For those running the Marathon Tune-up on Sunday, use the event to practice your on-course techniques for the marathon. Admittedly, this info is regurgitated from a previous post but worth mentioning again. Events like these serve as great preparation for race day (sneakers, socks, apparel, etc). One key suggestion worth practicing on the long training run is water stop navigation. Whether I am racing or volunteering, I see the same thing: people always go to the first table!
My advice: stay in the middle of the road until halfway through the water table then move comfortably toward the table and grab your beverage:
- Prevents wasted time in pushing through the logjam to pick up your drink
- Avoid sudden movements/ injury risk caused by the chaos at the front
- Volunteers in the middle and the end are much happier to see you because they have been ignored for an hour
- When picking up the cup, do NOT pick it up from the side. Grab from the top and pinch the sides to prevent spilling. Continue to pinch the top as you bring the cup to your mouth so liquid does not wind up all over your face.
The old saying in the marathon is “don’t do anything on race day that you did not do in training” and the same goes for liquid consumption. While the Gatorade offered at the table may not be your favorite flavor, it is the liquid available at all water stops on race day so the sooner you adapt, the less likely your stomach will negatively react on race day.
Also, for those experimenting with GU’s, gels, etc., this run provides an excellent opportunity to practice consuming before the table then chasing with your chosen beverage.
As always, we’re here to help. Look forward to seeing many of you on Sunday!
Chris 40