I got out this morning and ran a quick 20 minutes to get ready for tomorrow!! The weather here in Nashville was in the 50′s, and was absolutely gorgeous! It was actually a little chilly for the first few minutes, which is always a nice surprise. The weather in LA was cold, rainy, and smoggy – not my idea of California at all! Looks like it is going to climb into the 80′s tomorrow for the race, so I am hydrating up today! I should be done before the real heat begins, but I am definitely getting ready for the warmth!
Marathon Quirks
There are a few things that I absolutely must do before running a marathon. We all have our quirks, right? Well here are mine!
- Cut my toenails – I cut down all my toenails so I don’t have any issues on race day. I have run a few too many times where my longer nails cut into the side of the one next to them. Such an easy fix, but can be very uncomfortable if I don’t do it!
- A quick shakeout run - no matter what the distance, I have to go for a shakeout run the day before the race. Mentally and physically, I need to get out and clear my head, and get myself mentally ready for run. I went and ran for 20 minutes this morning and feel awesome now!
- Drink Smartwater – this is a relatively new one. The last few months, I have been drinking Smartwater before running, so I make sure that I do that the day before running 26.2!
- A midday nap – I do not always get this one done, since sometimes it is hard to get in a snooze when traveling. However, I did get in a nap today! (hence the late published post). I know that the night before the race, I am not going to get good rest, so catching a few extra zzz’s the day before the race is an awesome perk!
- Studying the Course Map - I always like to look at the course map, although it makes absolutely no difference. It’s not as if I need to know where I am going - I’ll just follow the people in front of me regardless. Even so, I like to know where the course takes me.
A nice easy night with friends is ahead, and then we are early to bed and early to rise for our marathon tomorrow!! Recap of the expo will be up in the morning! It was quite the show!!
Do you have any quirks before marathons (or any other races)??
Good luck and have a great time!
Thanks Kristi! It was a fun race
I do study the course map but no other quirks…good luck on your race!!!
Good luck!!!! I also study (and obsess over) the course map.
Yes, I feel that may be something we all do!
The day/night before the race (marathon), I HAVE to:
1. Shave (legs, arms, etc.)
2. Eat a big pasta LUNCH and a light dinner. That way, I won’t wake up with a stomach ache from eating pasta in the evening. For dinner, I usually have chicken breast and veggies
3. lay out my outfit and make sure all necessary parts are accounted for.
4. 2-3 mile Shake out run and stretch/foam roll/stick
5. Study the course and plan out viewing spots for my family/friends/cheering squad
6. Drink plenty of water and Gatorade
5. get a good night’s sleep!
Morning OF the race (marathon):
1. eat 1/2 a bagel, 1/2 a banana, and 1/2 a Power Bar.
2. Drink a cup of black coffee
3. I always wear pearls. It has been a superstition since my first marathon. Every race I run, I wear ‘em!
4. RUN!
Ha ha love the pearls!!