We really really are going to start seeing some of our HUHM VRBs running in their races this weekend!!!
Who is feeling nervous?
What I'd like to say to you is, although a little nervousness is a good sign because it means you care, please don't feel TOO anxious about your race!
Here's a few ideas for the days leading up to the event:
★ Be excited!!! You've been waiting so long for race day to arrive - here it comes!!! Every time thoughts of your race pop into your head, smile 😊
★ Trust your training - you put in the work, there's no reason to doubt yourself!
★ But if your training hasn't gone to plan, for whatever reason, put it down to experience and plan to take it easy and enjoy the day.
★ Make the most out of your taper week and chill out - have a spa day, spend time with friends or family, hang out with your cat/dog/gerbil, go for walks, read a book. Whatever you enjoy!
★ Plan the day. Very important, and we talked about the all-conquering faffage list last week! Get all your things ready for the day. Check the race website and make sure your travel arrangements work. Have another look at the course map, check the start and finish positions and note the water stations. The day before the race (no sooner!) and on the day, check the weather forecast to see if you need to adjust your kit. If it's going to be chilly, find out if your event collects throwaway clothes for charity - if they don't, try and arrange for a friend to take your top from you soon after the start. If you have a pacing strategy (for those who are looking to beat a pb), make sure you have it organised - check out Linda's pacing band: healthunlocked.com/marathon...
If you're fully prepared there's really no need to worry.
★ But don't worry about anything you can't control, this includes the weather!
★ Remember you're doing this for fun 😊😊😊
And on race day:
★ Remember to take it easy at the start! It's really easy to rush off too fast, especially if you're feeling cold - don't!!! Ease into your stride, and if it's crowded try not to get frustrated - have fun with it.
★ ENJOY YOURSELF!!! 😊😊😊😊😊😊
Happy running, cross-training, resting, tapering, and getting excited, everyone!!!
You’ll be absolutely fine, Becky. All the hard training happens before the taper. Hope you are feeling better! And yes, your legs will be fresh as a daisy for race day. 😁👍 x
Thanks for the guidance Roseabi and good luck everyone!
As part of the faffage I thought I'd pick up a cheap waterproof jacket to wear while I wait for the start and then either find a family member at the side to pass it too or hope a charity are collecting abandoned items of clothing. However I made a bit of a mess of using ebay and so far have three jackets on the way with more to follow. I'll be prepared for any other races I guess, plus maybe a few spare for charity shops 😂😂😂
Good luck to everyone and remember to enjoy the day 😀
I am running on the 13th, gong for first ever full distance this weekend before starting taper, so been doing some serious research all week, Percy pigs, wine gums or jelly babies, or a combo as a lucky dip ? 😀
Thanks for all the great advice Roseabi - definitely getting the jitters about my HM on Sunday - even though I know I’ve done the training ... and I’m doing it for fun!?!?
Had a good 10k trot today and a final 3k on Friday. The weather looks pretty horrible but I’ve trained in worse! So, deep breath, get everything together ... and I’ll see you all on the other side!
Good luck to all those racing this weekend, I’ve got another week to go. Did my last long run today (HM distance 😎), so the tapering starts now!
This will be my second HM, and thinking about it... the one thing that I wasn’t expecting at my first one (Reading HM, in March) was quite how long it took to get to the start line, after the hooter had announced the start of the race. We were shuffling forward for a full 30 minutes 😳 before us slowcoaches got to the start line and could actually start running! We passed two toilet stations during that time, so there was also the option of some very handy last-minute toilet breaks 😂
Sunday is my race day. It's along the coast at Folkestone. I couldn't resist checking the long range weather forecast earlier today. Heavy rain and a 40mph south westerly wind (i.e. straight off the sea). I hope the tide is out!
I've had an enforced taper the last 2 weeks due to travelling about. Did a quick run last Thursday which turned out to be a 5k PB. Bonus!
I'm raising money for Crohns and Colitis - about £250 so far. Aiming for sub-2hrs. Very excited/a bit nervous.
I have an old waterproof with a broken zip I use for gardening. It's about to become a sacrificial coat I suspect.
Ohh, I'm sooo envious! I won't ever get to do my first half marathon again .... I was so anxious beforehand (ignore roseabi , you can check the forecast on a daily basis at least two weeks in advance 🤣🤣🤣).
I planned as much as I could down to the last detail (overly so perhaps), but it's likely that something will be forgotten and not all eventualities can be planned for. So, be prepared to simply go with the flow on the day - it doesn't mean all is lost, it's part of your day (and can be embellished for your after race story).
As HoagyM says, it can take a long while to get going in a big event, but once you're off all that tension drops away - it's the most empowering feeling. It made me really emotional for the first few kms, with full on tears around the 2km mark (happy, relieved, excited tears).
One major thing you won't have encountered in training is 'first HM race magic' - it's VERY powerful, it overcomes many obstacles, it makes almost anything possible. In fact, all race magic is potent stuff.
Keep smiling - if the last km feels tough, bring out your biggest smile ... imagine there's a camera right in front of you. In my (rather biased) opinion, nothing is as tough as not being able to run, so keep going and feel free to borrow some energy from me if you need it.
I'll not say much about what awaits you on the finish line, just that it's well worth every bit of anxiety in the lead up to the event 😊
Wishing everyone the best of luck and the most enjoyable HM, especially if it's your first. I look forward to reading your race reports. You lucky people 😍
I’m really looking forward to my first half on Sunday, I’ve done the training, got my vest and supplies sorted, need to sort a bag for afterwards.
I’m more worried about the weather, heavy thundery rain and gusty winds! I’m hoping I can manage to run in that! With the amount of rain we’ve had, I’m anxious about parking, we’ve been told to park in a field, and I don’t fancy trying to get back out afterwards.
If the weather is too bad, they may cancel the event, then I’m in a position of ready to run, and nothing to show for my training, so will be searching for a space in another local race!
Good luck everyone! I still remember mine: I was on my local trail, and I'd run every inch of it several times before. They had kindly put up markers every mile and whenever I reached one I recited my mantra: 'This is my trail and I am running home.' I'm feeling quite emotional right now - I should be running Tissington this weekend but will arrive home from China on Saturday after it's all over. So run well, have fun, and enjoy every minute!
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