Tuesday, March 28, 2017

11 Race Day Running Hacks That Might Be a Game Changer

I don't know about you, but I'm always looking for advice to make things easier for me on race morning. No matter how many races I've run, I still get those pre-race jitters. Anything that can make me feel well prepared is a good thing. Having run many races over the years, I've got a few tricks help me feel more relaxed.


1. Everyone knows all about the throwaway sweatshirt, right? Even my husband knows and he's not a runner! He works at a local university and last year, found a box of sweatshirts that were going to be thrown out. He brought a bunch home, knowing I needed some throwaways for races. Who is this man? I'm still working my way through the sweatshirts. If you don't have a source for free throwaway sweatshirts, you can always hit up your local Goodwill, Salvation Army, or other thrift store for cheap pre-race coverups. This University of Northern Iowa sweatshirt actually made it to several races before I finally left it at the Chicago marathon.


2. So maybe it's not cold enough for a sweatshirt pre-race, but you want to keep your arms warm while you start out. There's no need to buy arm warmers! Make your own by taking a pair of knee high or tube socks and cut off the toes. Slide them up your arms and voila! When you peel them off after mile 2 or so, you'll feel no guilt about ditching them.

3. Cold hands? Every fall I stock up on those dollar store gloves. Not only do I keep a pair in my car, my work bag, and everywhere else I can think of, I use them for races and runs when the temperatures are a little bit cooler at the start. If you get too warm, you can just toss them aside.

4. This hack might sound like the most common sense advice ever, but hear me now and thank me later when I tell you to lay out your clothes the night before. The last thing you want to do is to be making race day outfit decisions. Those flat runner pics you see all over Instagram? There's a method to that madness. And don't forget to pin your race bib on your shirt the night before. That way you can get it straight and not have to fuss with it in the morning.


5. Don't lose sleep over losing sleep the night before a race. Let it go. What you do need to do is make sure you get plenty of sleep the nights leading up to the night before the race. Does that make sense?

6. Choose your socks wisely. No cotton. Ever. I won't make any brand recommendations--everyone has their favorites, but make sure your socks are road tested. I prefer low cut socks but have a few pairs that like to migrate down my foot into my shoe. That isn't something I want to deal with during a race! If you are prone to blisters, you can apply deodorant/antiperspirant to your feet as a preventative measure.

7. Every runner should wear a waist pack or 2 to carry all the essentials you might need. I use one to carry my fuel. In the other, I carry wipes and chafing cream. You can buy convenience packs of wipes at any store. That way if you encounter a porta potty with no TP, you are prepared. Trust me on this one. Plus, wipes are good for more than potty stops! I use them to wipe my hands--my fuel gets a little sticky-- and for cleaning up my skin after the race.


8. I carry my own fuel and so I only have to stop about once/hour to refill my handheld bottle. But if you drink water or Gatorade on the course, I highly recommend running to the far end of the fueling area to avoid getting caught up in the bottleneck of runners grabbing for cups.

9. Pick out your mantra for race day. Do you have a mantra that you use while training to keep you motivated? Wearing a Momentum wrap, personalized with your mantra is just the thing. One of my favorites is "never give up". I brought bracelets with that mantra to Panama City Beach with me last December and gave them to all my friends.


10. Don't forget to smile! Smiling always makes me feel more positive and when I smile everything feels easier.

11. After the race, hop into the shower IN YOUR RUNNING CLOTHES. This might sound weird. But showering in your running clothes actually helps you wash away the salt, the sweat, and other unmentionable body fluids. I've done this and then I hang my clothes to dry before I wash them.

Are there any hacks that I missed? What mantra would you wear on your wrist?

99 comments :

  1. Great hacks! Funny how I always learn something new from posts such as this ;-) I have never thought of showering in my running gear, but that makes total sense. I bought a couple pairs of cheap knee-highs a few years ago (with the intention of cutting off the toes) to use for throwaway arm warmers....and I've kept them LOL They are warmer than the usual compression ones, and mine are colorful (if you can imagine that).

