6 Products Tunde Oyeneyin Recommends to Every Marathoner
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The Expert Edit features interviews with specialists about the products they swear by in their chosen field. For the latest installment, we spoke with Tunde Oyeneyin, Peloton instructor, Nike athlete, and New York Times bestselling author of "Speak." Oyeneyin offered her tips for running a marathon, along with her must-have products.
Tunde Oyeneyin is a longtime pro when it comes to cycling, but marathons are something she's recently mastered. Oyeneyin completed the New York City marathon — her first 26.2 miles — in 2023, as well as the Chicago marathon earlier this year with Abbott, the healthcare technologies company. "I challenge people in my classes every day to do something that scares them; I realized I needed to challenge myself, too," Oyeneyin tells PS, recalling her decision to run a marathon in the first place. "It was my turn to be scared and to be thrown outside of my comfort zone."
While a fitness expert, the Peloton instructor says the New York Marathon "broke me down," challenging her body in ways she'd never done before. "But it was ultimately to rebuild myself back up stronger. I found a new version of myself in the depths of the darkness surrounding the toughness of the marathon."
In training for the Chicago marathon, Oyeneyin prioritized her mental fortitude just as much as her physical training — something that she says made all the difference. "There were definitely moments that felt more difficult during the race than others. There were moments that self-doubt and imposter syndrome crept in, but unlike the NYC Marathon I ran last year, this time I was able to identify those moments and remind myself that 'I've been here before,'" Oyeneyin says. "Sure, it was a different route, but I knew what those moments were telling me; rather, I knew what they were trying to teach me. Being broken down in those moments of struggle were also the moments that were going to build me up as a runner during that race and as an athlete beyond it."
Having turned her own marathon experience around, Oyeneyin hopes to encourage others to lean into the challenge of 26.2 miles. "Now as a two-time marathoner, my goal is to provide light for others to see themselves," she says. And while the physical and mental training is crucial, the Nike athlete also believes in the power of good gear and tech. Ahead, Oyeneyin shares six items she depends on to support her fitness goals — whether that's running a marathon or motivating her class.
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A Glucose Monitor
Lingo ($49 and up)
"I wear Lingo, which is a biosensor by Abbott that pairs to an app on my phone and it helps me understand how food, exercise and stress affects my glucose — which is key for running longer distances," Oyeneyin says. "It was extra helpful in training for the Chicago Marathon. It helped me learn just how vital my protein intake is at breakfast."
For more context, Lingo is 14-day Lingo biosensor(s) with minute-by-minute continuous glucose tracking to learn more about the impact of your eating habits and which foods work best for you. When a PS contributor put the tech to the test, she found the data enlightening. You can read the full Lingo review here.
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A Good Pair of Running Shoes
Nike Alphafly 3s ($285)
"The Nike Alphafly 3s are my favorite running shoes," Oyeneyin says. "They make me feel invincible, they're very comfortable and give me just the right amount of bounce."
You cans shop the Nike Alphafly 3s in four different colors and trust that while appearing bulky, these sneakers offer a lightweight and supportive vessel to propel you forward on the track. The sneakers were designed with marathon speed in mind, offering a midsole foam designed to provide optimized responsiveness throughout every race.
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A Solid Playlist
"A great playlist is essential," Oyeneyin says. "It keeps me going and headstrong throughout any race or workout, and can especially be helpful when you're not in the mood to get up and move." We included Oyeneyin Spotify playlist above which features hits like Eve's "Tambourine," Usher's "Caught Up," and Ariana Grande's "God Is a Woman". If you manage to get through Oyeneyin's favorites and need some more tunes, PS also put together this playlist of more than 50 songs to get you through your sweat session.
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An Energy Drink
Accelerator - Passion Fruit ($25)
This passion fruit energy drink is Oyeneyin's signature flavor, combining a proprietary blend of natural caffeine, plant-based metabolism boosters, and antioxidants to create a mid-day or pre-workout boost (Oyeneyin prefers the latter). "It's a natural energy drink that gives me a boost of energy when I need it the most — whether it's before a run or strength workout," she says. Accelerator also comes in 10 additional flavors, including star berry, island guava, and orange mango.
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Shoes For Strength and Lifting
Nike Free Metcon 6 ($120)
When it comes to marathon training, running isn't the only workout you should prioritize — cross training is crucial. That's where Oyeneyin turns to the Nike Metcons. "The Metcons are my favorite shoes for lifting and strength workouts. They're flexible, breathable, and offer great traction," she says.
These sneakers come in 16 colors and are made with recycled materials from post-consumer and/or post-manufactured waste, making them a plus for sustainability. You can also custom design these sneakers, adding your name, marathon date, or bib number.
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A Trusted Fitness App
Peloton App ($13/month)
"I use the Peloton app daily at home or as a sidekick at the gym when I don't feel like planning my own workout. It's great for motivation and great when I need someone else to tell me what to do," she says. The Peloton App One membership includes access to strength, outdoor running, yoga, and gym workouts. The Peloton App+ ($24/month) includes bike, tread, and rower workouts. But both offer a 30-day trial so you can see what membership best suits your fitness goals.
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— Additional reporting by Mirel Zaman
Alexis Jones (she/her) is the senior health and fitness editor at PS. In her six years of editorial experience, Alexis has developed passions and areas of expertise around mental health, women's health and fitness, racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare, and chronic conditions. Prior to joining PS, she was the senior editor at Health magazine. Her other bylines can be found at Women's Health, Prevention, Marie Claire, and more.
Mirel Zaman (she/her) is the former health and fitness director at PS. She has over 15 years of experience working in the health and wellness space, covering fitness, general health, mental health, relationships and sex, food and nutrition, spirituality, family and parenting, culture, and news