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Half-marathon running. Pre-race day checklist. My Personal best is 1:28:50.

Egor Akimov

Half-marathon running. Pre-race day checklist. My Personal best is 1:28:50.

27 Points

Egor Akimov

Half-marathon running. Pre-race day checklist. My Personal best is 1:28:50.

1

Schedule a day/time when you’re going to pick up a bib.

The best time is – the day prior to the race day.

Schedule a day/time when you’re going to pick up a bib.

The best time is – the day prior to the race day.

2

Visit Expo before the race day.

It can improve your motivation and mood, you can buy sports nutrition, including energy gels, salt sticks, hydration drinks, etc. It is also a great chance to meet your running peers or members from your running club and community.

Visit Expo before the race day.

It can improve your motivation and mood, you can buy sports nutrition, including energy gels, salt sticks, hydration drinks, etc. It is also a great chance to meet your running peers or members from your running club and community.

3

Prepare your running shoes.

Prepare your running shoes.

4

Use the shoes you always run in. And for sure NOT the newly bought ones.

Use the shoes you always run in. And for sure NOT the newly bought ones.

5

Check the forecast for the day race.

Rain, cold, or heat can change the plans pretty dramatically. Be prepared and aware of how to adjust your race tactic or clothes based on the conditions.

Check the forecast for the day race.

Rain, cold, or heat can change the plans pretty dramatically. Be prepared and aware of how to adjust your race tactic or clothes based on the conditions.

6

Prepare your race gear from the evening, be sure that your running clothes are not in the laundry.

Prepare your race gear from the evening, be sure that your running clothes are not in the laundry.

7

Plan the wake-up and departure time, make sure you will have enough time for a shower, dress up, breakfast other issues.

Plan the wake-up and departure time, make sure you will have enough time for a shower, dress up, breakfast other issues.

8

Ask yourself a question. Are you going to have breakfast?

If yes, for what time I have to set up the alarm.

Ask yourself a question. Are you going to have breakfast?

If yes, for what time I have to set up the alarm.

9

If you are going to use the car, think about parking space.

Consider the possibility of being stuck in traffic or not enough free parking spots.

If you are going to use the car, think about parking space.

Consider the possibility of being stuck in traffic or not enough free parking spots.

10

Who is going to support or assist you?

If it is family or relatives let them know about the morning schedule and your pre-race plans in general.

Who is going to support or assist you?

If it is family or relatives let them know about the morning schedule and your pre-race plans in general.

11

If you are going to travel to the race with kids, plan more time for wake up than usual.

If you are going to travel to the race with kids, plan more time for wake up than usual.

12

Check the race route map.

Do you know exactly where the Start/Finish areas are? This point makes sense especially if you have never been to this place before.

Check the race route map.

Do you know exactly where the Start/Finish areas are? This point makes sense especially if you have never been to this place before.

13

Do you know how many loops you have to run during the whole half-marathon, how many water stations and where they are?

Spend 20 min to research it. It is worth it.

Do you know how many loops you have to run during the whole half-marathon, how many water stations and where they are?

Spend 20 min to research it. It is worth it.

14

Prepare your personal nutrition for the race.

Buy energy gels or drinks prior to the race day even if you can do it on the race day. Choose those you have tried before. Don’t experiment during the half-marathon. My favorite US online store is www.thefeed.com.

Prepare your personal nutrition for the race.

Buy energy gels or drinks prior to the race day even if you can do it on the race day. Choose those you have tried before. Don’t experiment during the half-marathon. My favorite US online store is www.thefeed.com.

15

Don’t schedule for the first half of the day any important activity.

There is a big chance you will need more relaxation and recovery time after the finish.

Don’t schedule for the first half of the day any important activity.

There is a big chance you will need more relaxation and recovery time after the finish.

16

The day prior to the race don’t eat any unusual food, avoid fried meals.

The day prior to the race don’t eat any unusual food, avoid fried meals.

17

Focus on the race-day breakfast.

If you’re going to have it, make sure you have all the necessary food in the fridge. The main recommendation – no experiments.

Focus on the race-day breakfast.

If you’re going to have it, make sure you have all the necessary food in the fridge. The main recommendation – no experiments.

18

Pack all the stuff that is necessary for you not in the morning, including changes of clothes, bib, pins, bag.

There is a chance you can miss something in the morning. Much better to prepare everything from the evening.

Pack all the stuff that is necessary for you not in the morning, including changes of clothes, bib, pins, bag.

There is a chance you can miss something in the morning. Much better to prepare everything from the evening.

19

Go to bed at a normal time or a little bit earlier.

Remember, you will have to wake up on the race day earlier than regular.

Go to bed at a normal time or a little bit earlier.

Remember, you will have to wake up on the race day earlier than regular.

20

If you going to use a car, make sure it is also prepared.

The tank is full. It can happen that you will be late and spend time at the gas station.

If you going to use a car, make sure it is also prepared.

The tank is full. It can happen that you will be late and spend time at the gas station.

21

Plan your tactic for the race.

What is your starting pace, estimated finish time, etc? On the race day, you will not be able to concentrate on such issues.

Plan your tactic for the race.

What is your starting pace, estimated finish time, etc? On the race day, you will not be able to concentrate on such issues.

22

Charge in your heart monitor or watch.

Plugin it for the whole night.

Charge in your heart monitor or watch.

Plugin it for the whole night.

23

Prepare the checklist for the morning.

Follow it immediately after waking up. The chances to finish with a good time are pretty low if you will leave some of your stuff at home.

Prepare the checklist for the morning.

Follow it immediately after waking up. The chances to finish with a good time are pretty low if you will leave some of your stuff at home.

24

Use Zihi Checklist app for this purpose.

Use Zihi Checklist app for this purpose.

25

Discuss with your relatives or friends about the meeting point before the start or after the finish.

In the morning it will not be your main priority.

Discuss with your relatives or friends about the meeting point before the start or after the finish.

In the morning it will not be your main priority.

26

Let your experience help others.

Publish your Checklists after the finish.

Let your experience help others.

Publish your Checklists after the finish.

27

Have a good race!

Have a good race!