Race-Day Tip No.4: Don't Eat a Box of Pasta the Night Before
Kelly Bastone
"Many runners like to top off their glycogen stores by feasting on carbs the night before a race. And why not? You're going to burn through them the next day. But flooding your system with more carbs than it can process may lead to digestive problems that will have you running to the porta-potty every mile.
"The Fix: Consume moderate quantities—not huge portions—of carbs for several days prior. Have oatmeal for breakfast, potatoes at lunch, and pasta for dinner. 'Eat just to fullness, so you don't get indigestion or have trouble sleeping,' says Tara Gidus, R.D., a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association."
More: Race-Day Tips From Kelly Bastone
Race-Day Tip No.5: Warm Up Properly
Pete Pfitzinger and Scott Douglas
"Plan to warm up with two five-minute runs with some stretching in between. Start warming up about 30 to 40 minutes before the start of the race. Start your first warm-up run slowly, and gradually increase your pace so that you finish at about one minute per mile slower than marathon race pace.
"Next, stretch for about 10 minutes including your upper body. Follow that with another five minutes of running, this time gradually picking up the pace until you reach marathon pace for the final 30 seconds or so. Then stretch again."
More: Race-Day Tips From Pete Pfitzinger and Scott Douglas
Race-Day Tip No.6: Choose the Right Hotel
Mark Remy
"You want a hotel as close to the start as reasonably possible, of course. If you're unable to find one within walking distance, factor in the time, cost, and stress of making it from a given hotel to the start on race morning, versus the price, and choose the least-stressful option. (Ask for a room not too close to the ice machine or elevators.)
"As soon as you get to your room, unpack all of your running gear. If you've forgotten something important, now's the time to find out."
More: Race-Day Tips from Mark Remy
Race-Day Tip No.7: Follow the Leader to Avoid Bonking
Kisar S. Dhillon
"If you feel like you are bonking or your running pace is just off, then follow someone who is just in front of you but is going fast enough that you can pace yourself with them. If you lose them, find someone else that you can pace yourself with because this will help you establish your rhythm again.
"Pain is temporary. So have fun, sweat and enjoy that late breakfast or lunch after the race, you earned it."
More: Race-Day Tips from Kisar S. Dhillon
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