Running a marathon (26.2 miles) is extremely demanding, and not for the faint hearted. You have to be physically fit, and mentally tough. Whether you’re running a marathon competitively, or just for a challenge, it’s super important that you have the right equipment, to help you perform your best, support your muscles/joints, and to make-sure you’re comfortable whilst running. Here are…

6 Running Essentials For Marathon Runners…

1.     Running shoes

Obviously, you will need shoes, though we have heard of some very famous names who trained and ran barefoot in events, such as Abebe Bikila, an Ethiopian marathon runner, and winner of the Summer Olympic gold medals in 1960 and 1964. But back to our point, the first thing you need is not just running shoes but comfortable running shoes. A comfortable pair might look like trainers, but good running shoes use specific technology, and are designed specifically to help you run better. Investing in a good pair means you are investing in shock absorption and shoes that help prevent injury. This is one area that you shouldn’t cut corners on, it’s super important to protect your feet, ankles and knees, and therefore you should invest in the best running shoes that you can afford.

2.     Athletic tracking devices

Wearable technology is all the rage now, but when it comes to distance running, it’s more about health and performance. Technology allows you to track your performance in terms of pace, distances, and calories burnt and other important factors of your health. Tracking your progress is super important, especially if you are running competitively, or have a specific goal in mind that you’d like to achieve – i.e. to run a marathon in under 4 hours.

3.     Hydration/flip belt

The further and longer you are running, the more water you’ll need. Hydration belts hold water bottles in a convenient way, along with other items like your keys and mobile phone. A good belt will be super light and comfortable.

4.     Athletic tape

This tape can be placed on your back, shoulders, knees or abs. It’s very stretchy and moves along with your skin as it stretches. The tape carries lots of advantages, such as providing extra support to muscles and joints, and helps you to recuperate more quickly from intense runs, or after coming back from an injury.

5.     Ice grippers

Winter can be long, leaving you stranded on a treadmill for most of the snowy and icy season. Like car tires, you can purchase ice grips for your running shoes to keep you from slipping or falling on ice or slush. If you’d rather not, you can find brand snowshoes that might be more practical for you.

6.     Breathable sportswear

As you pack on the miles, your clothing attire needs to be breathable, meaning clothes that will dry quicker from sweat. This also includes some comfortable socks. Contrary to popular belief, cotton isn’t always the best choice as it absorbs the moisture and traps it. Nylon and polypropylene are better choices. With marathon running, it’s especially important to make-sure that you wear breathable sportswear, so that you feel comfortable during weekly training, and also when you run full marathons.

These are some suggestions to help you run a comfortable marathon, perhaps a faster one too!