The Philippine Online Chronicles

Running for marathons, they say, is what badminton used to be earlier in this decade.  It is fast becoming the recreation of choice for sports and exercise enthusiasts here in Manila.  There’s almost always a marathon during the weekends, and if you’re planning to jump on the bandwagon, you’ve got to gear up the right way first.  Marathons may seem like a simple activity, but you’ll need more than your trainers and handy mp3 player to keep you running in tip-top shape.

Wear comfortable running shoes that fit you perfectly.  They shouldn’t be ordinary sneakers, they have to be specialized for running and relatively lightweight.  Running shoes were designed to best support feet that are going to be mobile for a long period of time.  They have to be able to withstand the ground, your weight, your movement, and the friction caused by continuous pounding against the terrain.  Sometimes, you won’t even know you were wearing the wrong shoes up until 15 minutes into the marathon and your feet are chafing.  The best way to find that perfect pair of running shoes is to walk in them while you’re at the store and observe carefully how they feel against your feet.

Wear double-layered socks or sport socks.  It may seem like the only use for socks is to soak up the sweat off your feet, but it’s more than just that. Running for several kilometers can cause blisters, and the right pair of socks can help ease, if not prevent these blisters from showing up.  They protect your feet from the friction and keep you running for miles.  Keep an extra pair handy for you to change into over the long distances.

Wear lightweight fabric.  If possible, wear body-hugging material that will not constantly rub against your body and cause chafing.  The less stitching there is on the clothes, the better.  Recommended fabrics are Coolmax, polypropylene and nylon because they are good for movement; they will not get in your way or weigh you down.  If you don’t want to wear tight sportswear, you can opt for soft or thin material.  Track pants that can be changed to shorts depending on your comfort level are also good options.  Just make sure to check the zippers and see if they are lined, otherwise you can get painful zipperburns.

Be prepared to sweat it out and don air-cool clothes or material that transfers sweat from your body to the next layer of clothing.  If you don’t want to bring a towel with you while running to mop up your sweat, then make sure that what you’re wearing is adequate to soak it up.

Leave the jewelry, even if they’re just earrings.  You can lose things easily while running, and they can even be painful if they constantly dig into your skin while you’re moving.  The only accessories you might need here is a watch and a very secure ponytail.

Underwear is important.  They don’t make sportsbras for nothing.  Running means continuous movement, so do keep everything in place lest you end up hurting before you even finish.  Sportsbras also give enough support so that you don’t feel like you’re bringing extra luggage with you.  Avoid underwire and lace (especially for panties) because they are uncomfortable for the movement required in marathons.

Do check the weather on the day of the marathon and dress accordingly.  The safest way to do it is to dress up in layers, which you can chuck once it gets too hot.  It could be windy, sunny or even rainy so be sure to protect yourself from the elements.  Wear sweat-proof sun protection.  Caps and shades (make sure they’re secure) are optional.  They can also protect you from the dust and sun damage.