Marathon season is upon us. The New York City Marathon is about a month away, while the Chicago Marathon is this weekend. It’s fitting that we’ve also entered spooky season, because long-distance running has me shook with the endurance needed to sustain those races. The mileage, mental stamina, and unwanted blisters wear me down literally and figuratively. The whole running community gets it, and whenever I need some emotional support I look to #RunTok.
You can’t just wake up one morning and be ready to run 13.1 or 26.2 miles. It takes months of preparation with the right workouts, gear, and routine. I’ve been running for a few years now, and still don’t find myself mentally ready to run a half marathon. Having the right essentials helps, though, and I love getting inspiration from what running influencers are using. I’ve racked up a lot of running gear recommendations over the years and discovered which are the best marathon essentials. Nothing should stop you from being a speed demon, and the gems I found will make your marathon experience as smooth as possible.
Body Glide anti-chafe balm
If you’ve chafed before, you know how painful it can be. I’ve had friends complain about the irritation from their nips, armpits, and thighs rubbing against clothing or even their own skin (ouch!). Body Glide is an anti-chafing stick that uses coconut oil over petroleum so there’s no mess or transfer onto clothes.
