Advice Please: First Race

Squeeks70

I am running my first marathon this weekend. It is the Indy Mini and it is a half marathon. Any advice on how to prepare the night before and morning of the race? Advice on post-race? Thanks!

ATLMel

Don't be swayed by all the vendors at the expo. Don't eat, drink, or wear anything different the night before or day of. Seriously. Part of training is to know what doesn't chafe or cause "bear attacks" during a run. So no buying cute new shorts or eating new supplements to prep.

As far as post, try not to immediately sit down. Keep moving (especially through the chute so you don't make your fellow runners crazy). And, have fun! There's nothing like your first.

Fitwam

Holy Smokes woman! When you said it was your first run I didn't realize it was 1/2 marathon! Wow! All I can/could ever do is the 5K! (had 5 knee surgeries). Wish I could do a 1/2! My brother runs in those and he LOVES them. Good advice from Atlmel....don't do anything out of the ordinary as you've been training! And keep moving at the end.
You will get caught up in all the excitement..which really helps my runs...adrenaline pump for sure!!!

Can't wait to hear all about it!!
Good luck to ya!! :flowerforyou: :drinker:

SaraTN

In addition to the previous advice:

Lay your stuff out the night before - have your bib pinned to your shirt etc.
Keep the food simple the night before - without too much fiber.
If you drink coffee - have a cup or two in the morning but early enough to go to the bathroom if needed.

During the run - start slower than you think. Break it down into 5ks. If you need to slow down or walk try to move over to the side before just coming to a walk.

Post run, keep moving, stretch, stretch stretch.

Have fun and good luck

TylerJ76

I am running my first marathon this weekend. It is the Indy Mini and it is a half marathon.

Then it's not really a marathon.

MindyG150

Sounds like the freakin Olympics to me...YOU GO GIRL!!!!!

Chagama

1) Have FUN! Don't get so caught up in everything you forget to enjoy yourself.
2) Arrive early. There are never enough bathrooms and you want to drink before you start so you are hydrated
3) At the end, keep moving and stretch, don't sit down or you will get cramps. Drink a lot to rehydrate yourself.
4) Don't do anything you haven't done while training. Don't try something new for breakfast. Don't try new clothes. Don't try new shoes. This is not the day to experiment. Eat what you ate during long training runs, both before and during the race.

Good luck and have fun! You will feel great when you hit that finish line!

Squeeks70

Thanks everyone for the advice! I am still feeling the jitters but I feel I have done I need to do to get ready for this!