Evening Half Marathon

58Rock

I have been running for a number of years. Have quite a few halfs, ten-milers, 10ks, 25ks, a marathon, and a lot trail runs at those same distances. I know how to prep for all of them. They have all started fairly early in the morning. However, the first week of December I am running an "Illumination Half" that starts at 6pm. Has anyone else run a half or marathon at night and how would you prep the day of the race?

SonicDeathMonkey80

I would just play it like a regular day and just not eat anything for a couple hours prior. Sounds like fun!

arc918

I did one last year. As an early morning runner, it was not my favorite time of day to race (ours started ~ 8:30 pm?).

As an early morning/empty stomach runner/racer, the food issue was tough for me.

yamsteroo

Do any of you experienced folk think you can 'train' yourself to run better in the evening just by doing it more often or is it a case of some people just run better on empty and that's how it's going to be?

twinmom_112002

No experience but I run in the afternoons, evenings on a regular basis (in fact morning races are hard). I eat normal but have my last meal at least 3 hours before I run.

58Rock

Thanks guys. I think I will "carb up" at my morning meal and eat light the rest of day with heavy emphasis on carbs and a fair amount of protien. Stay well hydrated during the day and not eat anytime after 3 hours prior. It's not like it is a marathon but I still like to be well prepared. Always good to be ready and at your best regardless of the distance.

snshine1028

Just what I needed! My first night half is in 3 weeks!

beeblebrox82

i did a night half this year that started at 9pm, IIRC. I just ate a solid breakfast, a lightish lunch and what I usually eat pre-race for dinner. I had no issues.... then I hit a Walmart on the way home and bought a bunch of fruit, cashews and popcorn and snacked all the way home LOL.

laurasuzanne2006

i did rock n roll las vegas marathon. ate a heavy breakfast and did mu usual cliff bar 2 hours pre race, worked perfectly

dixiech1ck

I did the Wine and Dine in Disney and that starts at 10pm. Didn't finish until after midnight.. personally for me, I wasn't a fan but I know a lot of people liked it. I just hadn't trained at night other than running around 7 or 8pm. Make sure to hydrate a lot the day before and that morning. Don't walk a lot during the day - try to just relax.