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Key Takeaways
- Packing for a marathon requires careful organization of both race gear and travel essentials for a successful trip.
- Use packing cubes and suitcase organizers to maximize space and keep items sorted for easy access during your journey.
- Always carry your race kit in your carry-on bag to avoid the stress of lost luggage just before the race day.
- Consider comfort items like a portable battery, neck pillow, and travel adapter to enhance your travel experience.
- Lastly, pack versatile clothing options that can transition from casual sightseeing to race day attire efficiently.
- Discover the best tips for packing for a marathon or your next destination race.
Do you ever just lie awake in bed, unable to sleep because you need to know where your passport is in that very moment? Welcome to my world as I get ready to take my first European travel adventure this week! I’m sure you also have a terrible passport photo where you look like a member of a crime syndicate with a string of dead husbands? Maybe that’s just me.
Fictional photo backstories aside, I am pretty ecstatic to fly to Germany this week for the Berlin Marathon. This trip has been in the pipeline for almost a year, and I am kind of in shock this is finally happening. I’m also waiting for the trip to light a spark in me to add more international travel into the mix.
Related Post: Find your next favorite comfy travel outfit no matter the destination!
Key Topics Included in this Post
What to Pack for a Marathon
While I am packing for this race, I am also packing for an incredible vacation. My brain says I should pack light, but my heart also knows there are certain emotional support items I’m going to need. I also know myself. While I might think multiple outfits for lots of scenarios, ultimately, I will likely stick to two to three pairs of leggings and a few t-shirts. And I’m sure my squirrel brain will have moments of panic and relief over the next week, wondering where my passport is and reassuring myself it’s still in my pocket. There is no chill here.
As I am getting closer to our departure, I’ve started gathering the essential items and laying them out on our guest bed. This process is helping calm my nerves so I can inventory everything I need to bring, and I don’t have to worry about remembering it.
As I am laying everything out, here is a list of the items I’m planning on bringing with me to Germany.
Related Post: Want a race-day packing list? Plan for the perfect marathon race day for the best before and after experience!
Marathon Packing Essentials
The primary rule of race travel is to carry your race kit in your carry-on. While packing things like shoes, handheld water bottles, and nutrition can be cumbersome, the stress of lost luggage is not worth it. Before you pack your suitcase (whether you’re flying or driving to your race), lay all of your race gear out .
Bonus: if you take a picture, this is easy bonus content if you’re fundraising for a marathon or a running inspiration post.
Related Post: If you need a guide for saving on travel races, I’ve got you covered! Check out another great Run. Wander Wear. post!
Packing for a Marathon: Running Items
Massage Tool: The Original Stick
This device is the ultimate travel recovery tool! The Original Stick is essentially a stick with two handles and beads. Simply roll the beads over your legs to loosen any tension. It offers similar relief as a foam roller and takes up minimal space. I love that you can use this tool standing up and doesn’t require floor space. Even if you’re not traveling for a race, this is a must-have for any traveler since it’s so convenient and light.
Suitcase Organizer and Packing Cubes
I recently discovered the Pack Gear suitcase organizer. I have been tempted to try something similar using a hanging shoe organizer until I saw this product. It offers four sectioned compartments to allow me to pack my clothes in organized compartments. If you’d prefer packing cubes, I prefer the BagSmart packing cubes. They’re a gamechanger!
Here are some ideas of how you can separate your clothes out if you’re using packing cubes or a packing organizer:
- Pack your race kit (your marathon gear, including your running shoes, running socks, sports bra, energy gels or energy bars, band aids, body glide anti-chafe sticks or balm (my personal favorite is Happy Curves anti-chafing balm), and your race day running outfit made of moisture wicking materials). Pack extra emergency items like safety pins and hair ties.
- Post-race change of clothes for after you cross the finish line. Included your underwear, socks, and a pair of recovery shoes like these Oofos OOriginal Recovery Sandals.
- Pack for each day of your trip and plan to include comfortable clothing, including athleisure and comfortable walking shoes. Also include your personal care items.
- Pack your clothes by type, like organizing items for before and after the race, as well as socks, underwear, athletic clothes and casual wear.
- Organize your dirndls for the Munich portion of your trip (if you’re headed to Oktoberfest after the Berlin Marathon)
All of this fits conveniently in my suitcase and when I arrive, I pull it out and hang it up. This is the perfect solution if you have a longer trip planned or have multiple hotel legs on your itinerary.
Find the Pack Gear suitcase organizer here on Amazon! Keep track of your suitcase anywhere by packing an Apple AirTag or Tile Mate in your suitcase!
Related Post: Learn the most important tip for traveling for a destination race for your next travel race!
