How can i prepare my skin for marathon or ultra trail ?

Why prepare your skin for a marathon?

Running a trail or a marathon is demanding on the body, the mind and also the skin.

From the preparation phase right through to D-day, skin lesions are a runner's enemy. Irritations, burns and blisters should not be overlooked as they can have an impact on your training programme. In addition to causing discomfort and pain, skin inflammations can take time to heal, which can affect your performance and even ruin your run. 

Fortunately, with a few tips and the right skincare and recovery routine, you can stay fit by making your skin an ally.

Before the marathon: prevent injuries

Moisturise your skin

Dry skin is more sensitive to irritation than well-nourished skin. When you are preparing for a trail run or marathon, it is essential to hydrate your body every day. 

Even better: by making a treatment like RGENtec® After-Sport Ritual a part of your daily routine, you optimise your skin's repair and regeneration capacities. It repairs itself more effectively and more quickly. The combination of RGTA technology and hyaluronic acid gives the skin elasticity and suppleness, maintains the natural production of hyaluronic acid and reduces oxidative stress on cells. 

Before each running session, complete your preparation by protecting sensitive areas with anti-chafing creams or protective balms.

Tan your feet to get them ready

Don't overlook this step: a single blister can ruin your preparation for a long-distance race! This is all the more true for trails and ultra trails, where dust, uneven terrain, mud, and scree can cause injuries. 

By tanning the skin on your feet, you strengthen your epidermis, without necessarily making it thicker. As it is more resistant, it will be less sensitive to lesions.

The key to successful tanning? Alternate between citric acid (preferably in the morning) and moisturising the skin in the evening, using RGENtec® Bye Bye Burn cream. Designed to optimise tissue regeneration and strengthen the epidermis, it intensely moisturises your feet.

During the marathon: focus on performance

Choose the right outfit

Whether you have sensitive skin or are preparing for a long-distance run, the choice of outfit is essential to prevent irritation. Choose clothes without seams, or with external seams.

Sweat can be irritating, so make sure you choose breathable fabrics that help eliminate it.

To avoid burning thighs in winter, opt for tights. For summer, consider trail shorts. Some of the longer models are fitted with shorts to reduce chafing.

When it comes to preventing blisters, people often think about their choice of footwear, especially since some running specialists offer postural studies to help you choose the shoes that will suit you best. But don't forget the socks! Go for suitable technical socks and train with them to get your feet used to them before the big day.

Whatever outfit you choose, never wear new clothes on the day of the event.

Armbands, running bags and water bottle holders are also important. If you run with accessories, make sure they are close to your body to limit impact and friction.

The wrong idea? Preventive wound dressings!  It can come loose while you are running, and that is a guaranteed injury.

Protect yourself from UV rays

It is an absolute must. Not only can sunburn be uncomfortable and painful, but UV rays are particularly dangerous in the medium and long term. Throughout your training as well as on race day, never go out without SPF 50 protection suitable for your sport.

And don't forget your cap and sunglasses!

After the marathon: help regeneration

An event as demanding on the body as a marathon or trail run generates multiple microtraumas. Particularly as the last few kilometers are largely down to mental strength. As soon as you cross the finish line, your body relaxes and you start to feel muscle fatigue, aching tendons, muscle soreness and skin trauma.

While rest is essential to help your body recover, you can optimise the recovery process with targeted treatments:

Soothe irritations and burns and optimise healing for faster recovery with RGENtec® Bye-Bye Burn.

Relieve your joints by massaging them regularly and encourage optimum tissue regeneration.

And above all, don't give up on your moisturising and preparation routine so that your skin is ready to take on your future sporting challenges!