Running a marathon is one of the biggest accomplishments one can achieve, yet here I am dreading the build-up to the upcoming London Marathon.
If you're a first-timer like me, you'll already have all your important gear in order. Grabbed yourself a pair of the best running shoes? Check. Have a way to set your pace and track your progress with the best running watch? Of course. Picked out your race day outfit to raise awareness of the charity you support (and really, to look stylish)? All boxes ticked. But as anyone training for a marathon will know, there's always room for more preparation.
To find out if I missed anything, I spoke to the fitness team at Tom's Guide — namely, Nick Harris-Fry and Jane McGuire — who have collectively run more than 20 marathons. So, whether you're about to set off on your first-ever marathon or need some last-minute tips to make it all the way, here are five key tips to keep your mind and body in top form before you're off to the races.
Tip #1: Stick with what you know
Once the marathon kicks off, you'll be showered with support from onlookers and organizers offering much-needed cheers, along with refreshing essentials like water, snacks, and sweet treats. It's all very tempting to grab it all, but I recommend that you don't go crazy.
One of the first things I got into a routine during practice runs is having energy gels at precise intervals. Not only did this give me something to look forward to, but it also got my body used to the burst of energy I needed to power through.
Taking all manner of sweets can upset this rhythm, and I definitely wouldn't want to experience any ill-fated side effects that will slow me down. More importantly, though, since some marathons offer specific types of gels (London's will provide Lucozade Sport Gels), it's best to stick with the gels you know will work for you.
For me, that's the High5 Energy Gels, and I'm making sure I have these stocked up during race day. Oh, and be sure to get the flavor you like, too.
Tip #2: Stay refreshed
I have the honor of having a place in the London Marathon provided by Radox, but really, I'd be using its shower gels and bath soaks anyway. They're affordable and have plenty of scents for all occasions, and you can bet I'll be using this to cool off before and after the marathon.
Before race day, it's good to get yourself in the zone, and there's nothing like a hot shower or soothing bath to get rid of that fog of nerves. But for recovery, it's good to have a gel in a warm shower to increase blood flow to your tired legs. A massage ball also helps, but a long shower or bath is a quick-fire way to give your aching body the rest it needs.
Tip #3: Prevent the pain
Truly, there is not a whole lot worse than getting a painful chafe as you're finally getting into your stride during the big run. I'm no stranger to this, as my thighs were destroyed during my first long runs while training.
At 26.2 miles, the chances of chafing are extremely high, and I can already imagine the stinging sensation with each step in my inevitable sweaty running kit rubbing against my skin. To stop that from happening, though, it's highly recommended to use anti-chafe balm.
This forms a barrier on the skin to keep painful rubbing to a minimum, and it will be your savior if applied before you make your way to the start line. There are many anti-chafe balms around, but some can be uncomfortably thick and sticky, leaving white residue on anything they touch. I was recommended the Anti Monkey Butt Anti-Chafing, and it's been very soothing during runs. Plus, you can grab one at an affordable price. But the Megababe Thigh Rescue Anti-Chafe Stick is also a great shout, but whatever you choose, it's well worth picking up.
Tip #4: Tape up
This one goes hand-in-hand with chafing, but comes in the form of a painful little bubble right on your skin. It's hard to avoid blisters on your feet with the repetitive nature of running a marathon, and they only make the whole experience worse during and after completing 26.2 miles.
While specialized running socks and running shoes can keep them at bay, the constant movement of your feet inside your socks and shoes, pulling your skin in opposite directions for hours, doesn't prevent a blister from forming.
To prevent blisters from ruining my run, I use blister prevention tape. This acts like a second skin, using strong adhesive to stop any irritation on your skin. These can come in many forms, including tape, plasters, or pads, but whatever suits you, make sure to keep your feet protected. By now, I know all the potential hot spots a blister pops up, which is exactly where I'll be slapping on this tape. Your feet will thank you later.
Tip #5: Keep your gear charged
In between all the cheers and brief stops to chat with friends and family (let's be honest, to catch my breath), I plan on making good use of my AirPods 4 and listening to pumped-up tunes on Apple Music via my iPhone. This has given me the energy I need to power through when I've hit a wall, but I'll slam headfirst into this wall once the battery on my devices runs out.
To state the obvious, marathons take hours to complete, and as a first-time marathoner, I don't plan on breaking records (or ever, for that matter). While many of the best wireless earbuds can last 10 hours and beyond, others won't quite make it over the finish line with you. That goes for the AirPods 4 with ANC, which claim to last 4 hours, but I've found this to be less when used constantly.
That's why it's important to have a backup, but one that won't be a burden due to its weight (like the Anker MagGo Power Bank). My top choice is the featherweight Anker Nano Power Bank with a 5,000mAh battery capacity, as it only weighs 3.5 ounces and is small enough to plug into your phone, earbuds, or any USB-C device without taking up much space. Whether you forgot to charge your phone to full or are in dire need of emergency power, this will do the trick on your run.
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