No matter how long the race is, you should start practicing in the clothes you plan to wear for the race about 2-3 weeks before the events like marathon, half-marathon, etc.
This way, you’ll have enough time if you need to change anything. If you’re going to run a long race, eat and drink the same things during practice that you plan to do on race day.
Hopefully, you’ve done this throughout your preparation, but use the same energy gel or drink you’ll have during the race during the final weeks.
A Week Before the Race
Get as much sleep as you can and follow your training schedule, which should include a period of less intense activity before the event.
If your legs feel ready and you’re tempted to train harder, hold back and save your energy for the race.
Follow your meal plan and eat only the foods you are used to. If you’re running less and have more free time, relax by watching a movie or reading a book.
24 Hours Before the Race
Get your starter pack well in advance to allow ample preparation time or a balanced dinner. Organize all the gear you’ll require on race day the night before to avoid rushing in the morning.
If you had good sleep the week before the race, don’t stress if you find it challenging to sleep the night before. Just get as much rest as possible.
Stick to Your Race Plan
Use a phone app or set a timer on your watch to help you stick to your target pace during your run. Take an energy gel or electrolyte drink at planned times, even if you don’t need it immediately.
Be Ready to Change Your Running Plan If Needed.
If you’re feeling good, save your energy for the final 10-20% of the distance. It’s smarter to increase your pace in the race’s later stages than to finish slowly because you used up all your energy at the beginning.
Have a backup plan if you feel unwell and need to slow down. Understand that only some races will go precisely as planned.
Especially in longer distances, there’s a higher chance of unexpected challenges, so it’s essential to be ready for such situations.
Stay Positive During the Race
Remind yourself that you can do this. Negative thoughts can make the race more challenging, so it’s helpful to have a positive phrase to repeat in your mind when things get tough.
Even if full belief in yourself is tough right now, having a positive distraction can make a difference.
Keep Moving
Even if your pace starts to decrease, keep moving forward. If you need to slow down to a walk, it doesn’t mean the race is finished for you. Take a short break to refresh your mind and get back on track.
