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I may not be the most experienced marathon runner, but I’m sharing the top 7 things to remember the day of running a marathon.
Heck, who am I kidding? I’ve never actually run a marathon! Well, that’s not completely true; I’ve run a half-marathon, intended on running the St. Jude Country Music Marathon in Nashville in 2014 but a broken foot prevented me from doing so, and completed the 5K in 2015 with my kids.
Still, I got my paces in by helping with social media from the start to finish of the race and learned some VERY important tips for anyone who’s thinking of running in or even going to cheer on someone in a marathon.
Top 7 Things to Remember the Day of Running a Marathon
1. Wear sunscreen
It’s easy to forget when you wake up at 4 AM and it’s dark, but you’ll be hating life at about 9 AM when the sun is beating down on you, even if you’re running during the winter months.
2. Bring Chapstick
I wouldn’t go for a full makeup routine, but lips get chapped easily in the sun and wind.
3. Wear something you’re not afraid to throw away
The temperature will change drastically from the start of the race to the end of the race, so this is the time to buy the cheap, three dollar sweatshirt that you don’t mind tossing on the side of the race course.
4. Don’t forget your allergy medication.
I learned this the hard way during the Country Music Marathon. Nashville in April is known for its pollen, so you don’t want to be caught blowing your nose or not being able to breathe in the middle of the race
5. Pack a clear bag
I can’t imagine Nashville is the only race that enforces this, but they won’t let anyone walk around with a dark bag, not even a camera bag, baby bag, or small purse. Either keep what you need in your pockets or pack everything in a small clear that.
6. Write your name on your arms or your shirt
People love to cheer for you when they feel like they know you, so writing your name on your body helps people cheer for you specifically by name.
7. Run for a cause
If you’re going to invest the time, money and training into any type of race, why not make it benefit a good cause? I’m partial to the St. Jude heroes program where all the money raised goes directly to help the patients at the hospital who do not pay a dime for treatment there.
That’s right, it costs $1.9 million a day to run St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the patients and their families don’t pay for anything, not their treatment, meals, accommodations for travel.
Click to learn more about running as a St. Jude Hero (and the amazing benefits that go along with it) or you can read my post on How to Support the St Jude Country Music Marathon without running.
Can you think of any other tips for those running a marathon that I forgot?
