Marathon Preparation: My Necessities

A few weeks ago, I invited a new girlfriend on our 20 mile training run.  I knew Alma had run the last LA marathon and is currently training for the next LA marathon, but had no idea what kind of “runner” she was. I showed up with all my “necessities’ and she, a mom working two jobs to support her family, showed up with no more than the shirt on her back and (old) running shoes on her feet.

She proceeded to kick my trash, reminding me why I fell in love with running in the first place.  It is so simple really. Just lace up your shoes and head out the door. The girl loves to run. She was born to run.  So while I carry all my necessities in this Sunday’s marathon,  channeling Alma’s spirit might be the most important tool in my arsenal.

1. The Non-Runner’s Marathon Trainer – Hard to believe I started reading this almost 16 weeks ago at the beginning of my training.  I have found the mental training suggestions in the this book to be very useful for running (as well as life).

2. Nathan “Trail Mix” Hydration Belt – I’ve been training with this fuel holding belt and will race with it. This “trail”version has bungees that can hold a shed outerlayer which I love.

3. Gu Chomps – My energy fuel of choice because energy gels make me gag. Blueberry Pomegranate flavor–mmmm good.

4. Glucosamine/Chondroitin/MSM supplement – At the suggestion of my “running niece”, I’ve been taking Glucosamine since the beginning of the training because it’s supposed to improve joint comfort, mobility and flexibility.  Recently, I read about another study that said it doesn’t do any of those things, but I still believe in it even as a placebo. 🙂

5. KT (Kinesiology Therapeutic) Tape – When I pulled my achilles and started to feel shin splints coming on about a month ago, I turned to this tape and I can’t rave enough about it.  When I wear it, I feel no pain.

6. Mizuno Wave Ispire Shoes – I fell in love with my first pair of running shoes but had to get new ones during the training (because you have to get new running shoes every 300-400 miles!). Luckily, I was able to replace them with another pair of chartruese Mizuno shoes.  Because chartruese is my lucky race color.

7. Feetures! Light No Show with Tab Socks –  On my shorters runs, i’m not that particular about my socks, but for distances over 13 miles, I have to have these socks.

8. Garmin Forerunner 405 –  Despite the advice in the marathon training book about not worrying about time and pace for your first marathon, I love my watch so I can check my time and pace :).  On race day, the virtual race partner will be set at 8:55/mile pace and my running partners and I will be trying to keep up, hopefully finishing in under 4 hours.

9. Heed High Energy Electrolyte Drink – I’ll be carrying the strawberry flavor in my fuel belt, not wanting to try out a new drink at the aid stations on the course.

10. Body Glide Anti-Chafe Stick – For those couple of problem spots.

11.  Brooks Visor – Doesn’t matter the brand.  It’s all about the color.  Mine is chartreuse and I’ve worn it in every race.

12. Pandora Radio – I don’t usually listen to music on my runs – it’s my way of training my mind while training my body, but when I do a fartlek  workout, I love listening to “Eye of the Tiger” station on Pandora.  I think it will be playing on the way to the marathon as well.

If you want to follow my progress on Sunday, Todd will be live-tweeting the race starting at 6:30am (PST). Just click on this link to view the updates (you don’t need a Twitter account).