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    1. I thought I was the only one who did the shower thing but then I saw Matt Fitzgerald recommends it too. Well, ok then! Once I feel like my clothes are sufficiently rinsed, I take them off and then finish up.

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  2. Love this post! I actually started getting my throw aways from the lost and found bin at school...lol. At the end of the semester they donte them to Goodwill anyway. I can't believe the amount of "nice" stuff these kids leave behind (Under armour zip ups, Nike hoodies, etc). I was even debating on grabbing a winter coat to take with me to NYC but then I felt bad..lol. How does one just forget their winter coat???

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    1. I'm always surprised when I leave yoga and there are mats in the lost and found. Who leaves yoga without their mat?

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  3. Great ideas. I've done the soccer socks on my arms thing for years! It's the best.

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    1. I have completely depleted our family supply of soccer socks! Those were the best!

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  4. I bought narwhal knee high socks from Target and cut off the feet for the Chicago Marathon :D

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  5. I hate waist packs/belts, but my hydration backpack holds a ton of stuff, so I'm set for a long race. We haven't had to use any throwaways this season for races (sigh...it's been THAT warm), but I save things that I would have given away to Goodwill to use for throwaways - and they get donated at that point, so win-win, right?

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    1. Right?

      I wear my spibelt low on my hips so it isn't as pesky. But for a marathon, 4 packs of Tailwind take up a lot of space!

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    2. That much Tailwind does, for sure - but believe it or not, that will fit into the hydraquiver backpack.

      Oh, and my mantra for that wrap (which would be so great to win) would be my favorite running reminder, Just F*cking Run. Because I need to remember to not overthink it. ;)

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  6. Thank the volunteers! When you smile at someone who has been standing on the course for hours already they will appreciate it.

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    1. I can't believe I forgot this one! I do that and that always feels good!

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  7. I'm starting to think I'm going to need my fuel belt with me on race day. It's so dry in Boulder, and I'm not adjusted yet, so I need water. Depending on the weather, I'll decide if I need to bring it. At least it has a pack on it so I can store things like sunscreen.

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    1. I'm not a fuel belt girl--those bottles are so small. I like my 24 ounce handheld.

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  8. What an uplifting post. And fun, too. Lots of good ideas, some of which I use in my minuscule events (I "race" only 5Ks). Throwaway gloves! Never thought of that, and as a Raynauld's victim I always set out with cold hands.

    I love flat runner photographs. They serve a dual purpose; your ready for the day and if you post them, you bring smiles to folks' days.

    Except for the first two weeks of training, I never run without water. Some think that's nuts for the low mileage I run. Ask me if I care.

    I always wear waist belts. My phone, my i-phone, my house key. Pretty basic. There are no porta potties where I run (and yes, I've had mishaps. Unpleasant is an understatement, but my choices are live with it or don't run. But I never thought of wipes for sticky hands. Great idea.

    I don't wear much decoration, but on my left wrist are always my I.D. bracelet, a band that says "Boston Strong," another that says, "She believed she could so she did," and I just started wearing a third, and Alex & Ani that says, "Live in the Moment." All were gifts and I carry the givers in my heart. My favorite mantra though, is the second, "She believed...." Powerful.

    Shower in your running clothes. Unique idea.

    Hmmm. Maybe I can carry my cats in a waist band. One at a time. ;)

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  9. I do all of these! All except for showering in your running clothes. I have never heard of this ever! I will be coming back to enter the giveaway when it opens

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    1. I'll do a reminder tomorrow. I just couldn't get my act together for this post!

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  10. I love these tips! I love using my SPIBelts for running to carry anything and everything I need! But that dog is just too hilarious! Oh AND love my Momentum's too! :)

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    1. Can you even imagine running a race with your dog on your waist?

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  11. After my multi day multi century rides I've gotten in the shower with my bike clothes on to get the sweat and ick out of the chamois. I can't remember ever getting in with my running clothes on, but I will try that. I know they get pretty rank and usually go in the wash as soon as I get home. Usually after a hard running effort a beer joins me in the shower! The mantra on my ID is "too early to quit"

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    1. I love that mantra!!! I'm looking for something new for my Grandmas training.

