Whether you’re running a local half marathon or a big 5 marathon in another state – you should have a race day checklist to make sure you are prepared. Race day is stressful, but you can make it a little less chaotic by laying everything out before the race and make a list of EVERYTHING you need a few days in advance. Here is a Marathon or Half Marathon Race Day checklist you can print out and use for race week.
I also have a few other reminders to help you feel prepared and ready to rock your race!
Speaking of races… The Los Angeles Marathon is this weekend. I checked the weather and it’s going to be warm (per usual). Make sure you are planning to dress for LA running if you’re coming from out of town and that you factor that into your hydration plan and race goals.
Race Day Gear Checklist
EVERYTHING you are going to have on your body race day. This includes sunblock, deodorant, lock of hair from your cat, hat, money, good luck charm, running watch – put it ALL on the list. Start from your head and go down listing everything you will want to have on you at the starting line. (Add anything else you need to the bottom of the list.)
* Printable Race Day Checklist here *
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Race Packing Tip: Write everything you need (besides clothes) on a gallon sized plastic bag and make sure it has all the items before race day. Or print out the list and place it in the bag.
Race Morning Tips:
Lay out your clothes the night before and make sure you have everything you need.
Make sure you have your ‘usual’ pre-run food available and ready to eat before the race.
Lay out anything that can be left out the night before like:
Pre-race food, coffee, water, Spark packets or Rehydrate, medications.
Make it as easy as possible for you to get ready in the morning.
In other L.A.Marathon news…
I interviewed Meb Keflezighi on Friday and he gave me a ton of great information and tips to share!! I’m working on that to post soon.
I asked him about running and eating and mental tricks and everything I could think of – and he is the best with being super open and sharing realistic tips (even though he’s an amazing superhero athlete). We need to talk about it soon because I am bursting to share and have basically told several complete strangers random tips he told me because I’m excited.
Don’t forget to get the Printable Race Day Checklist here ! Good luck!!
Question: Are you getting ready for a race? Which one??
Are you running the LA Marathon this weekend?
Me: Yes, running LA
I am running LA and I thought it was going to be cooler than previous years.
Im not running LA, but I will be near Echo Park Lake (somewhere between Miles 4 and 6) cheering with a sign!
Rooting for you and everyone else running!!!
Yah!!! See you there!
I’m getting ready for the Platte River Half Marathon here in Denver, Colorado! This post is making me extra excited. Less than a month away! 🙂
I love a good list. Not currently training, but when I do have races, I always set things out the evening before and have a little “to go” bag with sunscreen, food, body glide, tissues etc.
I will be running LA on Sunday too!! My 3rd time, hubby’s 7th time! We lay out our race stuff the night before as well, and it makes race morning so much better! Last year, I remembered to pack post-race stuff to leave in the car, and that made the drive back to orange county much more pleasant! My favorite post-race items: towels, and those great little pre-moistened face cleaning towlettes! Being able to wipe down your body a little bit after a long run is so refreshing! Then comfy clothes and flip flops felt like heaven!
Wishing you all the best on Sunday!! Maybe we’ll see you at some point along the way!
Post race here in NYC where it’s been super cold I have to pack a dry hat, warm coat, and complete change of clothes. Being in anything sweaty when it’s 20 degrees out after running a half leaves me in jeopardy of hypothermia. It’s always an art to pack it all in the the gear check bag. Lol.
I didn’t see paper towel/moist wipe on your list, but did see it on the baggie. Nothing worst than going to a porta potty (or woods) and not have a wipe! 😉
What about chap stick? Did I see that …..
Yay perfect! I like the idea of labeling a baggie
Your race day list is long, holy! But your Run Eat Repeat tank is the cutest!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
I’m very good at packing all my stuff efficiently into one suitcase and using strategies to get everything to fit, I’m not so good at remembering everything! haha!
WOAH that’s a long list. Hair tights are so important. The other day I forgot my hair tight at the gym, and had to cut the edge of a latex glove to use it as one.
I’m usually pretty good at planning and packing.