It’s Friday again! Time to link up with the iconic DC Trifecta (Courtney, Mar & Cynthia)
We all have some Race Day rituals that may sound a little wacky to non-runners.
1. We call these our “flat mamas” -our race day outfits all laid out without us in them. We encourage our members to do this the night before a race for 2 reasons. First, it really helps to make sure that you have everything you need when you see it all laid out. I typically do everything from race bibs to shoes to glasses to water bottles. Secondly, we post our pics on our FB page so the other members can cheer us on.
2. I set 2 alarms-why? I have no idea and I never do this except for when I have a race. I have never slept through an alarm-ever. I never sleep the night before a race whether it is a local 5k or a large half marathon-doesn’t matter I toss and turn all night.
3. I always drink a Gatorade the day before a race to make sure I am sufficiently hydrated. It’s always been my go to sports drink.
4. Race day breakfast is always peanut butter and jelly on a whole wheat bagel or bread. What’s better than that?!
5. I have to tie my shoes twice with triple knots (no once, not 3x but always 2x) and then I have to go to the porta potty 2 times. So I’ve been known to pee and then get right back in line to do it again.
Wow all of this makes me sound very obsessive compulsive! Races make me so nervous and I start inventing scenarios of dread.
Do you have any wacky Race Day rituals? Tell me it’ll be our little secret!
I forgot about my day before hydration drink. I go with gatorade as well. I love the fact that you have a count down for you laces-tying and bathroom going. What if it is a long line???
I once missed my wave start at a big race bc I was in line for the bathroom for 40 min.
After this weekend we’ve learned to set our “flat” selves out earlier in the day! Although my sister had the correct bib, her timing chip that was connected to it belonged to someone else. This made for a stressful night!
I saw that! crazy. It’s always good to lay it out the night before. It actually calms me a little. Happy Weekend
haha I love that 99 problems quote! I love Gatorade for hydrating!
Thanks! have a great weekend 🙂 happy Friday Five
I want to start doing the flat pics. I haven’t done that much or regularly at least. And nothing wrong with 2 alarms. Always better safe than sorry. Especially since I know I have turned alarms off in the past without realizing.
I love the flat pics. It really helps me remember everything I need (before I start stressing) have a great weekend
It’s fun to see your rituals–PBJ?! What the?? Hahaha, that’s WAY original!!!! Super cute. I don’t have any rituals–I just try not to get too nervous.
Once, I carb loaded the night before my state cross country race…and it went terrible. So terrible that I collapsed 10 ft in front of the finish line.
I swore I would never carb load again, but just eat what I normally eat!
wow that must have been quite the scene! Yes I love my PB&J. Thanks for stopping by!
You’re not OCD–you’re just a planner! Your precautions are smart, too. I’ve slept through important things using only one alarm (eg., a college final–yes, really!). And I’ve had my laces untie during a race, which chipped away at my time and was just generally annoying.
Oh–and you’re not alone on the counting-hours-of-sleep habit. I do that every night. 🙂
Ha ha thanks for validating my obsessiveness! Happy Friday
Sounds like we have a lot of the same rituals! #runnersunite!
Yes for sure! Have a great day 🙂
I am a bit OCD too so I totally understand :0) PB&J sounds like a great pre-race food option!
oh PB&J rules!
lol i love the details (knotting the laces 2x, going to the potty 2x). so cute. and pb&j for the win! happy friday and happy weekend!!
Yes makes me sound a little wacky-but prepared! happy Friday Five!
That 99 problems quote is great 🙂
And I love bagels, not my pre-race food of choice, but after! All the bagels!
Thanks I thought it was so true! Happy Friday
I love that 99 problems quote – I can so relate!
The night before a race I drink a beer. It helps to sleep better 🙂
Haven’t tried that-maybe I should?!
Those are funny! Love the 2 alarm clocks! I never oversleep or sleep through an alarm either! I like to treat myself to one of those frozen drumstix ice cream cones- I read somewhere that chocolate milk the night before was helpful- so in my head vanilla ice cream dipped in chocolate sounds pretty close!!! I love to get my outfit organized and laid out too- I get super worried I am going to forget my bib! I guess we are pretty much a hot mess! LOL! Fun post!
I’m going to have to try the ice cream-why not?
I love having a routine for race week/night before/morning of! It makes me less nervous doing things the same way all the time. And I’m totally with you on using the bathrooms more than once before the race!
oh the porta potties!! It should make me less nervous but that hasn’t worked yet
I use multiple alarms too! Although, I’ve been known to sleep through a few races…
I’ve never slept through one I just worry that I will. Crazy!!
The 99 problems quote is fantastic! When I have an early morning, I’m the same way with alarms 🙂
I know it’s so silly huh??
The flat mama, always!
You know it! I love doing them!
I have very few rituals – planning logistics (how to get there), laying out my gear, having my breakfast and ONE cup of coffee!
All on my list too! And the flat mama of course!
I don’t have many rituals except laying my clothes out the night before. I make sure my electronics are charged and always spend time looking for pins for my race bib. Nothing sucks more than having your watch stop in the middle of a race…
oh yes that’s has happened with my watch too! I am always nervous before a race.
Our MRTT FB is at 1000, but I’m sure we overlap with yours! Enjoy your run! I’m glad Ragnar ends on Saturday so I can sleep on Sunday. 😉
I too am a peanut butter sandwich (no jelly for me, not a fan) before a race kind of person. Its the perfect balance of protein and carbs. Sometimes I’ll also throw a banana into the mix.
Yes also good! Happy weekend and good luck on your race
I love everyone’s rituals! We all have our little things, even though I didn’t think I had any. Love it 🙂
We all do don’t we? Kind of makes us a little crazy-fun but crazy!
Oh your race rituals don’t sound crazy at all and seem really useful! Who doesn’t want to be extra sure they’re up in time and don’t have to stop to tie their shoe later? 🙂
exactly! Thanks for stopping by!
I love our little flat Mama tradition! It also helps with finding each other before the race!
Glad to hear that I’m not the only one who has been known to use a porta potty, and immediately get back in line! 🙂
Yes flat mamas are the best! Lol on the porta potties. Hope I see you at Ragnar at some point. Have a great time!