The Boston Marathon Training Essentials I Used for My Race

While each product featured is independently selected by our editors, we may include paid promotion. If you buy something through our links, we may earn commission. Read more about our Product Review Guidelines here.

It’s not every day you get the chance to run the Boston Marathon, but luckily, I was given the opportunity through an invitational bib. I’ve always been a runner (well, maybe jogger is the better term — I like to take my time). But if you’d ever asked me whether I’d run a race, I probably would’ve laughed in your face. Especially a marathon.

I know what you’re probably thinking: Are you nuts? Boston was not only my first marathon — it was my first race ever. And a pretty prestigious one at that. I knew I had to bring my A-game. For me, that meant focusing on the training: preparing both mentally and physically. Eating the right foods, stretching, running the miles. Thankfully, I live in Boston, so I didn’t have to adjust to the climate (though training through a New England winter is no joke).

Still, I did it. I pushed my body to limits I didn’t know were possible, and I credit my preparation for that. I made recovery a priority — visiting wellness centers like Remedy Place (which has locations across the U.S.) for massages and saunas after long runs. I also followed the Nike Run Club training plan and relied on a few other key tools and items for running you’ll find out about ahead.

If you’re gearing up for your first marathon, these were the essentials that got me to the 26.2-mile finish line. And yes — it was totally worth it.