WWYD shoes and race day support packing?

[mollyjean]

I have two semi-(un)related posts tonight but since I'm rarely finding time to hop on here I thought I'd throw 'em together.

My first marathon is in three weeks and I need new shoes (awful planning, I know).  I bought the same style, brand, etc that I typically wear but I'm slightly nervous about breaking them in just because I don't want to rock the boat with ANYTHING at this point.  I should just suck it up and do 15 this weekend in new shoes, right?  They'll be "ready" for race day?  I've honestly never had a big transition period or issue breaking in new shoes but this is a horse of a different color.  I'm being a Nervous Nelly, obviously.  Thoughts?

Also, did you have your friends/family keep certain items handy when they were on the course supporting?  DH and DS will likely see me twice and probably both after the halfway point so I'm wondering if I should have them prepared with items I may or may not need.  But what?  I'm thinking sunscreen, water, awkward fuel like a pizza (kidding, kind of)... I'd love to hear about your checklists before and during.  I just made a note to throw an extra hair tie around my wrist, because God forbid if mine is going to break it will be on race day about two miles in

[Wines Not Whines]

Yay, I'm so excited for you!

I would wear your new shoes for your long run this weekend, and a few more runs before the marathon. I've never had problems with new shoes in the same style, so hopefully you'll be fine.

I've never had anyone who could hand me stuff during a race, but I think I'd ask them to bring body glide or Vaseline. Pizza and chocolate would be tempting!

[naldridge]

Pizza sounds awesome! I think I would be thinking completely differently midway through a marathon, though

[gt7301b]

I'm always nervous about wearing new shoes for the first time on a long run, so I make my first run a shorter distance. I have no reason do do this other than it is one of my running rituals.

I handed Mr. GT gels on one of his marathons before he had a spi belt, but that is the only thing I can recall anyone needing during a marathon. the inly other thing i can think if is if you don't have a throw away shirt you might want to toss your team your top layer at some point.

[grk2012]

Yes, wear the shoes now. I just did the same thing, but on a tighter timeline--my longest run in the new pair (which I have previously used and loved) was 10 miles.

As for support, when I wore my water belt with my preferred Gatorade in it, I had DH and my parents hand me fresh bottles along the way. I might also have someone hold a Sport Wax stick or some Vaseline for a mid-run lube boost, if I'm feeling some hotspots or it has started to rain, etc. Also, tissues. My nose always runs when I do, and aid stations rarely have tissues. I carry what I can, but it's not always enough.

[texassmith]

Absolutely start wearing the new shoes now. They really don't need to be broken in at all. You'll be good to go!

I'll probably have DH or friends have Body Glide and maybe a fresh handheld bottle of ice water for me along the course. Haven't thought of anything else.

[finallykrisb]

Ditto the others on wearing the new shoes starting now.

I had DH and my awesome group of friends have body glide, extra gu, raisins, water, and roll on bio freeze ready if I needed it. They also had dry socks since it was raining. I was incredibly thankful for the bio freeze at mile 20.

[labbie]

It's been a few years since my marathon, but I loved that my friend handed me some orange slices at about mile 15.

I had used jellybellys and/or lifesaver gummis while training, so had my DH have those at one of the later miles 23 or so. I ended up not taking them.

It was mainly mental for me, knowing stuff would be 'available'.

Sadly that marathon (inaugural one in my city) they ran out of water at one of the stops (yup, that stunk). So we slower folk were thrown for a loop. Luckily a local bar stepped up and had some for us a half mile later, but that messed with my head.