Last week we discussed how to reach your marathon goals. This week, we’re moving on and learning how to create your half marathon race day plan!
We’ve all done it, no matter the race distance. Trained hard, stuck to our plan, did the taper, got psyched up for the race, then, bam! Race day comes and it all falls apart. Let’s not let that happen again! Whether it’s your first half marathon or your 50th, learn how to create your half marathon race plan and avoid a race day fail!
The last week before your race is a great time to fine-tune your half marathon race plan. No matter how many races you’ve run, t’s important to plan ahead so that you’re ready for anything race day might bring.
Create Your Half Marathon Race Plan
While it’s a great idea to have a race plan no matter what the distance, it is vital for marathons and half marathons. There are many challenges and things that can go wrong over the course of 13.1 or 26.2 miles, so that to run without a plan could leave you struggling, unable to finish, or even injured.
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Here are some helpful ideas to help you create your own half marathon race plan.
Plan Your Outfit
It sounds kind of silly to be discussing fashion choices for race day, but planning what you will be wearing is an important part of your half marathon race plan. You’ve probably heard the caveat nothing new on race day. This applies to clothing as well as shoes, nutrition, and hydration.
First, take note of the weather. You may want to dress in layers, including a throwaway covering. Wear running clothing that is comfortable, fits right, and doesn’t chafe (you’ve discovered this throughout your training). Really, speaking from experience, don’t wear the cute outfit that you picked up at the expo.
Plan your shoes as well. Pick a pair that you have run in at least a few times. Sometimes even the same model of your favorite shoes will have a flaw or something else that will leave you limping those last few miles.
Plan Your Logistics
Getting to the start line of your race can be stressful, so include logistics in your half marathon race plan. Get parking figured out ahead of time and arrive early enough just in case there is a lot of traffic.
Speaking from experience (again), a few years ago at the Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon I really thought that I had the logistics worked out. I’m not always the best planner, but since getting to the race on time preys on my mind I made sure I had the parking and travel worked out in advance.
Unfortunately, my friend Christina, not only running her first half marathon but her first big race of any kind, didn’t feel my stress. We left her home late, got into an incredible traffic jam trying to park and ended up just barely making it to the start line on time.
Don’t be like Christina. Plan ahead and follow through for a smoother race experience.
Plan for the Course
You’ve probably been told don’t go out too fast more times than you can count. I’ll tell you the same thing, but there are a few more things to think about for your actual running plan.
Hopefully, if your half marathon has a lot of uphills or downhills, you were aware of that and trained accordingly (my Downhill Marathon Training applies to half marathons as well!). A downhill start to a race can lure you into running too fast, something that you may very well pay for later in the race. As I did in the Sprouts Mesa-Phoenix Marathon a few years ago.
Races with lots of turns offer challenges as well, so plan accordingly where you should cut the corners (run the tangents) if you can, to avoid sharp turns and to cut down the overall distance.
If your race is on a flat, straight course, you still want to plan for it. This is the perfect type of course to make a negative split part of your half marathon race plan. Starting a little slower than your race pace, speeding up in the middle, will leave you energy to blast home those last few miles.
Plan Your Nutrition
From the first thing you eat in the morning to your post-race celebration meal, your nutrition should be a part of your half marathon race plan. Of course, this should all have been determined during training.
Have a light breakfast that is the same as your normal pre-run meal or snack. If the race does not offer the same type of fuel that you’ve been using, bring your own. Your nutrition plan should include how often you use a gel or other fuel.
Finally, have a plan for your post-race refueling too. You will want to get something light immediately after you finish. While most races offer fruit and other nutrition choices, make sure that your plan includes a little protein, along with the carbs, to refuel.
Plan Your Hydration
As with nutrition, you have been practicing your hydration throughout your training. If you’ve been using an electrolyte and/or carbohydrate drink during training, use the same thing for your race.
Hydration is not only about what’s happening during the race, though. You should be working to stay hydrated during the week leading up to your half marathon, on race day before you start, throughout the race, and finally, making sure to rehydrate after the race.
Plan for What May Go Wrong
Something will almost always go wrong. If you plan ahead, think about those things, and plan your response, chances are you will be able to stay on track with your half marathon race plan.
What can go wrong? Maybe you packed the wrong shoes, forgot to bring your gels, felt so good you passed a water station, then paid the price down the road. I speak from experience at the last half marathon I worked, people were looking to buy everything from socks to race belts because they forgot to bring them.
In a long race like a half marathon, you will almost certainly have bad patches. There will be times that you feel like you just can’t run another step, times that your feet (or name another body part) hurt and you want to give up. If you’ve prepared, and planned ahead, you will know that this is just temporary, that you just need to stick with it and you’ll get through it.
Your response to all of these things should be part of your half marathon race plan.
Plan to Have Fun
Finally, whether you are running your first half marathon, trying to set a new PR, or just out there to do your best, try to remember that you’re having fun. Relax a little, make some new running friends, run the best you can, and have some fun! You’re one of a minority of people in the world who understand what racing a half marathon is all about!
Do you have other suggestions to add to the half marathon race plan? Have you ever had to overcome one of those “what could go wrong did go wrong” moments?
And Now It’s Time for the Runners’ Roundup!
Weekly Linkups
My weekly linkups! Please stop by and check out all of the great recipes, workouts, and information that all these awesome bloggers share every week!
Tuesday Topics with Kim and Zenaida
The Runners’ Roundup with Deborah, Lisa, Jenn, and Me!
The Weekly Run Down with Deborah and Kim
Fit Five Friday with Darlene, Michelle, Renee, Jenn, and Zenaida
Ultimate Coffee Date with Deborah and Coco
This is such a thorough and helpful breakdown!
I’ve definitely had my fair share of “Christina moments” (logistics? what logistics?), and planning for things to go wrong is probably the most underrated tip here. I’m planning to run a half in September, so this is perfect timing. Thanks for the reminders, Debbie!
Thanks Catrina. From now on, I’ll call my planning issues “Christina moments.” I’m sure she’ll appreciate it. 🙂
Planning ahead is key! I like to write down my schedule for the morning and pick out race day clothes, with a back up outfit in case the weather changes at the last minute. Its always good to get to the race a little early rather than be late and rushing!
I’m almost always too early to get to a race. Much better than too late as shown by my adventure with my friend. When we finally parked, hopped on the bus, and got to the race venue, I had to pee (of course) and while I was in the porto-potty I actually heard the gun go off. Not my favorite way to start a race.
Having a detailed race plan is so helpful! Of course we can’t control everything but it sure helps with anxiety as well
Yes, having a detailed plan really helps when things do go wrong.
Failure to plan is planning to fail!
I am 100% all about making sure the outfit and accessories are right, that I know how traffic will be and where the parking is. I always make sure to have the right fuel and hydration with me, just in case. And can we talk about bathrooms? I make sure to have a an eyeball on those, just in case.
Here’s to success on race day!
Yes! Logistics drive me crazy but they’re so important for making sure you have a good race.