Happy Friday friends! In my running group, Friday is Flat Mama day! What’s a flat mama? It is a photo of the race day outfit you will be wearing that weekend. These have become increasingly popular among runners and all over insta of course. More than just showing off your cute outfit, Flat Mamas are a way to make sure you have everything you need for race day.
Easy Steps To A Race Day Flat Mama
Check the weather
Undoubtedly the most frustrating part of the flat mama! Ours seems to change every 5 minutes.
Build From The Bottom Up
I like to pick what I will be wearing on the bottom first and then match my tops accordingly. Depending on the temps, decide if you are wearing shorts, skirt, capri or tights. Include any under garments that you might wear under your bottoms.
Top Choice
Decide on long sleeve or short sleeve and match it up (naturally). Include your sports bra in your plan (so you know it’s not in the laundry).
Accessorize
The part that can be fun and festive depending on your race. Have holiday race? Add in a fun hat or socks or tutus!
-Running watch, phone
-Winter accessories include: gloves, hats, headbands, jackets, hand warmers.
-Warmer temperature accessories include: visors, hats, sun glasses, sunscreen
Choose your socks and place out your running shoes.
Fuel
Using a fuel belt or race belt? Fill it with all your race day fuel and water bottles. Add in anything else you might need that day.
You are good to go! Do you like to do a Flat Mama for your races? Ever forgotten anything?
Linking up today with Running on Happy and Fairytales and Fitness for Friday Five
This is a great way to prepare for a race–it makes sure you don’t forget anything!
Yes indeed!
This is super cute! I really like those running tights! So colorful and happy 🙂
Have a great weekend!
They do have great color patterns and thanks!
The weather is the most frustrating part of race day! It’s always changing and never looks good until the last second haha. Love the pants you went with!
What a cute outfit! I should do this, I did a 5k not to long ago and forgot sunglasses. Not really an issue when we were running away from the rising sun, but I really missed them running back with the sun right in front of me.
It’s very helpful!
Cute capris! Hopefully the weather won’t be too cold for you guys this weekend. I heard it was suppose to be another chilly weekend n the east coast. Good luck!
Thanks so much fingers crossed for good weather
My toughest problem is finding a good backdrop that doesn’t have a dog, cat, or something else to distract in it. I am so in love with that Holiday print!
WEll yes that is always a challenge!
Great tips for runners! (what is a flat mama if you don’t mind me asking?…I feel like I’m out of the loop lol)
A flat mama or a flat me is a race day outfit all laid out in advance. Helps to make sure you don’t forget anything you need
I almost always do a Flat Mama (but I call it a Race Day Preview LOL). As you mentioned, it’s not only a fun thing to share, but a practical routine because it enables you to do a “cross-check” of all your race day gear. I love your outfit for the Cherry Blossom!!
Yes exactly! And thanks now that it’s not going to snow I am more relaxed 🙂
Thanks for the reminder that I need to post a flat runner tonight! That’s my biggest problem, remembering to take and post a picture.
That is very un-blogger like of you! LOL Good luck with your race
Wow! I had no idea so much goes into what to wear on race day! Totally makes sense though. You gotta have everything and look great! I don’t think I’ll be creating any flat mamas , lol, but I put a lot of thought into my gold outfits!
I meant golf outfit.
ha ha gotta look cute right?!
I usually do this, but I’ve been known to just scramble in the morning LOL. I also use this method when I’m packing for a racecation.
Good luck at Cherry Blossom this weekend. I’m trying to decide if I feel like running Reston half in the cold.
Thanks! We have run through much worse than this before you got this
I didn’t know this was a thing! Will pass along to my runner friends!
Oh it’s a thing indeed!
I do them sometimes.Not all the time. I don’t think I’ve often forgotten something on race day, but getting ready to go somewhere — yeah, I’ve definitely forgotten stuff.
And yes, bras have sometimes been picked out of the dirty laundry hamper, I runfess. Usually not for a race, though!
Ha it happens 🙂
This is a fun and creative post! I usually do a flat runner photo before a race…it’s been so long since I’ve done one though!!!
They are fun to do aren’t they?!
fun! I bet it’ll be nice looking back & remembering the race with these photos! and help you prep aka not forget anything
Yes indeed! Thanks
I love putting together my flat runners! I don’t always post them, because I don’t have the skill to line them up all pretty, but I do make them.
I started doing flat runners, because I kept forgetting to pack my sunglasses. And the few times I didn’t do a flat runner, I have forgotten something.
They sure do help to stay organized though
I’m huge FAN of laying everything out before hand. I even make sure to get the bib and pins out and pinned on depending on the logistics of the next day. Luckily, I haven’t forgotten anything!
Yes I also like to pin on the bib to my race belt. I have not picked it up yet for this one! No fun realizing race morning that you don’t have safety pins
I definitely do the flat runner. It’s easy to dress in the morning when it’s 0-dark whatever, and my brain isn’t functioning yet.
Yes exactly!
Awesome tips Deborah! This article will be very helpful for anyone preparing for a race!
Thanks so much!
I’ll be doing a flat runner tonight! It really helps me prep for a race
yay! Look forward to seeing it. Good luck to you this weekend
What a fun photo theme to be part of. I bet it’s fun to see everyone’s outfits and what they wear too. Have a great race!
It’s been so long since I’ve had a Flat Runner. I’m just pining for the warm sunshine…
Have an amazing race this weekend!
What a cute outfit! It’s perfect for Spring! Have a great race!
Thanks I am really excited
Very cute outfit! And you’re so right, doing the flat thing does give you a chance to make sure you’re not forgetting anything!
It sure does and thank you!
What a fun way to prepare for a race! I’m sure with all the excitement of race day, it really does help so you don’t forget anything.
It really does!
The weather (especially this time of year) can make planning a race outfit so hard! Looks like you’ve got it all covered!
I hope so! Thankfully we dodged that snow
I always lay my stuff out the night before for fear I will oversleep! Luckily I’ve never forgotten anything. My son has run 5 of my 6 marathons with me and has worn the exact same shirt and shorts every time! Maybe boring, but so easy to plan!
yes that is an easy way to go for sure!
I’ve done a flat runner thing a few times. It isn’t something that I really care to do. I just gather all of my stuff together in a pile and leave it there for the next morning and hope that I didn’t forget anything. One time on a trip to Buffalo for a half marathon, I did forget my hydration belt. Bummer.
Yes always a bummer when you forget something important!
I am so sorry for my rude comment. My intention was not to be rude. I was trying to say that it isn’t something I do. I do like looking at what others post because I want to see what shoes, gear, etc., they will be using for their race. Again, my apologies.
No apology needed at all! 🙂
Race season is right around the corner for me! These are all such great tips!!
Thanks so much happy training
My flat runners are always so terrible. lol These are great tips. I need to remember this for my next race. No idea when that will be, though.
Thanks! I love to do them. Really does help to keep me organized and excited at the same time
Always. The most important part of my vacation is often the race so I start planning my outfit early.
The most frustrating part is when the forecast keeps changing. I dress light and bring throwaways.
Haven’t forgotten anything yet…
This week was a tough one to plan for! Crazy weather even for us here in DC
I too like to do a Flat Mama the night before a big race. It helps me to ensure that I don’t leave anything important at home. I always seem to leave something behind when I don’t lay my race clothes out the night before.
yes it’s so easy to forget stuff when you are rushing around nervously before a race
Great list! I always like to lay everything out to ensure I don’t forget anything really important! I hope your race went well!
Thanks yes it’s really helpful for me to plan it all out