirt
guy!”. Give us your name!!!
It will
make a huge difference to you as a runner too, I promise. In my 50 state quest,
I run a lot of marathons in cities where I don’t have any familiar faces in the
crowds and it helps me a lot to have someone cheer “Go Jessie!”. Even at the
Berlin marathon, where apparently the “J” sound is not a common one, the cheers
of “GO YESSIE” still gave me that extra push.
What to Wear After the Race...
Be sure pack warm dry clothes in your gear check bag- sweat pants, a sweatshirt and maybe a camera or cell phone if you don’t have anyone meeting you at the finish. You will want pictures to document the experience!
Be sure pack warm dry clothes in your gear check bag- sweat pants, a sweatshirt and maybe a camera or cell phone if you don’t have anyone meeting you at the finish. You will want pictures to document the experience!
My
husband likes to pack flip flops, no matter the weather; a more comfortable
shoe and fresh socks is a good idea.
Compression Socks
I have tried them during and after a race. I don’t feel that they made a difference for me; however, enough people believe in them that I am not writing them off completely so definitely try them out after the race if you’d like.
Okay- that was a lot of information! If you made it through the whole thing, thanks. I hope you found a useful tip or two to help you on race day!
....don't stop until you make it to the capitol!
I have tried them during and after a race. I don’t feel that they made a difference for me; however, enough people believe in them that I am not writing them off completely so definitely try them out after the race if you’d like.
Okay- that was a lot of information! If you made it through the whole thing, thanks. I hope you found a useful tip or two to help you on race day!
....don't stop until you make it to the capitol!
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