In case you need to be told yet again, training for a marathon is really freaking hard. Training for two? That are less than a month apart? That’s looney — and just what I craved following a rough hip injury and long recovery.
This past fall, the TCS New York City Marathon and Bank of America Chicago Marathon were within weeks of each other. Usually, they’re a month or more apart, but this time, the calendars somehow smooshed them closer together. I read and watched videos about how marathoners would do back-to-back races (or even run all of the Abbott World Marathon Majors within a calendar year, and my competitive spirit had me enticed. When I got the opportunity to do both, I couldn’t say no.
See, I had just finished my recovery from a gnarly hip injury that left me sadly spinning and doing low-impact workouts for months. I missed long-distance running and I missed getting a medal, dammit!
So, I began a journey to complete both races and score a PR. First thing first, I consulted with my run coach Elizabeth Corkum to get her opinion (and cautious approval). Then, I arranged my flights and stays. If you have never run a World Major before, please take my advice and book your travel and hotel the second you get in. Before you even start training. Booking at Westin Hotels is the best hack around for runners competing in Majors because they have a partnership with the races and offer some incredible perks like recovery zones with Hyperice massage products, cheer sections filled with loud supporters your family can join, and delicious restaurants to carb-load at — also, their Global RunWESTIN Concierge for Westin Hotels & Resorts, Chris Heuisler, is a gift sent from running heaven. He crafts up running programs for hotel guests and runners and hammered into my head that a negative split should always and forever be the game plan. Who knew? He also will motivate you and give you any insights (or nervous pep talks) you need. A saint in Nike’s.
Speaking of, the last step for this endeavor was deciding on which running shoes to wear. This was the toughest thing for me because I review running shoes every day as Shape’s Senior Commerce Editor, so I have a lot of favorites. To train for and run a marathon, you need different types of shoes. I had a rotation of three that I relied on the most — a daily trainer from Brooks, a cushioned speed shoe from Hoka, and a carbon-plated race day beauty from New Balance. Spoiler alert: These shoes helped me PR both races and achieve my fastest marathon time to date. Slay.
Sizes: 5-12 | Width: Standard and Wide | Midsole drop: 10 mm | Weight: 9.2 oz. | Support: Neutral
The Glycerin 21s are my absolute favorite everyday running shoes. I used these repeatedly throughout my marathon training build and relied on them for when my legs felt heavy and on days where running was the last thing I wanted to do. See, having a pair of running shoes you love can make all of the difference when you’re feeling unmotivated. To me, I would just think about how at least my feet would feel OK even if the rest of my body was trying its best to survive.
They’re solid on any terrain but I mostly used them on sidewalks and roads given that I live in NYC. They’re supremely durable and outlast crappy weather and crappy treatment (I’m guilty of throwing my shoes around like they’re tennis balls). They’re also great in rainy weather. The bottom soles are textured and provide a stellar grip when you need it the most. While they’re a bit bulkier and heavier than other shoes out there, the structure they provide is well worth a few more ounces. I recommend these to everyone and anyone who will listen for this reason.
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Propulsive sole
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Breathable mesh upper
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Versatile design
Sizes: 5 to 11 | Width: Standard, Wide | Midsole drop: 5mm | Weight: 8 oz | Support: Firm
I’ve been a loud Hoka skeptic, but these running shoes completely changed my mind about the brand (known for its great walking shoes). They’re lightweight and have the type of cushion you’ll notice in speed sessions and tempo runs, as well as recovery jogs. The versatility in construction makes them fantastic for pretty much everybody. The minimal drop has them up there with the best running shoes for flat feet since this kind of design allows your toes to splay naturally in a comfortable position while you’re striding about.
I liked that these Hokas didn’t have the huge stack height (cushion) that others out there do, because that tends to get me a bit off-balance, especially when I’m doing speed work. I loved the mesh upper for summer runs since it helped keep my feet as cool as possible, and prevented annoying blisters that come from sweating. Use ’em as a speed shoe or daily trainer — no matter what you decide, you’ll be happy.
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Fast but supportive
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Flexes with your foot
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Rocker keeps your tired legs moving
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Low midsole drop appeals to a variety of foot shapes, runners
Sizes: 5–12 | Width: Standard, wide | Midsole drop: 4 mm | Weight: 6.6 oz | Support: Plush
These New Balance super shoes (another way to describe running shoes that have a carbon plate in the sole which gives your feet energy back with each step) are the babies I wore during both of my marathon races. Not only that, but I also wore them during track workouts throughout training to break them in and get my feet acclimated to how they feel. I recommend this to anyone running their first marathon because that familiarity will help you feel more confident come race day.
They’re not the lightest carbon-plated shoes out there, but for my 3:32 -3:35 marathon times, I didn’t want that. I wanted a shoe that could support my feet for 3.5+ hours, and these did just that. Since Chicago and New York are very different courses (Chi-town is flat as a pancake, while NYC’s repeated bridge inclines will have you close to the stars) I was impressed with how much I loved the kicks during each race. A good race day shoe is one you don’t think about during the actual race, and I can tell you I forgot about these babies until I saw them in my MarathonFotos the next day. They kept my tired feet rolling and allowed me to stay consistent (and even negative split) each race.
