First Time Racer gear questions...

[ms.mightyduck]

Okay, WISH team, I'm facing my first race ever at the Minnie (really two races, but I'm not worried about the 5k).

It's still cold here in NJ, so I'm wondering if I need to go buy some shorts for racing and start practicing in them--it will be too hot for tights, right? I don't feel heat well--my body doesn't register that it is overheating and instead I faint--not what I'm going for here. But I'm so cold all the time, I often overdress.

I know I need to bring my inhaler (and I am supposed to use it before the race!). Should I carry water as a walker? Will they run out? How about gu gel? Worth carrying?

I have a hard time with a lot of food and my tummy--if I drink Gatorade/powerade at home to see if it makes me sick, is that the same as drinking it while I'm walking? Or do i need to bring it on walks? Can I walk and drink it when I get home? I realize these questions seem silly, but I don't want to risk it making me sick and not be near the bathroom...

I don't know what to do about the camera--I may need to get a disposible. We have great digital cameras, but they are not slim. Maybe I can trick dh into carrying the camera...

So...I have good socks that I practice in, and good shoes, and I ordered my WISH racing shirt, and my WISH hat, and i know that there are obvious mistakes that I am making here. Any ideas would be appreciated, especially if they are things that are specific to doing races in WDW.

Thank you!

Duckie, who is getting nervous....

 

[jmasgat]

Hey Duckie,
Cold here too in Michigan..Here's my training strategy. I am running now in tights/long sleeve/jacket. I warm up pretty quickly when I run, and just try to unzip/unlayer. I have shorts and will have singlet but aren't wearing them indoors, since my feeling is I need to try to run warm here since it will be warm in Florida.
They will have water and probably Powerade/Gatorade (although I hear it's watered down). But just to make sure I don't screw up the hydration/nutrition thing, I got myself a hydration belt and am running my long runs with it. It is not uncomfortable, and I can bring 20 oz of water and a bag of Sport Beans (Jelly Belly makes em). They say if you're out for more than one hour you should have nutrition, so I will do the sport beans and maybe pretzels (for the salt).
I know what you mean about not liking lots of stuff on your stomach. I try to take sips of water more often rather than, say, a cup of water at a stop. Of course, everyone is different. But you still have lots of time. I would spend the next month trying different things and finding out what works.

Good luck! (Now I better get off my butt and go do my long run!)
Maura

 

[ms.mightyduck]

Thanks, Maura! I keep feeling like I *don't* have much time to do all this stuff....

See you in a couple weeks!

Duckie

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Definitely need shorts for the Minnie, especially reading that you overheat/faint. You need to wear the shorts to see if they cause any rubbing issues. If you aren't wearing them outside cuz it's too cold, go to the mall and mall walk or someplace. If they do rub you will need body glide or another style of short. I like the "sausage" pants style of shorts since I don't get the "chub rub" that I do with regular shorts. I have been trying to find the perfect skirt with the compression shorts under and while I wear them now, I still haven't found the perfect one.

You definitely want to train with whatever it is you will be drinking during the event. If you can manage the powerade, and water then you should be ok with that. They did not run out last year. If powerade does not work for you then you may need to train with alternative fuel that you will carry with you on the event. Trying out the fuel at home versus while walking, I don't see that as a major problem. Just need to decide if you will walk/run and hydrate or need to stop.

Good to be thinking about things before you get there.

 

[ms.mightyduck]

Thanks, Lily. I am a little worried that my thighs have met each other. I'm working hard to slim them down with no success, so I think I'll get compression-style shorts.

I'll try the powerade at home then.

 

[suzannews]

Hi all!

I am also doing the Minnie 15K and live here in FL, I am 18 miles from the Wilderness Lodge where I work. Anyways, I've been jogging/walking in shorts and a tshirt since January. Even on the chilly mornings (chilly for us anyways) where its been in the high 50's or low 60's when I start, I've never taken a jacket/sweatshirt as it heats up quickly and once you get going, its hot anyways. I carry a water bottle with me so I am used to jogging with one in my hand and my cell in my pocket so there will be nothing different on race day.

I say, you need to find what works for you and go for it!

 

[Maherae]

Duckie, one rule that is universal: Don't Do Anything New On Race Day! That means practice, practice, practice to find out what works for you on your long walks. What did you do for your 7.5 mile LR?

I think the big concern is all of you northern people coming down to Orlando's hot and humid temps. 70 to us is not hot, but may be to you who are suffering through this awful "will it never end?!!" winter.

You WILL need sunglasses and suntan lotion for the 15K!

Keep asking those questions.

FIVE WEEKS from today it will all be a memory..... Anne

 

[SamSam]

Duckie, Thanks for asking all these questions! They are things I have been wondering about (being a newbie) and am really glad to be reading the input here. After reading the responses I know that I need to start training with whatever I plan on wearing/carrying at the Minnie 15K. I've been doing training and have my mileage up but I haven't been wogging with what I plan on wearing when at the Minnie. I will definitely start doing just that, after reading this thread.

 

[princessrunner]

Duckie, I am a cold weather girl myself too. I, on the other hand, am always extremely warm even in the cold. The only time I am cold is when I am sick!! I just did the half in January and while it was not nearly as warm as the Minnie will be, it was very humid and not something I was used to in January. I ran in a running skirt (sorry Lily but I have found the NB ones to be perfect for me!!) and a short sleeve tech shirt. I have a marathon belt (which somehow did not get packed) and a small amphipod pocket that I tuck my cell, key and either shot blocks or sport beans in. I am a less is more girl. If I do shot blocks, I drink primarily water. Toward the end of the half I found myself needing something more so I took 1 Powerade and 1 water and drank them so as to dilute the Powerade even more. Actually, the water helps your body absorb it better and faster (we would like to think this is why it is watered down!).

Practice with your outfit and add ons before the race, more than once. I ended up borrowing a pack from my mom the morning of the half and had a HUGE place that rubbed raw on my stomach afterward. The don't do anything new addage is not just that, it is the truth. Good luck finding the perfect outfit and perfect accessories and good luck with the race!!