Why High Mileage Runners Need a Lagoon Pillow - My Honest Review After 1 Year & 2,300+ Miles of Running

I’ve now been sleeping on my Lagoon pillow for over 1 year. I have ran over 2,300 miles since my original review of the Lagoon Pillow.

So, what do I think of the Lagoon pillow now that I’ve broken it in!? And why should fellow runners who are looking to increase their running mileage for their marathon best consider getting one?

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Increase Running Mileage Requires Better Quality Sleep

Over the last year, I’ve increased my running mileage by 18%. In 2024, I logged 2,200 miles and I slept with my Lagoon pillow ALMOST every single night. I rely on my Lagoon pillow so much that I packed my Lagoon pillow in my suitcase for the Revel Mt. Charleston Marathon, where I got my second Boston Qualifying time. Unfortunately I couldn’t fit it in my suitcase for the Every Woman’s Marathon (and I slept terrible the night before the race and I didn’t have a good race – likely not totally related though).

I increased my running mileage slowly and intentionally. My goal is to not only qualify for the Boston Marathon again, but get a big enough buffer to actually run it (I’ve qualified twice, but failed to get a spot both times). I knew that my mileage was a limiting factor and also one that I could control.

But you can only increase you mileage if you’re recovering well. And sleep and nutrition are by far the 2 most important factors in recovery. As a 41 year old mom of 3, business owner and coach, I don’t have time for naps (and on the weekends when I try to nap, my mind just goes crazy with things I have to do and I can never fall asleep).

So although I couldn’t nap, I knew I could control my bedtime and the quality of my sleep. I go to bed early – I’m normally asleep by 9 PM. I get up at 5 AM so this gives me at least 8 hours of sleep, more if I’m able to get to bed before 9. However, there’s only so much I can do to get more sleep and I know many runners aren’t able to control the number of hours they get each night.

My Garmin Sleep Score Using Lagoon X Pillow

If you can’t control the amount of sleep, runners should focus on the QUALITY of sleep. You can do this through food (eating healthier food, not eating right before bedtime), alcohol (aka don’t have it at all or if you do, drink earlier in the day and limit it to 1 drink), only drinking caffeine before noon, and going to bed at the same time.

One more thing that can help – your bed and pillow.

I’m pretty proud of my sleep score. Although it goes down when I drink alcohol (which I’ve cut back on significantly in both quantity & frequency over the last year), I have averaged an 86 sleep score since I got my Garmin Forerunner 965 watch back in August (didn’t have the data before that) and in the last week, my sleep score averaged 92! And I often get 90 minutes to 2 hours of deep sleep!

How Does the Lagoon X Pillow Improve Sleep Quality?

Lagoon pillows improve the quality of your sleep, meaning you can recover faster from your runs with the same quantity.

Fall asleep faster. With your custom pillow (take the sleep quiz to find the right one for you) and the right amount of filling (you get to add or take out filling to make it feel the best it can), you will fall asleep faster.
More REM and Deep Sleep. Lagoon claims to help improve deep sleep by 52 minutes per night. They also have a 100 night guarantee – you can test it out and return it if you don’t agree that it’s helped you sleep better.
Control body temperature. I use the Otter pillow which is cooling. I tend to overheat at times. The Otter has a unique cooling effect from its gel-infused CertiPUR-US shredded memory foam, which helps regulate your temperature throughout the night, all while providing comfortable support.

After sleeping on my Lagoon pillow over 400 times I can safely say I love it and it’s literally the best pillow I’ve ever had. And it’s held up great too! I know the price is above average for a pillow but honestly, what else do you use EVERY DAY for 7-8 hours!? You should use something that’s really good quality, especially if you’re a runner who is putting in a lot of miles!