I'm running a half marathon...TOMORROW

stephlouise123
stephlouise123 Posts: 18
in Fitness and Exercise
Ok, so one of my goals when joining this site was to eventually run a half marathon. After months of training, the big day is tomorrow! However, I'm so nervous and I just can't relax. Any tips from marathon runners? What should I do this evening?
«1

Replies

  • tcatcarson
    tcatcarson Posts: 227 Member
    Get some sleep! Once you're there the race day buzz will take over. I've done a few halls now and it's a brilliant challenge. Don't take off too quickly and enjoy the atmosphere.

    Good luck!
  • scottb81
    scottb81 Posts: 2,538 Member
    You should get max sleep tonight, but if you're like the rest of us that just isn't going to happen. . . too much race anticipation. Otherwise, eat well, but not too much. You don't want to feel weighed down in the morning.
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    Trust your training, tomorrow is pay day!

    Eat a healthy dinner today (you don't need to specifically carb load but my favourite the night before a race is a big plate of spaghetti with meat sauce) nothing new however.

    Lay out your gear for the race tonight, that way you're less likely to feel stressed tomorrow and go to bed on the early side.

    Try to eat at least a couple of hours in advance of start time - again, no new foods, something like a bagel and peanut butter (after a few races you'll almost become ritualistic about what you eat pre-race) and try to get to the starting area in good time. Go to the bathroom.......(I know, I hate porta potties too but it's time to take one for the team) warm up a bit and find your corral if they're using them. If the race has pace bunnies try to find (and latch onto) the one closest to your predicted finishing time, if they don't pay attention to your pace, it's really easy to get caught up in the excitement and go out too fast.

    Most importantly......smile as you cross the finish line. Have a great race!
  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    avoid alcohol, drink plenty of water, and carb up. enjoy a big pasta dinner.

    go to bed waaaaay earlier then normal, because you will be nervous and have trouble sleeping.

    good luck!!
  • Fred4point0
    Fred4point0 Posts: 160 Member
    RELAX! Enjoy a great movie and go to bed early!
  • Elzecat
    Elzecat Posts: 2,916 Member
    Trust your training, tomorrow is pay day!

    Eat a healthy dinner today (you don't need to specifically carb load by my favourite the night before a race is a big plate of spaghetti with meat sauce) nothing new however.

    Lay out your gear for the race tonight, that way you're less likely to feel stressed tomorrow and go to bed on the early side.

    Try to eat at least a couple of hours in advance of start time - again, no new foods, something like a bagel and peanut butter (after a few races you'll almost become ritualistic about what you eat pre-race) and try to get to the starting area in good time. Go to the bathroom.......(I know, I hate porta potties too but it's time to take one for the team) warm up a bit and find your corral if they're using them. If the race has pace bunnies try to find (and latch onto) the one closest to your predicted finishing time, if they don't pay attention to your pace, it's really easy to get caught up in the excitement and go out too fast.

    Most importantly......smile as you cross the finish line. Have a great race!

    All of this...and don't try anything new as far as fueling or shoes...trust your training.

    Oh yeah...the second most important thing after smiling at the finish line (for your race photo LOL): HAVE FUN!
  • jogglesngoggles
    jogglesngoggles Posts: 362 Member
    bump as I have my first next week and am anxious to see all of your suggestions...OH and GOOD LUCK!!! :)
  • midmomike2
    midmomike2 Posts: 213
    First, you should be so proud of all the work you put in to get to this point! That's AWESOME! Tonight, just try to get rest, have a good quality carb based meal(pasta,quinoa,rice,etc.), and be sure to layout what you'll need tommorow. Best of luck! You'll do fine I'm sure!
  • JoanneStone
    JoanneStone Posts: 135 Member
    No advice, since I have never done this. Have fun and listen to your body! Good luck! :flowerforyou:
  • arc918
    arc918 Posts: 2,037 Member
    Don't go out too fast!

    I hope you win!
  • Grace4DebraAnn
    Grace4DebraAnn Posts: 124 Member
    That is awesome, you should be very proud. Give it your best tomorrow, go girl!
  • MelisRunning
    MelisRunning Posts: 819 Member
    Have a wonderful time!
  • pucenavel
    pucenavel Posts: 972 Member
    eat, sleep

    poop
  • HMVOL7409
    HMVOL7409 Posts: 1,588 Member
    Not much more to add except my first is next Sunday and I know how you're feeling! I plan to just order room service and chill out in a great suite with the husband for the night and try to sleep. Good luck!!!!! I can't wait!
  • MarlinWil
    MarlinWil Posts: 119 Member
    Very excited for you!! Enjoy your day, and have fun with the high! I haven't done a half for years (kids and time-inefficient), but am slowly working back up to it. The excitement and rush of the day are to be savoured. It is really easy to get caught up in it, and to rush yourself. Initially, the start is a little slow because of the press of people, but once it starts to clear it is easy to go from a walk to a sprint - like everyone says, ease into your pace.

    I just read an article that said that rushing it can see you hitting the wall. Some seasoned runners explained that when they pace themselves, start a little slower and build to finishing a little faster, they often beat their times consistently. They have ALL started a race too fast, and each one of them finished their race with a much slower time than they had hoped to achieve. These are the truly committed athletes, though. Not many of us are like them!! (Well, in my mind, I feel like I am after a good run!!) I am not sure if you have a time goal. Probably with your first it is better to just go in looking to experience it and enjoy it. But if you do, I hope that this info helps.

