First half marathon in 2 days - questions

haanmom

Hi running friends!

I am running my first half marathon on Saturday. I've completed my training and my goal is to finish. I have run some 5 & 10Ks, a Ragnar Relay and one 16K race, so I'm not completely new to running, but still pretty new.

A few questions:

* Post-race shoes... There is a little festival at the finish line and then I have an hour car ride home. My instinct is to bring flip flops to air my feet out and then go shoeless in the car, but I've had some foot tendonitis during my training so am wondering if I will benefit from more support. I have an identical pair of running shoes to the ones I will be racing in, so I could bring those and change into them with new socks. Thoughts?

* I have problems with anxiety in my everyday life and before races it can get pretty bad. It will likely cause some digestive issues for me pre-race. I also usually end up visiting the bathroom quite a few times after longer runs (sorry, TMI). I am considering taking an Imodium before the race. It will help my pre-race anxiety (I know that probably doesn't make sense but it's one less thing for me to stress about if I know I won't be getting sick before I run) and I am hoping will hold off the post-race issues at least until I get home. But will that mess with my body during the run? Like dehydrate me or something?

Thanks for any input!

CarsonRuns

I would go with slides or flip-flops for after the race. You are going to want to unbind your feet.

I have taken Imodium before races in the past and it works. I wouldn't suggest doing that if you haven't done it in your training at least twice to make sure it doesn't negatively impact you.

Have fun!

sammyneb

First Good Luck and have fun! The first half I ran I did the flip flop thing and my feet killed...the next two I brought a more suportative pair of shoes and new socks and that seemed to work best for me (make sure they aren't tight though)

As for the bathroom thing, I know exactly what you are talking about...I have the exact same issue. But I have run 3 half marathons and never had an issue at the race. First you are two days out...tonight is the time to carb load up, (NO whole wheat or high fiber) eat white bagels vs. whole wheat etc. Changing over to "white" carbs a few days before the race really seemed to help, then I drank a little coffee the morning of the race (like 2 hours before start) to help get things moving

i was actually considering the imodium thing before this last half because I had the same fear, but at least for me race day is totally different than an long run, the need to "go" just isn't there.

GOOD LUCK!

dsjohndrow

My kid works at Skechers and got me the GoRecovery shoes. Epic! Otherwise I like Flip-Flops.

No experience with the TMI subject. I drink a lot of water right up until about 30 minutes before a race, and then run like a camel for up to 2 hours.

Have a good time. Nothing to be nervous about. It's just you and running.

LOUIEWENDELL

if you've done a ragnar- you've got no worries. the half is easier mentally and physically, i think.

i like to unleash my feet after a run even if those around me don't get the same benefit. and i agree on the imodium, you may want to hold off on that if it isn't something you've tried before.

have fun!