1. Find a Good Fit
Wear running clothes and shoes that fit properly. Oversized shirts and sweatpants are fine to wear for a routine run around the block, but gear that's too big weighs you down and overheat you if you wear it when running a long marathon. Clothing that's too tight is restrictive and irritates you when you run. Make sure the gear you wear to run a marathon is a good fit for your height and weight.
2. Put Your Best Foot Forward
Your running shoes are the most important piece of marathon gear you'll wear because they support and protect your feet while absorbing the shock of impact from such a long run. Quality running shoes are a little more expensive but worth the investment for the health of your feet. Buy running shoes that are firm throughout the arch supports, lace all the way to the ankle and have thick treads on the soles. A properly fitting running shoe should fit snugly without pinching your toes or the sides of your feet.
3. Give Your Skin a Breather
Buy marathon gear made from breathable fabrics that lets air pass through them. Exercise clothing manufacturers have developed fabric blends designed to pull sweat away from your skin and keep air circulating around your body while you run, keeping you dry, cool and comfortable. Choose marathon gear made from at least half cotton fabric so the gear will let your skin breathe and help reduce sweat and moisture when you run.
4. Go That Extra Mile
The extra features of marathon gear are just as important as the fit and the fabric content. Marathon and running clothes often come equipped with hidden pockets to store keys or music players. Some gear has pocket holders or clips to attach water bottles so your hands can be free when you run. Running clothes often come with reflective stripes or panels which are important if you'll run any part of your marathon at night. These reflective panels keep you safe by helping passing motorists to see you after dark. A marathon is easier and safer if your gear comes equipped with a few of these extra features.
5. Layer It On
Buy marathon gear that you can easily and comfortably layer and remove as necessary. Layering running gear helps you to control your body temperature by letting you keep your muscles warm at the beginning of the run and remove layers as you go to keep from overheating. This is especially important if you're running a full marathon, so look for gear that you can take off along the course if you need to.
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