This post is sponsored by Vocalpoint and Dick’s Sporting Goods. All opinions, as always, are my own.
The last time I brought up the race-day outift topic, my marathon was 60+ days away. Well that number has dwindled considerably. Breathe. The Twin Cities Marathon is now less than a month away. 24 days, but who’s counting?
Since many of us have fall races coming up, let’s review some do’s and don’ts about race day outfit selection, shall we?
Nothing new on race day. Make sure you’ve already trained…a lot…in your race day outfit and you know it’ll be comfy. Beware of seams, tags, zippers, questionable fabric, etc. Comfort and avoiding chafing are key.
Have a few different options ready to go. Face it, Mother Nature can be fickle. No matter where you are, there’s really no guarantee on weather. Stalk the forecast then pack and dress accordingly. Just because it’s usually cool in October doesn’t mean it will be on race day. Been there done that. Not fun. Don’t forget about headwear either. If I’d only brought a hat to NYCM last year, it would’ve been airborne at the starting line. Pack a hat, visor, headband and plenty of hair ties. Better safe than sorry.
I hit up my local Dick’s Sporting Goods a couple of months ago with my fall marathon in mind:
I narrowed it down to capris and a long sleeve top in a fabric I love in case it is cooler. The sleeves can be pushed up easily if it heats up.
…and a tank with compression shorts in the event it’s warmer.
Or maybe I’ll wear the tank with the capris and throw on some arm sleeves. It’s all about options. And being ready for whatever race day throws at you.
Dick’s also has all the side dishes, so load up on your faves: Fuel, hydration, shoes, accessories, it’s all there. It truly takes a village, right?
Hi-Viz is always good. Will you have family and friends cheering for you along the race course? A bright, easily identifiable color will help you stand out from the crowd.
Pockets are good too. Think about where you’ll stash your gels, ID, TP, whatever.
Do you wanna stick pins in it? I know I don’t. That’s why I wear a race belt with a bib holder. Love it.
No cotton. I didn’t need to say that, right? Didn’t think so. But just in case…
Here’s a total blast from the past. Katie’s rocking a chic pre-Boston trash bag while I’ve got my name all done up in duct tape.
Think about throwaways. Sometimes its cold at the start, but the day (and you) warm up fast. Something as simple as a trash bag takes the chill off in the starting corral. Or hit up Goodwill for some cheap sweats you won’t feel bad about tossing.
Say your name. If you want people to cheer for you personally, and they will, put your name on your singlet. You can do a nicer job than I did with the duct tape above, but I will say it was effective and awesome on race day.
In case of rain….Double wrap your phone/electronics in a zip-loc bag to be safe and wear a hat or visor with a brim to keep rain out of your eyes.
Make it fun! Choose something you feel strong and look great in. You’ve worked hard so treat yourself. This running thing is fun after all, right?
Do you have a fall goal race? How do you select what you’ll wear on race day?
I’m linking up with Jill for Fitness Friday…
…and with Nicole for Fit & Fashionable Friday.
Race belts with bib holders are great! A must have for triathlon and I use it for running races as well.
Great tips! I always change my mind about what to wear so having options is key!
It is always hard to pick a race day outfit isn’t it? The weather is really crazy and flip flops so much. Love those black design capri
I wonder what the weather will be like for Chicago this year? I hope it’s not pouring like today!
It’s smart of you to start planning so far in advance! I usually wait until the race is a week away, which is one extra thing to stress out about at that point!
I love your capris–SO cute! I would pretty much give anything to have temperatures fit for capris on race day. So, so nervous that Oct. 4 will bring high temps!
Because we’re still concentrating on halfs we can drive to (for the most part), I can overpack to my hear’s content. A little harder (no, a LOT harder) when we have to fly.
My biggest pet peeve, as I wrote about, is the fact that I train all summer in tanks & skirts & if it’s really cold on race day (hello – VT – could go either way, you never know – even snow is a possibility!), that I sometimes haven’t trained in what I end up wearing on race day.
I’m definitely with you on pockets, too!
And my handy dandy packing list which is a mile long.
Great tips! It’s a good idea to bring options because the weather is so nutty this time of year!
I break the no cotton rule all the time, I love the feel of cotton and don’t mind being drenched at the end of a run.
Great tips! My fave is def throw away cover ups. 🙂
Your outfits are so cute! And such great tips!
I love all of those outfits! They are so cute! In recent years I usually wear a skirt for races, one that has compression shorts underneath. I just find them so much more comfortable, especially for long races.
Great tips! Love all your options! Always great to bring a throw away when the weather starts out cooler!
Putting my name on my shirt was the best thing I ever did for the New York Marathon.
I honestly am pretty lucky and have never really had an issue with clothes chafing or being uncomfortable so I’ve definitely chanced it and worn new clothes on race day before.
I am running a 1/2 in Florida in December. I have NO CLUE what to wear! I mean, it’s FL… in Dec. I have never been to FL so I have no idea what to expect. Luckily I’ll be staying with someone who lives there, so my plan is to bring every option from 30 degrees to 75 degrees and have HER pick my outfit!
You are so well-prepared… I wouldn’t have thought of a lot of those things!
Awesome tips and such cute stuff! I’m all about heading to Goodwill for throwaways. And absolutely nothing new on race day. I always cringe when I see people wearing their brand new shirts that were given out at the expo. I know you haven’t practiced in that! haha.
I did do one of these No-No’s last weekend! I had never worn my InknBurn singlet until race day! I was prepared to wear something else but I did do research and have yet to find anyone say they had a problem with it. It all worked out fine. I do love your black n white capris! They are so cool! What kind are they?? Do tell!
My ABSOLUTE favorite race item is my HB TUNE. I discovered them a couple of years ago and it allows me to run holding my iPhone in my hand– total game changer– I never liked the arm bands– didn’t work for me and so this is my MUST!!!
I love your marathon outfit. That pink is sensational!
I have no fall race planned as I am still not running these days. When I do run I start with looking at the weather on race day and then add 20 degrees- then we start selecting the most comfort cute outfit I have. I use a race belt as well… a must.
My fall race is the RW Festival in Bethlehem, PA. Possibly the Hat Trick. I attended this a few years ago as a blogger and runner and doing the same this year. Race outfits is part of the fun of running.
Have a wonderful weekend Marcia!
I need to start thinking about my outfit for race day. I seem to always wear the same thing. I have a pair of compression tights that have pockets everywhere so I like to wear those so I can stash fuel, etc because I hate things around my waist. Love those fun compression shorts you are wearing!
Great tips! Throwaway items are so important for colder races, I would have froze to death last year at the NYCM without them, it was suggested to me to go to good will and get snow pants to throw away!
The capris are super cute. Awesome tips, thanks a lot.
My fall race – I got only one outfit. My team Tri kit !! Hopefully that’s all I need.
For my next race (hopefully London marathon if I fundraise enough) – I’ll be all ready to pick through my wardrobe!
It cannot be said enough: NOTHING new on race day. Period. End of story.
I’ve pretty much broke ALL those rules! :/
LOVED seeing that blast from the past picture!! 🙂 I have lost most of those pictures from that year….if you have any more, can you send them to me?
Woohoo…3 more weeks to another T and L adventure!
xo
I love picking out the race day outfit! It is the best part ! And yes always have a back up! I love my flip belt for stashing stuff ? I’m still waiting on my spandits – can’t wait to try them out !
No races this fall for me. Currently sidelined, but I will be back. Loved your posts and the outfits are fab! Best of everything for your Marathon.
Great tips! your oftfits looked great! 🙂