    The nerves won't ease up until after you cross that finish line (smiling widely), and then you will be grabbed by the high of finishing! Wow, are you in for a wonderful day tomorrow! Please let us know how you went. And we would love to see a photo of you post-race!!!

    Good luck, and have FUN!!!!

    Wil
  • girlsrun
    girlsrun Posts: 61
    I totally agree with what was said above!! Enjoy your day, you worked hard for it. Biggest mistake is going out too fast. Let everyone go. It's so tempting to get into the rush at the start but let people pass you. Trust that you will be picking them off at mile 9 when they hit the "Wall".
    Rest, eat smart, and NOTHING new on race day. No new shoes, food, socks...

    Sending good vibes and energy!
  • Liss416
    Liss416 Posts: 209 Member
    I don't have any "real" tips to provide (I'm training and plan to do my first half this spring)... but rest tonight and enjoy your run!

    Good luck and have a blast!
  • castell5
    castell5 Posts: 234 Member
    Wow, 1/2 marathon? I'd love to get there. I just did my first 5K and I was so worried I wouldn't be able to do it. Well I did! I wasn't the first one done, but I sure wasn't the last one either. It wasn't about being the first or last one over the finish line. It was about going over the finish line with the best effort I had to put forth and that is what I did.
    You will do fine, you sound ready, nervous, because it's new to you, but hey, what an accomplishment and that sure does give you bragging rights! Have fun, pace yourself and just do the best you can. It's all you can do. I'd recommend a tablespoon or two of peanut butter before you go, not too heavy but a little something. Good luck!
  • amylahminute
    amylahminute Posts: 613 Member
    All of the above. Plus, not all race organizers provide safety pins for your bib. Bring 4 just in case. :)

    And have fun!! You will definitely get a boost from the excitement and the people around you. Just enjoy yourself.
  • run4yourlife
    run4yourlife Posts: 379 Member
    Don't go out too fast!

    ^^^Best advice right there!
  • WittneeT29
    WittneeT29 Posts: 47 Member
    Whoo hoo! How exciting!

    The advice in this thread is fantastic! My advice is to not stress too bad if you can't sleep the night before the race. I tend to try to sleep extra two nights before a long race, because I know race night I will be too amped up to sleep. Even if you cannot sleep tonight, you will do great tomorrow. Just rest the best you can and hit it hard with enthusiasm for the race!

    Have a blast!!
  • schmenge55
    schmenge55 Posts: 745 Member
    Totally normal to be antsy the night before. Looks like you have lots of good advice for what you should be doing today, so I'll throw in a couple of things for the race. :) It is really easy to get swept up in the excitement of the race, the adrenaline will be pumping and you start out too fast. Then you start saying "I feel pretty good, I think I will hold this pace." The problem usually becomes that you can't hold that pace for 13.1 miles. Really the first 8 or so *should* feel fairly easy if you have trained well, it is that last 3 really that count. So trust your training and the pace you think you should be running. After you pass 10 you can feel more free to give it more, but resist that urge beforehand.

    and most importantly...............have fun!
  • tirtle
    tirtle Posts: 6
    Congrats on this tremendous milestone! I have ran 5 over the last 2 years - my advice, wake up and run the way you always have, don't change your routine! This includes everything from your eating habits to your music or whatever rituals...take every moment of your run in and enjoy, it's the best moment in time when you're surrounded by fellow runners!!!
  • RunXstrong
    RunXstrong Posts: 73
    Don't worry if you can't sleep well. Take it easy, and enjoy tomorrow.
  • lachesissss
    lachesissss Posts: 1,298 Member
    I have no tips. But that is so awesome of you! Good Luck!
  • MrsWilsoncroft
    MrsWilsoncroft Posts: 968 Member
    Good luck for tomorrow Hun xxx
  • sstoro
    sstoro Posts: 20 Member
    Get a good nights sleep,hydrate ( beginning tonight) and tomorrow RELAX and have FUN. My first marathon, I found a person who had my stride and cadence and used him to guide my pace. I now don't know if that is considered bad etiquette as it must have driven him nuts hearing my footsteps for over ten miles!
  • losinitagain1
    losinitagain1 Posts: 15
    Good Luck!!! When I did my first (and only), what I wasn't prepared for was the start. There are so many people all going at different paces. Some people are there with 5-10 friends and they are in a line going slower than you want but they don't move and you have to try to figure out how to get around them with hundreds of other people also trying to get around them. One group had their arms locked together and were walking. It was the rudest thing I have ever experienced. Once you break free from all the madness, just do your thing and you will be fine! Have fun!!!
  • awesomek001
    awesomek001 Posts: 167 Member
    Lots of great tips above - - I've found those are all good LOL

    Agree with the "nothing new" and don't go out too fast (which you will, btw - even with the best advise!) Enjoy your run! You've done the hard work already - tomorrow will be the easiest run of them all :)

    Bask in the finish - - it's the best feeling in the world. GREAT JOB!!!
  • RunnerInVT
    RunnerInVT Posts: 226 Member
    Dont forget your bib number if you have it!!! I forgot mine and thank goodness my daughter was able to drive it up to me!!

Categories