• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • about
  • Pug Partners
  • contact/pr
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

Runs With Pugs

ok, the pugs don't run, but we do

  • race reports
  • Travel
  • Recipes
  • Link Ups
  • instagram Landing Page

The Latest

let’s chat at the july coffee date

the ugly side of summer running

week 78: the hits keep coming

You are here: Home / Uncategorized / 5 things i won’t do on race day

5 things i won’t do on race day

July 9, 2021      17 Comments

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.

turtle crawl

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? 

fit five friday

Grab our graphic and share the love!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

What are your best summer skincare tips?

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Darlene S. Cardillo says

    July 9, 2021 at 11:29 am

    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.

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      July 13, 2021 at 1:02 am

      I don’t like unmatched clothes either LOL! And I won’t run up big hills. Nope.

      Reply
  2. Chocolaterunsjudy says

    July 9, 2021 at 12:25 pm

    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 RunMy Profile

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      July 13, 2021 at 1:04 am

      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.

      Reply
  3. Erica @ Erica Finds says

    July 9, 2021 at 2:22 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      July 13, 2021 at 1:05 am

      I will wear new clothes. Not always with wonderful results, but I do it.

      Reply
  4. Jenny says

    July 9, 2021 at 2:28 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      July 13, 2021 at 1:05 am

      I’ll have caffeine, but coffee goes right through me. No thank you.

      Reply
  5. Michelle D. says

    July 9, 2021 at 4:45 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      July 13, 2021 at 1:05 am

      It’s the worst feeling!

      Reply
  6. Renée says

    July 9, 2021 at 5:03 pm

    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

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      July 13, 2021 at 1:06 am

      I hope one day we will have the chance to see if we are!

      I do not like being late to anything!

      Reply
  7. Deborah Brooks says

    July 9, 2021 at 5:22 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      July 13, 2021 at 1:07 am

      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.

      Reply
  8. Kimberly Hatting says

    July 10, 2021 at 3:22 pm

    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 😉

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      July 13, 2021 at 1:07 am

      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.

      Reply
  9. Coco says

    July 14, 2021 at 12:42 am

    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.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

well, hello there…

bio
Welcome to Runs With Pugs. My name is Jenn and this is the story of my love affair with running and finding myself through fitness. From C25K to marathon, from triathlon to SUP, from broken leg to the recovery journey... I'm sharing it all. I'm a wife and mother of one, living in NE Florida, in love with travel, adventure, and food. Oh. We have pugs and a hedgehog, too. Thank you for joining us! We're glad to have you along for the ride!
Follow on Bloglovin


Save 25% on your ROADiD order here

Pinterest

find what you’re looking for

recently

  • let’s chat at the july coffee date
  • the ugly side of summer running
  • week 78: the hits keep coming
  • five reasons to love balega socks
  • how to plan running routes on vacation

Facebook Likes

archives

Footer

disclaimer

I am not a doctor or medical professional, nor do I play one on the internet. This blog reflects my personal experiences on my own fitness and running journey, and the processes that work for me. Before you begin any exercise regiment, please consult your physician.
Today was not the. Eat or longest run but it was g Today was not the. Eat or longest run but it was good for venting and having some time with my thoughts. 

Sometimes, that’s the answer. How is your running going?

Oh, and did I complete the Streaking With The Cool kids challenge? Yup! At least one, intentional mile a day for each day of June? Done and dusted!

#Running #StreakingWithTheCoolKids
I’m just doing a quick check in. Yes, on my pace I’m just doing a quick check in. Yes, on my pace and my miles, but also on you. 

How are you? What’s new in your world? If you feel comfortable, tell me something good. 😊 

#Running #StreakingWithTheCoolKids
It’s been a bit of a crazy day, but I did get ou It’s been a bit of a crazy day, but I did get out early with @montarriba for a run. I haven’t been in much of a mood to do anything, but you know i believe in faking it til I make it, so here we are.

I threw in a strength sesh focused on the boxes for good measure 

How’s your Tuesday treating you?

#Running #StreakingWithTheCoolKids
“I'm not going to limit myself just because peop “I'm not going to limit myself just because people won't accept the fact that I can do something else.”
Dolly Parton

No limits. No surrender. Let’s go, Monday.

#Running #streakingwiththecoolkids
Still here. Still streaking. #Running #Streaking Still here. Still streaking. 

#Running #StreakingWithTheCoolKids
No words. Just doing the work. #Running #Streakin No words. Just doing the work.

#Running #StreakingWithTheCoolKids
Just chugging through. Yesterday topped out at 103 Just chugging through. Yesterday topped out at 103°f. What will today bring?

#Running #StreakingWithTheCoolKids
Felt a little heavy this morning but that’s ok. Felt a little heavy this morning but that’s ok. Not every run is the best run ever, but every run is great in its own way. Glad to have it done. 

What’s up for your Thursday?

#Running #streakingWithThecoolKids
I am so not sorry about sleeping in. I had a nasty I am so not sorry about sleeping in. I had a nasty allergic reaction last night to something outside and whoa did that wipe me out.

I was grateful for a little bit of cloud cover, too. It helped make the sun. But more manageable.

Day 22 of my June streak and day 387 over all! Let’s keep it going!

#Running #StreakingWithTheCoolKids
Another morning that hasn’t been too awful. It’s definitely heating up quickly so I’m glad to get the miles in before that happens.

Happy Tuesday! What’s going on in your world?

#Running #streakingWithTheCoolKids

Copyright © 2022 · Wordpress Theme by Hello Yay!