RunNerdier

musings on running, life, and everything in between

Tag Archives: marathon prepping


by 1 Comment

Marathon Prepping

So…in 24 hours, I will be close to finishing the marathon. Eek. So of course I’m freaking out about preparing and getting everything ready. I have already been texting with Patty and Jen about the weather (it was raining hard this morning). They have assured me that there is no rain forecast for Geneva tomorrow.

This is a link to some things to consider in the days leading up to the race. If you want a super-simple digest version of it, here it is:

  • Don’t do anything crazy different
  • Drink a lot of water during the week of the race
  • Eat more carbs. Some people recommend decreasing fiber and fat a few days before to help your GI. My friend Kirsten also eats very bland and simply. NOTE: When carbo-loading, it’s better to do your heavy meal two nights before
  • Get as much rest as you can the week before, but focus on quality rest two nights before. The night before a race is always hard to get good rest because of nerves, so you’ll want some good sleep “banked.” (This is unfortunate as my husband was sick last night, and I chose to sleep on my 6 year old’s trundle bed, which then invited my children to play musical beds all night and a short bout of insomnia for the 6 y.o.).
  • Try to do some light stretching or yoga the day before, but nothing too hard. Stay off your feet if you can. If you want a massage, it should be gentle and you should do it earlier in the week as you want any residual soreness to be gone by race day.
  • Lay all your stuff out the night before and make sure any regular breakfast foods, drinks, etc. are stocked up (check this EARLIER in the day so you have time to buy anything you need!)
  • Set multiple alarms
  • Work on visualization (I had a dream my clock time was 3:37:05. Let’s go with that…

Me last night trying to pre-emptively stave off any potential sickness. My in-laws are in town and also just told me they got sick–and thus will be avoiding my family today (they’re staying at a hotel nearby).

And here’s a checklist of things for race day…

ESSENTIALS

  • Bib number
  • Timing chip
  • Race information (location, bib number pick-up, etc.)
  • Identification (passport or driving licence)
  • Cash and credit card
  • Mobile phone

MARATHON RUNNING GEAR

  • Watch or GPS
  • Music player and headphones (if so inclined)
  • Shoes
  • Socks/compression
  • Shorts or running tights
  • Running top
  • Sports bra (as needed)
  • Arm sleeves or warmer layer/jacket (contingent on weather)
  • Hat/Sunglasses
  • Gloves (contingent on weather)
  • Running belt (if you use one)
  • Safety pins (to pin on your bib)
  • Nutrition for during the race
  • Hydration for during the race (if carrying/bringing own)
  • Sunscreen
  • Chapstick
  • Body Glide or Vaseline (as needed)
  • Throw away clothes to stay warm at starting line (contingent on weather)

BEFORE/AFTER THE RACE

  • Rain coat, poncho or bin bag for staying dry before the start
  • Warm top and bottom for before and after the race
  • Plastic bag for wet race clothes if you’re changing
  • Drinks and food for after the race (I like a disposable water bottle for drinking pre-race)
  • Towel
  • Bag for all your gear (with gear check ticket attached)
  • Tissues, band-aids
  • Recovery food/drinks (if you want your own)
  • Sandals or change of footgear
  • Ibuprofen

In putting together this list, I realized that I will need to get some warm throwaway clothes, and stock up on some nutrition. One thing that I will also be doing different than other races is bringing my own hydration. I THINK that I don’t have issues with Gatorade and my GI, but I’ve decided to not take any chances. I’ve been training with Nuun and Scratch all season, so I’m bringing my own bottles. One of the really awesome aspects of this race is that they have an elite-style table for people to put out all their own hydration/nutrition, etc. so they don’t have to carry it on them. After the tables, there’s a “throw zone” target where you throw your bottle and volunteers set them back in their taped-off section, ready for your next use.

I’ll try to post a tiny update tonight with my race outfit and tomorrow with the race results. Thanks for all the kind words and support, everyone. I couldn’t have made it this far without all of you. If I qualify, I couldn’t have done it without all of your support. However, if I don’t qualify, it’s because you failed me…Just kidding! Maybe…