14 Training Tools To Help You Prep for a 26.2-Mile Run This Fall

This free app from Nike offers an expert-backed marathon training plan, along with guided runs with advice for every mile from Nike run coaches—including the super-motivational Coach Bennett. It takes the guesswork out of training while also giving you the flexibility to choose between three and five runs a week or add extra miles if you’re feeling spicy. As a veteran runner, I didn’t think I needed this kind of app to help me train, but once I started using it earlier this year I quickly got hooked: With a coach in my ear, I can nerd out on running while running, soaking up smart insights that have shifted my approach to things like warming up and recovery.

Long runs call for lots of hydration. Unless your route takes you past multiple water fountains (or somewhere you can stash water bottles ahead of time), you’re going to need to carry your own fluids with you. This soft flask from Nathan straps right onto your hand for easy, grip-free carrying, and it collapses as you empty it so there’s never any sloshing around.

Once your runs are longer than 75 minutes, you’re going to want to eat about 100 calories every 30 to 40 minutes to keep you going, Jeff Cunningham, the official running coach for BPN, previously told Well+Good about marathon fueling. If that sounds like a lot, remember that training runs aren’t only about training your legs—you’re also training your stomach to take in the necessary fuel to avoid hitting the dreaded “wall” that can happen when your muscles run out of glycogen. Huma Chia Energy Gels are a popular easy-to-digest option for marathon runners with finicky guts. (Pro tip: Throw them in the freezer before hot runs for a cool treat.)

When you’re sweating for multiple hours, you need more than water to stay hydrated: You also need to replenish your electrolytes. Although most popular gels and chews will offer about 100 milligrams of sodium per serving, you need around 500 to 750 milligrams per hour while running to maintain healthy levels, according to Cunningham. That means you’ll probably want to sip on something with electrolytes in it. Traditional sports drinks like Gatorade are one option, but if ingesting too many carbs on the run gives you GI issues, check out Nuun’s tablets, which come with only one gram of sugar.

If it’s bright out, make things easier on yourself and throw on a pair of sunnies. “It takes energy to squint—it takes energy to bunch your face up,” says Bennett. Goodrs are designed for runners with a special no-slip grip that holds up on even the sweatiest runs. And at just $25, any wear and tear is NBD.

Something as mundane—but annoying—as chafing can majorly impact how much you enjoy running. “Chafing is really common,” says Bennett. “So guess what? There’s literally stuff for chafing for runners. Get yourself some.” Rubbing a little Body Glide on any hot spots before you head out the door can make all the difference between looking forward to your miles and dreading them.

A good smartwatch will be far more reliable (and convenient) for tracking your pace and distance than trying to use your phone. It will also give you insights into metrics like your cadence and heart rate, which can assist any attempts to improve your running form and also get faster. There are tons of smartwatches available, including many that will cost you a pretty penny, but if you’re looking for basics that will give you running metrics, you can’t go wrong with this Garmin Forerunner model.

Although we love it whenever our running shorts have enough pocket space to stash a phone, gels, and anything else we need on the run, the reality is that there will likely be times you need additional space for storage. The Spibelt is a tried-and-true runner’s favorite, with an adjustable waist belt (up to 47 inches, with extenders available) and an expandable pocket that securely holds a surprisingly large amount of stuff.

Bennett recommends that all runners keep a running log to reflect on your runs and spot any patterns. “Remember: You are your own best coach,” he says. “You can notice, You know what? I have much less chafing the earlier I start—I think it’s the humidity.” Journaling about your workouts can also help you stay motivated, giving you an opportunity to reflect on your wins and see your progress over time. Although any blank notebook (or Google Doc) will do, having a dedicated running journal like this one might give you the inspo you need to actually use it.