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  12. The best thing I ever did was get a race number belt. No more pins. No more pin holes. No more worrying if the bib is on straight. Total game changer.

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  13. I've been trying to leave one of my jackets at a race for years, but one of my friends usually sees it after the race and gives it back to me. In fact, it went with me to the Chicago Spring Half last spring and made back to Virginia!

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    1. Haha! That UNI sweatshirt made it to about 5 races before it finally left me for good! Lots of good juju in that sweatshirt.

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  14. Thats so interesting to shower with your running clothes still on! Ive never tried that! And I cant run Utah, but I love momentum wraps!

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    1. I wish I could run Utah--its looking to be a really good time!

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  15. What great hacks! The dollar store gloves are a great idea!

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    1. I usually buy a ton of those gloves and the interesting thing is that by spring, I can't find any of them...

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  16. Brilliant idea to shower with the clothes on!! i will definitely try this for my next race.

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    1. Weird, right? But once they're rinsed, I take them off, finish my shower, and hang them up to dry until wash day.

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  17. This is a GREAT post - you always keep your blog so fresh! I love it! Would you believe after all of my Flat-Gina's I've never pinned on my race bib the night before? Are you kidding me. I'm so silly. Mind blown. :) lol

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    1. I got a reminder about how helpful that is after my last race. We did race day pickup and I had to pin it on the shirt I was wearing. I love that green top, and I didn't want to snag it with the safety pins. Ugh.

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  18. These are great tips! My mantra for this year is "No Excuses"

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    1. I actually have that one on a wrap! It's one of my favorites.

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  19. I love the "Run Happy" mantra - I always tell people to run happy and it will all be worth it :)

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    1. I have a really fun shirt with that mantra woven into the fabric. Another good one!

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  20. These are great tips. My mantra for this year is "Never give up."

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  21. I want a wrap that says holottafun. I've never thought of showering in my clothes. I do hang them up so they don't mold before laundering.

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  22. I think you nailed them all! I used to stress over sleep but read that it's really two nights before when good sleep matters... that helped so much! I sleep better now before races because I don't worry about it.

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    1. Me too! It's amazing how well you sleep when you don't worry about it.

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  23. Great post! I am getting closer and closer to being able to start running again and I can't wait to plan my first post-cancer treatment race! One of the things I have had to remind myself of frequently over the past few months is-"Just Breathe", so I guess I would have to choose that mantra for a wrap!

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  24. I would love to replace the "dig deep" band that my dog ate :(

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    1. My dog eats all kinds of things--I had to replace my sunglasses, some boots...

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  25. Great hacks. I follow most of them except for showering in my clothes LOL. I do buy kneesocks in the dollar store and cut off the foot to use as throw-away arm warmers.

    #holottafun would be my choice.

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  26. Great tips!!!

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  27. #over50rocks or "my pace, my race", would go on my wrap

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  28. I've never heard of putting deodorant on your feet for blisters or showering in your running clothes! I chaffed so badly after my first and only marathon. I can't seem to sign up for another one lol. Thank you for sharing your tips!

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  29. I brought my momentum bracelet with me and then totally forgot to put it on on race morning! But thank you again.

    I have never tried showering in my clothes. Never heard of it.

    I use "Believe it, Achieve it" a lot!

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  30. I like "run happy" - just a nice reminder.

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  31. Great tips! I have never showered with my running clothes on but I'm going to now!

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    1. It's great because you rinse away all the yuck. Then you can hang them to dry until wash day.

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  32. Showering fully clothed after a race?! That's a great hack! Does it reduce the amount of odor, I wonder? I've used a garbage bag over my clothes to keep myself dry and also helps to stay warm.

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    1. I think showering is a great way to rinse the clothes after a stinky run.

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  33. I always head to a Goodwill or other used clothing store to look for throwaways. And I have had a few that have lasted for a few races too. :-)

    As for my mantra, I already have a Momentum "Never Give Up" wrap (one of my favorites), so my new pick would be "Nevertheless She Persisted." Love it in all its meanings.

