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Pre-race anxiety is a marathoner’s right, and I am experiencing it in a new and different way right now. I have run 10 marathons before, but only once did I fly to the event. I was flying from a cold climate (Boston in February) to a temperate climate (Austin in February), so I was fairly certain I’d be running in warmer weather than what I was used to. There is a lot to consider regarding what to pack when travelling to a marathon.
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This time, I am leaving Friday (tomorrow!!) morning, returning Monday night to run the New York City Marathon. The weather forecast has highest highs around 55 and lowest lows around 36. First of all, these numbers mean NOTHING to me, as I have not felt anything as cool as 50 since last spring…. I can’t even imagine what 50 feels like, much less 40 or 36.
I also need to pack regular clothes, which includes an outfit to go to a Broadway show as well as my super cozy wear-in-public-appropriate activewear from Title Nine for the trip home. I have a pair of somewhat fashionable shoes that has to get in the suitcase, too. And I’m planning on carrying on my bag, so as to avoid those nasty checked bag fees.
What to pack when travelling to a marathon
Of course, I also need a full compliment of running attire. I trust that you will have studied the weather reports thoroughly as you prepare to pack. For my trip, some models showed race day to be dry with temps ranging from 38-45 and some models predicted race day to have snow (no, dear God, no). Still other models showed race day to be 40 and rainy (definitely not ideal, either). All models show Sunday to be very windy– 20-25mph winds with gusts up to 35-40mph.
My race day outfit will be my Texas flag running shorts and some combination of these running bras and tops, depending on the weather. I’m sure I’ll wear gloves and my running hat, at least until I’m off the Verranzano-Narrows Bridge.
The race time temps aren’t so important for the race itself, but they will affect my pre-race body. I catch the Staten Island Ferry at 7:30am, but I don’t start the race until 10:05am.
What am I doing for those hours in between? Sitting around soggy Ft. Wadsworth in the athletes’ village, trying to cast off more nervous energy than I absorb. I’ll also be trying to keep warm.
I went to the thrift store Savers to buy a fleece jacket and sweatpants that I will wear over my racing clothes (whatever they happen to be….) and then toss at the start line. Those will go over an old Balance Personal Fitness Training t-shirt and a pair of capris I made myself. I also bought long socks and cut out the toes to make arm warmers.
Additional accessories include old gloves that I will wear over my running gloves. And a knit hat. Plus I have my running hat, should it be on the colder end of temps.
There’s also a baseball-cap style hat in case it rains. And sunglasses in case the forecast changes for the better. (Wishful thinking, I know!) I’m taking an old pair of running shoes and two pair of old socks to wear to the athletes’ village.
Of course there will be Body Glide, too. Consider yourself lucky if you don’t know what it’s for. (But go ahead an read this article about inner thigh chafing, just so you know why you want to use it!)
There’s also a red transparent poncho to go on top of everything and a small plastic sheet to sit on in case it’s muddy or wet around the start corrals.
This is why I have taper anxiety, y’all. I run because it’s easy. It’s simple. Straightforward.
But this race prep thing? It involves trying to predict the future, and I’m not good at that. And I’m really a light packer, so this kitchen-sink packing list feels like a lot!
In the end, though, I’ve got these things in my suitcase, and they’re really all I need. I love my trusty Asics!
Everything else is details!
Were my ideas of what to pack when travelling to a marathon suitable for my race?
Read my 2014 New York City Marathon Race Review to find out!
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