Simple Tips for Running Lifestyles

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Running through the streets of London this past weekend was surreal!  From the Tower Bridge to running past Big Ben, every mile was magical (and a little chaotic, if I’m being truly honest). 

After training for a marathon in the cold Chicago winter and starting my 12th marathon in London, I felt like I was owed something. Training for London has one of the hardest seasons I’ve had since my first 26.2 in 2014. This was my first spring marathon and I felt like training in the winter was harder than the summer heat. I had a shorter training season than I’m used to with only 10 weeks of training, as I recovered from some medical procedures I had to complete by the end of 2024. I started training at the end of January but realistically, I should have started in early December. 

Related Post: If you’re planning a trip to London for the London Marathon or an international vacation, read these tips for what to do when visiting London!

London Race Day Experience

Race day definitely had a few challenges! Even though I trained in the cold, London was in a heatwave. Brian and I struggled to meet up until mile 26. My foot ached (probably from a micro training experience). The narrow course meant we were getting pushed and elbowed as we ran through London. The course vibes were unlike anything I’ve ever experienced! The nicer weather may have brought in more spectators and let me tell you, they brought the energy. There were points my friends couldn’t hear each other because it was so loud!

While the day was hard and longer than expected, my bestie, Dyan, and I were determined to finish together. We finished holding hands and someone caught a picture of it as we finished.

I highly recommend adding this race to your bucket list! It was great to arrive early and have a mini girls trip before Brian arrived for the second half of the trip!

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My London Marathon 2025 Recap

If you’re eyeing the 2026 London Marathon or running a marathon in 2025, here’s what I wore, what worked, and what you should know if you’re dreaming of lining up at the London start line too.

My London Marathon 2025 Race Day Outfit

Here are all the items I wore for the London Marathon.

Marathon Running Clothes

Honestly, you should always test your race day fit before you get to the start line to ensure nothing is bunched or rubbing in uncomfortable places. Since we did our long runs outside in the Chicago cold, I didn’t get to truly test my clothing enough to allow for the best fit (spoiler alert: it worked out). Next time I would wear my full race day outfit for a longer treadmill session if I couldn’t fully test my outfit on a longer training run. 

These pieces are awesome if you’re looking for the perfect summer fit for a fall marathon.

Marathon Race Day Shirt

Saucony Stopwatch Tank — Lightweight and breathable. Held up great in the unexpected heat and the cut is really flattering for all body types and really comfortable.

Pro-Tip: Wear your name on your shirt! Don’t iron on letters with your name and do this instead. Iron-on letters from a craft store aren’t always made for technical fabrics and might struggle to stick. Print your name on a heavy t-shirt in huge font (find a quick print shop online) and have a tailor trim and sew it as a patch. You’ll have it ready to pin on for future races!

Running Shorts to Carry Everything

Baleaf Running Shorts — These shorts have side pockets with plenty of room for gels, salt tabs and my phone. The compression design helps minimize chafing. And they come in three inseam options (I wore the 5” option and used Happy Curves Anti-Chafe stick). This was a stretch after training through winter in these leggings from The Gym People.

My Top Marathon Running Shoes 

Hoka Clifton 9 — While I haven’t tried the new model (Hoka Clifton 10s, which came out two weeks before the race), I wanted to wear the model I’ve been training in all season. These shoes felt solid and offered plenty of stability, even on London’s trickier pavement. Even if I had more time to test the Hoka Clifton 10s, I’d still likely keep my choice of running in the 9s.

My Favorite Running Socks

Feetures Elite Max Cushion No Show Tab (I wore a special edition Chicago version). I was so excited to have zero blisters after the race and they come in a variety of colors. 

Related Post: I used this AI prompt to pack for London and now I use it on every trip!

Marathon Running Gear

• Nathan Adjustable Running Belt — This running belt held a majority of my race day snacks and electrolytes. The sleeve on the outside also held tissues (which came in handy when one of the portaloos ran out of toilet paper.
• Nathan Handheld Water Bottle — I actually picked up this new bottle a few weeks ago and I love it more than the previous design. The bottle helps fit the contour of my hand and held enough water to get me through between water stations.
• Sprints Hat — Honestly, Sprints hats feel like the new Goodr sunglasses. They’re so cute and you need a new one when new prints are released. This hat was a winner to help our friends see us from a distance (imagine there were 4 of us that ran together).
• Goodr Sunglasses — Didn’t think we’d need these as much since London is usually cloudy but it was actually really sunny and they came in handy.
• Snacks and Electrolytes — I had a mix of Honey Stinger chews (I prefer chewing over gels) and Salt Stick salt tablets (I actually prefer the capsules since you need them less frequently) to help keep me hydrated for the hot miles. If you’d prefer a soft chew salt tablet, I love the watermelon flavor so much! They remind me of Smarties.

Pro-Tip: I use my overall time to gauge when I should eat (every 30 minutes). If you rely on mile markers for fueling, you could be missing an opportunity to take in calories if your pace slows down.

Want to Run London in 2026? Here’s How:

There are a few options to run the London Marathon. Here are the most popular options.

London Marathon Ballot

The 2026 ballot is a lottery option for runners to get selected at random to enter. Unfortunately the 2026 ballot is already closed (also a record 1.1 MILLION people entered the ballot) but you can still run! The London Marathon actually opens the window before the current year’s event is held and closes it a week later. The odds of being selected are extremely low so your best bet is through a charity or a tour group.

Run for a Charity

Many major UK, international, and American charities offer spots in exchange for fundraising. I ran my first major in Chicago through a charity, and it’s a great way to give back. There are so many great charity options for London supporting really great nonprofit organizations, like PAWS Chicago or Back on My Feet. If you pick a UK-based charity, the minimums tend to be lower (however, they may track your donations as GBP (£) instead of US dollars). I have so many ideas for charity marathon fundraisers, you’re going to want to subscribe to my newsletter.

Tour Groups

International runners (meaning anyone outside of the UK) can book through official tour operators like Sports Tours International. These groups include hotel packages and events with a guaranteed entry. They tend to be a premium price, but it’s nice to have a few events scheduled ahead of your visit if you’re unfamiliar with the area.

Marathon Running Strategy: Prepare for the Streets of London

The London course is mostly flat, but don’t be fooled! The roads are uneven, especially in older neighborhoods. Think uneven surfaces like cobblestones, potholes, and road dividers that can add a challenge on race day.

Train with agility in mind:

• Add single-leg stability exercises that work on balance and lateral movement.
• Do occasional runs on uneven sidewalks or park trails to mimic race day.
• Consider going to your local running store to see if they have recommendations for shoes or insoles that can offer extra stability support if you’ve had ankle issues in the past.

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Final Thoughts on the London Marathon 2025

This marathon was tough! My feet ached, the course was tight, and I got elbowed more than once, and I had the time of my life. If London is on your bucket list, it’s worth every mile.

Are you planning to run in London someday? What’s your dream race city? Drop it in the comments — let’s swap bucket lists! Need help planning your travel? Check out this post on why you should use a travel agent.

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