Going into hosting my 3rd Los Angeles Marathon (aka I run and interview runners for 26.2 miles!)… I have collected a list of must-have items and products so that your body is fully prepared to run AND recover.
PRE-MARATHON
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BODY GLIDE
Chaffing is one of the top complaints from runners, especially long distance runners. No matter the “moisture-wicking” friendly fabric.. you need to protect your skin. Apply Body Glide everywhere on areas susceptible to friction for protection pre-race.
The goal is to create a long-lasting, protective barrier that minimizes friction, and Body Glide balms do just that. Reapply as needed, especially during workouts.
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FEETURES
Socks are one of your most important “accessories” and it matter what kind, what shape and what fit you’re wearing. To avoid blisters at all cost… look to FEETURES high performance socks. Just tight enough according to your shoe size, they label LEFT sock and RIGHT SOCK specifically. In all of my distances, from a fast 5k to a long 25k trail… these have never failed me. Power bands of Lycra hug your entire foot for maximum support.
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MUSTARD PACKS & PICKLE JUICE
Yes.. I mean actual mustard packs. Although there’s no scientific evidence that proves this works… whether it’s psychological or not some athletes ingest pickle juice (PJ) or mustard to treat exercise-associated muscle cramps. I’ve popped several during triathlons and my cramps were “bye-bye.” Stop by your local fast food spot to grab some packs!
I also heard there’s a pickle juice drink on the market. Haven’t tried it yet but here’s the site: https://picklepower.com/
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CHAPSTICK & TISSUES
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POST-MARATHON RECOVERY
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THE COMFY
I love THE COMFY “Dream” because it’s light, warm and cozy. You won’t get too hot like some snuggie designs with multi-layered thickness. When you’re recovering on the couch, this is better than a blanket. The Comfy® Dream wearable blanket is a single layer of luscious microfiber that’s so soft, you’ll feel like you’re wearing a baby blanket. Its lightness makes it perfect for wearing around the house, or even to take with you if you traveled by plane or car to your race. If you want more layers, check out The Comfy® Original.
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HYPERVOLT GO 2
From Hyperice, the company that brought us the Normatec compression suits for legs, hips and arms… Hypervolt Go is the ultimate portable percussion massager, now in black (and other colors). Lightweight, versatile, and sleekly designed, it offers relief on-the-go – massaging away stress and tension, loosening muscle knots, and targeting fatigue. It’s more than just an ordinary massage gun – it’s perfect for immediate recovery post-race.
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WATER & SLEEP
