You all know I love to travel! Traveling to a destination race? Even more fun. Have you ever gotten so wrapped up in the destination logistics that you forgot some race day essentials? Me too! Here are 7 Race Vacation Mistakes to Avoid at your next destination race. this post contains affiliate links.
7 destination race Mistakes To Avoid
- Checking your race day essentials instead of carrying them on the plane is the biggest mistake a runner can make. Traveling by air is a little unpredictable these days and lost or delayed baggage is quite common. My one cardinal rule is to never check a bag that contains the items you need for the actual race. This bag is my absolute favorite for carry on as it has a hidden zip shoe compartment on the bottom that holds at least 2 pairs of shoes. I also found this “knock off” for significantly less on amazon.
- Underestimating the amount of time it will take you to travel and park at the local on race morning. No one wants to be rushed on race day. Finding a race start in an unfamiliar town can be challenging in the dark morning. Give yourself an extra 30 minutes . You can always use the extra time to warm up and take selfies.
- Eating new foods before the race. I am all about trying and enjoying new foods and cuisines while traveling. Save those meals and snacks for after the race. No one wants to have stomach issues on race day.
- Failing to pack your race day nutrition and hydration needs. You never know what you will find at the race expo. Always pack your go-to essentials for fuel and hydration.
- Doing too much the day before your race. It is always exciting to walk around and explore while visiting a city for a race. Be careful not to do so much the day before that you end up exhausted.
- Not planning for weather fluctuations. No matter how much weather stalking you might do, the weather has a way of changing on a dime. Always pack disposable rain gear and/or an extra layer for the start.
- Forgetting to verify race day logistics. When running a new race, it is important to verify parking and corral procedures, water stops, gear checks, and bathroom availability.
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Thanks for helping to make the Runners’ Roundup a huge success by visiting all of the hosts: Me, Debbie, Jen, Lisa
Excellent tips!
I am reading this as I am packing for the Berlin Marathon on Sunday. Fortunately, we’re not flying, which makes everything easier.
I have to remember to keep the exploring to a minimum in the days leading up to the race!
yes, it is easier to pack if you are not flying. Good luck this weekend can’t wait to read all about it
When I ran the Houston marathon the weather completely switched from what was predicted and and ended up pouring rain and was like 40 degrees instead of 50 and sunny like expected. I had enough clothes to wear layers but I ended up with terrible chafing!
Doesn’t that always seem to happen!?
Yup. I’ve made many of these.
Another is never plan to arrive the day before the race. I did and my flight got cancelled and so I missed the race. At least it was only a 5k.
yes, good point! Air travel is very erratic these days
Great tips! I’ve run races in Chicago where we cycled through several different seasons, lol! Remember that RnR half when it rained the entire time? I was glad to have dry clothes to change into but they weren’t warm enough. I do try to be prepared for that post-race cooldown!
yes, crazy weather fluctuations do seem to happen on race day
Yes to all of this! I don’t do a lot of air travel, but when I do, I almost always wear my running shoes as part of my travel outfit. That ensures they (1) won’t be forgotten (as if, LOL), (2) they won’t take up valuable real estate in my carry-on bag, and (3) they won’t get lost in a checked bag.
air travel is very dicey these days! Smart idea
One time I forgot to pack sports bras. How I could possibly forget that is beyond me, but luckily I was able to purchase one at the race expo.
oh yeah that would be a disaster for me! I like to lay out all of my gear to hopefully avoid that
Oh yes, if you are flying to a race do NOT check your running essentials! Especially nowadays- your suitcase might arrive several days after the race. i haven’t traveled for a race in a long time- these are great tips!
air travel is so dicey these days!
Great tips!
Don’t assume you can get the food you normally have in the destination country. When I did my first marathon in Iceland I packed my breakfast cereal and the makings of my pre-race dinner (I had a special bean sauce at the time; now I do tuna pasta which you could normally make I reckon). But after the race, all I wanted was dough balls from Pizza Express (I’d often have a pizza preceded by dough balls after a half marathon which is what brought them to mind). Problem: no such thing in Reykjavik! Cue tired runner meltdown …
very true! We did a ton of travel this summer and I was glad to have brought along some of my own snacks.
Yes, to all of these. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement and forget the essentials. I’ve forgotten socks, fuel, my phone armband, but nothing major, thank goodness.
I’ve also had the weather turn on a dime and had to run to Target the night before to find new clothes because a freak storm blew through. That was less than fun.
It is easy to forget stuff! I like to make a list and start packing a few days before
Your number one is mine too. I always carry on all my race day gear plus anything else I feel I can’t do without. My biggest mistake is doing too much the day before. I somehow manage to walk a lot the day before all of my destination races, especially Honolulu and Paris.
It is hard not to do too much the day before when yu are somewhere fun!
These are all spot on Deborah! I especially love your first point about not being too adventurous with food the day before – rather save that for celebrations! One mistake I’ve made often which we could add to this list is Not Hydrating Enough! Very often we drive long distances for our destination races – and with the excitement of the road trip, drinking is often far from my mind. So I have struggled on race day because I just wasn’t fuelling properly on the road trip.
Yes good point on the hydration! Important to remember especially when traveling by air
I fail 5 every single time. Sightseeing. Glacier hike. BUt such good advice.
I’m always grateful to expos for the random things I manage to forget. Fleet Feet Malibu actually led to my favorite race belt so sometimes forgetting is good.
It can be hard not to do too much the day before!