Ok ladies, I’ve got the Princess Half on my mind today so I
thought I’d cobble together some lists (from various running websites) to help
us all prepare for the upcoming race. Can you believe it’s only 6 weeks away?
SIX WEEKS!!! If you’ve run a half before, you can probably skip this but if you
haven’t then maybe these tips/lists will be helpful for you. I’m sending this
out to you all early so that if there’s anything on that huge long packing list
that you don’t have and think you might want, you can buy it and start training
with it now.
Oh gosh, this is long, here we go….
The week before the
run:
·
It’s time to start tapering. Do no more than 40%
of your peak mileage. Begin to store up your energy both physically as well as
mentally.
·
Make sure you take the time to relax during the
last days before your race. It is important that stress is reduced, the proper
foods are eaten and the right amount of sleep is gotten.
·
Eat carbohydrates during the last three days.
Foods like pasta, breads, fruits and low fat treats have the energy that you
need. Your body will store that energy for your race. Eat the same amount too.
Eating too much won’t help you out. As long as you are eating the right foods,
you’ll be well equipped.
·
If you’re running in a costume, be sure to get
at least one training run in with it. You don’t want a wardrobe malfunction on
race day!
Day of Race Tips: If
you don’t have someone meeting you at the finish line, Disney has a bag check
so you can pack things that you need in your race bag and you’ll have it
available after the race.
·
Start your day with a good, carbohydrate rich
breakfast. Eat it two to three hours before start time. Eat the food and run in
the gear that you trained in – don’t introduce anything new to your body on
race day!
·
Have a pre-run breakfast routine? Don’t break
it. Just bring your food with you. I tend to do oatmeal but some people like
bagels or other starches. Eat two to three hours before the race starts. Since
Disney makes you wait in the corals starting at 3am and the race doesn’t start
until 6am, you might want to bring your breakfast to the coral and eat it
there.
·
Warm up. Only do light warm ups and stretches.
The best marathon tip here is to not bring up your core body temperature and
don’t start using your stored energy. A little jog or even just a light walk is
all you need.
·
Relaxing is also important. Enjoy the scenery,
take in what’s around you and don’t worry about your race.
·
Grab up those sports drinks offered along the
way. They refuel your carbohydrate levels and will keep you going.
·
Your heading to the end. Here are two marathon
tips. First, go hard late. Once you hit the halfway mark, you can start to
push. Don’t be overly aggressive though, save that hard run for late in the
race. And, talk to yourself about the simple fact that you are almost there.
·
Dry socks and shirts can make the
Finish-Line/Post-Race experience much more enjoyable.
Stuff to Pack
Clothing: My recommendation
is that you pack everything that you think you might need and then the night before the race you can decide which
of these items are actually essential and which are not. For instance, the rain
jacket… if there’s no chance of rain that morning you wouldn’t bring it with
you, right? But if you don’t have it with you and the forecast changes to rain,
you’d probably regret not packing it. =) The one thing that I will say is that
the last time I ran this race it was 35 degrees on the morning of the race and
there was frost on the ground. IN ORLANDO FLORIDA THERE WAS FROST ON THE
GROUND. It was the coldest winter in their history and I wasn’t prepared for it
at all. I will not be making that mistake twice.
·
Sneakers
·
Running Socks
·
Running Shirts (Long and Short Sleeve)
·
Running Shorts/Tights
·
Running Undies
·
Sports Bra
·
Compression Shirts/Pants/Shorts/Sleeves
·
Any Knee Brace or Stability Item Needed
·
Sweat Bands/Hair Bands
·
Hat/Visor
·
Rain Jacket/garbage bag
·
Throw Away Clothes – Disney races start early
and they have you standing in the corals for ages. You will freeze your butt
off (yes even in Florida) if you don’t have something warm to wear from 3am to
6am. These can be anything you don't mind parting with; many people go to
Goodwill and stock up on cheap sweatshirts, sweatpants, etc. Disney donates
throw away items to shelters after the race.
·
Gloves (for cold mornings, you can toss them
mid-race)
·
Warm Hat/Ear Warmers (again, can toss these
mid-race if needed)
·
Warm Clothes to Put on at the Race Finish
Running Gear
·
Body Glide, Skin Lube, Vaseline, Nip Guards - If
it can chafe or bleed...it will!
·
Hydration Belt (if you plan on using one) &
Bottles – so I am not going to wear a hydration belt for this race. Disney has
plenty of water/drink stations and I don’t want to carry a belt. If you’re used
to wearing one though, go for it.
·
Running Belt
(if you plan on using one)
·
Garmin Watch & Charger
·
Foot Powder
·
Shoe Laces
·
iPod, Earphones, & Charger
·
Any Paperwork Required for race check-in -
including proof of time of a 10k or more if you want to try to move up in
corrals
·
Race Number if it was mailed to your prior to
the race (Disney does not mail them out)
·
Timing Chip if it was mailed to your prior to
the race (Disney does not mail them out)
·
Towel - or 'borrow' a hand towel from the hotel
·
KT-Tape or other medical tape if you need it
·
Pain Relievers (for a few hours AFTER the race)
·
Safety Pins - usually included in race packet
but you never know
·
Analgesic Cremes (e.g., Bengay, Icy Hot,
Myoflex, etc.)
·
Travel Size Deodorant (for your race bag...we
all will stink but this might help some)
·
Emergency Blankets (to sit on while you're
waiting or wear if it's raining at the start)
·
Sunglasses
·
Sunblock
·
Face Wipes/Baby Wipes
·
Chap Stick
Food
·
Gel Energy Supplements & Other Race Fuel – Disney
has some of this on the course but it’s always nice to have your own.
·
Snack/Breakfast Race Items (e.g., Bagels,
Muffins, Fruit, etc. that aren't readily available race day)
·
Sports Drinks
·
Salt Packets (if you used them in training)
·
Electrolyte Tablets
·
Recovery Drink
Miscellaneous
·
Prescription Medications
·
Band-Aids – Blister band-aids are the best thing in the
world.
·
ALL Chargers for electronic equipment – I’m also
bringing a way to charge my iPhone after the race. During the last race, my
phone was basically dead when I crossed the finish line. I was trying to
connect with my family to see where they were but my phone cut out and then it
was just a mess. So I’ll be putting a quick charge pack in my race bag and
leaving it at the bag check for sure.
·
Camera
·
Ziploc Bags
·
Tissues
·
Thin Draw-String Backpack to use at the bag
check. I feel like Disney might even give these to you when you check in at the
Expo, but I can’t remember.
