There are a lot of things that go in to marathon training besides running.  Sleeping, eating and preparation are only a few, but are the most pertinent the day before a long run.  As I take a rest day and get my gear in a row for tomorrow’s run, I am surprised by how much stuff I rely on to comfortably get me through the miles.

My new, favorite pre long run breakfast is a whole wheat english muffin with 1 egg, a 1/4 of an avocado and spinach.  I usually gravitate towards sweeter items but had been wanting to find a more savory option since all of the fuel I use is sweet.  I tried it last weekend and it was perfect- tasted great going in and stayed down with all of the Skratch and GU I ingested while running.

Skratch is an exercise hydration mix that my husband discovered last year during his Ironman training.  It’s all natural, flavored with real fruit, and doesn’t contain any artificial colors or preservatives.  You can purchase it in either a big vat or in these handy, single-serving sleeves.  We do both.  I typically prep a bottle from the vat before leaving, and supplement with the more portable version when I refill on the run.

I’ve experimented with so many different sports blocks, gels, beans, chews, etc. that I get nauseous just thinking about them.  The only one I’m able to tolerate and digest these days, is the peanut butter flavored GU.  I take half a packet every 45 minutes-ish with some Skratch, and I’m good to go and go and go.

I’ve had this water bottle and holder for so long that I can’t remember doing any long runs without it.  I’ve since bought and have been given some different models, but they all pale in comparison to old faithful.  The bottle holds enough liquid to get me through 8 or 9 miles before I need to refill, and the holder has a zip pocket the perfect size for a GU and/or a car key.  Also, the bottle is dishwasher safe and the holder is machine washable- a huge plus since even my hands get rank when I’m running long.

I once lied and told a friend that I had never worn a fanny pack until I had to sell Girl Scout Cookies with my daughter’s troop, that being the money holder.  Even then, I refused to put it around my hips and instead slung it over my arm.  Because a SPIBELT is essentially a stretchy fanny pack made from performance fabric, that makes me a big, fat liar.  It’s such a wonderful item that I almost don’t care how dorky it looks, but I do pull my shirt over it as much as possible.  It fits my iPhone, a Skratch sleeve, a GU, dollars and keys snugly (with no bouncing around on my fanny), and it comes in fashion colors.  The Garmin needs no explanation because unless you live under a rock/haven’t been reading my posts, you know what it does.  My family gave me this snazzy pink model for my last birthday and I think its the perfect marriage of fashion and function/utility and accessory.  The Yurbuds ear buds are the newest addition to my gear collection.  I’ve listened to athletes rave about them for years but was perfectly happy with my Nike hook-over-the-ear headphones.  They were just fine if I tucked them under a cap or wore my sunglasses over the plastic ear extensions.  My profuse facial sweating finally did them in so I was able to justify tossing and replacing.  I now understand all the Yurbuds hoopla.  You simply pop these babies in your ears, twist and go, no rigging with hats and sunglasses necessary.  They stay put, the sound quality is more than decent and they’re made in my favorite color (among others for those who aren’t fans of Barney purple).

My final endorsement of the day is for Thorlo socks.  Some runners assert that their sock choice is just as important as their shoe preference, and I am in complete agreement.  I’ve experimented with many different brands and have found these to be far superior to any other socks out there.  Thorlo’s have running specific cushioning, wick the sweat away from the feet, come in different heights including no show (my favorite), and are available in a rainbow of color choices to suit one’s training moods.

This concludes my dissertation on Long Run Stuff.  Check back tomorrow for my thesis statements on Recovery Stuff.