How to pack for a destination race

WORKOUT -

active rest

walked dog -

3.5 miles

walked in the afternoon

4 miles

I did a morning walk with my little Princess and then met my Princess friend for an afternoon walk.  The longest tank top in the world was also invited:

PACKIN’ HEAT

In October I’ll be traveling to the ZOOMA Great Lakes Half Marathon along with a bunch of other races ( 4 marathons, 1 half and 1 ultra relay in 6 consecutive weeks).

So I thought I’d do a post on what to pack when traveling to a destination race.

I’ve been asked this question a couple times and although you can go Google a far better written answer, on here you might find some celebrity weight loss and marriage gossip along with your packing list.

WHAT TO PACK:

1. The Invisible Man – your race outfit

Lay out your entire race outfit from toes to head as if you were dressing an invisible person.  or a zombie if you’re into that sorta thing.  Start at the very bottom and work your way up.

{shoes, socks, compression sleeves, shorts/skirt/tights, sports bra, tank top/shirt, arm sleeves, headband/hat/visor, hair clips}

2. Before and After – your other outfit

What are you going to wear before the race?  Throwaway clothes or stash them at the bag drop?  After the race are you going to need warm layers, a dry towel, flip flops?

Now is a good time to check the weather and think about how far you will be at the finish from your hotel.  If it’s a winter race and you have a trek, you better have some warm, dry, comfortable clothes to put on (think sweats, sweatshirts, UGG boots, not your one-piece denim tuxedo).

Good:

{Sweatpants, sweatshirt and compression gear as known as Friday Night Date Night apparel}

Bad:

{denim on denim on rhinestones on denim on denim}

3. Wires and crap – your electronics

It’s a big mental drag to toe the line and find a dead Garmin, ipod or fax machine so bring your chargers for all your electronics:

*your GPS watch, heart rate monitor + charger

*your ipod or eight track player + charger

I mean, how else are you going to listen to 4 hours of Nickelback?

Seriously, 14 carats?!  What am I doing wrong with my life that his music buys her 14 carats?

*your phone + charger

*your camera + charger

(If you’re one of the few people who still use an actual camera and not a phone)

*your laptop + charger

Because let’s be honest, if you don’t blog about it, it didn’t happen.

*any other electronics you plan on using + you guessed it, the charger

{I don’t even own a functioning ipod at the moment, but I’m positive I’ll stop breathing if I forget my Garmin}

4. Coffee and carbs – your food

What are you going to eat before the race?  Do you have a standard pre-race breakfast and if so, you better bring it with you.  Playing intestinal roulette isn’t as fun when your only hope is a heavily used portapotty destroyed by 5,000 other anxious poopers.

Can your stomach only handle a certain brand of energy drink or gel?  If so, you better bring your own.  Some courses provide plenty of energy gels and some don’t provide any so check out the race website beforehand.

Will there be coffee in your hotel before the race or do you need to bring instant packets?

{I do not run without coffee.  I don’t even know if it’s humanly possible.  Beth is a robot, I just know it.  A very fit one but not human}

Traveling snacks are crucial because no one likes a bitter, angry anonymous commenter travel buddy so don’t forget some portable travel foods and drinks.

For me, I always bring a couple gels, a couple packets of Starbucks VIA instant coffee, a packet of CLICK protein drink, and a couple energy bars, usually a Picky Bar for pre-race food.  And then I bring lots of travel snacks like nuts, protein bars, and gummy candy.

5. Miscellaneous – your other junk

Finally pack all the random odds and ends that you like to have before, during or after a long run.  I’m pretty low key on stuff I need but some things you might want to remember:

{sunscreen, lip balm, muscle cream like Ben Gay, any medications or over the counter pain meds, hair accessories, a SPIbelt, travel ice packs, BodyGlide or anti-chafe cream, extra safety pins, any race paperwork you need, TP}

If you like a nice, tidy list here’s a great comprehensive packing list.

Anything else I’m forgetting?

Where are you traveling for your next destination race?

If you want to run one of the ZOOMA races, check them out here and use the code ZOOMASR12 for a discount.

Tagged as: how to, packin' heat, race tips, traveling