4 Tips for the day of your Marathon

by Suzy Stichbury July 27, 2016

When the day of your marathon finally arrives, you’ll want to be more than prepared to hit the pavement. There is no doubt you’re probably a little nervous and holding the next 26 miles in extreme anticipation, but with a little planning for the big day, there is no need to fret. When you adhere to the following 4 tips, your race will be fun and your finish successful.

4 Training Tips for the Day of your Marathon

1. Plan Ahead

To ensure a successful finish, plan ahead the day before your race. Make sure you have everything you need ready to go fresh first thing in the morning. Lay out your clothes, shoes, band-aids, bib pins, energy gel, timer, and anything else you’ll need so you’re not scrambling around that morning. You’ll want to go into your race with a calm mind that holds no distractions, and there is no better way to do this than making sure you’re ready to go the day before. After you’re ready and before you head out the door, do some deep breathing exercises and envision yourself having a good time, full of confidence and enthusiasm for what you’re about to complete. See yourself crossing the finish line with ease and grace.

2. Start Slow

Remember that a slow even pace at the beginning of the race will help you conserve energy for later in the race when you’ll need it the most. There will more than likely be thousands of other runners at the start, and things tend to get a little crowded and crazy, to say the least. Maintaining a steady pace and a slow start will come in handy later in the day. Resist the temptation to weave around other runners trying to get in the front, knowing that there will be plenty of time to play catch up with the energy you’ve conserved by keeping a steady pace.

3. Watch What you Eat and Drink

You know that you are what you eat, and making sure you eat well and stay hydrated on the day of the race is extremely important. Do not introduce anything new to your diet on the day of the race and eat a breakfast full of complex carbs and lean protein. There will be stations throughout the race, and it is pertinent that you stay hydrated with what volunteers are offering. Drinking 3-6 ounces of fluid every 15-20 minutes is a good guideline and will ensure you’re getting the hydration your body so desperately needs. Another tip is to chase your energy gels with water instead of a sports drink which will help you avoid stomach cramps.

4. Stick to Your Plan

During the time you took to train for the big day, you probably prepared a plan for race day. In order to ensure you finish successfully, make sure you duplicate everything you’ve done during training, exactly as you’ve done during training. Are you aiming for certain times every 5 miles? Write them down and make sure you’re sticking to them. Sticking to your plan will help you execute your race with ease.

---

---

Leave a comment

Comments will be approved before showing up.

Name *

Email *

Comment *

---

Also in News