Hey there!  How is everyone doing?  How is it that summer break is almost over.  While I am sad about it, I am also excited for a new school year.  

This week’s Tuesday Topic:  What’s your pre-race routine?  You can write about this topic, or feel free to post any running related blog post.  Remember to link-up with Kim and Zenaida!  Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier!  Remember to come back for later linkers!

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I am lucky that my stomach can handle pretty much anything.  One of the things I have to be careful about is eating too much spicy food.  What happens is that the next morning I tend to spend an extra few minutes in the bathroom.  I LOVE spicy food but try not to eat too much of it.

Where it is before a run or a race, I always have coffee.  As a matter of fact, even if I am not running, I always have coffee first thing in the morning.  I love the taste and the smell.  If I am running less than 6 miles then I don’t eat anything.  For longer runs I eat an Orgain Organic Protein Bar (chocolate cookie dough is my favorite).  I drink my coffee and eat my protein bar while getting ready.  If I am staying at a hotel, I find out if the hotel is offering a free breakfast and I usually get a bagel.

I try to have my clothes and gear ready the night before so that I can quickly get dressed.  Oh yeah and so that I don’t forget anything.

2019 Delaware Half Marathon-22

Depending on the distance, I may drink UCAN on the way to a run or race.  I’ve tried Cranberry Raspberry, Chocolate, Orange, and Cocoa Delite.  My favorite one is Chocolate.  Sometimes I make a gel with UCAN.   

I’ve run over 100 races and still get nervous before a race.  When will I learn?  Being nervous makes me go a lot to the bathroom.  I have counted and have sometimes used the port-a-potties 3-4 times before a race.  Yikes!

Do you have your gear and clothes ready before a race?  Have you forgotten something and realized it right before a race?Tuesday Topics

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22 Comments on Tuesday Topics: My pre-race routines

  1. Drinking my morning coffee as I read this! I’m always fueling first with coffee. And yes, I always get nervous before a race. I think that’s a good thing. It shows that you care.

  2. There have been a few times I’ve forgotten my music and my Garmin, usually because they’re still charging LOL They’re not “required” items, but I do feel uneasy without them.

  3. I have forgotten a few non crucial items, but I almost always realize it before the race, thankfully. Most of the time I’m not terribly nervous — I’m excited.

    My stomach is pretty strong, knock on wood, but I know that can also change as we get older.

    But I always have breakfast. Always!

  4. We have a very similar pre-race routine. Except my stomach has gotten more sensitive over the years so I watch what I eat starting 2 days prior.
    I’ve never heard of UCAN. I’ll have to check it out.

  5. I get the pre-race nerves too! I know it’s just a nervous bladder and I probably really don’t need to go but I also don’t want to risk an accident…better safe than sorry 🙂

  6. I think I ma much too much of a fly by the seat of my pants kind of runner. I don’t really have any good pre-race routines. I am always tinkering, thinking I will try something new. I like to eat pizza the night before. That may be my pre-race routine.

  7. My stomach is such that I absolutely 100% cannot drink coffee before a run or race. That being said, I have used the portapotties multiple times before certain races due to nerves. It happens.

Thank you for your comment!