Your Perfect Race Day

The big day is here! Coach Tom Craggs advises on how to get everything right - from getting to the start to crossing the finish line in style.

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BEFORE THE RACE

TAKE YOUR TIME

Race day generally starts earlier than you might like, and usually after a less than ideal night’s sleep. Don't panic - stay calm, and go through all the routines that served you well in training.

When we're nervous, it’s all too easy to rush or cut short our meals. Your pre-race breakfast provides a key part of the energy you'll need, so it’s worth getting it right. Leave enough time to graze on your morning meal for 20 to 30 minutes, at least a couple of hours before the start of the race. You'll digest your food better and probably find you can eat a little more, which may be useful later on.

FOLLOW A FAMILIAR ROUTINE

Remember what you did before other races that went well and do the same. The foods you eat, the kit you wear and the music you listen to are all part of your mental warm-up.

Make sure to get your logistics sorted well in advance, too. Know how you're getting to the start. Find out where the toilets will be. Avoid any last-minute uncertainty that can make you anxious.

CREATE A BUBBLE

It’s easy to be caught up in the chatter – and anxiety – of others before a marathon. Put yourself in a protective bubble. Consider turning your phone off, perhaps listen to some music or run through a mental list of five reasons why today will go well for you. Whether it’s the training sessions you nailed or the cause you're fundraising for, find your positive bubble.

SAVE YOUR LEGS

You have plenty of kilometres ahead of you, so don't worry too much about an extended warm-up. A couple of minutes of gentle jogging to check your lacing comfort and prepare mentally is enough.