Marine Corps Marathon Style for Women

The Marine Corps Marathon is this weekend -- hit the pavement with style.

By CARISSA DIMARGO

Updated 9:54 AM EST, Mon, Oct 26, 2009

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The D.C. streets are set to be taken over by the Marine Corps Marathon this Sunday. Whether you're racing, hanging out in the crowds or just starting to think about getting up off the couch, check out some quick pick-me-ups in the athletic department. We're not gonna talk about shoes, because those should always be professionally fitted -- we suggest trying out Potomac River Running or another specialty store for that.

RUNNING SKIRT: No, you don't have to do everything in a skirt just 'cause you happen to be female, but a whole new movement is falling for running skirts. RunningSkirts.com's latest line, the Skirt Camp division, come in Marine Corps-inspired digital camouflage. You can opt for a runner's skirt (which features a marathon runner-style brief underneath) or the athlete's skirt (with traditional compression shorts underneath). They're comfy and flattering, and the company is donating 15 percent of Skirt Camp sales to Marines Helping Marines, an organization that supports injured Marines and their families. Co-founder and fellow marathoner Cindy Lynch will be in at the marathon expo Friday and Saturday selling skirts and dishing tips.

TOPS, IN OUR BOOK: Why shouldn't your sports bra multitask? Carry a key or an energy gel in this CS by City Sports Pocketed Pacer Bra. $32 at City Sports (715 7th St. N.W.; 1111 19th St. N.W.).

GARMIN FORERUNNER: Track your pace, distance and heart rate via the Garmin Forerunner 405. You can even share your data with other Garmin users -- find your friends during the race! Battery life goes up to eight hours, so even if you're the slowest runner imaginable, the Garmin will still be with you all day long. $349.99 at Dick's Sporting Goods (store locator here).

GYM TOWEL: Sometimes a girl's just gotta mop up the sweat. This lightweight lucy Gym Towel can be clipped onto your clothing if you wanna take it along on your run; otherwise, leave it with friends for a nice finish-line hose-down. $20; lucy (50 Massachusetts Ave. N.E.; plus Md. and Va. locations).