My Marathon Kit 2024 by Mark Thorpe

“As we approach the business end of Spring marathons including London, it’s worth going over a few things that may help you make marathon day that much easier. Regarding London, if you can get down to the Expo before the Saturday it will definitely save both time and the hassle of big queues. It's all too easy to spend ages at the Expo when you should really be resting those legs!

• Test all your kit out before the day. I made the mistake of having a waist belt that was fine with nothing in it but slipped round my knees once filled up.
• Rest on the afternoon before the marathon.
• Lay all your kit out.
• Make all your arrangements where to meet afterwards . Where you are going to be looking out for anyone cheering you along?
• Have your fuelling strategy worked out beforehand. If you are taking gels what frequency and know where the water stations are to try to tie your gels in with a drink.
• I like to have important splits I'm aiming for written on my hand as it's easier than computing stuff running along.
• Don't go off like a rocket for the first few miles. The time gained at the beginning is very often lost and considerably more later on.
• Equally don't panic if you are a little behind target there are plenty of miles to pick up time.
•  Too often people are total slaves to their watches. Often you can find a group running a similar pace to slot in with that ticks the miles off. Remember that sometimes city buildings will play havoc with your GPS especially around Canary Wharf.
• If the going gets really tough just keep putting one foot in front of the other and eventually you will get there.

 Most of all enjoy the occasion it's a massive achievement. 

K

     My chosen kit is my Norfolk Gazelles club vest