On race day, there are things I will and won’t do. I have my routine and my systems in place, and I really won’t deviate from the plan. The success of my race days depends on my little do and don’ts, so here are the things I just won’t do.
I Won’t Drink Coffee Before The Race
No way, no how. I do have a few sips of Diet Dr Pepper en route to a race. And yes, I will absolutely treat myself to an iced coffee after the event, but coffee before the race (for me) is a terrible idea for a variety of reasons. If you know, you know.
I Won’t Be Late On Race Day
Friends, I confess to being a bit militant about getting places on time. I subscribe to the “if you’re on time, you’re late” theory, and this is ESPECIALLY true on race day. I get up way earlier than necessary and leave with plenty of time to allow for traffic, parking, two bathroom stops, and a few minutes for photos, and hanging out at the start line. It’s what I do and helps keep my anxiety in check. Does it annoy my husband and possibly the friends with whom I carpool? Maybe. But one of my worst race nightmares is getting to an event after the starting gun fires. No thank you!
I Won’t Line Up In The Wrong Start Corral
No matter how badly I want to start the race, and how much of a cushion I think I need, I won’t enter a corral I don’t deserve. I also won’t get any closer to the start line than I need.
I Won’t Wear The Race Shirt For The Race
This is always a hot debate, but I will not wear the free race shirt to actually run the race. I don’t necessarily have any superstitions in the matter, but I do hate wearing t-shirts and it’s really too hot most of the time to have any kind of sleeve. Instead, I prefer to save the shirt for the drive home, or after my post-race shower.
I Won’t Cut People Off To Get To The Photographer
Listen. I love a good race photo, but I’m not going to go to great lengths to get it. If I’m in the line of the photographer, I will smile big, pick up my knees, maybe flash a peace sign, and hope for the best. However, I won’t cut across the race course, hop in front of anyone, or go for some massive leap in order to make magic happen.
What things will you not do on race day?
Welcome to Fit Five Friday, our new linkup!
We’ve got FIVE incredible co-hosts, and we are ready to link up every Friday to share YOUR weekly fitness favorites! Join My First 5K and More, Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and Zenaida every Friday for Fit Five Friday! Who’s ready for some fun?
Grab our graphic and share the love!
What are your best summer skincare tips?
Oops. I do many of your donts.
I always drink coffee before race. I sometimes wear the race shirt if it’s cute.
I usually line up in the correct corral. Maybe always.
I do like to arrive very early.
I smile when I see the photographer but many times like my last race I had no clue so lousy pics.
What will I not do?
Wear unmatched clothes.
Leave right after I finish. I stay and cheer others on.
Carry a water bottle. Even if it’s hot.
Run up a steep hill. Save my energy.
Pass a water stop. It’s my walk break.
Not carry fuel. Gu even in a short race.
Run without stopping to walk. I’m faster that way.
I don’t like unmatched clothes either LOL! And I won’t run up big hills. Nope.
Cut people off to get to the photographer? I’ve never even heard of that one!
I do drink tea on race day. Does that count?
Chocolaterunsjudy recently posted…6 Ways to Keep Your Cool on the Run
There are certain, big-name races where people will fling themselves in front of the photographer. A few years ago, a woman wanted a jumping picture while we were running off a big bridge at the end of a popular local race. She crossed the entire road, threw herself in front of me, jumped, and did NOT stick the landing. I had to pull up short to avoid colliding, and then had to stop to make sure she was ok. It was not good race etiquette.
I agree on all of these!! Especially the shirt and trying to edge up in the start corral! I’d also add not wearing anything I haven’t tried before (terrible chaffing and blisters are not OK!) or eating/drinking anything I haven’t tried. I don’t drink coffee before the race but I do chew caffeinated gum (Run Gum) – I use it in my training and know it works for me!
I will wear new clothes. Not always with wonderful results, but I do it.
I’m with you on the race shirt one- it’s too hot to wear a tshirt at all, usually- I like to put it on later in the day, if at all.
I don’t drink coffee at all, but I do like some caffeine before a race. I’ll sometimes do iced tea, or half of a caffeinated gel.
Actually I guess I’m with you on all these!
I’ll have caffeine, but coffee goes right through me. No thank you.
I’m with you on all of these! I have nightmares about arriving at a race so I can relate to being militant about getting there early.
It’s the worst feeling!
we’d be perfect race mates. I’ve definitely annoyed friends who want to go to a race with me by having to be early. I have been late to a couple races and it is THE WORST feeling.
I do drink coffee before the race, and yes I do know 😀 but… I get up extra early to ensure that there are no issues during the race.
one thing that pisses me off more than anything is runners blatantly jumping corrals. I won’t do it. And if you do it, I’m judging. #justsaying
I hope one day we will have the chance to see if we are!
I do not like being late to anything!
ok so I have to have coffee everyday, especially on race day. I just have to plan for it and get up early enough to digest. I am always nervous about getting there late, so I am always early!
It doesn’t matter how early I get up. Once coffee starts its way through me, it can take some time. No bueno on a run.
While I don’t think I have any serious ongoing anxiety problems, I DO have it before a race. And, it’s more about not waking on time (even though I’m up early everyday anyways), or traffic being an issue, or not getting to the race site on time. Once I have arrived, I’m totally good…but getting there is really stressful for me. I have worn the race shirt a few times…once, in particular, was the R’nR Vegas in 2017. It was my big rally back 13.1 (after my knee surgery earlier that year). I did cut off the sleeves and made it into a racerback tank, though 😉
I absolutely agree with this. I hate being late, and I always stress about traffic, parking, and being in the right place at the right time.
Oh, I will drink ^one^ cup of coffee -that’s my concession. I never see the photographers in time to react, let alone to cross in front of them, so I had no idea that was a thing.
I will never run more than two-astride with friends, making it impossible for others to pass.