As part of Living360’s partnership with Crohn’s & Colitis UK, acting deputy editor Evelyn Richards shares the running kit, fuel and recovery essentials helping her train for the Edinburgh Marathon.
Marathon training has turned me into someone who has strong opinions about socks and anti-chafe balm.
As I prepare for my first, I’ve realised that long-distance running is really just a series of negotiations with your body. How do you stop chafing? Which gels can you stomach after 25km? And which products genuinely help your legs feel slightly less destroyed the next day?
After months of testing products through freezing early-morning jogs, rainy long runs and increasingly tired legs, here’s what I’ll be relying on this race day.
Read more: Best marathons in the UK, Europe and beyond for the ultimate running holiday
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Top: Mileoff The Cropped Run Tank Top
A good running top is wildly underrated. Mileoff’s cropped tank is lightweight, sweat-wicking and genuinely comfortable over long distances, but the standout feature is the side pockets. They’re perfectly placed for gels or essentials during longer runs and somehow still manage to look sleek rather than bulky.
I’ve been wearing the International Women’s Day limited-edition version, which comes in a beautiful blue and green colourway that still looks surprisingly good after being drenched in sweat.
Shorts: 262 Women’s Pocket Tights
For a moment, I thought I’d never find comfortable running shorts. However, these cycling shorts from 262 somehow manage to fit properly, stay put and hold an alarming amount of fuel without bouncing. I wore them for a 35km run recently and didn’t have to adjust them once — which, honestly, feels revolutionary.
The pocket system is excellent, too, with enough space for gels, keys and even your phone.
Sports bra: Gymshark High Support Ruched Sports Bra
As a slightly larger-busted runner, I’ve experienced more than enough sports bra disasters over the years: chafing, pain and unflattering jiggling.
I was sceptical about Gymshark’s running bras, but this option surprised me. It keeps everything secure while still feeling comfortable enough for longer runs.
I liked it so much that I bought it in every colour.
Read more: The surprising ways your sports bra could be hurting your workouts
Trainers: Brooks Hyperion Elite 4 PB
These trainers are called PB for a reason. This carbon-plated beast is built for speed, with a PEBA midsole that gives a ridiculous amount of energy return. Translation — your legs feel fresher for longer, and faster sessions feel slightly less soul-destroying.
This is now my third pair, which probably tells you everything.
Read more: The 8 best running shoes to help crush your PB
Socks: Balega Blister Resist Quarter Running Socks
Socks are hands down the most overlooked bit of marathon kit.
I switched to Balega earlier this year after struggling with blisters on my arches and I’ve not looked back. The cushioning is excellent, and they’ve completely changed how comfortable longer runs feel.
£17 sounds absurd for socks — until you’re 25km into a run without a single blister.
Anti-chafe balm: Body Glide For Her
One thing marathon training teaches you very quickly is that literally anything can chafe.
Body Glide has become one of those products I now panic about forgetting before a long run. It creates an invisible barrier on areas prone to friction — thighs, sports bra lines, underarms — without feeling sticky or greasy.
It’s not glamorous, but it may genuinely be one of the most important products here.
Fitness tracker: Garmin Vivoactive 6
I previously tested Garmin against Apple Watch and, for runners, Garmin wins comfortably.
The difference isn’t just in what it tracks, but how useful the information feels. Recovery insights, training readiness and detailed running metrics become increasingly valuable once marathon training starts taking over your life.
At a certain point, you stop wanting vague wellness data and start wanting answers.
Earbuds: Beats Powerbeats Fit
A good playlist can rescue a terrible run. The Powerbeats stay firmly in place throughout runs and gym sessions, while the sound quality is genuinely excellent — rich bass, clear vocals and enough battery life to survive even the longest training sessions.
They also let you switch between noise cancelling and transparency mode, which is particularly useful for outdoor runs.
Running gel: GU Energy Gel
Marathon gels are one of those things you don’t fully appreciate until you’re trying to force one down at 28km.
GU has become my go-to mainly because the flavours are genuinely tolerable — something that becomes increasingly important once you’re taking multiple gels over several hours.
Salted caramel, birthday cake and vanilla bean are my current favourites, and I like that there are both caffeinated and non-caffeinated options, depending on your preference.
Each gel contains 100 calories and 22g of carbs, giving a noticeable energy boost when fatigue starts to hit.
Read more: ‘I tested the bestselling energy gels — this is the one I’m going to use on my marathon’
Electrolytes: Punchy Daily Hydration Reset
Electrolytes have been one of the biggest gamechangers during training.
Punchy’s Tropical flavour tastes refreshing rather than aggressively salty or artificially sweet, and I’ve noticed a real difference in how hydrated and alert I feel after drinking it before harder sessions.
It’s less of a jittery energy boost and more of a hydrated clarity — exactly what you want before a long run.
Read more: “I’ve tested loads of electrolytes while marathon training — these are the best 6”
Recovery slides: Oofos Ooahh Slide Sandal
These are ugly in the way all good recovery shoes are ugly. And yet I’m obsessed with them.
After long runs, the last thing I want to do is walk around in hard-soled shoes, and the Ooahh Slides genuinely make my feet and calves feel less battered. The foam absorbs impact brilliantly and they’ve become my default shoe immediately after harder training sessions.
I now understand why runners become emotionally attached to recovery footwear.
The recovery essentials: Zerolia Massage Gun and Puresport Freeze Roll-On
I underestimated how much marathon training would make my legs feel like concrete.
The Zerolia massage gun has become my go-to for tight calves and glutes after long runs, while Puresport’s Freeze Roll On gives that immediate cooling effect that makes exhausted legs feel vaguely functional again.
Neither product magically removes soreness — sadly, nothing can fully undo a 42km run — but both make recovery feel much more manageable.
And psychologically, recovery rituals matter, too. Anything that convinces your body it’s being looked after feels valuable during marathon training.
Buy Zerolia Massage Gun from Amazon for £34.99.
Buy Puresport Freeze Roll On from Amazon for £38.
If you’d like to support Living360’s fundraising efforts for Crohn’s & Colitis UK, visit Evelyn’s JustGiving page.
Feature image: Canva/brands
