May 1, 2015

Five Race Day Necessities | #FridayFive

I'm going to start you off with a quick math proof. Don't worry, it's Friday, so you won't need to break out the old graphing calculation.
Friday = Weekend.
Weekend + Spring = Racetime
∴ Friday = Racetime Q.E.D.
This week's Friday Five linkup topic is five things about race day. I decided to look at things you need for race day, i.m.h.o., and then offer what I use or a suggestion. So, with that, this week's topic is


Five Race Day Necessities

1. Fuel - Honey Stinger Waffle

Pre race fuel is very important. I've tired with s lot of different things, but haven't really found my "thing". I usually end up with some toast with peanut butter when I get up and then a Clif bar closer to race time. However, at the RnR DC expo, I tried something that is simple fantastic. Enter Honey Stinger Waffles. They taste great and pack a lot of goodness into a small, flat surface. Lately I've found myself always eating one those just before my run. I can also see myself using them as a long run mid-run snack. Something to break up all the GU at least. I bought some right after trying, but will soon be running low and needing more. Luckily, I have some friends who happen to also be Honey Stinger Hive Team members *cough* Smitha *cough* so hopefully they can hook me up with a discount code to get more.

2. Hydration - Nuun to Drink, Orange Mud to Carry

You need to be hydrated race. Simple fact. Not just when you are running but before as well. What to hydrate with, for me, is a no brainer, Nuun (check out the all new nuun.com). I mean, I'm always singing it's praises, I run for Team Nuun, I love the stuff. It's just a matter of choosing a flavor for that day. Next, you need somewhere to put the fantastic drink in. That's where it's more wishful thinking / planning. Orange Mud sells some fantastic hydration packs, including the HydraQuiver, the HydraQuiver Double Barrel, and the HydraQuiver Vest Pack 2. All look fantastic, which is why I plan to invest in one for my Runner's World Hat Trick training (join me and save $5 with the code BIBRAVEPROMO) as well as my eventual marathon and Dopey training. It's just a matter of the single or doubling down. If you're considering one like me, consider dropping by my friend Jeremy's site, he happens to be a Orange Mud Ambassador and may have a code for 10% off. Just sayin'.

3. Kit - Sport Kilt

You need to have the right gear to run in. One of my latest additions to my gear and outfit that I love is the Sport Kilt. I like to say "Real men run in kilts." Their website likes to say "A Man in a Kilt is a Man and a Half". Both work well. I have to be completely honest, they are SO comfortable to run in. Ladies, you're not left out either. Neither are the wee little ones. Kilts for the whole family! And yes, that's me wearing my kid and a kilt, post-race.

Since we're talking gear, probably the most important part out there are your shoes. So in case you missed it yesterday, I recently received some shoes from BibRave and Mizuno to try out and review as a part of the BibRave Pro ambassador program. Interested? Learn more.

Why not check out the unboxing preview of my shoes?

4. Mantra - "No Excuses"

Fourth on the list is not a physical item for the list, but something I feel you should really carry with you on runs. Mantras are a little phrase you say that helps you through your run. It can help focus your brain, help you visualize further down the run, or just distract your brain from the physical part of the run. I have several that I've made a part of my daily routine to review them in the morning, so when I'm on a run, they're second nature.  A mantra can be anything. Most of mine are to help focus me, such as "You are strong enough" and "You've trained for this. You've run this. You've got this". What are your mantras?

5. Post Race Beer - Anything Cold

The last race day necessity is for after the race is finished. You cross that line, maybe get your bling, hydrate a little, fuel a little, and then it's time for the reward. Nothing is as rewarding (to me) as a nice, cold, earned beer after finishing a race. A smorgasbord of delicious food a close second of course.

It's the end of the post, let's celebrate it too with a beer!

Linking Up


Check here for some links out to others sharing, staring with our three lovely hosts: Courtney, ;Cynthia and Mar. Check their posts (Eat Pray Run DC, You Signed Up for What?! and Mar on the Run to see the full set of links). I will add some others, usually randomly, as I read them to share the love. Go visit and keep reading!


Our hosts:

Mar on the Run

Eat, Pray, Run DC

You Signed Up for What?!

Some other good reads, pulled from the link up:

HoHo Runs - Race Day P's

MCM Mama - Five Race Day Rituals

Mama Running for God - My Five Favorite Things about Race Day





21 comments:

  1. You hit all my favs!! Honey Stinger a MUST!!! Beer, a MUST!! Nuun, MUST!! Still working on my mantra :) Have a wonderful weekend!

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    1. Then you must have good tastes, haha.

      Thanks. It was a great weekend. Hope yours was good too.

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  2. I love that you are spreading the word about kilts. I just ordered an Orange Mud hydration pack - I'll let you know what I think!

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    1. Love to spread the tartan love.

      Very cool. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on it.

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  3. Honey Stingers are AMAZING! Have you had all the flavors yet? Gingersnap and vanilla are probably my favorite. I need to take a look at Smitha's discount code. We bought 2 boxes of them at the Disney expo last year from Fit 2 Flex and got a pretty good deal on them. That pic with you and your baby is adorable!

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    1. Chocolate and Vanilla are my favorites so far. Haven't tried the gingersnap, though I've seen them at my local running store, so may grab one to try.

      Thanks. The baby really makes any picture cute. He's a little cutie.

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  4. I go with Honey Stingers for my chews, and if there's a post-race cocktail, awesome! I'm good for a frozen margarita.

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    1. I haven't tried their chews yet, but love the waffles. After a hot run, a good frozen drink could be very refreshing.

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  5. Beer and Nuun are certainly on my list, but I drink whatever electrolyte beverage is served on the course. I don't like carrying anything extra during a race. Your new Mizuno's look great!

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    1. On longer races, I'll carry something, just because I get thirsty faster than there usually are stops and I'd rather take smaller sips more often then having to load up more at stops. Though, the belt I have can be a little annoying at times, which is why I'm thinking about the Orange Mud packs.

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  6. Post-race beer - YUM!! I'm racing tomorrow and I'm already looking forward to mine - ha! Hope you have a great weekend, John!

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    1. Hope your post race beer was delicious... and oh yeah, hope the race went well too ;-)

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  7. DANG IT! Now I need to get them to give me a discount code so I can get this started! Everybody loves Honey Stinger! I might just have to ship you a box of waffles. What is your favorite flavor? So you like Mizunos? And I think double down on the OM. VP2. Now if I could just convert you to Skratch...kidding kidding! Each his own!

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    1. Haha, yeah, you really do need a code. So far my favorites are the chocolate and vanilla.

      I like them so far. They were very comfortable wearing around. Good cushion and just felt comfy all around my feet. Taking them for an actually run this week, since I did some traveling this weekend, they didn't get to run yet.

      Given that when I see Skratch from you it's usually cookies, that doesn't take much convincing, haha. Though I'll stick to my hydration. That's where I need to convert you ;-)

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  8. the honey stinger waffles are truly so yummy. have you tried them w/peanut butter??

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  9. Honey Stinger waffles, chews, etc., are the BEST, and never bother my tummy!

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    1. Yeah. I think they'll be great for that. I haven't tried their chews. I may have too. I'm not big on chews during a run, but I think it's mostly because of the effort, haha. Which is a funny thing to say while running which is plenty of effort.

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  10. Love your list! The race day mantra is a key one. I like "you are strong" or "you want this" or "you always have another gear." Those help to keep my moving when I want to slow down!

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  11. I would have to agree - I love Honey Stingers! The waffle is fantastic!

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