Posted by boomerang on Nov 16, 2007 · Member since Oct 2007 · 39 posts
I'm running my first half-marathon in two days ;D! Do any of you runners out there have any day-before or race day tips to share?
Posted by dinkfeet on Nov 16, 2007 · Member since Aug 2007 · 695 posts
better to pee a lot than to pass out of dehydration! don't listen to shea, she eats too much oatmeal ;)
i would definitely eat a lot of fruit afterwards - you need the sugar and "water" from the fruit to keep from cramping up too much
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Posted by boomerang on Nov 16, 2007 · Member since Oct 2007 · 39 posts
hahaha, so hydrated, but not flowing in and out like a water fountain... got it! :)
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Posted by Anonymous on Nov 17, 2007 · Member since Dec 1969 · 11789 posts
I just ran my first half marathon last month! So what I can recommend is:
- drink PLENTY of water in the days leading up to the race and the morning of the race, but STOP drinking 2 hours before the race. That should give your body enough time to produce a good pee ;) Then have a sip or two right before the race if you want.
- don't do anything new that day - no new clothing/shoes/clif shots/energy drinks/whatever. Prepare as if it's just another training run.
- have fun and SMILE!! My race pics are so cheesy because I'm giving the thumbs up in like every one - even though it was 85 degrees on Columbus Day in NH!! No one was expecting that!! ;D
Posted by JW502 on Nov 17, 2007 · Member since Jul 2005 · 95 posts
Hey Boom,
The day before the race don't run, or do a very light jog if you feel the need. A good amount of fluids the day before the race is wise. During the race take water/gatorade when you need it, but don't force yourself to drink at every water stop. Every race morning I go for half of a whole-grain multi-grain bagel with peanut butter, plus a small piece of fruit. The fruit gives some quick simple sugars for immediate energy, and the bagel with PB provides some complex carbs that'll digest more slowly and give you energy later when you need it. Don't eat too much or too close to race time. Racing with food in the stomach does not feel nice! 45-75 minutes ahead of race time is probably good. Try to time the porta-potty so you can go 10 minutes before race time and keep in mind that porta-potty lines can take 15 minutes to get through. Having to pee badly or stop during the race to pee is a bummer due to the time loss. On the other hand, it's your first half marathon and you shouldn't be overly concerned with time, just be awesomely proud when you finish and forget about the time :) Isn't it funny how we all talk about water and peeing? As if it's the main concern with the race, and the 13.1 miles of pavement are not to worry about at all ;D
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Posted by weelittlebuddy on Nov 17, 2007 · Member since Oct 2006 · 304 posts
I just wanted to wish you GOOD LUCK!! I don't have many tips, but that is so awesome that you are competing in a race. Let's us know how you did and how the race went!
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Posted by boomerang on Nov 17, 2007 · Member since Oct 2007 · 39 posts
haha yeah, i really hadn't considered the peeing part that much, but i'm glad everyone has brought it to my attention...
thanks for all the tips & support!
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Posted by lisaanddini on Nov 19, 2007 · Member since May 2007 · 2179 posts
So how did it go? Sorry I didn't read this thread until after that fact. Where was your race?
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Posted by boomerang on Nov 19, 2007 · Member since Oct 2007 · 39 posts
The race went really well! :) It took place in the Cleveland metroparks, the weather was pretty cold but sunny with only a slight wind so it was actually good weather for running. Despite ALL the warnings about drinking water and peeing, I STILL had to pee for the first few miles... doh! But the urge went away after about the 5th mile, so I'm thinking it was nerves more than anything. I managed to finish at 1:56:47, which I think is good for my first race, considering I didn't expect to finish under 2 hours! I'll do better next time, now that I've got a little experience. Thanks guys!
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Posted by lisaanddini on Nov 19, 2007 · Member since May 2007 · 2179 posts
Wow! That's great!!! Congratulations!!! You should be relaly proud! I'm thinking breaking two hours for a half will be my next big goal! What kind of training plan did you follow? Are you going to run a marathon next?
