CarbKiller note: I was going to call this “how not to look like an idiot or maim yourself permanently on race day” but the title was too long. I would like to take a moment to give a ginormous THANK YOU to our very own HobbitGrrl she has done fantastic things for my piece of mind…except for that butt crack comment that still freaks me out a bit. You’ll have to read the post to see what I mean. You rock H! SERIOUSLY!

What to expect on your first race…..   From one nube to another….

 

First of all, understand that there are two kinds of races.  REALLY REALLY big races with tons of entrants and usually high mileage routes, and really really small races, which are usually small town, local yocal 5Ks, 8Ks, or 10Ks.  Big races seem intimidating but there is a certain amount of anonymity with them that the really really small races lack.  In a small race, if you are the last one, everyone knows it, and the local police are likely following you, which is really embarrassing after a few miles – not that I know.  In a big race, you will most likely not be the last one.  There are usually enough people less prepared or worse off than you to keep your ego in check.

 

Second, do not fret.  Whether you feel you are completely and totally prepared for your selected race, or if you feel, like most of us do, that we could have done just a little more, or in my case, a lot more to be ready, the fact is, you are part of 0.00015% of the population that has even attempted to try.  Which you should be very PROUD of!!!!  You can do it.  You won’t win, hopefully you won’t be last, and you will hurt a lot.  But, you will pass the finish line.  Everything is going to be alright.

 

With this in mind, try to take care of the details you can control:

 

Know your race, know your route.  Look up the race, look at where all the mile markers are and where landmarks match up, get to know where the aid stations are.  If you are anal-retentive like me, this makes the time go faster and helps you plot out your own course of action.  IE.  Where you are going to take a potty break, when you will take the Gatorade, and when you will take the water, etc.  NOTE:  Make sure that your race allows for personal music devices.  Some don’t and they have been cracking down lately and disqualifying runners after the race if they were seen wearing one.

 

Lube.  If you are going over 6 miles, I STRONGLY suggest you lube all the bits that rub together.  Trust me you will NOT be sorry and everyone does it so don’t be shy.  Get your heels, between your toes, under arms, and where your arms rub your shirt.  For ladies: where your sports bra digs in under your dirty pillows. For guys: vaseline on your nipples will prevent really sore chafing and bleeding.  And DO NOT forget your butt crack!!!!

 

Gear.  Decide what gear you are going to need to get ready or have with you and have it all ready and all in one place at least the day before the race.  Here is a quick checklist for you to consider:

-Lube

-Deodorant

-Ponytail holders/hair band

-Chapstick

-Race day clothing

-Race bib already pinned to shirt

-Socks

-Shoes with timing chip already clipped on

-Hat

-Gel packs

-Water

-Food

-Fully charged iPod with Playlist ready

-And any other related accessories you plan to have on your person during and before the race. Nothing is worse than running around looking for your iPod sleeve when you should be on your way, it can really mess with your mental focus.

 

Water & Peeing.  Assuming you drink adequate amounts of water throughout each day, 16 oz. over a couple hours before the race will be sufficient.  When you get to the race, get in line at the port-o-johns, and when you finish, get in line again.  Repeat until you absolutely have to get in your corral before the start.  Along the route, water intake can be tricky.  Take too much and you will be in a world of hurt, take to little, and, well, same thing.  My advice, rotate between water and Gatorade and take a cup whenever it is offered. You don’t have to drink the whole thing but at least swish it around your mouth because it will get dry, and spit it out if you have to.  Listen to your body, it will tell you when hydration is necessary.

 

Corrals.  For high mileage races, when you submit your registration they ask when you think you will be finishing.  Then they assign you to a corral according to how fast you run.  Your race bib should have the corral you are assigned to on it.  With 15,000 runners this can seem chaotic, but it really isn’t that big a deal.  It is really just to keep us lesser mortals out of the way of the Kenyans.

 

Stretching.  Assuming you plan to get to the start with a couple hours to spare, do familiar stretches as much as you can while you are waiting.  Rotate between stretching and bouncing or running in place to get your muscles nice and limber and warm.  It will make the first few miles that much easier.  I promise.

