What to wear for a marathon? race day attire suggestions

So I'm heading to Arizona tomorrow morning with approximately 25 people to participate in the Rock N Roll Marathon. I've been sending an email each day to the group to help ease their anxiety as they begin to think about all the things that could go wrong.

I had a question about how to manage race day clothing. Here was that email:

**** email starts ****

Today I would like to address the question about race day attire and specifically discuss layering.

As I type this, weather.com has the Sunday forecast at 69 degree high and 41 degree low. Including a 20% chance of precipitation.

Since the race starts first thing in the morning, you can probably count on the fact that you'll see temps towards the lower end of the range. One thing that I like to stress to people is that you do not want to be too cold prior to the start. It can be pretty difficult on the body to be standing at the start and dealing with the cold and then immediately asking it to start performing. The blood flow issues involved in managing the cold are not favorable to exercise.

Suggestion #1: wear clothing you have worn and are comfortable in as a base layer... the layer of clothing you would be running in if the temperature was in the 60's.

Suggestion #2: if you follow suggestion #1, then you will not be warm enough at the start line, so you need to build at least one layer of warmer attire above your base layer.

I usually like to wear an old sweatshirt that I wouldn't mind throwing off to the side and letting someone take home or letting the Salvation Army pick up. I also wear a stocking hat and pair of cheap gardening gloves (I might wear my pink John Deere gloves this weekend.. but I'm getting attached) that I can toss.

Personal Story: In 1999, I ran the Chicago Marathon. I remember the weather being in the low 50's. Warm enough I thought to just wear a long sleeve running shirt and running shorts. I warmed up that way and stood waiting for the start. I never warmed back up! It felt like the sun was never shining on us b/c of buildings,etc. I remember being really cold for a majority of the race... never comfortable. So in 2001, I ran a Feb marathon in Austin, Texas. "It's Texas I was told, it will be warm enough". It was but I needed to wear my throw away sweatshirt for about 8 miles!

Suggestion #3: Be ready for a little rain before the race. There is rarely cover and it is not fun to stand and get soaked before you start your day. Take a trash bad and put a couple holes in it for your head and arms. Then you can "trash" it right before the gun goes off. And don't think you'll be able to run to the start line once the gun goes off.

Personal Story: Nikki and I were at the 2004 Country Music Marathon. Prior to the race it started pouring and we were trying to find cover... we found a little but there wasn't enough for all the runners. About the time the race was to start runners headed to the start line... only to be held there for 35 to 45 minutes. Because of lightening they had everyone waiting at the start (in the rain anyway?) and people were getting soaked. Luckily, I had leaned my lesson and had a trash bag on... but I still was a little wet... just not as bad as most.

Here's a recap:

1. Base layer of comfortable clothing that you are used to running in.
2. Warm clothing you can keep on or throw out if you want.
3. Trash bag to stay dry.

Hope that helps. Please ask if you have questions!

*** end email ***

To all the blog readers out there, I hope that information can also help you out. I know that there are other issues to consider, like what shoes to wear and what material the clothing is made from.

But to be honest, race week is not the time to be finding those answers out. The base layer should be a set of clothing that you have tested and know won't cause chaffing and is comfortable. That's a question that should be answered during your long runs.