Who Am I?

I am an avid runner and have been running since I was 15 years old. I began running low to medium distances while on my high school track team, running the 800 meter and 1600 meter races (I was a sub 5 miler and a 2 minute 800 runner). In addition to the track team, I also joined the cross country team. After high school I still wanted to run and decided to start doing road races. I have probably ran a couple hundred 5k races (16.29 PR)along with many 10k's as well. In 2009 I decided to step up my game and try to tackle my first marathon. I will be honest; the only reason I did this was because my father ran a few and I wanted to show him that I could do what he did. I trained poorly for my first one and regret it. If you are going to run a race, train like you want to win. I still continue to run marathons and other distances as well, and every race is a chance for me to better myself.
I started this blog to hopefully communicate with other runners and to shed any knowledge I may have about the sport that can help other runners. I believe running is the best sport and can be a great stress reliever. I encourage all runners to spread the word of our sport and show people why running is so good and why the community of runners has such great people. You can follow me on twitter @byrne1324 or find me on facebook- Shaun Byrne

Friday, April 18, 2014

Pre Race Rituals

    One question I am frequently asked by first time marathoners is, What do you eat and do the day and night before the race? Every runner has their own pre race ritual that they will do. You have to find what works best for you.  But I will share with you what I do, it might be able to help you and it might not. You know your body and you know what you can and can not eat and drink.

DAY BEFORE

     From the time I wake up to the time I go to bed I will only drink water.  I want to start getting as much hydration as possible. Breakfast will be a normal breakfast, eggs, toast and bacon.  Lunch will be something easy on the stomach, grilled chicken and a vegetable. I usually eat dinner around 6 or 7 on normal days, but I will eat around 5 this day. A nice big bowl of pasta, got to carb up. There will be no running at all on this day. I will do some stretching and use my foam roller. 
     Before I lay down in bed I will lay all my gear out. This includes my bib, drinks and gels for the next day. The last thing you want to do is be running around on race day looking for your outfit.  You should of already worn your outfit during training so you will know if you need any other special items.(Band-Aids, Vaseline,  Nip-guards) Once everything is out and ready to go I will lay down in bed and start to relax. I like to be in bed no later than 9:00 pm. I will just relax and watch the television for a bit before calling it a night.
    If the race starts at 7:00 am, I like to be in my corral by at least 6 to stretch and get mentally focused.  I will set my alarm clock for 3:00 am. I am not crazy and this is not the time I actually get up. I will however wake up and drink a glass of Gatorade and eat a Powerbar.  This is just so when I wake up I already have started the process of getting hydrated and energy in my body.  I then lay back down and will set the alarm for 5:00am.

RACE DAY

      Once my alarm goes off I will get dressed and make myself a light breakfast. Peanut butter on toast and a banana is what work for me. I like to leave a little time to relax and hopefully in that time I will have to go to the bathroom. Usually never goes like that and as soon as I get into town I am waiting for the port-o-potty. After, I gather all my things and go over everything to make sure I am not forgetting anything,  As I drive to the start I will drink a bottle of water, not a huge bottle just enough to get me hydrated.  Once in my starting corral I will stretch and listen to a song that puts my mind at ease and I will start to get focused on the race.  This year about 15 minutes before the start I will take my Energybits, with a little more water. 
      I will carry one pack of GU with me during the race and I will take it around the 5th mile.  It is better to take it before you get tired. Once you are tired it is hard to come back from that. One nice thing about a home town race is I know a lot of people coming out to watch and I will have them hand me off a pack of GU or water.  I will try to take a pack of GU every 5 or 6 miles.  And I will take water and Gatorade on a as needed basis.  The last thing you want to do is start taking and eating things that you did not train with.  Your body is used to what you used while training so try to stick with what works.

AFTER THE RACE

     Usually I am so tired after the race food and drinking is not on my mind. However you will still want to grab some water or Gatorade and a banana or something to get in your system.  After a little nap and some stretching I am ready for that beer or a few. Hey you earned it!!!!


Is there anything you do on race day or the day before?


2 comments:

  1. Very cool, thank you for sharing. I've only really got experience with one half marathon for pre-race rituals. During training for the full marathon I kinda practiced some rituals before the long runs, but nothing compares to the mix of anxiety and excitement for a race. I'm so pumped we're just about two weeks out!

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    1. The excitement and the anxiety makes it so much better

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