Marathon Tips for Race Day
Training Team coaches Don Garber and Sean Cusack offer participants a few final tips ahead of Saturday's Anthem Richmond Marathon, American Family Fitness Half Marathon, and HCA Virginia 8k.
- Patience: To do your best in a marathon, the number one thing is patience. Don’t let the race get away from you. An Olympic runner once said that during an important qualifying race, staying patient during the race was a key for him. So don’t get carried away at the start. Don’t go out too fast.
- Hydration: We talked about hydration all year. In the hot weather it was not hard to remember to drink. But it is just as important in the cooler weather. Drink early and regularly. Too often we see people who don’t drink early on the cooler days start to have issues later in the race, as it warms up.
- Preparation: Get everything ready on Friday night. I once saw a story by one runner who did not want to wake their spouse on Saturday morning, so they got dressed in the dark. When they went to take off the warm up pants, they had forgotten to put on shorts. So lay everything out on Friday. Be ready.
- Bag Check: If you are planning to use the bag check, you must use the clear plastic bags that were provided with your race packet to check your belongings.
- Dress in layers: Don’t overdress. We have beat this up a little recently. It works.
- Be early: Wasting nervous energy worrying about when you will get downtown is a waste.
- Protect yourself: Guys, if it is cooler, you have more of a chance of chafing your chest.
- Smile: Enjoy the day. When asked on Monday, “what was your time?” be able to say you had a great time on race day.
I hope you all have fun on Saturday. You have worked hard and enjoy the fruits of your hard work.