need advice on dealing with rain and cold on race day. I know it is a long way out, but the extended forecast is for rain and high 30s low 40s at the start of the race a week from Sunday. I plan on wearing a trash bag to keep warm and dry prior to the start and shed it at the gun. I also plan on going heavier with the Glide to avoid chafing issues for my feet and elsewhere. Anything else? I am a type-A planner on 11 right now, so anything else I can think about would be appreciated.
I wouldn't worry about the weather (but that's just me). It sounds perfect! If it's just a light rain, no big deal. Just avoid the puddles as best you can (hidden potholes would be teh suck), and try to stay as dry as you can (avoid splashing, and getting splashed by others). Heavy rain? Maybe keep the trash bag on for a while after the start. You want to avoid getting soaked, and having to lug that water weight with you. Half-marathon, right? Not sure of your time range, but 2hrs (for the sake of argument) shouldn't be affected by the rain much. You can wear throw-away-able gloves. If there's a race expo (or perhaps just go to your local running store), they make throw-away sweats as well (they're almost like a paper material). If it looks to be really wet, bring along an extra pair of socks in a Ziplock to change into around the halfway point.If you're really wound up as you seem, you might also want to take a step back and take a deep breath. Take a break and get away from running/race prep for a while, dialing that 11 down to about a 3. The race is really not that big of a deal. Maybe take an hour or two (MAX) and get (most) everything ready, as if the race was tomorrow morning. Get your paperwork together: registration confirmation to pick up your race number/packet, maps to get you where you're going, a list of things to pack (running clothes, watch, gels, Glide, pre- and post-race snack/drinks, change of clothes, etc), etc. Put your name on your shirt (it's a great boost to have the crowd cheer you on by name). AND THEN FORGET ABOUT IT. Other than your last few training runs, don't think about the race all week. Watch the baseball playoffs, football, Leave It To Beaver reruns, whatever, just don't stress about the race. It's just another training run with 10,000 of your closest friends.
The night before the race, lay out your gear. You don't want to do any running around in the hours before you, well, run around.
Pin your number to your shirt. Charge your watch, Ipod, cell phone, etc batteries. If you're in a hotel, test the alarm clock before you go to bed. Set your cell phone alarm clock as a backup. Everything should be in easy reach, so you can wake up, get dressed, grab everything, and head out the door.
You're wasting energy worrying about it, so don't. Get your focus on your run, your form, the course, etc. You want to start healthy, run healthy, and finish healthy. The weather is not a concern. Mother Nature will do whatever she wants to do. Just adapt and run your race. If it rains, enjoy the views of the wet-tshirted hot chicks uhh, wife. If you forget something, no big deal (well, other than your race number or your shoes lol). No Glide? Hit the medical tent for some Vaseline. No gels? See if a fellow runner has a spare, or go shopping (the grocery stores around here stock a few varieties now). Other than forgetting your race number or shoes, there really isn't anything to be stressing about. All those other little things are fixable. You'll be fine.
Ok, I'm rambling, so I'll stop now.
One last thing, moreso as a note to everyone, if you're flying to a race location, carry your race gear/paperwork ON THE PLANE WITH YOU. It'll do you no good if your luggage goes to Seattle, and your race is in Dallas. If you can't live without it on race day, keep it with you.
I made it through the run with a bit of a struggle, but I made it. 5 miles in 50:58, 9:48 pace.That finished up my training week with just over 28 miles at a 9:42 pace. It did include one 5K race.I hope everyone had as good a week as I have had.
I wouldn't sweat the M&M's. At the rate you're burning calories these days, you should hardly notice it. I just wouldn't snarf so much of anything just before a run. :X Keep up the good work!
I have a van!!!
Bring your wife. I expect to have a sore muscle or two.
Forecast is 70/51 and mostly sunny (Lord how I hate that term -- it's either partly or mostly CLOUDY! party or mostly "sunny" is stupid 
). Showers are forecast for Monday, one day late! 
Gettin' psyched!
I'm looking at another Half in two weeks. It goes right past my house, so what the hey. Maybe I can even stop off for a quickie. 
I'm also looking at a Five & Dime (5k and 10k back to back) next month, and the PF Chang's Marathon in January. So, the season isn't over. 
:reported:
More like "Eating out at the Y". 
Hmm, the Fall 50 could be fun. By then, we should be settled into our new digs in Minneapolis, so the wife would probably be up for a visit to her family in Racine at that time (no big deal to throw in a detour northward). Put me down for "maybe" and we'll see how things are doing next summer. 
all through dinner!!!
At least he accomplished his goal of beating the winner of the 5-mile race. 
Great race, gruecd, and good running by the others who have checked in this weekend! I was down in Bloomington watching some volleyball all day ...I was able to sneak off to Indiana's pool for a twenty minute swim during a break in my son's matches. I ran four miles on Thursday just to get a feel for the recent cold weather and to try a cold weather clothing "set up." Tomorrow will be ten miles as possibly my last run before next weekend's marathon (primary focus has been resting the achilles).
