Summer begins today! To everyone that loves this season, enjoy the sunshine while I count down the days until Fall (haha). But seriously, I really think summer came early this year because the weather last week was hot and sticky.
So let’s talk about a few of my favorite marathon training products. I’m about a month into training for my second marathon (Chicago). When I was training for my first marathon last year, I discovered a few must-have products. These are the items that I need to make it through weeks and weeks of running and strength training. Here are just five of my favorite marathon training products (I’m sure there will be a part 2 to this post at some point)!
Body Glide
Body Glide has saved me numerous times during marathon training. It’s definitely an essential summer running product! When you’re logging double digit runs in the heat and humidity, no one has time for chafing!
KT Tape
I tend to use KT Tape for any runs over 6 miles. Lately I’ve been using it on my knees, foot and a small section of my back. In the past I’ve used it on my hamstrings, quads and IT band. I still don’t really know all the “technical” reasoning behind KT Tape, all I know is that it works for me!
KT Tape can get expensive, so I order it in “bulk” from Amazon. I prefer this jumbo roll of pre-cut strips but you can also buy the un-cut roll (it’s a little cheaper).
Pro Compression Socks
If you know me, this should come as no surprise at all! I’ve been a huge supporter, and ambassador, for Pro Compression for years. I started out with a pair of their black marathon socks and my collection will surpass 40 pairs once I receive my order from them later on this week.
My Pro Compression Marathon Socks Collection 🙂
If I’m doing a long run (sometimes even shorter runs), you can guarantee that I’m rocking a pair of marathon socks. My legs feel way less fatigued when I am wearing them while running. I also slip on a pair after a run to help aid in recovery. There’s no doubt in my mind that the reason my legs felt pretty good last year after the marathon was because of my socks. When I am doing any type of strength or cross training, I wear their trainer low socks for extra support.
Running Coach
I never used a running coach when I was training for a half marathon, but I knew that tackling a marathon was something I couldn’t do solo. Luckily I have some amazing running buddies that are also kick-ass coaches. I hired Abby as my running coach when I was training for the NYC Marathon last year and I had a fantastic experience. It helped that she was running the race as well!
Abby and I before the start of the NYC Marathon
It was a no-brainer that I would work with her again this year for the Chicago Marathon. Again, she is running it as well – do you see a theme here?! LOL. After discussing my schedule and goals for Chicago, Abby devised a training plan that is perfect for me. She took into account my injuries and a few Fall races that I already had scheduled in September/October. Because I am also running the NYC Marathon, my training plan gives me workouts to do in those four weeks between the two marathons. By hiring a coach I am taking the guess work out of what I “should” be doing. Having a plan makes everything less stressful for me.
Training Journal
I absolutely LOVE my training journal! Previously I used the Believe Training Journal but this year I am using the Compete Training Journal.
The journal is great for me because I get to write down my daily workouts, my running paces, what went right, what went wrong, how I felt during the workout, etc. It’s particularly useful for my long runs because I also include what I used for fuel/hydration. It also helps me when I do my weekly training recaps because I can look back and see exactly what I did on each day of the week. After a training cycle, it’s always fun to look back in the journal to relive your journey as well.
I’m linking up with Annmarie from The Fit Foodie Mama, Jen from Pretty Little Grub and Nicole from FitFul Focus for Wild Workout Wednesday.
I’m also linking up with Rachel from Running on Happy, Susie from Suzlyfe, Lora from Crazy Running Girl, and Debbie from Coach Debbie Runs for Coaches’ Corner!
What are your “go to” products when you are training for a race?
I love all these products too! I don’t have a coach right now, but Id love to work with one again whenever I do my next marathon Body glide is SO important in the summer!
I hope you get the chance to work with a coach when you sign up for your next marathon!
I bought one of those journals a while back and kind of forgot about it! Thanks for the reminder
No problem! If you use it I think you’ll love it!
I’m a big summer fan :-)! You can have fall. Great products for a great summer racing season.
LoL, I understand. I will say one good thing about summer running is having to wear less clothing to run!
