It is week 8 of half marathon training! Yay, we are almost to the big day! If you are just joining us and have been working towards running your first half marathon, great job! This post will help you be prepared for race day.

When I trained for my first marathon with Team In Training, before our long run each week, the coach went over a new topic to help prepare us for race day (my inspiration for this 12 week series). One week he encouraged all the newbies to register for a race so they would know what to expect on the “big day”. It helps alleviate some of the stress on race morning or the days leading up to the race. It’s best to find a 5k or 10k close to home so it’s easy and stress free. To find a race in your area go to Active.com or Raceplace.com. 

If you are training for a race you should already be familiar with registering (hopefully you have registered for your race by now) but there is a little more to it than filling out a form. 

Why you need a practice run:

• Packet pick-up and expo.

  I love going to expo’s. This is where you will get your bib, shirt and hopefully a few freebies, like sample size protein bars, sunscreen, lip balm, etc. It’s also where you can buy last minute things that you may need (Gu, gloves, socks, hats, sunglasses, etc.). Some better Expo’s will have all the latest and greatest running gear and you can spend a good deal of time browsing. (I’m like a kid in a candy store at expo’s) If you are registering for a 5k that doesn’t have a half or full marathon with it then there might not be an expo. You will probably pick-up your bib and finishers shirt at a high school or local running store, or on race day at the start. If you have to pick-up on race, allow for enough time to walk back to your car to put your shirt away, unless of course you have a spectator who can hold it for you.

• Pre-race jitters. 

  Everyone gets pre-race jitters but maybe a practice run will help you learn how to calm yours. Make a checklist so you know you have everything ready for race morning. Go to bed early but don’t fret if you have trouble sleeping, everyone does, just laying in bed will give you the rest you need. It’s one run, you’ll be fine. I try to think of it as just another long  training run.

• What to eat or not eat?

           By now you probably have figured out that enchiladas for dinner the night before a run day does not make for a            happy stomach. But maybe you didn’t realize 2 cups of coffee (because you got to the start early and what the                heck) in the morning was going to wreak havoc on race day. It may only be 3 miles but race day energy can                   change the way your digestive system decides to act. I avoid salads or fatty foods the night before and eat light             (half a banana or Cliff bar) at least 1 hour before start time. Sometimes I don’t eat anything because my                            stomach is in knots. Don’t worry you’re not going to die of starvation.

• Where to start in the lineup? 

           My very first 5k I started front and center…my girlfriend’s husband needed to get a good picture of us. 🙂 Huge            mistake! Just before the gun went off a guy next to me asked if this was our first race (I don’t know how he                    knew 😉 ) and advised us to quickly move to the side when the gun goes off, to avoid getting trampled. Very                  sound advise! I wish I had it on video…kind of like “what not to wear” except “what not to do at your first race”.            🙂  

           So here’s what you do… find your pace marker and start there. Most races have pacers…runners holding up a                pace time (9:30, 9:45, 10:00 and so on) and if you stay with them they will get you to the finish line at that                    pace. If you don’t see a pacer or marker then just start in the middle somewhere, it really doesn’t matter too                  much because your time doesn’t start until you go over the starting line.

• Pace yourself. 

           Providing your not running with a pacer. Race morning is exciting…all the runners, the spectators…making it              very easy to get caught up in the adrenaline of it all. Unless you are an elite runner (if you were you wouldn’t be            reading this) you don’t want to start like you’re on fire. Most runners, especially new ones, tend to get excited                and start too fast, then halfway through they have exhausted themselves, making it an unpleasant second half.              Start slow and easy, and build your pace so you have enough left in the tank to finish strong. Some 5k                          runners put it all out there from start to finish and that is great if your goal is to PR (personal record).  This is              about practicing for a half marathon, so the approach is different.

• Water stops. 

           It’s a 5k so you really don’t need to stop for water but you might want to practice drinking from those paper                  cups while running. I have yet to master this. I usually just walk and drink and toss my cup in the next trash                  can (please don’t toss it on the ground). The best way to avoid spilling water down the front of you is to pinch                the cup forming a spout and pour into your mouth. Good luck! I spill it every time. Whatever, you’re wearing a              quick dry shirt anyways. 🙂 

• Training run, with perks. 

           Some people use 10k’s to train for a half or half’s to train for a full. If you are training for a half marathon                      (which I hope that’s why you’re reading this) then register for a 10k and either run an extra warm up mile                      before or a couple of cool down miles after… or both, and you’ll have your long run done! I think this is a great              training strategy because you get all the perks of a race…free shirt, spectators, people to run with…that you                    wouldn’t normally get on your regular long training run. 

There you have it. This should prepare you for your first race. Good luck!

If you have questions or concerns please leave a comment below or email me at denipe01@gmail.com. 

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Thanks for reading!

Keep running!

Denise

For some reason the spacing on this post is all messed up, sorry if it is difficult to follow.