A Race is not a Test...No Cramming

After completing four years of an undergraduate engineering degree, I learned that proper preparation for a test was key.  However, sometimes the occasional cramming for an exam or two was necessary- making that all-nighter beneficial in the long run.
A race is NOT a test!  Cramming will do you no good.  The months of preparation are finished and it's best to relax during the week prior.  (I know us Type A's can't relax...but intervals/hills/long runs will do more harm than good in the last week).





My Top 10 Tips for Pre Race Prep
10.  Get lots of sleep.  Not just the night before, the week before.  Get your body adjusted to waking up early and being well rested for Race Day.
9.  Never try something new.  This means wear your race day clothes before hand and buy ingredients for your favorite pre workout breakfast.
8.  Stop focusing on your watch.  Your training is done.  Your last few workouts are to loosen muscles not drops training times.
7. Visualize Victory- Imagine yourself crossing the finish line, meeting your race goal time, all with a smile!  It's much easier to complete when you can imagine it!
6. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.  Start hydrating days before race day.  Weather is unpredictable (as evidenced by Broad St 2010), and proper hydration will yield peak performance.
5. RELAX.  You've spent months training- this is your time to take a deep breathe and mentally prepare.
4.  Think of how fortunate you are to be able to complete an endurance race and be proud of what you are getting ready to do!  I don't win races, I'm not professional, but if I finish with a smile, I know I've succeeded.
3. Run a couple of miles, slowly, the day before the race to loosen your legs and keep things moving.  Stretch well before and after the run so nothing is stiff the next morning.
2. Properly plan race logistics.  How are you getting there, how are you getting home, are you checking a bag?  Proper planning will leave less room for stress the morning of the race.
1.  Have fun!  This is your time, your success!  Life in the moment and enjoy!  Remember why you are running whether it be a for a cause, a fitness goal, or a team and make it worthwhile!

Broad Street Blues

High of 88 degrees

30,000 runners

1,000,000 cups for hydration

...

And not one of us was prepared for this weather. It usually takes someone about 2 months to adjust to running in the heat. I hate the heat, so it takes me a bit longer. Unfortunately, all training runs leading up to today were in late winter, early spring with an average temperature of about 50 degrees.

We were advised by the race directors to take it slow and listen to our bodies more than usual on a day like today. The fire hydrants were opened along Broad Street and used as sprinklers to help keep us cool.

I ran through too many hydrants and finished with soaking wet shoes and some pretty fine blisters to boot. Eek!

Several people were passed out around mile 9 with EMT's caring for them and hydrating them with IV's. As terrible as I felt, I knew as I looked around other people felt similarly.

Thank you to the other runners who pushed me at the end and especially to Miley Cyrus who I listened to on repeat when things got painful!

A friend of mine, finished her first race ever today. She trained properly for Broad Street after not running more than 2 miles before! I tried to convince her that all races aren't this hot and humid- hopefully she'll be back for the distance run in September. It's a Rock n Roll race this year!

See Michele's feeling's on Broad Street below!

Real Girls Wear Running Skirts

Post Race
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.  Water first, then beer.

Re-fuel your body post race- your body's metabolism is still running (no pun intended) rapidly, so make sure to eat within the hour after crossing the finish line.  Bananas, bagels, whatever you choose.  This is your time to indulge if you so desire.

Ice, ice, ice.  Icing post running will help prevent injuries!

Today's National Half Marathon was superb (although I wouldn't have said the same at mile 11)!  Great weather, great course!  Suntrust could still use some assistance with the organization but it gets better each year.
A few pre and post photos below: