Mississauga Marathon: Race Day Strategy

I wrote this out last year and found that putting it all down really helped me prepare. So, here are my thoughts on strategy for this, my second marathon race.

Strategy Clothing:

This one is super easy. I'm wearing this:

Which I reviewed here. The additions will be my trusty Oakley sunnies which rest really well on the top of my hat if I don't need them but I will. Sunscreen and wrightsocks will complete the look.

Strategy Fuel and Water:

Breakfast will be around 5:30am at the latest and will be a small coffee, whole grain bagel with butter and peanut butter. Maybe a small apple juice. I pray to everything holy that this combo will help me use the washroom effectively. I will also bring a banana to the start line to eat around 6:45-7am. I will carry a 500mL toss away bottle of water with me at the beginning of the race and just like last year, I will toss it at a water station, likely around 8 or 10k. I will bring 5 GU gels with me and take one every 8-9k. I will take at least four and then evaluate if I need the last one. I will carry mint gum and chapstick to help with dry mouth and lips. My plan is to walk through each water station after about 10k and drink one cup of water. After 32k, I will likely add Gatorade to the mix. If it is going to be as hot as it says, I will likely be dumping water over me as well.

Strategy Pace:

Stick to pace. Especially in the easy beginning. Let the hills come as they come and worry about overall pace, not the pace I'm running at that very moment. If possible, find the damn pacer (and if s/he's good), STICK WITH THEM. Try not to think about the pace at all. Try to just feel it.

Strategy Mental:

I will start without music and take it in. I will put that music on if I need it to get through the doldrums that can be 15-23km. Be a cheerleader for Wayne when he needs it. Let him cheer for me. Embrace the run. Enjoy the day. Enjoy the view and the kids. High-Five. Fist Bump (but don't expend extra energy!). Enjoy the out and back down Southdown like I did last year. Don't let the climbs on Meadow Wood or Lakeshore at 32k (yes, it SUCKS) break me. SUCK IT UP and GET IT DONE.

Race Day Strategy

Strategy: Clothing:

I’m going to wear my running room men’s shorts that have built in underwear. They are a bit big, but have a draw string. They are super comfortable and dry quickly. They are black, so don’t show sweat stains. I’ll be wearing my Under Armour racer back sports bra that I love even though it is now a bit big for me. Good thing my nursing days are over and my breasts have shrunk. As for a top – I’m not sure yet. I have a few options, but am thinking about taking my Bread & Honey 2011 race shirt and writing my name on it and wearing that. I may end up with a tank top if the weather is going to be stupid hot. We’ll see. I’ve never used body glide, so there will be tones of Vaseline as well. My hair will be… doing something. I don’t think I’ll wear a hat, but I’m not sure yet. Sunglasses will be a game day decision. There will be no fuel belt.

Strategy: Fuel and Water

Breakfast will be around 5:15-5:30am and will include a whole wheat bagel and peanut butter. I will eat a banana around 6:45-7:00. I am going to take a GU every 8km which will be every 45 minutes or so. I have a few different flavours and will carry 5 with me. I will start the race with a toss away 500mL bottle of water to get me through the first few drink stations to avoid crowds. I will toss it when it’s empty or when I begin to hate it. From there I will rely on the water stations every 2km. I will walk through each. This is my one worry.

Strategy: Pace

I will stick to pace. The first 25k should be fine. It is from there where things may get hairy. I will listen to my body and not allow my mind to screw with me in regards to negative thoughts. My plan is to find the pace bunny and stick with them so long as they are running at true pace. I will not push until the last 2k.

Strategy: Hills

I will allow gravity to play its normal roll on any downhill, but I will keep my IT bands in mind. For uphills, I will maintain effort.

Strategy: Mental

I will fist pump. I will high-five. I will suck it up. I will conquer. I will finish.

Thanks to The Happy Runner for the image