The day of the race itself is a nervous time for anyone. Here’s a little advice for the build-up to the race to ensure that you’re a cool as a cucumber on race day.
The day before
Put your feet up, don’t eat anything unusual and keep hydrated – the aim of the day is to expend as little energy as possible to make sure you’re rested and raring to go on race day. Eat a good lunch as you might be too nervous to eat a lot in the evening.
The night before
Lay out your kit with your number pinned to your shirt (four safety pins, one at each corner). Don’t wear anything new on the day; it might ruin your race if you wear something that rubs or shoes that haven’t been broken in. Know how you’re getting to the race and what time you’ll get there. Always allow more time than you think you’ll need.
On the day
- Have a good breakfast – something you’ve tried in training – perhaps some cereal (porridge is great running fuel) and some fruit with a drink of Lucozade Sport. Leave plenty of time for your breakfast to digest, even if it means getting up early. Wear you race kit
- Leave in plenty of time for the race. Aim to arrive at least at hour before the start, much longer for half marathons or marathons.
- Take snacks you like for before and after the race. You’ll probably get a goodie bag for afterwards, but it’s not always got what you want in it.
- Take a change of clothes for afterwards.
- Make sure you make firm plans to meet up with family and friends afterwards. It can be quite disorientating when you finish a race, and mobile phones don’t always work due to the volume of people trying to call.
- Know the course – where will the drinks stations be and where are the hills!?
- Go to the loo as many times as you need to….. and don’t leave it until the last minute.
- Relax – you’ve done all the preparation. Now you can go out there and enjoy the race to the full!
- Smile as you cross the finish line – there may well be a camera there taking your photo, so make it a mantelpiece moment!
- Organise for someone else to get you home – you’ll be shattered after a job well done.
What’s next?
You can spend at least the next month slapping yourself on the back and wallowing in the glory of your achievement! If you do find that you want to go for a short run, take at least one day off and take it easy!
