I’ve been building toward a full 42 km marathon and just ran a half in 1:44:16 (NEW PR!). Along the way I nursed a few blisters, tested too many gadgets, and found thirteen keepers that actually helped—during training, on race day, and when I pretended recovery was my full-time job. Consider this your no-nonsense kit list. Steal what you like, ignore what you don’t, and may your negative splits be petty and personal.
See also: Apple Watch Series 11 & Ultra 3: Apple’s best fitness stack yet
Training / race day essentials
Ain’t no way you’re just going to run 42km, let alone 21…or even 5 without putting in the work. Your training is as important as the race itself which is why, you need to have the right gear. All of these products can be used for both your training and your actual race day.
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New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5
My daily driver and tempo wingman. The Rebel v5 feels poppy without being precious—lightweight, springy FuelCell foam and a rocker that keeps you rolling when your brain wants to bargain. The upper locks you in without “toe prison,” and the platform stays stable enough for strides and pickup bursts and they make my calves suspiciously optimistic.
Bombas all-purpose performance ankle socks
Shoes get the glory; socks keep the peace. Bombas’ performance ankles wick fast, cradle the arch, and have a heel tab that tells blisters to take the day off. Seamless toes mean less rubbing on long efforts, and the cushion-to-breathability ratio is chef’s-kiss. Bonus: they survive the dryer without becoming cardboard.
WHOOP
Training is stress; recovery is response. WHOOP tracks sleep, HRV, and strain, then gives you a nudge—go hard or cool it—based on your actual data. The daily journal tags are weirdly revealing (late caffeine + doom-scrolling = clown sleep), and green days are my cue to chase speed. It won’t do the work, but it will stop you from hero-ing yourself into a plateau.
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Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 earbuds
Ear hooks that don’t budge, ANC that hushes traffic, and battery life that laughs at back-to-back workouts. The case is smaller (and wireless-charge friendly), Transparency mode keeps you aware on shared paths, and calls stay clear when you’re breathy-but-determined. Playlists for intervals, podcasts for recovery miles—either way, the soundtrack slaps.
On lightweight cap
Sun, drizzle, and race-day nerves—this featherweight cap handles all three. It vents heat, dries fast, and the shorter brim shades without blocking your view of potholes or gel tables. On hot days I soak it at aid stations for a DIY brain cooler. It disappears on your head until you need it.
Oakley performance sunglasses
Prizm tints turn glare into contrast so you can read the road and your watch without squinting. The wrap blocks wind and dust, the nose pads stay grippy when you’re sweating optimism, and the frames weigh next to nothing. I swap lenses by forecast—lighter for gloomy starts, darker for bluebird mornings. Side effect: finish-line photos look 12% faster.
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On Ultra Vest 10L
Hydration, gels, phone, “just-in-case” layer—organized, not jiggling. This vest spreads weight comfortably, cinches down to nix bounce, and wears smaller than the 10L suggests. Perfect for unsupported long runs or tune-up races, and it doubles as a portable snack bar. Pro tip: pre-load pockets (“start,” “mid,” “last 10k”) so decisions feel easy when brainpower is scarce.
Dream Recovery Second Wind nasal strips
Not magic—just mechanics that help open the pipes when adrenaline tightens everything. I use them on key workouts and race morning; the extra airflow feels like a tiny cheat code at threshold. They’re featherlight, play nice with sunglasses, and peel off without drama. Test in training so you’re not fighting adhesive in the corral.
Apple Watch Ultra (or Ultra 2)
Your wrist coach that never ghosts you at kilometre 35. The Ultra’s rugged build, big bright display, and dual-frequency GPS (L1+L5) make pacing and navigation stupid-easy on long runs and race day alike. You get wrist-based running power, track mode, turn-by-turn routes, and an Action Button you can map to laps, splits, or a mid-bonk beacon. Battery life comfortably outlasts a marathon (and most training days), and post-run you’ll geek out on heart rate, cadence, and recovery trends without opening seventeen apps. It’s the rare gadget that’s equal parts pacer, hype squad, and safety net.
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Fuel & health (because vibes don’t fuel glycogen)
There’s only so much your body can do without giving it the oil the engine needs to power that run. From daily vitamin drinks to mid-race snacks, your fuel is key. Pro-tip: A small bowl of oatmeal with slices of banana 60-90 mins before your run. Game changer.
Honey Stinger mini waffles
Gels are great until your stomach files a complaint. Mini waffles are the diplomatic solution: honey-based carbs, easy chew, no cloying aftertaste. I nibble one every 30–40 minutes on long runs and stash a spare for “oops, under-breakfasted” days. Practice your timing in training so race-day you isn’t negotiating mid-bonk.
IM8 Health (personalized check-ins)
Think of this as your “house blend” for consistency: a daily mix you can actually stick to. IM8’s supplement drink keeps the routine simple—stir, sip, move—so you’re topping up hydration and essentials without juggling six bottles. I use it on easy days and in the hours before long runs; the light flavour plays nicely with gels and doesn’t fight my stomach. As with all fuel—test it in training, not on race day. It’s less “biohacking,” more “grown-up habit” that quietly supports the miles.
Recovery rituals (where gains cash their cheques)
Want to know how the most elite can run a marathon and then go dancing that same night? Recovery, recovery, recovery. Treating your body with kindness after you’ve put it through hell is the key to longevity, improvement and elasticity. Recovery game must be strong.
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Kane x Matt Johnson recovery shoes
The moment a workout ends, these go on. They’re airy, cushioned, and surprisingly supportive, giving feet and calves a gentle reset as you shuffle to coffee or the foam roller you’re “definitely going to use.” Hose-off easy after muddy trails and socially acceptable enough to wear inside a café without apologizing. If you’ve ever stepped out of spikes into bricks, you’ll understand the immediate “ahhh.”
Hyperice Normatec Elite compression boots
Necessary? Yes. Result? Game changer. A 20–30 minute flush feels like a couch-based spa day and leaves my legs less swampy the next morning. They don’t replace protein, sleep, or mobility, but they make the recovery ritual something I actually look forward to—consistency’s secret sauce. These have become my go to ritual after every run regardless of intensity.
How the puzzle pieces fit (aka my 42 km routine)
WHOOP sets the daily vibe; if the light is green, the Rebel v5 and Bombas get their moment. For long efforts, I add the On vest and cap, Oakleys if it’s bright, and a couple of mini waffles for steady carbs. Race morning or key workouts, I’ll throw on a Second Wind strip, cue the Powerbeats, and stop treating aid stations like optional art installations. Post-run, Kanes at the door, Normatec on the couch, and daily IM8 Health drinks so the engine inside matches the swagger outside.
Bottom line: you don’t need a lab to train for a marathon—you need gear that solves real problems with minimal fuss. These products did that for me, from the first stride to the sofa sigh afterward. If you see me grinning at kilometre 40, it’s the caffeine… but also the cap, the shoes, and the waffles doing God’s work.
Feature photo by Tembela Bohle
