Is your running kit ruining your chances at a London Marathon PB? 5 common kit mistakes to watch out for
With the London Marathon just around the corner on April 26th, thousands of runners will be obsessing over their pacing and carb-loading strategies ahead of the event. But many participants may also be overlooking a factor that could cost them minutes on the day, their race day kit.
This April also marks the 55th anniversary of Ron Hill’s historic Boston Marathon victory, where he smashed the course record in 2:10:30. As a brand founded by a runner who revolutionised technical apparel, British running brand Ronhill knows that the wrong gear doesn’t just cause discomfort, it actively slows you down.
To help runners plan ahead for the big event, Matt Bond, former GB distance runner and representative for British running brand Ronhill has pulled together 5 common race-day kit mistakes runners make and how they may be affecting their performance:
The cotton trap – Many first-time marathoners choose to run in their favourite cotton t-shirt. But cotton absorbs up to 27 times its weight in water, so by mile 18, a sweat-soaked cotton shirt becomes a heavy, unbreathable weight clinging to your body. This forces your muscles to work harder just to carry it, while drastically increasing your core temperature. We would recommend that you always opt for moisture-wicking synthetics to help pull that sweat away from the skin.
The chafing danger zones – Chafing isn’t just painful; it alters your movement as well, as when your inner thighs or underarms chafe due to poorly placed seams or loose fabric, your body naturally alters its gait to avoid the pain. This inefficient running form burns through your energy reserves much faster. It’s best to look for seamless shorts or inner-liners designed specifically for endurance running to keep your form pristine.
Aerodynamics for amateurs – You don’t need to be a seasoned marathon runner to care about aerodynamics. Flapping jackets, oversized tees, or baggy shorts will act like a parachute against the wind and on a breezy day, fighting that wind resistance over 26.2 miles drains precious energy. We recommend a streamlined, athletic fit that reduces drag and keeps you moving forward efficiently, helping you to hit those PBs.
The storage dilemma – Marathoners can carry a lot: phones, keys, water, energy gels. Stuffing all of this into a single bouncy pocket completely throws off your centre of gravity. There is nothing worse than a heavy phone slapping against your thigh with every step, forcing your stabilising muscles into overdrive. Runners should utilise specialised waistbands or shorts with distributed, bounce-free pocket systems to keep their weight balanced.
The start-line overdressing – It is usually chilly at the start-line at 8 am, so runners often panic and layer up with thick long sleeves or thermal leggings. But by mile four, their core temperature spikes. Overheating is a PB-killer as it forces your body to divert oxygen-rich blood away from your working muscles to your skin in an effort to cool you down, which instantly slows your pace. The golden rule is to dress for the temperature of the second mile, not the starting pen. Use easily adjustable accessories like arm warmers that can be rolled down, or wear throwaway layers over your actual race kit that you can discard once you warm up.
