It’s Friday again already and I’m linking up with Courtney, Mar & Cynthia (aka the DC Trifecta) for this week’s Friday Five! This week’s theme is “Race Day Rituals.” I really have any special rituals for race morning – but I do have some key things I always do during training to get me prepped for race day.
Long Runs as Dress Rehearsal — Every long run is a chance to practice your fueling and hydration strategies.
Train for the Course — As often as possible, I try to pick routes that will mimic the race course. (If you’re facing a hilly course but live in the flatlands, make hill work on the treadmill part of your training!) Best of all, if you live near the course, try to run at least parts whenever you can.
No New Gear — It always amazes me when someone picks up new running clothes at the race expo and then wears them on race day. There are a lot of things you can’t control on race day, so where you can eliminate any surprises – like discovering that cute new shirt you picked up at the expo chafes in all the wrong places!
Go Easy on the Expo — If you’re running a larger race, then packet pick-up can also means a trip to the race expo. While it can be fun to check out the latest gear or a new vendor, be careful to not overdo it and spend too much time on your feet.
Catch Some ZZZs — If you’re like me then the night before the race is usually a rough night of sleep. While you should do what you can to get enough sleep throughout training, life happens right? So I make it my mission to get to bed early during race week so I’m as well-rested as possible come race morning.
Do you have any race day rituals? Be sure to stop by the link-up and check out how others manage their race day. 
I follow the same tips! Also, I haven’t always done this, but I need to make it to the start with time to spare!
Tina@GottaRunNow recently posted…Your Race Recaps! 9/5
Yes good tip! I definitely need to get to the race on the early side.
All your suggestions are great for keeping race nerves to a minimum. The only thing I would add is setting my clothes and equipment out the night before so I don’t worry about forgetting something.
Learned that one the hard way once! Now I always lay everything out ahead of time too. Thanks for mentioning it!
I need to do better about finding some hilly for NYCM training!
Yeah the bridges and then the hills in Central Park definitely add some nice elevation to that race!
That about sums it up for me, too. I add in a little warm up run w/ some strides to loosen up that morning as well. I’ve learned the hard way about doing new things on race day!
I think I would do myself a service to be more consistent about getting in a little warm-up before the start – might help me to settle down a little.
I always try to get to bed early on race nights. Sometimes I even take a sleep aid to help with me winding down and getting to bed at a decent time.
Lacey@fairytalesandfitness recently posted…Runner Signs that inspire us
I know several runners who swear by using a sleep aid on race nights. I’ve always been too paranoid that I’d sleep right through my alarm 🙂
I always go crazy at expos-like I need another jacket?! I also have a tough time sleeping the night before a race.
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…Friday 5 Crazy Race Day Rituals
I’m a black-belt shopper so reeling it in at the expos took some practice 😉
All good tips, especially about the expo. You can get sucked in so easily to walking around for a while.
Courtney @ Don’t Blink. Just Run. recently posted…Face The Music Friday #50
Thanks Courtney – it is so easy to get sucked in! I like to give my legs as much rest as possible!
i agree with you about sleeping the night before — it always is hard. luckily, i’ve learned that what is most important is the sleep you get TWO nights before race day. so i make it a point to head to bed at an earlier hour that night and then don’t stress about sleep the night before the race.
Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC recently posted…Friday Five: Race Day Rituals
Yep I find the more rest I can get during race week the less stressful the night before becomes.
That is a great idea to mimic the course while training. While I look at the course map, its usually the night before!
Jennifer recently posted…Friday Five – Race Rituals
I found it to be really helpful – especially if the course is hilly!
We have a lot of the same prep! Great minds 🙂 We need to run a race together!
jill conyers recently posted…Healthy Peach Pie Protein Pancakes
Yes! 🙂
These are good tips! I definitely try to train for the course, which usually means HILLS.
Coco recently posted…Ragnar Packing List — Verve Vest
I know what you mean – I can’t remember the last time I ran a relatively flat course!
Totally am with you on not overdoing it at the expo. I have done that several times and it wasn’t good!
Yep – learned that one the hard way too!
Totally agree with the tips, especially training for the course. I made that mistake with my 1st marathon – training on flat gravel roads rather than hilly trails! Live and learn, I guess 🙂
Amy @ Life to the Full recently posted…Conquering the Long Run
Wow that must have been a tough marathon!
definitely agree with all these! especially going easy at the expo. I’ve done so many races now the expo appeal has been lost on me (thankfully) I used to do some much damage!
Mar @ Mar on the Run recently posted…Friday Five: Racing Rituals
I must admit I still get tempted by the expos at the bigger races, but I know if I hang for too long I’ll pay for it!
I love these tips! I tend to stay at the Expo too long or do something else on my feet!