Packing for a Marathon: Carry On Essentials
Whether you’re traveling for a quick trip or a long-haul flight, these items are essential for keeping you comfortable and ready for the adventure ahead!
Get Peace of Mind With a Portable Battery
I recently discovered this solar-powered battery and I’m in love with it. While it is a bit bulky and bigger than my other travel batteries, it does charge up to five devices at once and holds enough juice to charge your phone roughly eight times on a single charge. It has all the cords included and offers wireless charging. It also has solar panels on it so it can recharge itself without an electrical outlet (it can also recharge using an outlet too). I just hook it on my bag (no additional purse space needed) and let it get charged up as I take it outside with me on my adventures!
If you’d prefer a more traditional charger, this charger is also really good! I have a few options for the Anker brand, like the Anker 20K battery, and love all of them! And to make your bag a little more organized, I love this 3-in-1 cable with options to charge all of my devices.
Get Extra Counter Space
If you love sitting in an aisle seat (or need an incentive to sit in the window), this is perfect for you. The BEVLEDGE is a shelf designed to give you more space in the window seat. It can hold two of the following: beverages, glasses, pens, and has two hooks. It also has a slot to store your phone. I love it frees up my tray table for a tablet so I can have a soft drink, water, and a mimosa on my flight (proud beverage gremlin over here). And don’t forget a reusable water bottle! You can fill it up at a hydration station once you pass through security.
It also folds flat to take up minimal carry on space and fits in its own travel bag.
How to Sleep On a Flight!
I am the worst plane sleeper! I don’t understand people who can sleep sitting up. For me, I can never truly relax if my head is not fully supported, and I love that this pillow offers a wedge to cradle my large head. The trtl neck pillow has a feature that differentiates this neck pillow: it folds (almost) completely flat and has a convenient travel bag to keep it clean. I bought this for our trip to Hawaii earlier this year. It was amazing. I slept on our flight home and was shocked at how comfortable it was.
How to Watch the In-Flight Movie with Bluetooth Headphones
This handy dandy device converts your non-Bluetooth-compatible items into Bluetooth-enabled items! Plug this device into the jack port of the device you’d like to connect to and connect your headphones to the AirFly. Since most planes aren’t Bluetooth compatible, you can use this to plug into the plane’s entertainment system and watch the in-flight programming with your wireless earbuds.
Or if your boyfriend loves his old iPod, this device easily makes it Bluetooth compatible (if you have old iPod charging cords, let me know if we can take them off your hands so we can keep this thing alive as long as possible).
Remember to pack a water bottle in your bag so you can stay hydrated on your flight before your race! This water bottle from Hydroflask is my favorite! If you’d prefer a reusable water bottle that fits in cupholder, I love this Hydrojug 40oz bottle so much because it seals!
Related Post: Want to know the 10 most important things I pack in my carry-on bag? I’ve got the whole list for you!
What to Bring for a European Marathon Trip
Use Any Outlet in Any Country
I picked up this travel plug adapter for my first visit to Europe! I love that it has connectors for the different countries (I didn’t know that was a thing!). It has good Amazon reviews and has a good Fakespot score. It’s so easy to use and really compact.
Related Post: Need guidance for traveling to Europe for a race? Get guidance for packing for an international marathon and a marathon packing list!
Packing for a Marathon: Clothing Strategies
When packing for a trip, try packing only the clothing you need to avoid extra bulk.
Mid-size Fashion Must-Haves
I plan on packing a variety of clothes. Also in regard to space, having options that serve a dual purpose are useful for packing lighter. While I don’t think I’ll need anything super fancy, it’s nice to have a few options that can be converted from dressy to casual, depending on how you style them.
Here are a few staples to consider when packing for a trip:
- A Cocktail Dress: This dress is so comfortable, and I love the cut. I’ve worn it to a wedding, the office, and girls’ night out.
- A Hoodie: I always bring a hoodie in my carry-on in case the flight is cold, and it can double as a layer when we’re on outings.
- Athleisure: Consider bringing leggings or joggers that are comfortable for workouts but stylish enough for sightseeing or lounging.
The Best Packing Cubes
I am not great at folding my clothes to save space when placing my items in my suitcase. I recently picked up packing cubes from Bagsmart to help reduce the space my items take up. I love my Bagsmart puffy tote bag so ordering from the brand made perfect sense.
Time to Take Off!
I am so thrilled for this race and can’t wait to keep you posted on our trip. Looking forward to enjoying a whole new racing experience, seeing a new part of the world, and earning my next star in the World Marathon Majors!
Prost!
Do you have packing strategies to share? Leave a note in the comments and let me know how you pack for overseas adventures!
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