 

Checking stuff.  Most races have a way for you to check items to be picked up once you cross the finish line.  If yours does, bring some warm fleece to snuggle into after the fact in case you need it. Your body will be over-warm from running and once you stop, your body heat plummets even in fairly decent weather.  If not, see if you can arrange for a friend or relative to meet you at the finish line area to give you something warm.  Also, have some Aleve or other pain reliever ready and take it as soon as possible after you cross the finish line.

 

Getting through the race:

 

Pace yourself.  It is exciting to start out, but if you go too fast at the beginning you will have nothing left at the end.  And that is the most important part!

 

Find a person at your pace and strike up a conversation if they are willing.  I met this lady named Tigres and we got to talking and the next thing I knew I had passed mile 10.  Awesome!

 

The first 3 miles and the last mile are the worst.  Deal with it and move on.

 

If you start to feel like you are floundering or doubt yourself, and you will, start counting your foot strikes up to 100 and then backwards to 1.  This is a technique I learned from Runner’s World, it works to distract your negative-nelly mind to get over the hump.  Other techniques: count your breaths or focus on a point in the distance, imagine you are Rocky, recall a funny, happy, or entertaining memory from your childhood, think of all the things you would do if you won a million dollars in a lottery, tell yourself a story about unicorns, etc.  You get the picture.  Just don’t allow your mind to dwell on the horrible pain.

 

Remember what you are doing.  Remember how rare and wonderful a person you are.  Savor the moment.  Smell the smells of the course, see the sights, soak up the atmosphere.

 

Racing is mental more than anything else.  Remember that we are all crazy together.

 

If nothing else works, just remind yourself that you can have whatever you want after you are done, including ice cream, desserts and beer.  Yay!  Beer!

 

A little bit on etiquette:

 

Slow runner and walkers should stay to either side, not in the middle of the course.  If you are with friends and are trying to stay together, walk or run no more than two across and stay as tight as you can.  It is awful and unsafe when big groups of walkers are all walking together across the road and runners have to work that much harder to get around them.

 

Pay attention when aid stations are coming up and slowly ease your way over to a side.  They usually are on both sides, and will have tons of volunteers from local groups with cups held at shoulder level. Just grab a cup, take as much as you need, and throw the cup to the side (try not to hit anyone).  This is expected, the volunteers clean it all up.

At first, this process seems a little bit like the trepidation of your first time getting on the ski lift.  You get used to it.  Use your aid break to slow down for a minute.

 

Don’t stop willie-nillie.  Plan when you slow down or stop and make sure you are not “braking” in front of someone or cutting someone off.  It is a lot like traffic.  Be courteous!

 

The finish line:

 

This will be the most amazing sight of your life.  Whether you are running a 5K or 26.2, the finish line is a sweet sight.  Relish that last half or quarter mile, give it everything you’ve got, and make sure you look up, note your time, and smile for the camera! 

 

If you are a 10Ker or a half-marathoner, that is a huge accomplishment and you should be proud of yourself!!!  Bask in the glow of your accomplishment for a little while.  Stay around the finish line and cheer the other runners and marathoners on.  Not only will they need it, but it is really fun and inspiring to see them coming to the finish.  If you are a marathoner, try not to hate on the halfers. I once considered getting a shirt that said, “I Eat Half-Marathoners for Breakfast.”  But I’m now in a much better place emotionally. 

 

Lastly, go eat a big huge dinner and drink yourself a big ol pint of your favoritest ale.  Wear your finisher’s medal and tell everyone you see that day that you just ran a race. It’s OK. You’ve earned it!!!J

 

 Submitted by: HobbitGrrl

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3 Responses to “HobbitGrrl: Prep and Surviving Race Day”

  1. Hogzilla says:

    This is the absolute best advice ever and I am sooooooo grateful you sent this to us, HobbitGrrl! Honestly, I am now very excited about my race! Which is now only 1 month, 2 weeks, and 5 days away…not that I’m counting.

  2. HobbitGrrl says:

    You should be excited! It is so much fun! 🙂

    Last night after I sent this to you guys I had a really bad dream about being entered in a race, but forgetting to pick up my race packet, and they didn’t have race day pick up. So I couldn’t run the race I’d been preparing for. It was awful!

    So another tip: Make sure you know when and where you can pick up your race packet and make sure you do it!!!

  3. […] bag checkin. I’d like to take this moment to send out a HUGE shout out to HobbitGrrl whose blog saved my ass. Big time. I knew what to look for, I just had to ask where to go. I also discovered […]

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