Race-week checklist
- Taper: Keep a little movement; cut volume. No new workouts, no “one more long run.”
- Sleep: Prioritize the nights leading up — race-eve sleep is often restless and that is OK.
- Food: Boring and familiar. No food adventures.
- Pack early: Vest, shoes, socks, layers, fuel, headlamp, ID, charger, drop-bag labels.
- Re-read the athlete guide: Cutoffs, kit rules, aid, start time, parking.
- Travel buffer: Arrive with margin. Stress burns glycogen too.
- Family plan: Who has the kids, when you leave, when you might finish.
Busy-life tip: Lay out kit on Thursday. Friday is for logistics and early bedtime, not scavenger hunts for batteries.
Start-line plan
- Start easier than your pride wants.
- Eat on your practiced schedule from the first hour.
- Hike the climbs without drama.
- Solve problems early (hot spot, chill, low calories).
- Remember: finishing is the win for race one.
FAQ
I feel undertrained — should I still start?
If you are healthy and built the long runs, trust the taper. Panic miles this week do more harm than good. If you are injured, be honest and defer.
What about last-minute gear buys?
Only replacements for broken must-haves. Nothing untested on race morning.