therunnerwithin

Today I’m joining Erika from MCM Mama Runs, Patty from My No-Guilt Life, and April from Run the Great Wide Somewhere for the Tuesdays on the Run Linkup. This week’s topic is all about our Good Luck Charms or Rituals for Races!

I don’t really have any good luck charms or a lucky pair of socks as some other bloggers do, so I opted to discuss my race day rituals.

The day leading up to the race I always make sure I am well hydrate before and after the event. I found recently Electrolyte water from Whole Foods helps. I buy a giant liter of it and make it my goal to drink it all before dinner, so I am not up and down all night running to the bathroom.

To avoid the stress of forgetting something in the morning I prefer to prepare the night before by laying out what I am going to wear. I pack my bag with a bottle of water, my fuel, inhaler, Omeosport, a banana and a granola bar and finally my bib – that is a key component! I will also check to make sure my Garmin and my phone are both full charged.

When I first started running I ate nothing before a training run, much less a race. If I did it was a banana to prevent any muscle cramping. Today as I’ve gained the mileage and my level of endurance has increased I’ve learned to have more than a banana before a race, but I always make sure to still have my banana.

Another thing I like to have before, during and definitely post race is Omeosport. Omeosport is a homeopathic medicine that aids in the relief of muscle cramps, soreness and lack of endurance from athletic training and exertion. My friend Barbara, who is a runner as well, is employed with Guna, the makers of Omeosport, and introduced me to this medicine after experience some leg cramping and soreness after my very first half. I take three pellets before my run and anywhere between three to five pellets post run.

After running 2+ hours and burning over 1000 calories my body in a half marathon, I am good for a hearty meal. My preferred choice is Cracker Barrel. I had it after my very first half and every half after. The sunrise sampler gets me every time.

What is one race day ritual that has stuck with you from the beginning?

Link up with MCM Mama Runs, My No-Guilt Life, and Run the Great Wide Somewhere and several other bloggers for Tuesdays on the Run! Link up your post about the week’s theme so your post will be found in the archives.