So, you signed up for a race! All right!! Let’s do this.
But before you show up to the starting line here are
10 things you should do before Race Day:
1. Get to the expo to grab your bib, tee shirt and several handfuls of Clif bar samples.
2. Carb load.
3. Figure out your race day strategy. Set your “A, B, C” goals and a plan for how to get there. Think of a mantra to say to yourself when it gets tough.
4. Charge your electronics.
5. Kiss your toenails goodbye.
Bonus: Literally kissing them is a nice pre-race stretch 
6. Set out your Race Day gear,
sunblock and other needs.
7. Pack your race day bag. I include things like: a plastic bag for my super sweaty stuff, comfy clothes and procompression socks.
8. Set out your fuel, pre-run food and anything else you want to carry with you. 
9. Plan how to get to the starting line. Remember – streets will be closed near the course and freeway off ramps might be jammed. Also – plan where you will meet your family & friends after the race.
10. No seriously, carb load.
Hey, if I can’t win the actual race I bet I can win the “best carb-loader” award!
Good luck!
Question: What is one thing you do before a race every time?
This is a great list! I also find it’s helpful to make a list of all the things you want to bring and what you need to do. That way (as an earlier commented mentioned) you don’t remember to charge your tech, but then forget to pack it!
Love the picture with the wine glass in the background!
Kiss your toenails goodbye. Love it! I’ll have to remember this for my next race. 🙂
Drink a cup of coffee with breakfast.
Get things “ehem” moving you know. . . my feet I mean.
Take an Immodium about 2 hours before the race starts (if its a half narration or longer). 🙂
Hydrate like a boss the day prior. All day long, I keep refilling my water cup even though I spend half the day peeing. I eat the same meal before every race: pasta lightly coated with marinara and a little bit of chicken Italian sausage from Sprouts.
Have fun in PA with SR! 🙂
Is it sat my first reaction was, “Eat, get dressed and pee 8 times”. That equals 10 right?
That is some pretty serious prep work there I don’t run, not because I don’t want to or don’t like to, but because I can’t…bad knees. I can appreciate running though because I can remember what it was like to run (when I was in school). I just marvel at the dedication you guys have to the sport.
Carbo-loading is one of my few talents in life. Thanks for the great tips!
Haha – love this list! I have a race this weekend that I actually have to travel for, for the first time ever, and I’m super nervous I’m going to forget something. It’s also the first time I wont be spending the night before the race in my own bed. Somehow, that worries me more than anything else….except for maybe getting long on the way to the starting line. I need to go check a map again…
Ugh, its only Thurs, my race is Sunday and my stomach is already a mess with nerves! Its funny how I can run every weekend my half distance, but thinking about doing it on race day totally gets me anxious!?
Thanks for all the tips, need to start getting in MORE water daily and stretching!
Get in line for the bathroom!! Those lines always seem to be long, no matter how many porta potties are there, so get your butt in line and go. …for serious! lol
I have to lay out everything the night before so I can do a visual checklist or else I forget things. And a race night tradition Mexican food. It hasn’t done me wrong yet.
I am drinking water like a mad women the week before the race and stretching like crazy. I also make sure to use the bathroom before I hit that start line 🙂
and for FRIENDS and RUNNING CHEERLEADERS to read before their races too 🙂
Those are great tips!
How about ‘pose for pre-race pics before you look like you’ve been hit by the sweat bus?’
🙂
Can i say stress out no matter how prepared I am (or not!)?!?! 😛
Anyway, I usually take time out the night before to spend some quiet time with myself and pray.
Apply Body Glide! Not that it ever really works. But i can’t imagine what my sternum would be like if i didn’t use it. LOL.
Use the bathroom!!.. 😉
Thanks for the tips!! I’m running the KC 1/2 marathon this weekend, and am super nervous!
Al
http://www.herbearings.com
Make sure I go to the bathroom (ahem) before the race
One week before go time I get, or give myself, a pedi. That way if I cut a nail too short or, as happens often to me, the girl cuts my skin with the file it has a few days to calm down.
5 Days before I stop drinking all alcohol and two days before I give myself a mani in a color that matches the outfit, but it has to be either sparkly or metallic.
The morning of I get up two hours before I have to leave the house and eat banana cream oatmeal and have one cup of coffee.
Always the same no matter the race distance. It’s what works for me and helps me stay calm since I still get super excited about every start line!
Hahah. Love this! It is a humorous and helpful list. Carb loading is one of THE BEST parts of racing! I’m excited about carb loading for my half next week!
Hahahaha! Love the carbo loading photo 😉 That’s totally me too – eat ALL the bread! And I need to remember the sunscreen next time… I have the funkiest suntan lines on my legs and my face got a little fried.
Good list. The night before the night before I make sure to get a really really good night of sleep, since the night before’s sleep is always questionable.
I wouldn’t be so sure about that, I’ve been training as a carb loader for a lot of years. In fact, I got into running just for the carbs. Oh yeah. So naturally I carb it up before a race but let’s be honest that’s not very different from what I normally do…
Eat peanut butter toast!
I always make sure to lay out all of my clothes ahead of time so that when I wake up and the nerves kick in I have very little to think about 🙂
After make sure devices are charged, make sure to unplug them and take them with you in the morning. Did I make sure to pack and charge it this weekend? Yes. Too bad I forgot to bring it to the race. I rock.
Awesome advice! I love a good carbo load and I go through my gear bag at least ten times. For running races I’m not quite as diligent, but for tri’s where the amount of gear increase about a million fold, it’s super necessary.
I drink at least a gallon of water the day before the race. I don’t want to be one of those people fainting on the course, although sometimes the paramedics are pretty cute.
Love this! (especially double carb loading). Another one could be check out the course map and elevation map (again) to mentally prepare for the miles ahead!