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Posted by boomerang on Nov 19, 2007 · Member since Oct 2007 · 39 posts
Thanks! I did a lot of cross-training between running and cycling, which I cannot recommend highly enough, as running seems to target cardio better, while cycling gives my muscles a great workout & takes some of the strain off my feet. So my training looked something like a triathlon training workout, sans swimming: I'd run 3-4 times a week (including one long distance run and one speed workout), one 2-hour and one 3-hour bike ride, with some weight training thrown in 2-3 times per week (sometimes just upper body, so my arms wouldn't get jealous of my legs). Then I'd rest at least one day each week.
I definitely want to work my way up to a marathon... the goal is the Cleveland marathon in May!
better to pee a lot than to pass out of dehydration! don't listen to shea, she eats too much oatmeal ;)
i would definitely eat a lot of fruit afterwards - you need the sugar and "water" from the fruit to keep from cramping up too much
hahaha, so hydrated, but not flowing in and out like a water fountain... got it! :)
I just ran my first half marathon last month! So what I can recommend is:
- drink PLENTY of water in the days leading up to the race and the morning of the race, but STOP drinking 2 hours before the race. That should give your body enough time to produce a good pee ;) Then have a sip or two right before the race if you want.
- don't do anything new that day - no new clothing/shoes/clif shots/energy drinks/whatever. Prepare as if it's just another training run.
- have fun and SMILE!! My race pics are so cheesy because I'm giving the thumbs up in like every one - even though it was 85 degrees on Columbus Day in NH!! No one was expecting that!! ;D
Hey Boom,
The day before the race don't run, or do a very light jog if you feel the need.
A good amount of fluids the day before the race is wise. During the race take water/gatorade when you need it, but don't force yourself to drink at every water stop.
Every race morning I go for half of a whole-grain multi-grain bagel with peanut butter, plus a small piece of fruit. The fruit gives some quick simple sugars for immediate energy, and the bagel with PB provides some complex carbs that'll digest more slowly and give you energy later when you need it. Don't eat too much or too close to race time. Racing with food in the stomach does not feel nice! 45-75 minutes ahead of race time is probably good.
Try to time the porta-potty so you can go 10 minutes before race time and keep in mind that porta-potty lines can take 15 minutes to get through. Having to pee badly or stop during the race to pee is a bummer due to the time loss. On the other hand, it's your first half marathon and you shouldn't be overly concerned with time, just be awesomely proud when you finish and forget about the time :)
Isn't it funny how we all talk about water and peeing? As if it's the main concern with the race, and the 13.1 miles of pavement are not to worry about at all ;D
I just wanted to wish you GOOD LUCK!! I don't have many tips, but that is so awesome that you are competing in a race. Let's us know how you did and how the race went!
haha yeah, i really hadn't considered the peeing part that much, but i'm glad everyone has brought it to my attention...
thanks for all the tips & support!
So how did it go? Sorry I didn't read this thread until after that fact. Where was your race?
The race went really well! :) It took place in the Cleveland metroparks, the weather was pretty cold but sunny with only a slight wind so it was actually good weather for running. Despite ALL the warnings about drinking water and peeing, I STILL had to pee for the first few miles... doh! But the urge went away after about the 5th mile, so I'm thinking it was nerves more than anything. I managed to finish at 1:56:47, which I think is good for my first race, considering I didn't expect to finish under 2 hours! I'll do better next time, now that I've got a little experience. Thanks guys!
Wow! That's great!!! Congratulations!!! You should be relaly proud! I'm thinking breaking two hours for a half will be my next big goal! What kind of training plan did you follow? Are you going to run a marathon next?
Thanks! I did a lot of cross-training between running and cycling, which I cannot recommend highly enough, as running seems to target cardio better, while cycling gives my muscles a great workout & takes some of the strain off my feet. So my training looked something like a triathlon training workout, sans swimming: I'd run 3-4 times a week (including one long distance run and one speed workout), one 2-hour and one 3-hour bike ride, with some weight training thrown in 2-3 times per week (sometimes just upper body, so my arms wouldn't get jealous of my legs). Then I'd rest at least one day each week.
I definitely want to work my way up to a marathon... the goal is the Cleveland marathon in May!