gettin' ready for race day

I'm so excited for this Sunday - it's the 12Ks of Christmas in Kirkland (check it out here).  I have been running this race since 2008 (though I must be honest, in 2008 we drove all the way to Kirkland only to find out the race had been cancelled due to ice...so I guess I've been running this race since 2009).  This year will be different though because some of my closest friends and the hubs are running it with me.  Yay!!  And while I'm not in the shape I used to be in nor am I as healthy as I have been in past years, this race still gets me equally as excited as prior years.  Nothing compares to standing at the start line with thousands of other "crazy" people in freezing temps waiting for the announcer to count down to the start of our race.  Then there is the cattle heard for the first 2 miles.  Seriously, why do some people insist on running in a line of friends six people across and not letting anyone by?!  Once that finally settles out, its all about staying focused, listening to music, and enjoying the good I'm doing for my heart, my muscles, and my mind.  I. LOVE. RACES.

Here are some of my pre-race and race day tips.  Please share yours with me too!

• The Pre-race Carbo Load
• There is a lot of great literature on this but here's what I've experienced through all my years of swimming and running.  The idea is that if you eat a big meal of pasta (and other delicious simple carbohydrates) the day before an important race you'll improve your performance because you'll have this "store" of energy that your body can use.  This is incorrect for a couple reasons.  
• First, simple carbohydrates are those that are found in enriched flour and they don't pack a huge nutritional punch.  Instead they add to those adorable love handles we're carrying around because, well let's face it, simple carbohydrates are yummy. Here's a great article that breaks this down if you're interested in more.  
• Second, I've found that when I've made this mistake I feel this "load" just sitting in my stomach.  Our bodies take time to digest and move food through our digestive system and 12 hours just isn't enough to make this happen.  So instead of giving us that boost of energy, the opposite happens and we're slowed down and slogging through our races.
• I've found that eating cleanly the day and night before makes me feel the best; think all fruit and yogurt smoothies, steamed edemame, chicken - you know the stuff I should be eating more of all the time. The morning of the race toast a half of a bagel, top it with peanut butter, and a drink a cup of black coffee.  If you don't normally drink black coffee DO NOT START NOW...it will tear up your gut.  Grab something non-carbonated with caffeine.  Trust me.  You do not need anything more than that for your race.  I do concede that marathon running is a different beast - and a different blog entry!
• Getting dressed
• The night before the race I love to lay out my "race pile".  This pile consists of my shoes, socks, shorts (or capri leggings), sports bra, tech shirt, iPhone armband, headphones, my bib, and my chip.  For a cold race like this I always wear my trusty LIVESTRONG fleece headband.  I get cold ear headaches and if you're susceptible to the cold you might want to invest in a headband too.  
• The morning of the race I take a hot shower to help wake me up, put on mascara (don't judge me), dress in my bottom layers (leggings/shorts, tech tank/shirt), and put on comfy sweat pants and a sweatshirt on top of my running clothes.  I don't put my running shoes on yet...this probably comes from my swimming days but it's a superstition that you don't wear your race gear until the race starts.  I'm weird, I know.  If it's a warmer run, I love bringing my flipflops with me because post-race NOTHING feels better than slipping on those plastic sandals.
• I also have to drive to the race with a blanket on my lap in the car.  I just love being as snuggly as long as possible.
• Music
• I have a pretty standard playlist of high-energy pop hits.  I use iTunes and go the Fitness and Workout category.  My favorite songs to download are made by Power Music.  I usually run to songs that have been remixed to 130bpm or faster.  You can find most of your favorite current songs and older ones you forgot about but love running to.  The high tempo gives you something to pace your footfalls on and the high energy keeps your mind from wandering as the miles tick by.

Wish me luck on Sunday!  I've been battling an achy hip lately, and an IT band injury for over 6 months.  This year has really challenged my running and I'm hoping 2014 will have healthy joints in store for me.

Comment here or on FB and give me some of your race tips!  I need help too!