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  34. Oh, girl, you're in health care and you've got access! Once you run out of those UNI sweatshirts, grab yourself some disposable sterile gowns. Soooooo warm all the way down past your knees! No guilt dumping them, and I can't tell you how many people have approached me at races about what a smart idea they are...including the a**hole who came up to me at the Fox Valley Half and asked, "are you pretending to be a doctor?". F.U., buddy. I have men's Nike basketball sleeves that I've worn to all of my cold-weather races...then just roll them down around my wrists when the weather warms up. And if I'm away, I'll often grab a hotel wash cloth and drape it through the waistband of my Spi Belt. Useful for wiping my face, hands, or other unmentionables!

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    1. Haha, great hacks! The only gowns we have are the plastic isolation gowns--I guess those would work!

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  35. "Because u can"....a reminder that many people who would love to get out and run, can't. It also reminds me of the stress fx I had, and I missed running so much.
    Never showered in my clothes, but I'm going to give it a try!
    Glad u had a good trip to Fl. Next year we should try to meet up. I'm close to AMI.

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  36. My favourite thing to wear on a cold race morning is a housecoat!

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  37. I'd enter the Half Marathon and have "You've Got This" on my wrist!
    I don't get the showering with your clothes on thing - how is that better?
    A trash bag makes a great pre-race cover-up if it's windy or rainy - or both!

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  38. Great hacks! I stock up on dollar store gloves too. I actually starting keeping a bunch in my car to give to the homeless I saw at stoplights driving in the city too! I also have done the arm sleeves from socks trick before.

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  39. These are all great tips! I need to try Tailwind, a know a lot of triathletes love it. My mantra would be: "She said she could, so she did."

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  40. These are great tips and wear a little mantra really does help <3

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  41. Great tips and reminders as well. I am running Chicago this year and haven't even thought about what I am going to need on race day. The shower thing was new to me, never heard it but willing to try it. Sometimes after the run, I don't want to do anything except get in the shower....this could work! :)

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    1. It's nice to rinse out the clothes and hang them to dry before you do the wash!

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  42. Mantra would be "We gOT this" and I would choose the half or 5k! I'm running the Mt Charest. half in April, so it might not be enough time to be ready for a marathon but I'd want to work on speed and try the half or 5k!

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  43. I love that your husband brought you a whole box filled with throw aways! So great. Sometimes I go to Target and get kids' stuff in XL on clearance 😊and I never thought to shower IN my clothes. That is genius!

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    1. I've bought stuff at Target but never for throwaways! But socks on clearance for arm warmers could work!

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  44. I like the Believe it, Achieve it mantra...although my own is what doesn't kill me makes me stringer....I tend to every group run with well that was good, we didn't die. lol

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    1. That might be a little long to put on a bracelet... :p but I like it!

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  45. I save all my old PJs for race morning throwaways. :)

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  46. Most of my goal races are out of town so I make sure to get Flat Karen ready as soon as we get to the hotel. I don't want to find out I forgot something in the wee hours of the morning!

    I ended up keeping my warmups for the Boston Marathon in 2015 when it was wet and cold. I finished in a black chenille sweater and my gardening gloves. I was so happy to have something that fit me well that I will never shop Goodwill for my warmup again. Instead I get them from my closet so I know they'll fit. :) This year, I'll repeat my Boston warmups. Maybe this time, I'll actually part with them. hehe.

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  47. Oh My! I never thought of showering in my running clothes but I have been known to throw them in the shower to rinse them out. Great idea! and I agree, you should never leave home without some wipes, lord have mercy! We need a #holottafun bracelet!

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    1. I've heard from a few folks that we need a #holottafun bracelet!

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  48. These are great tips to make race day go more smoothly. My mantra is "you've got this" when things get tough. Especially when I'm battling those last few miles of a half marathon or a killer hill.

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  49. Thanks for the tips! The mantras I use are "I can and I will" and "strong enough". Helps keep my mind in the game!

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