Daily Tip #2: Get Dressed!

You might think that it’s a little early to plan what you’re going to wear on November 11, but actually, this is the best time to think about your marathon wardrobe. Now is the time to be certain you have the right clothing on hand, to buy or borrow any items you need, and then to test the gear so you know it will be comfortable during your 26.2-mile effort.

Planning what to wear in the Richmond Marathon can be a challenge, as autumn weather in Virginia is fickle. The current predicted temperature is a low in the upper 40s and a high of 67 (this will change). Two years ago I froze in with 30 mph wind gusts. Last year was perfect and both men and women set course records.

However, there have been extremes: Temperatures have been in the upper 70s, and in the lower 30s in the past. There have also been rainy and very windy days. With a chance that it could be anywhere from 33 to 80 degrees, it’s best to have a variety of ensembles on hand, ranging from shorts and a singlet to tights and a jacket. If you don’t already own them, purchase or borrow a wind-resistant jacket; a pair of tights or wind pants; long-sleeved and short-sleeved moisture-wicking shirts made of synthetics such as Dri-Fit, CoolMax, or PolarTec; synthetic shorts; synthetic running socks; mittens or gloves; and a fleece pullover. Avoid cotton, which absorbs moisture and swells, causing blisters and other problems. Buy your gear from experts. Shop at running specialty outlets where the salespeople know the sport as well as the apparel.

Part of the reason to do long runs, explains distance running coach Mike Keohane, is to make sure that your gear works during long runs. Fortunately, October tends to dish out a little of every type of weather, so you’ll probably have the opportunity to test every item. This testing should include not only your apparel, but anything you might be wearing or carrying, such as a fuel belt, water bottle, or gel pinned to your shorts.
“The general rule is run in and wash everything a couple of times,” says coach Mike Keohane. Now is the time to express your own style, says Keohane. “What’s comfortable for your friend might not be comfortable for you,” he says.

Follow the guidelines below when testing possible race-day outfits:

• Practice adding and removing layers while you’re running. Can you comfortably go for miles with your jacket tied around your waist, for example, or is it too bulky?
• Be certain that nothing is rubbing, even a little bit. Rubbing and chafing might be uncomfortable or annoying on a short run. During a marathon, an irritating sock or sleeve can rub your skin raw.
• If it can’t be fixed, don’t use it. A bouncing zipper pull can be removed or pinned down; clothing that bunches on runs should be dispatched.
• Test different ways to carry whatever you’ll want on you during the race (gels, other snacks, etc.): in pockets, a waistpack, or pinned to your waistband.
• If you pin your number to your shorts, can you still do what is needed to use the bathroom?

Keep in mind that you can put extra clothing in your baggage for after the race, but those clothes won’t be available to you in the staging area. Many runners wear throwaway clothing to the start; as the start cannon fires, they peel off the old sweatshirts and coats that have been keeping them warm. If that’s your pre-race plan, stock up on items you can use to stay warm and dry but don’t want to see again. All discarded items will be collected and donated to charity. (Becuase we are part fo the training team, at about mile 2 - you can give your gear to the SportsBackers and pick it up at the finish)