These are the best marathon race day shoes for folks like me who finish in the top half of the pack but aren’t quite Boston Qualifiers in terms of speed (sigh). They give you all the goodness of a super shoe while also supporting your feet and giving enough structure for a prolonged period. Also, they’re cute. Not a necessity but a positive all the same.
What to Know
- Stability shoes: When searching for long-distance running shoes, find a well-fitting pair that provides support to your ankle, midfoot, and arch. These shoes need to be durable enough to outlast hundreds of miles of training and racing.
- Lacing: Have you ever had to stop a hard run to tie your shoe, which led you to feel like your legs were million-pound logs? It sucks. To ensure this doesn’t happen to you, make sure your laces are tight enough to stay in place, but not so tight that the shoe cuts off circulation.
- Shock Absorption: Long-distance running shoes should have abundant cushioning on the soles to protect your knees and hips from shock. With these features, as well as a design that’s responsive and lightweight enough for different workouts, you’ll be as good as gold.
- A Wide Toe Box: It’s hard to avoid blistering at times, but one way to make sure you give yourself the best odds is to find a marathon shoe that has a wide enough toe box for your toe to properly splay without rubbing on the sides.
- Safety: Replace your long-distance running shoes when they begin to show signs of wear. A good rule of thumb is to replace shoes every 300-500 miles. Tracking apps like Strava that display monthly stats can help keep track of this. Bring water and fuel with you on long runs so you stay energized and hydrated.
- Clothing: Do a few practice long runs in your marathon race day outfit. This allows you to ensure that they don’t chafe you (to the point of discomfort) and remain comfortable throughout different types of weather. When you practice in your race day clothes, you’ll be able to make sure that any compression shorts don’t ride up, sports bras don’t cut into you, and that any running shorts have the proper amount of storage for your fuel.
- Carbon plate: Curved plates of carbon fiber built into the shoe sole that support your stride. These shoes feel lighter, springy-er, and much more bouncy than other running shoes on the market, and are typically worn by front-of-the-pack racers looking to PR.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Should I get a running coach to train for a marathon?
Yes. There are apps and watches out there that can provide plans for you, but they do not provide the same support and insights as a real human. My running coach talked me through hard days, supported me throughout injury, and helped me come up with a game plan for each marathon. She also provided incredible background on races from her own experience running them, which helped me prep for the big day.
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How should you pace a marathon?
This depends on the race. However, Chris Heuisler explained to me the importance of a negative-split race. This means that your second half will be ran faster than your first half. To do this, you conserve energy for the first 13.1 miles in order to push for the last stretch. I did this in Chicago and fell in love with the strategy. It allowed for me to have fun the first half and then pass hundreds of people (and feel like a running goddess) in the second half. I finished the race feeling fit and fantastic — something I can’t say is true for previous races in which I did not negative split and started out way too fast. It’s hard to not want to sprint out the gates when you have so much adrenaline, but trust me, it’s worth the mental strain down the (literal) road.
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How long do I need to train for a marathon
This depends on your running capabilities, endurance, likelihood for injury, race course, etc. But, most of the time, experts suggest training for a marathon for 16 – 20 weeks to ensure your body can handle the major strain of 26.2 miles.
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What are the best marathon shoes?
The best marathon shoes are whatever shoes keep your feet comfortable, and blister-free, and provide you the amount of stability you need. Our favorite marathon shoes include the New Balance FuelCell SC Elite v4, Hoka Mach X2, and Brooks Glycerin 21.
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What are carbon plate running shoes?
Carbon-plated running shoes are lighter, more propulsive, and offer better energy return than shoes with more traditional nylon plates. Carbon fiber springs back naturally with each step, so the force you put into the shoe gets returned to propel you forward. Carbon plates are curved to match the shape of your foot. This encourages a more natural, rolling stride, which eases stress on your toes, ankles, and calves as you run.
Surrounding the plate in each shoe is a superlightweight springy material made from PEBA foam, which is more responsive than the denser, more durable foams used in traditional trainers.
Summer Cartwright is a marathon runner, certified cycling instructor, and the senior commerce editor at Shape. She has raced in the New York City Marathon, Chicago Marathon, Columbus Marathon, Houston Half Marathon, Brooklyn Half Marathon, New York Mini 10k, and dozens of other events. She has expertise in running shoes, performance gear, and recovery equipment. She’s tested each shoe on this list for runs longer than 10 miles to ensure they are equipped to handle long distances. Previously, she’s worked with brands including Cosmopolitan, InStyle, Real Simple, Well + Good, and Best Products. She’s from Columbus, Ohio, and has three pets: two cats named Polly and Peaky and a dog named Rhubarb.
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