This week I have been doing more practise of my running prep for the big race. The early-morning bucket of porridge and banana prior to long runs has been part of my training for months now, but this weekend I decided to also try out the gear I was planning to wear for the real marathon.

Experts say you should do a test run to check comfort and avoid any nasty surprises like chafing waistbands or new-sock blisters. It goes without saying that your running shoes should be worn-in and proven comfortable over long(ish) distances before you try and do 26 miles in them, but the fit of your other clothing can have a considerable impact on your run too. Towards the end, when you are already struggling to put one foot in front of the other, the last thing you want is added pain from a nipple-rubbing top or skin-cutting sports bra. Psychologically too, wearing clothes you don’t feel confident in can affect your enjoyment and performance, and clothes which unexpectedly start riding up or giving you wedgies halfway round the course will considerably add to your discomfort, not to mention that constantly adjusting your underwear might be embarassing in the crowd-lined, TV monitored, streets of London.   

The problem is, whilst ill-fitting clothes can be tested in training runs, it is nearly impossible to accurately predict the weather conditions which will affect your choice of clothing. In previous races I have spent a good while deliberating whether to wear a long-sleeved top, anorak, or t-shirt and nearly always find the weather changing whilst I’m halfway round the course so whichever decision I have made becomes the wrong one. The most one can do is have a planned outfit that is as comfortable as possible, plus a few tried-and-tested back-ups. For me one of these back-up essentials is vaseline for if it rains, as I have discovered that wet runs go much more smoothly (in all aspects) if I slather it everywhere that might rub, particularly under bra straps and chest bands. Another back-up for extreme rain or hail is my baseball cap as I find it much easier to feel positive in these conditions if I can keep the drops out of my eyes and face.

Anyway, I have tested my choice of running gear this week and feel comfortable that it all fits and doesn’t look ridiculous. It seems there is nothing left to do but wait…. come on London, I’m ready!

Other Recommended Reading

1. Count Down To London: The Month of Races
2. Count Down To London: The Tortoise And The Hare
3. Count Down To London: Cash-Strapped!
4. Countdown to London – Staying hydrated on my training runs
5. Count Down To London: Finding New Routes

Tags: Count down to London: Test Runs, marathon running shoes, marathon tests, running advice