Most people approaching their first ever marathon will be frantically searching the internet for the best preparation advice such as nutrition, what running shoes should i wear and what gear for the actual race. However as race day gets closer thoughts turn to the day and night before, what foods, how much to drink?
Keep to your normal diet, eat the same type and portions sizes and consume the same amount of fluid that you normally would. A lot of people will opt for a huge bowl of pasta the night before, this will effect you the next morning, remember the body uses energy to digest food. If you overload the day before your body will be working extra hard to process that food while you are supposed to be resting. Think of what you eat during training, how much you drink and stick to the same, if it works for training then don't change it. Likewise if you over hydrate your system goes into a flush mode removing all the good minerals from your system because you are constantly going to the toilet. Try to eat your final meal the day before at around six o'clock this way you have a full twelve hours or so to digest and will be able to ensure you are empty the morning of the race.
Do your pre-race weather check, use a few different source to be sure. If the forecast is for rain then no matter what, your getting wet. There is no point trying to stay dry by layering up, and if you do those layers will be soaked and that is just extra weight you have to carry around the course, using more energy, getting tired quicker. You should try to run light and be comfortable, if its cold dress accordingly. Here are the . Essentials of Winter Running Gear
This is of vital importance, no new running shoes, no new sock, hydration belts, shirts or shorts or anything that you have not fully tried and tested and broken in in miles of training. Near gear on race can and usually does have very negative impact on your race. The last thing you want is blisters, chaffing, bleeding nipples or anything that is going to potentially ruin your race. Always stick with what you know, what you have trained in and then there will be no surprises on race day. And this rule does not only apply to your gear it also applies to your nutrition, don't try any new food or drink. If the race sponsor is a sports drink that you have not used in training then don't drink it, it might not agree with you so just don't take the risk.
On race day your adrenaline will be pumped so high you will be feeling amazing, try to control this and use it to your advantage. A lot of runners (at all levels) get caught up in the occasion and start the race like a 100m sprinter. You will get great satisfaction later in the race when you pass a struggling runner that sprinted past you at the start like they were looking for a podium finish. Remember to start the race slow, run at a pace that is about 1 minute slower than your normal race pace, at least for the first kilometer or so. Allow your self to ease into the race, its a marathon not a sprint so stick to your race plan at least for the first half of the marathon. You will feel great on race day for that first 10k you will feel so good and have the urge to push it, don't, keep to the plan. Try to run slower than you think you should because by the half way mark you will feel good and within another 10k your going to have enough to push you to the finish line.
Often overlooked but you are doing this for a reason, you did not put in all the months of training for nothing. This is race day, trust your training and enjoy the day, this is your sport and you obviously love it or you would not be running a marathon. This is your day so absorb every bit of it, if its city run you are getting a very unique view of the city which is usual from that of a car seat. Have banter with the stewards, the supporters, they have all come to help and cheer you on. Smile, your running a marathon, you are one of very few people in the world that has. Consider that you are lucky to be able to, that your health is such that you have the ability, this is a privilege. Treasure the memory for the rest of your life, hopefully one of many race day memories.
Click the product names for customer reviews.
| | | | |