What it Takes to Get to Race Day

If you’re a runner, the idea of running a half or full marathon may cross your mind now and then. Can you do it? You bet! Wrapping your head around what it takes to get to race day is a whole other story, though. When I started running I said I’d NEVER run a marathon, and here I am with ten years of experience training for and running marathons, as well as leading marathon training groups. If you’re thinking about running your first race, here’s a look at what it takes to get to race day. 

Step 1: Commit

This is the most important step in training for a marathon. Getting to race day is a huge commitment and takes a lot of time and energy, so if you’re not 100% dedicated you’ll probably hate the process and maybe even quit. Once you’ve decided for yourself to go for it, rather than to support or please someone else, you’re ready for step two. 

Step 2: Choose a Race

There are so many races to choose from all over the world, so how do you choose? Here are some things to think about before you decide. Most races happen between early spring and fall, and you’ll be training for months beforehand. That means if your race is in spring, you’ll be training through the winter in the rain, snow, and cold. And if your race is in fall you’ll be running in hotter weather. You will also want to consider what size of race you want to be in. Would you prefer to run with thousands of others or a smaller group? I’ve done and loved both, but they’re very different experiences. Finally, I like to register as soon as a race opens to get the early bird rate. Once you’ve signed up, put the date on your calendar and get running! 

Step 3: Run! 

When I started running longer distances, I felt lost when it came to figuring out how much, how far, and how fast I should run. For the first few half marathons, I ran with a group of experienced friends. That worked well, but when I decided to go the marathon distance I hired a running coach. He watched me run, had me do some drills, took my experience and goals into consideration, and set me up with a running plan. This worked great for me, but it’s not your only choice. Run clubs offer marathon training groups and other programs, like learn to run programs for brand new runners. You can even do a combo of personal and group training. Once you have your training plan, write it in your calendar so you know what days you’ll do fast runs, long runs, tempo runs, hills, etc.  

Step 4: Feed & Hydrate Your Body

Before you get to race day, you’ll need to know how to fuel and hydrate your body for running. Drink plenty of water and eat a healthy, balanced diet; sugar and processed foods are not your friends! As your distances get longer, you will also need to carry water and fuel with you on your runs. Clothes that are designed for running tend to have handy pockets for gels, ID, keys, etc, and there are lots of options for carrying water. I like my water belt that holds several small water bottles and I LOVE my new vest that has a water bladder in it. When it comes to race day, though, I prefer to use the fuel stations instead of carrying my own water. 

Step 5: What to Wear

A good rule of thumb is to dress as if it’s ten degrees warmer than it is. Whenever I second-guess myself I end up over-dressing and regret it every time. Dressing in layers helps, but keep in mind you’ll need to carry whatever you take off for the rest of your run. Here are some tips to dressing for different conditions: 

For Freezing Winter Runs

• Gloves
• Merino wool long sleeve top
• Another top over that 
• Running jacket
• Toque or buff, or if it’s raining a running hat with a brim
• Long pants
• Running socks (wool is a great option)

For Crisp Spring/Fall Runs

• Gloves
• Long sleeve 
• Running vest or a quarter-zip running top 
• Buff or maybe nothing on my head
• Long or ¾ pants
• Running socks 

For Warmer Runs

• Shorts
• Lighter layers, like loose tanks and short sleeves
• Hat for sun protection
• Sunglasses that don’t bounce around

All-Weather Tips

• Ziplock bags are handy to protect your things in the rain.
• If you drive somewhere to run, keep a hoodie and extra socks and shoes in the car – especially on rainy days. 
• Get fitted for good running shoes, and check the bottoms for wear. The more you run, the sooner you’ll need new shoes. I will often have two pairs that I alternate between. 

Step 6: Listen to Your Body

If you want to get to race day with as few aches and pains as possible, take care of your body and listen to it if something starts to hurt. If you get aches and pains that don’t go away with stretching, taking a rest day, or soaking in an epsom salt bath, get things looked at. Chiropractors, massage therapists, physiotherapists, and acupuncturists can be the difference between running pain-free or being sidelined with a more serious injury. If you see a professional, do what they tell you to do! If they say rest, rest. If they give you exercises, do them. 

Is it possible to avoid those aches and pains while training for a race? Maybe yes, maybe no. I’ve trained for runs and had no reason to see a therapist, while other times I’ve had to seek more help. I do know that if I’m consistent with two to three strength training sessions a week and do Pilates three to four times a week, I’m in my best shape for running. If I let those things slide, I feel more pain. 

The Night Before Race Day

Whoohoo! You made it! It’s time to get ready. I like to be fully prepared the night before, and even though I know I’ve done everything I always wake up ten times during the night with nervous energy. I always make sure to:

• Drink lots of water the few days before
• Have my race package ready (you pick it up a day or two before)
• Lay out my race clothes
• Pack a change of clothes for after
• Fill my water bottle for in the car
• Ensure I have fuel for the run
• Charge my watch
• Set TWO alarms (this is the only time I ever set two)

After a pasta dinner, I get to bed early and try to sleep. 

Race Day

I always wake up early on race day feeling nervous, but I know that I’ve done all I can to prepare. Once you arrive, you drop your bag at the bag drop if you need to, and then go to the bathroom. (Okay, maybe go twice – it’s the nerves). If you’re aiming for a fast race you’ll need to warm up. If I’m running just for fun, I might just use the first few kilometers as my warm-up. Now it’s time to run! 

I like to take it all in when I’m running; it’s so cool to run down the center of a city street or over bridges on foot. It’s a totally different way to see a city or small town. You’ll do a lot of talking to yourself in your head too, like: What the heck was I thinking? You can do this! Another hill? Why is that curb so high? Ten kilometers to go; that’s over halfway… And half of that is five kilometers; five kilometers is easy! (I do a lot of math when I run). 

Once you’re into the final stretch, it’s easy. Most races have a lot of spectators as you get to the finish line and they’re all cheering you on. Random strangers are shouting congratulations and calling your name. As you cross the finish line you almost feel like a celebrity; they give you water, adorn you with a medal, take your picture, and give you food. (Everything tastes amazing after a race.)

Do it Again? 

Once you know what it takes to get to race day and feel the rush of finishing a marathon, will you be ready to do it again? I guess you’ll find out! Sometimes it takes me a few days until I’m ready to commit to another race, and I know some people who achieve their goal of finishing a marathon and never run another one. 

Race day may be the goal, but all the preparation before it can be fun, too. The relationships you build and the accomplishments during training are what I love the most; so even if you don’t make it to the final race for some reason, you’ll still have those to hold on to (though I’ll save that story for another day).