10 Strange but Effective Tips for a Better Marathon

Who Needs Bathroom Breaks?

"I have been known to show up to the start line of marathons with my toddler's diaper in my shorts just in case of emergencies. Those port-a-potty lines are long!" - Kristin Stehly of Stuftmama

Sports Bro

"I'm a man and I wear a sports bra. But only on long runs (over 10 miles)! It keeps my shirt from chafing my nipples and it doesn't rip out my chest hair like Band-Aids. It's nothing fancy (I like the cheap really stretchy ones) but I will admit to having several different colors!" - Anonymous

DIY Arm Warmers

"I take old socks, like tube socks, and cut the feet out of them to wear as cheap arm warmers at the beginning of a race. You can also just cut off the end of the toe and a little hole in the heel to make arm/hand warmers with thumb hooks. Then when you heat up, you toss them." - Amanda Loudin of Miss Zippy

Oh, Honey!

"I run with honey instead of expensive and less natural gels, etc. It works great and the small honey bear fits perfectly in my fuel belt!" - Colleen Fit Bee of The Fit Bee

Another sweet option: "I save up the honey packets from restaurants to use as energy gels on long runs." - Jen Embry of Three Little Embrys

Stride in Silence

"I wear hot pink ear plugs! It seems to get a lot of looks and comments like, 'Aren't you too young for that?' But it really helps my focus!" - Monica Nelson of Monica Nelson Fitness

Sweet Solution

"I eat regular jelly beans instead of expensive energy gels to get an energy boost. They work just as well and you have way more flavor options!" - Meghan McCann

Go Ahead, Stuff Your Bra

"I've kept packages of gummies and other long-run essentials in my sports bra because it was easy access and less likely to move around in such a tight space. You can't feel it at all and it makes for a nifty pocket." - Lynda Lurei of Hit the Road Jane

On-the-Go Chafing Solutions

"During long runs, I sometimes experience chaffing on my rear. To help prevent this, I keep a glob of petroleum jelly in a piece of Kleenex so I can do one reapplication during my run. The Kleenex is for storage, but it is a great way to stay sanitary (no need to use fingers) during application." - Amanda Rosenburg-Giovanis of Happy Mother Runner

Potty Training

"I have stress-induced incontinence and I wear a diva cup (a silicone menstrual cup) when I run to prevent me from peeing my pants. I'm not sure why it works, but it does." - Janice Luke Smith of Fitness Cheerleader

Better than Band-Aids

Another solution to the nipple-chafing problem for dudes: "I use electrical tape over the nipples for runs over 6 miles. It comes right off after the run." - Andre Farnell of Better Body Expert