I love Body Glide–it’s been a staple in my training for years! I don’t keep a journal, because I see my blog as kind of journal…
Kim said the same thing about the blog acting as a journal, I can totally understand that!
Girl, are you as short as I am, or is Abby really tall? Lol!
I use almost all the products you listed! How fun. 🙂
LOL! It’s a little bit of both – Abby is tall and I am short – I think 5’2″ last time I checked hahahaha
Love the pro-compression socks! I had no idea they have low socks too. I’m signed up for my first marathon (in January) and trying to decide about training and a coach too. That’s great to see you felt like it was valuable for your first marathon.
Yup, the low socks are awesome for gym workouts and shorter runs outside in the heat! I would totally recommend working with a coach, especially for your first marathon!
Yaas to all of these…especially the glide!
If I had to run without Body Glide, bad things would happen lol
I love just about all of these things! Body Glide is a MUST – lol! And I’ve loved working with a running coach. I didn’t realize you were going to be running Chicago and the NYC marathons, awesome! I am almost at the end of my Believe Training Journal so I may check out the Compete or one of the other journals in the line!
I don’t want to live in a world without Body Glide, LOL! I really like the Compete journal but the regular Training one is cool too!
I’m a fan of compression! I prefer sleeves for running and full socks (sometimes) for recovery. I’ve thought about getting a running journal…but my blog has most of the info I’d put in a journal, and my time is already limited (not sure if I”d be diligent about recording all of my “stats” twice).
Totally understand what you mean about the blog acting as a journal! For some reason I’m old school and I love to write everything down in a journal, lol
I love body glide, compression socks and a running coach! I should get better about using a journal. Thanks for linking up with us 🙂
You would definitely need body glide to deal with that Texas heat!
Great suggestions, especially hiring a coach lol! I keep a training log (on my phone) but don’t keep a journal. I’ve gotten out of the habit of actually writing things!
For some reason I am old school and I always like to write stuff down lol
I’m right there with you on the Body Glide, KT tape, and Pro Compression socks! They are AMAZING — and my Pro Compression sock collection just keeps growing!!!
I have never hired a running coach, but if I ever decide to tackle a marathon, I just might! Right now, I make my own training schedule but I’m sure having to check-in with another person keeps you even more accountable. Great post and good luck on the upcoming hot, summer runs!
It’s hard to not buy their socks, especially when their designs are ALWAYS on point
I never had a running coach until my first marathon. I just knew that I needed help designing a training plan and I also wanted someone to help hold me accountable!
You know I love my running coach, it is the best/smart move ever!
Totally agree!
I am counting down the days with you! I don’t think I could train for a marathon during the summer, so kudos for that. And compression sleeves are definitely necessary for hard runs.
So happy to have another person that also takes part in the countdown to Fall, lol 🙂
These are all great 🙂 I definitely use compression socks over 8 miles, and there have been times I have definitely needed the KT Tape.
I always make sure to have my favorite shoes and socks, and my preferred Gu flavors, and I am good to go!
The KT tape has saved me on many a runs, lol
Have you tried RockTape? Works the same at KT Tape but it sticks better and stays longer.
I’ve heard of it but I havent tried it yet. Thanks for the suggestion!
I use a lot of these things… love the PC marathon socks, I wear them on my long runs. I just got a Believe training journal for this cycle too, and I’m loving it… maybe I should have gotten the compete one…perhaps next time. I can’t live without my Trail Toes, it keeps my toes happy and blister free during the long runs.
I really like both the training and compete journals, but the compete one might be better if you’re aiming for a PR – lots of tricks and tips included!
Thanks so much for mentioning me. You know I love working with you.
And I swear by KT Tape, Pro Conpression, and Body Glide.
I couldn’t do this type of post and not mention my awesome coach!
I started with KT Tape but have moved on to Rocktape, which adheres better (but pretty much anything will come off when it’s really humid (like at mile 9 in New Orleans).
The downside is you have to cut the strips yourself. So it’s a little more time consuming (and already time consuming enough as it is!).
I typically do it for double digits runs or particularly hilly runs. And longer races!
You are the second person to recommend Rocktape so I think I might have to check it out!