You are ready to invest in your training and achieve your goals. Avoid race day mistakes that can ruin the glorious finishing moment you’ve long dreamed of.
1. Overcommitting yourself when choosing your clothing.
The phrase “There’s nothing new on race day” is often repeated and for good reason. Stick to what you know! Don’t get caught up in what other people are doing. Make a plan and stick to it. Wear your trained gear, eat your usual pre-race breakfast, and run at your trained pace.
2. Forgetting to charge your electronic devices
This GPS watch will be useless on race day if you forget to charge it overnight. (However, you can always consider running naked.)
3. Don’t refer to the weather forecast
Nothing can disrupt your big day like Mother Nature’s mood swings. But you can’t control the weather, so do your best to adapt to it. Check the weather forecast before the race to ensure you have the appropriate equipment. For example, waterproof tops if rain is expected, hand warmers if freezing is expected. If the day looks hot and humid, adjust your water and hydration accordingly. Don’t let the weather take away all the effort you put in during your training.
4. Put yourself in the wrong box.
For large races, signs and bib displays will indicate where to line up. These guides are here for a reason. You want to start the race surrounded by people running at a similar pace to you. If you start at the front with the fastest racers, you’ll be overwhelmed. If you start too far back, you’ll end up weaving your way around those who choose to walk the first mile. Good luck finding a mate, and if you’re feeling high, pass him on the home stretch.
5. Go out in a hurry
When it comes to race day mistakes, this one is classic. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement and adrenaline of race day. But in theory the first mile should be the slowest. Many experts recommend splitting the race negatively, that is, running the second half faster than the first. Be conservative, let others pass you, and build momentum in the second half. The last thing you want is to be out of breath in the first 800 miles after jumping out of the gate.
6. Please make the music as loud as possible
You know, everyone gets excited when Eminem comes. However, to ensure your safety and the safety of those around you, if you want to listen to music, please keep the volume at a moderate level. You need to listen to what’s going on and keep paying attention to your surroundings and your body’s signals. Use music to motivate you if you want, but don’t use it as a complete distraction. Turn it on instead of off.
7. Not recovering properly
It’s tempting to cross the finish line and head straight to brunch. (Or a shower. Or go back to bed for a hard-earned nap.) But before you take a nap or reach for alcohol, take a few minutes to let your body cool down and recover. .
For some runners, this means a short recovery run (about 1 mile after the race, depending on distance), and for others it means a walk to find family followed by stretching and foam rolling. To do. Get a massage area if your breed has one. If you like ice, it will cool the painful area and increase the pain. If you’re a downward dog fan, consider doing some light yoga after your race.
Keep moving for a while to wash away the lactic acid in your feet and give your body a rest. Be sure to try our Brunch Buffet, Bloody Mary, and Backyard Grill.
