Question for experienced half/marathoners

[rizzobob]

I know everyone keeps saying to lay out ahead of time what they are going to be running with. I was just wondering what everyone runs with. I got the shorts, shirt, bib, socks and shoes. But what else do you all find that you want with you?

Thanks for taking the time!

Michele

 

[cewait]

I generally run lighter than many...

Shoes
Singlet
Shorts
Socks
Water Bottle/Sport Drink
Pre-race Snack / Banana
Energy Bars and Gels
Bodyglide
Sun Screen
Sunglasses
Hat
Watch and Heart Rate Monitor
Directions to Start
Warm Up Clothes
Gloves
Gear Check Bag
Race Belt or Safety Pins
Camera if desired
Post Race Clothes
Money for Post Race Activities
Your D-Tag

 

[FireDancer]

I make sure to lay out my shirt, shorts, socks, shoes, and Garmin watch both before I pack and as soon as I get to the hotel. If I'm going to be carrying GU with me I lay that out too.

It is important to lay them out in you hotel room (if you travel to the race) as soon as you get in there and before you go to the expo. If you find out right away that you forgot something you can buy it at the expo. If you find out on race morning it is too late.

 

[FFigawi]

I think Charles' list pretty much covers everything that I have on hand for a race. The only thing I'd add is my race bib.

As far as what I actually run with, I go pretty light. I never run with music, a phone, or my own water, so all I carry with me is my Garmin and fuel (goo, blocks, beans). I'll throw on sunglasses or a hat if the weather conditions require it.

 

[SAHDad]

For any race up to a half marathon, in decent weather (say, sub-60 start), my gear list is:

Shoes
Socks (maybe - depends on the shoes. If Vibrams, no socks)
Shorts
Shirt
Hat
Garmin

I take along Glide, a pre-race food item, pre-race water, bib & safety pins. I might take a Gu or two for a half-marathon, I might not.

If it is hot, the list is the same, although I also carry a water bottle.

If it is cold (say, start temp below 40, or 40ish and rainy), I will be wearing toss clothes (possibly - depends on how long before start I have to stand around), and wearing gloves. For a longer race, I would be wearing a long sleeve shirt instead of a short sleeve.

My drop bag will have my keys and a full change of clothes (except for shoes, sometimes those too), maybe my phone.

That's about it, really.

 

[rizzobob]

Thanks! Those were really helpful. I planned on laying my stuff out when I check in but didn't think of all of that. Wow.

So, do most people bring their own gels and all or do most people just use what's on the course? It seems like a lot of people are saying that they bring their own and I was just wondering....

thanks so much. This is my first race (obviously) and these are the kinds of things that make me nervous.....

Michele

 

[stitchfan18]

Thanks! Those were really helpful. I planned on laying my stuff out when I check in but didn't think of all of that. Wow.

So, do most people bring their own gels and all or do most people just use what's on the course? It seems like a lot of people are saying that they bring their own and I was just wondering....

thanks so much. This is my first race (obviously) and these are the kinds of things that make me nervous.....

Michele

I personally use more gel than is offered on the course, so I bring my own. I'll take what they hand out, but I like the peace of mind knowing that I have what I need in case I happen to miss the gel stop (which would be really hard to do...)

I always pack a bag of things that I'll want to remember to bring with me for the race, but don't necessarily want to put on or in my pockets first thing in the morning. This usually includes things like body glide, gels, bib, watch, sunglasses, visor, head phones and arm band (If I'm listening to music, which I don't do at Disney,) camera, belt, chap stick and tissues.

 

[SAHDad]

Thanks! Those were really helpful. I planned on laying my stuff out when I check in but didn't think of all of that. Wow.

So, do most people bring their own gels and all or do most people just use what's on the course? It seems like a lot of people are saying that they bring their own and I was just wondering....

thanks so much. This is my first race (obviously) and these are the kinds of things that make me nervous.....

Michele

Well, each runner is basically an experiment of one. I know that Powerade and I do not get along. At all. So, since Disney uses Powerade, I know that if want some sort of electrolyte drink, I need to bring my own. If it is cool enough, I can get by on water - otherwise, I bring Nuun tablets and a water bottle. I can get water refills at the aid station, and I just make my own. Likewise, if you know that the only flavors of Gu you can handle are vanilla bean and tri-berry, and the course states that they will have lemon-lime and orange, you might want to bring your own.

Basically, the food & drink on a race course are provided, but if they are something you have never had before, or know that you cannot handle, you probably want to bring your own. If you know, and like, the stuff there, and it fits your pacing (so, you get Gu when you need it, not 30 minutes later), then you don't need to worry about packing it so much.

