Marathon MVPs: The Gear & Essentials That Got Me Through 26.2 Miles
Running my first marathon was an unforgettable experience, and having the right gear made all the difference. From hydration to fueling, recovery tools, and race-day essentials, these are my Marathon MVPs - the products I swear by!
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Gear & Accessories
Salomon Advanced Skin Hydration Vest
I’ve been using this vest for a while, and I absolutely love it! It fits like a dream, is super comfortable, and has plenty of pockets for all my fuel and essentials. For race day, I opted for the handheld water bottles that came with it and skipped the bladder since there were plenty of water stations along the course.
Garmin 265
I switched from an Apple Watch to Garmin a little over a year ago, and let me tell you - I am NEVER going back! Between the extra running stats and the incredible battery life (I charge it once a week!), this watch has made it easier than ever to track my runs, sleep and recovery.
Goodr Sunglasses
It’s a tradition that I buy myself a new pair of Goodr glasses for each race. They’re lightweight, bounce-free, slip-free, and super affordable (starting at just $25!). I even ran with them perched on my head for the first few miles, and they didn’t budge.
Theragun Massage Gun
After 15 miles of walking at Disneyland leading up to race day, my feet and legs were dead. The Theragun was a lifesaver for pre-race prep and post-race recovery.
Bib Magnets
This was my first time using bib magnets, and I can’t believe I ever messed with safety pins before! I didn’t want to put holes in my Crowned Athletics skort, so I grabbed a set of bib magnets - and now I need them in every color!
Kleenex
Okay, full disclosure - I forgot to pack these for race day. Huge mistake since multiple porta-potties were out of toilet paper. Never again! This is now a non-negotiable in my race vest.
Tylenol
I was SO grateful I packed Tylenol - my feet were killing me for most of the race, and this took the edge off. Why Tylenol instead of Advil? Advil (ibuprofen) can increase the risk of kidney issues and dehydration in endurance events, while Tylenol (acetaminophen) is safer for long-distance running.
Imodium
Huge shoutout to my friend Sarah for this trick: I took one Imodium pill the morning before race day and another the night before to prevent GI issues. It worked like a charm! I’ll definitely be doing this before all my future races.
Bandaids
Luckily, I didn’t end up needing them, but better safe than sorry! Always a good idea to have a few on hand for potential blisters.
Portable Phone Charger
I left this with Ryan so I wouldn’t have to carry extra weight, but knowing I had it as a backup helped avoid extra, unnecessary stress.
TRESemmé Hair Gel & Glitter
I used TRESemmé gel to hold the sparkle in my hair and got so many compliments on my bubble braids + glitter combo! For my face glitter, I applied it with Aquaphor to keep it in place.
Tozo Open-Ear Headphones
OBSESSED. I originally bought these because I needed longer battery life than my AirPods and didn’t want to splurge on Shokz. Turns out, I actually prefer these to bone conduction headphones! They sit comfortably on my ears (so comfy that sometimes I forgot I was wearing them!), let me hear my surroundings, and still give me clear, quality sound for music & podcasts.
Hand Sanitizer
You never know when porta-potties will be out of sanitizer - this is a must-have!
Crazy Compression Socks
I wore compression socks all weekend to help with recovery and swelling. I love Crazy Compression for their fun designs & affordability! Use code KATEFAHEYRUNS for 10% off!
Crowned Athletics Skort
This was a last-minute race-day decision and I’m SO glad I wore it! Originally, I planned to wear long shorts with a Sparkle Athletics skirt, but since my shorts didn’t have pockets, I opted for my Crowned Athletics skort—the same one I did all my long runs in. It was perfect! No discount code from me, but I always use Sarah’s code: RUNSONMAGIC for 20% off!
Race-Day Fuel
Gu Energy Gels
Gu is hit or miss for me, but these are my go-to flavors:
Chocolate Outrage
S’mores
Pumpkin Spice
Caramel Macchiato
Birthday Cake
Espresso Love
Salted Caramel
Vanilla Bean
Any fruity flavors are a hard pass.
Gu Roctane
I LOVE the Salted Chocolate & Coconut Chocolate flavors. These have extra caffeine + electrolytes, which gave me a boost when I needed it.
ProBar Bolt Energy Chews
These have been my go-to since my second marathon 7 years ago! They’re lighter on electrolytes but refreshing after hours of Gu gels.
SaltStick Fast Chews
I brought these in case I needed extra sodium, but I actually didn’t use them during the race. However, I took several throughout the weekend to keep my electrolytes in check. Favorite flavors: Coconut Pineapple & Sour Apple!
Liquid IV
I didn’t take this during the race, but I used it to prep! With all the walking at Disneyland, I made sure to drink one per day leading up to the marathon.
Pickle Juice
This was such a lifesaver during the race! After hours of sweet gels & chews, pickle juice was a perfect salty reset.
Clif Bloks (Margarita & Sour Strawberry Lemonade)
I only used the margarita flavor on race day, but these are two of my favorites. Bonus: The margarita ones have extra sodium!
Tailwind Recovery Mix
I always take one serving mixed into a protein drink after my long runs & races. It helps so much with recovery!
Final Thoughts
Having the right gear, nutrition, and recovery tools made my first marathon experience so much smoother. From my hydration vest, my Goodr sunglasses, and a well-timed dose of Tylenol, every product played a part in getting me across the finish line.
If you’re training for a marathon or half marathon, I highly recommend these MVPs to make your race day as seamless as possible.
What are your must-have race-day essentials? Let me know in the comments!
