It's race day. Hooray!
What do you do?
Just remember your P's
And forget all the Q's.
PREPAREThe night before, go ahead and pick out your clothes. Be practical and wear nothing new. Plug up your electronic devices for charging. Pack your race bag with all the provisions you may need. If you've already received your bib, pin it on. Put everything together in one spot so you will forget nothing the next morning.
PRE-RACE
The number one rule is literally...number two: Poop. Eat your typical breakfast 2 hours prior to race time. Plan to arrive 30-45 minutes early. If driving, you may need additional time to park and walk to the start. You'll also need time to visit the porta-potty. Pump yourself up by listening to perky music from your playlist.PACE
Be at peace in the starting chute knowing you have trained hard and are ready. Remember, you have the potential for greatness today. Don't be pensive. Scoot up closer to the front. Be sure to push the start button on your watch. Begin at a slightly easier pace because you don't want to lose power during the race or puke toward the end.
Run with passion. Stay positive and repeat your mantras. Praise the race volunteers out on the course. Propel yourself up those hills and pose for any race photographers you see. In the final miles, try to pass a few people and press on through the finish line. Maybe you'll set a new PR!
POST-RACE
Take pictures with your pals. Indulge in a slice of pizza or a pastry. Drink a Powerade to replace electrolytes. If you placed, graciously accept your prize. Be pleased with what you've accomplished today. Lastly, promise to do it again and persuade a friend to run with you. After all, every day is a perfect day for a race
Do you have another P word (keep it clean please)?
I'm linking up with the awesome ladies from the DC Trifecta:
Courtney from Eat Pray Run DC,
Cynthia from You Signed Up For What?!
Mar from Mar on the Run!.
Please visit or, even better, join in on the Friday Five.
These are great! I think you hit all the high points...
ReplyDeleteThanks. I have thought of a few more.
DeleteLove this list. I probably would have had trouble coming up with so many P's! But you did great! I think you hit everything :)
ReplyDeleteThanks. I had several left over I just couldn't make work. LOL.
DeleteI am so bad a pace in the beginning. I seem to start out too fast and it catches up to me during the race. My GPS always seems to be a little off on the course so last time I didn't start it until about a quarter mile down the road. By the end of the race it evened out and said 13.1.
ReplyDeleteI really work at pace. Sometimes I get it right, but not always. My GPS is always long but I feel like I run the tangents.
DeleteSo cute. Love all the p words! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks. There so many P words that apply to running!
DeleteI would say PRAY... for decent running conditions... makes the run that much more perfect.
ReplyDeleteExcellent! I can't believe I overlooked that one. I'm a weather stalker!
DeleteLOL number two is a must! My only pre-race stress is centered around that one! I can't think of any P words that you missed! Fun and helpful tips here - thanks!!
ReplyDeleteYes it is and preferably (P word!) not in the porta potty.
DeleteLove the P's! Great list!
ReplyDeleteThank you. I'm not sure any other letter would have worked better.
DeleteVery creative way to put it all together! You're right about making sure things are plugged in and to thank the race volunteers!
ReplyDeletePlugging up is definitely a ritual for me. I feel bad for volunteers when conditions are horrible.
DeleteI love this!!! These are all great tips and very clever. My favorite was, "The number one rule is literally...number two: Poop. " Definitely the most important thing!
ReplyDeleteI'd rather not use the porta potty, but you got to do what you got to do.
DeleteOh, I love this! I don't know if there are any good p-words left! Oh, I know: for after, plunge into an ice bath. ;-)
ReplyDeleteOooh, great one! I forgot some obvious words.
DeleteLove this--spot on! I especially like persevere!
ReplyDeleteYes, that one really sums it up. Just keep plugging (P word) away.
DeleteThis is a great list! Awesome things to remember. The pacing is a hard one for me, it's so easy to want to take off too fast!
ReplyDeleteIt's difficult and I work very hard at it. I don't always succeed.
Deletelol... I love the alliteration!
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks. So many P words just seemed to fit.
DeleteYes, Pedicure!
ReplyDeleteShucks! Why didn't I think of that? I need one desperately too!
DeleteGreat way to dissect a race with the letter P. I think Pace is probably the important one of the list!
ReplyDeleteYes and can be difficult to always get it just right.
DeleteOMG I just LOVE this post. <3
ReplyDeleteI appreciate that!
DeleteSuch great tips, H! Prepare, for sure...this is a great reminder; I've got to print out some directions to tomorrow's race - ha! Hope you have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteIt does help save previous time on race morning. I often dream I'm late to the race and miss the start.
Deletecreative post love it! Good tips
ReplyDeleteThank you very much.
DeleteLOL at the number one rule is number 2 - poop. SO TRUE! This is probably TMI, but I am always really happy and relieved when I am able to do a number 2 at home before heading to the race site. There is nothing worse than either having to do the poop in the portapotties, or being on course and feeling the need to poo!
ReplyDeleteI agree it's much better if you can accomplish that at home. But, you gotta do what you gotta do wherever that happens to be.
DeleteGreat post! I just love the Ps. So many wonderful things to keep in mind.
ReplyDeleteIt helps me to remember things when they begin with the same letter.
DeleteHaha! You are so creative! Um how about potty? Did I miss it somewhere? Cuz there's lots of that going on here on race day.
ReplyDeletePotty is good...either the preferred at-home or the porta variety.
DeletePoo is definitely necessary on race day. LOL.
ReplyDeleteSo many p-words! Phew!
ReplyDeleteGOOD ONE! That's how I feel when it's over.
DeleteLots of p-words! I love this post, especially run with passion. Praising the volunteers on the course is also very important.
ReplyDeleteYou wouldn't believe how many P words I've thought of since! The volunteers definitely deserve our thanks.
DeleteI'm so behind on your "P"osts! I've been "P"reoccupied with earning this "P"etty check! Lol This looks like a fun linkup! All great things to remember on race day, I loved the Propel yourself up the hills and Pose for the photographers! Enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteYou wouldn't believe how many more I've thought of. And you've given me 3 more to add to my collection. Thanks!
DeleteThis is great! I would add, "Pick up the Pace!" When you get to the end go for those negative splits!
ReplyDeleteI agree! I'm always PLEASED with negative split.
Delete