MY MARATHON RACE KIT + FINAL WORKOUT OF THE BLOCK - Ben Is Running

Aug 13, 2025

We’re breaking down the key takeaways from MY MARATHON RACE KIT + FINAL WORKOUT OF THE BLOCK by Ben Is Running. It’s a fantastic look into the final preparations for a goal race, and we’ve distilled the key points so you can try his confidence-boosting workout. Be sure to watch the full video for all the details.

Key Points

Mental Preparation is Key: Visualisation and self-belief are crucial mental tools. Ben emphasizes the importance of trusting your training and knowing you have what it takes to hold your marathon pace (an impressive ≈ 3:20 km). This level of fitness doesn’t happen overnight; it’s built over months of dedicated work. For many runners, a cornerstone of that work is structured workouts, and you can learn more by Mastering Interval Training: Science-Backed Workouts and How a Smart App Can Personalize Them.
The Final Workout: The last big session before the race is a 5 km run at your target marathon pace. The goal isn’t to exhaust yourself but to dial in the feeling of race-day effort and build a final layer of confidence.
Dialed-In Race Kit: Ben’s kit is meticulously planned and includes lightweight race shoes (Nike VaporFly 2), technical shorts with gel pockets, a race vest, moisture-wicking socks, and a clear hydration plan using Morton gels and electrolytes.
Smart Tapering: Practical tips for the taper week include getting a short haircut to stick to a routine, performing a dynamic warm-up before runs, and using a watch to closely monitor sleep, fatigue, and training load.

The Workout

Here is the simple yet effective session Ben uses to lock in his race pace.

2.5 km easy warm-up
5 km at marathon pace (target 3:20 per km, ~16:36 for 5 km)
2.5 km cool-down

The goal here is smooth, controlled running, not an all-out effort. While this workout uses the 5k distance, it’s very different from racing one. If you’re looking to crush your next 5k race, you’ll want to check out our guide on Mastering 5K Speed: Proven Interval Strategies to Cut Minutes off Your Time.

Optional boost: To further confirm the feel of your race pace, you can run a 2 km time trial at ~6:38 (≈ 3:19 per km).

Final Thoughts

Give this 5 km marathon-pace session a go before your next big race. Remember to adjust the paces to match your personal goals using the Pacing app. While this workout is designed for the marathon, the core idea of a final, confidence-boosting session is valuable for any distance. Whether you’re preparing for a half-marathon or Mastering the 10K: Proven Training Plans, Pace Strategies, and How a Smart App Can Elevate Your Performance, a pace-specific workout can be a game-changer. You’ll walk away with a solid confidence boost and a clear plan—now go out and own your race