26.2 Race Training Tips For First-Time Marathoners: Part 3 - Dress for Success
Eliminate race-day trepidation with a head-to-toe kit that inspires confidence and drives performance. When the gun sounds, focus on stride and speed rather than sweating fit or fashion. While perfect shoes don't compensate for ill-conceived training, jettison the jitters by concocting your recipe for race-day success.
14. The Ingredients Make the Recipe
Race day is everything-remains-in-place day. Treat training sessions much as an experimental chef envisions new culinary creations: begin with your favorite ingredients, then mix and match until you’ve perfected the dish. While flash can be fun, performance is the priority. Finish line photos are a bonus, not the objective.
15. Ladies, Love Your Sports Bra
The suffering associated with a poorly chosen running bra is well documented. Don’t self-inflict unnecessary pain (you’re already running a marathon) by selecting a sports bra that’s up to the challenge. Active Junky testers applaud the Stow and Go, a hot weather favorite from The North Face with two pockets discretely built into the front.
16. Prep Your Shoes
Even in a world of formed and fit synthetic shoes, pre-race break-in remains essential. New is beautiful for the first three miles until the blistering truth takes hold. Once shoes lose their out-of-the-box stiffness, take them for a 10-mile spin. If the shoes fit, wear ‘em. Otherwise select another pair. Our trail-savvy testers recommend the Mammut MTR 201 Pro Low Trail Runners, winner of Active Junky’s BadAss Gear Badge for durability on the red dirt and slick rock trails of Utah.
17. New or Used?
Well-worn duds aren’t a race-day no-no. Running in something you’ve already logged serious mileage can be both comforting and comfortable.
18. Don’t Skimp On Socks
Cherry-picked socks are an underrated ingredient in the race-day dish, knowing that classic cotton socks spoil even the most well-prepared kit. Cushioned and snug, synthetic and wool blend running socks were created for the marathoner. This five-material Performance Trail Quarter Sock by FITS is ideal for demanding off-road races and epitomizes the performance contribution made by premium socks.
19. Run a Dress Rehearsal
Plan a full-on dress rehearsal 7-10 days out. Eat the same pre-race meal. Run two or three miles at marathon-pace while wearing your full kit. Visualize yourself running on the course. How do you feel? Are there any tweaks that need to be made? If possible, start at the same time of day to evaluate your body's state of readiness. Boost your confidence as details are sorted well before the gun sounds.
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