Racing Mistakes

How many of us wake up on race morning and don't have it all together? As much as we try to prepare ahead of of time the night before, sometimes things just don't work out. Many pre-race nightmares have occurred about alarms not going off in time, missing a race bus, etc.

So, what kind of mistakes have I made in the past that am trying to avoid in the future? I've come up with a list to share with you today so you can avoid making these mistakes too.
 

It's vintage runDisney (before runDisney was even a thing)!

#1 Fitness Tracker/Garmin/Watch

For my VERY FIRST half marathon ever (that really cold one at WDW back in 2010), I made it all the way to the bust stop at Pop Century and realized I left my Garmin charging in the room! After turning around and running back to my room to retrieve it, I made it back to the bus stop to encounter a now SUPER long bus line. I thankfully made it to the start line on time, but still...I always plug in my Garmin to charge in a visible location and I make it part of my routine to put on while I'm getting dressed on race morning. Never. Again.

#2 No TP!

So, this one my be kind of funny, but at Rock n Roll New Orleans this year, it took me SEVERAL miles of port-a-potty stops before I finally found one that had toilet paper. Had I added Kleenex to my flipbelt, this all could have been avoided. Definitely noted for next time.

#3 Prepare for Weather

This one can be tricky because weather can change at the drop of a hat. Take Princess Weekend of 2015 in Florida for example - on Friday for the 5K, we were bundled up in layer after layer with near freezing temps and by Sunday, we were in short sleeves. Craziness. My husband was not prepared for the 5K and had to purchase additional clothing items at the Expo. Now, we always pack for any and every weather situation.

#4 Fuel

Y'all, Disney spoiled me with full marathons on this one. RunDisney has bananas, chocolate, gels, more bananas, and plenty of fuel to keep the full marathoners going for 26.2 miles. On my first non-Disney full attempt at Rock N Roll New Orleans, I realized my mistake on this - not all races equal the same and by mile 22, I was STARVING. I've run the Rock N Roll full marathon two additional times since this and am always prepared with extra fuel on my part.

#5 Travel Time

I've had some close calls in my years of running races with nearly missing an expo or nearly missing my chance to make it to day-of race registration. We always try to plan a little extra travel time to make sure we are at the race start way ahead of schedule. For out of town races, that means driving or flying in the day before and for local races, that means setting the clock just a bit earlier in the morning.

So, there you have it - my racing mistakes and ways I've adjusted so they don't happen again in the future!

What's your biggest racing mistake? Any advice to add to the list?

It's the Tuesdays On The Run Linkup with Erika, Marcia and Patty. 

Advice To My Former Running Self

Do you ever look back and think..."If I only knew then what I know now..." Of course, we all do! For today's Tuesdays on the Run topic, I've compiled a list of "things" or advice I would give to my former running self (from way back when), after having 9ish years of experience as a runner.

Today's photo is taken from one of my first 5K's!

1.) Don't take yourself too seriously.

2.) Enjoy the journey. Seriously. Enjoy it...it's one of the best rides of your life!

3.) Every single race is not going to be a PR and that's ok.

4.) Having a goal and not reaching it during a race is ok, too....there will always be another race opportunity. However, when you do finally reach that goal, the feeling is like no other!

5.) Your running group friends will become some of your best friends for life. Appreciate them.

6.) It's OK if you miss a run here or there. No one is perfect and life happens.

7.) Take time to cross train more - this is so important!

8.) Injuries will happen. How you overcome and adapt will make you a stronger runner.

9.) Running will take you so many places and open up so many opportunities for you! Embrace it!

10.) Last but not least, don't wear a cotton t-shirt to run a 5K, especially if it's 100 degrees outside. (See my ridiculous self below...)

It's amazing to think how much knowledge has been gained over a 9 year time period. We learn so much and come so far, it's neat to go back and remember how things were when we first became a runner!

What advice would you have for your former running self?

Would you like to join in on future Tuesdays on the Run topics? Head over to the links below to check out our hosts and more information!

It's the Tuesdays On The Run Linkup with Erika, Marcia and Patty.