The Race-Day Shoes I Wore at the Boston Marathon, Plus 13 Other Items I Packed

The most expensive item I brought and the reason I needed to check a bag was the Hyperice Normatec Elite ($999). These boots helped me stay injury-free and kept my legs fresh during my training runs. I really attribute them to helping me successfully train for this marathon in 12 weeks. As a mom of two kids under 4, a priority for me was to be able to walk and function after my long runs. A session with these boots at the end of the day allowed me to be ready to go. They are pricey, so the Normatec Go ($340, originally $400) is another option that is more compact and focuses on your calves.