Marathon Training Week 10: Five Things Every Runner Needs

L’shana tova to those celebrating today. Wishing you a sweet and healthy new year <3

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Whatup, week 10! I’ve been waiting for the insane appetite to kick in and this week it happened. Since Thursday my belly has been a bottomless pit and I want to gobble up just about everything. Runger is a real thing and I’m currently living proof. Current favorite snack: air popped popcorn + salt. Mmmmmm.

Week one of working with a run coach and I’m already feeling a million times more calm and oddly enough more motivated to hit all my workouts and metrics. The diligent student in me is coming out again.

My 14 miler this weekend took me over the Williamsburg Bridge, again. It’s really the best, quiet, pretty uncrowded, breezy, 1.5 miles long and vaguely counts as a hill.

Anytime I run more than 10 miles I still get hit with this weepiness and sense of disbelief. It really wasn’t that long ago I trained my ass off for my first 5K. I stumbled upon this post recently and remembered what a big deal it was to me. Conquering 3.1 miles was a HUGE deal, I was a non runner who struggled to run a mile in high school. Look at me now, running 14 miles on the weekend like it ain’t no thing.

Five Things Every Runner Needs

It’s kind of crazy how many things runners need, especially once their distance starts creeping up past 10 miles. I don’t run with a ton of accessories considering, I still don’t even own a fancy watch and rely on Nike+ to spout out my mileage for me.

There are certain things I couldn’t imagine running without and swear make a huge difference.

1. SpiBelt Performance Series– $25.99

I end up bringing SO many things with me for a 3 hour run. I need fuel. I need more fuel. I need water. I need my phone. My teeny tiny running shorts barely even fit my keys (I actually leave those with my doorman so they don’t jangle around the whole time) so a running belt is super necessary.

I’ve been a huge fan of SpiBelt since my second half marathon and they were kind enough to reach out to me and let me test out the Performance Series belt. I love it even more than the classic one– it’s a tiny bit bigger (necessary for the slightly bulky iPhone 6) and a little bit thicker. Thursday morning it was pouring rain during my run, but I ended up putting my iPhone in a sandwich bag and then zipping it away in this somewhat waterproof belt.

For race day I attach these extra little toggles you can purchase and use that for my bib instead of pinning it. It’s way more convenient, especially if you’re stripping off layers during the race.

 

2. Amphipod Water Bottle– $21.00

Even though there’s a fair amount of water fountains on the West Side Highway, I’ve come to learn the hard way that a bunch of them don’t work. Or barely work. Not a fun thing to realize during a 8 miles run on a hot hot day.

For all races, longer runs or short runs on a toasty day I use this handheld water bottle. I still try and stop at a few water stops or fountains on the way, but like the added comfort of knowing I have a water bottle on me incase I hit a literal dry patch. The handle on this makes it easy to run with and it’s pretty light since it doesn’t hold a ton of water.

 

3. Bombas Socks– $11.00 

I’m a total Bombas convert now and can’t imagine running in any other sock. Prior to recently, I’ve always trained in cheap socks from the Gap and hated any of the running socks I had tried.

I like that Bombas are on the thicker side– less of a chance of getting blisters for me and I never have issues with them riding into my shoe. Literally the most annoying thing ever to deal with while running. These socks offer a tiny bit of arch support as well.

Bombas also donates one pair of socks to a homeless shelter for every pair purchased. So on top of being a great pair of sock, there’s that.

 

4. A good pair of running shoes

I cannot stress enough how important it is to get fitted for running shoes if you’re doing any sort of running above like a mile. Yes, you should get fitted if you’re running a 5K. Running in the correct sneaker for your foot can not only make SUCH a difference to your running, but can also help keep you safe and injury free.

Every foot is different and requires a different kind of shoe. Hit up your local running store for an assessment. It’s kind of fun and you’ll leave there with the perfect fit for you.

 

5. Sparkly Soul Headband (wide) –  $17.00

Okay, I didn’t start wearing a headband while running until last week. My wispy hairs were seriously getting on my nerves during long runs so I decided to test out the Sparkly Soul headband I had lying around my apartment from an event I went to. GAME CHANGER.

I never ever ever wear headbands because they give me a headache and slip off almost immediately. So far I’ve had no issues with the band slipping (and this is after running + sweating for 3 HOURS STRAIGHT) and no headaches. Keep in mind I have naturally straight hair that bobby pins always slip out of. Why did it take me so long to try this headband??

 

This Week’s Plan:

MONDAY: Megaformer (I’m in Westchester for the holidays)
TUESDAY: 60 minute run
WEDNESDAY: Yoga + Trapeze
THURSDAY: Hill Repeats
FRIDAY: Uplift Strength
SATURDAY: Rest
SUNDAY: 16 miles. Holy moly.