Kerre Woodham: The right gear more than just a fashion statement

Fashion week has come and gone for another year but the dilemma of what to wear in the adidas Auckland Marathon remains.

It's not easy deciding on your wardrobe when you're a new runner. Those freaks of human nature who have 3 per cent body fat are sorted. Singlets and those little nylon shorts are ideal for both men and women and some of the women don't even have to worry about harnessing their hooters.

For those of us who have yet to attain the running physique, it's a little more difficult.

After the horror of the half-marathon photo, lycra leggings are out. They're just not a good look. Besides, they're hot to run in.

Shorts aren't great either. There was a bloke at school who was nicknamed Wubs because his thighs rubbed together. I don't want to be known as the Wubs Woodham of the wunning world because of my thighs - and besides chafing is bloody painful. I'm trying to find some board shorts that could also double as running shorts but that's proving tricky.

What is comfortable to run in for an hour can become jolly uncomfortable after two, and undoubtedly unbearable after four. Tops are also an issue - the manufacturers don't cut them long and I don't want one that rides up. Using one of your husband's old T-shirts won't do because the cotton ones get heavy and damp with the sweat, so the hunt continues for a longer-length singlet.

Should one wear a belt? They're very in, very now, and would be very useful come race day as you can stash away water and energy gels and whatever else you need to get through. But they're uncomfortable to run in and I can't bear sloshing.

I've noticed that after I've been pounding away for a couple of hours, my tolerance diminishes. The sound of keys rattling away in someone's running shorts, the sound of my water bottle sloshing, the bra strap that keeps slipping off my left shoulder - all these little things are designed to test my patience and my will to live.

Still, if I can distract myself with the question of what to wear, then perhaps it will take my mind off the kilometres I have yet to run before I can confidently make my way to the start line.