The long, slow runs during the training cycle are a perfect time to figure out what works and what doesn't, rather than on race day. (And yes, I speak from experience. An ultra was my first encounter with Powerade. I tried it a couple of times afterward, enough to determine that it was the culprit, and away it went.)

 

[cewait]

You never want to rely on gels and foods from the course. Case in point was 06 or 07 when Cliff came out with their apple flavored shots. It was the only flavor offered at mile 16 that year. Sounded good but execution was way off. Fortunately for me, I tasted before actually gelling.

I guess I should moderate the do not depend as over the last 3-4 years they have offered every flavor in the race.

 

[FFigawi]

So, do most people bring their own gels and all or do most people just use what's on the course? It seems like a lot of people are saying that they bring their own and I was just wondering....

In my first half (RnR VA Beach), they advertised Clif Shots would be distributed at mile 9. When I got there, they only had double-caffeinated ones left. That didn't do well for me, so ever since then I always make sure to bring my own. I'll take what the race offers if it's a flavor I can handle, but I like the peace of mind from knowing I'm covered either way.

 

[cloudnut220]

+1 for everything said here. I'm very sensitive to what I eat while running, so I wouldn't want to try anything new on race day!

 

[SAHDad]

+1 for everything said here. I'm very sensitive to what I eat while running, so I wouldn't want to try anything new on race day!

Yeppers.

Additional note - depending on how fast you are, you may not be able to count on them still having anything left when you get to the aid station. It's not common, but aid stations do run out of Gu, gatorade, etc - although everyone tries to keep at least water flowing.

On race day, I know that I can handle Gu, clif, candy, etc - Powerade is the only thing that does me in. I still carry a Gu for a half marathon or more, however, so that I know that I have one. I may not use it, but it is there, just in case.

 

[rizzobob]

Thanks SO MUCH for all of the advice. You may think I am crazy but I am going to write it all down (the list) so that I don't forget anything. I have yet to run a race. I will be doing my first 5K this week. Then a 10K in late August. It is hard to find races in South Florida in the summer....go figure

I am just getting my miles up to where I think I need something, so this is new to me. I will check a few of these gels and all out on my long runs over the next few weeks and see what works best. So you guys all prefer the Gu over the sport beans?

And another question that this makes me wonder...Do you all run with water belts or iFitness belts? I don't know if I would be comfortable with one...I know that there has been a thread on which ones are better, etc., but I wonder if the majority of runners wear them?

Thanks again. It is so awesome that everyone here is so helpful to me and all of the other newer runners. It is rare that you can find a community (online or otherwise) who will be so unselfishly helpful.

Michele

 

[SAHDad]

I rather like the beans, and they are (in some ways) easier to take than the Gu. I don't get as thirsty afterward, and it's easy to take beans over a mile or two, whereas Gu is pretty much a "take it all at once" - because, IME, folding the pack in half just results in a smeary mess.

I used to run with a FuelBelt. I had the 4-bottle and 2-bottle variants. Eventually, I dropped them, and switched to a handheld Amphipod. My most recent running bottle (if I take one, which is not likely for short runs in the heat, or medium to long runs when it is cool) is a cheap insultated one from wal-mart. The handle was too big, so I shortened it with a rubber band.

Good luck with your race this weekend.

 

[cewait]

Thanks SO MUCH for all of the advice. You may think I am crazy but I am going to write it all down (the list) so that I don't forget anything. I have yet to run a race. I will be doing my first 5K this week. Then a 10K in late August. It is hard to find races in South Florida in the summer....go figure

I am just getting my miles up to where I think I need something, so this is new to me. I will check a few of these gels and all out on my long runs over the next few weeks and see what works best. So you guys all prefer the Gu over the sport beans?

And another question that this makes me wonder...Do you all run with water belts or iFitness belts? I don't know if I would be comfortable with one...I know that there has been a thread on which ones are better, etc., but I wonder if the majority of runners wear them?

Thanks again. It is so awesome that everyone here is so helpful to me and all of the other newer runners. It is rare that you can find a community (online or otherwise) who will be so unselfishly helpful.

Michele

Don't lock in on a brand. Try a few brands of gel and even the blocks and beans.

As far was water and belts. I carry a bottle in hand for runs under an hour in the summer. Runs that may go beyond an hour I use a waist type Camelbak called a Flashflow. There are several hydration systems out there and they all seem to have merit. The small bottle fuel belts are popular and they allow you to mix different drinks on the run, but I find they get hot in a hurry and are easily dropped. The single bottle waist packs are good as they will carry a little more volume, but I found them to bounce a lot. I do have an Amphipod version of this that I will will carry on occasion.

As far as in a race, no I do not carry water in a 5-10 k and rarely in a half. I will start a full off with a bottle but that is more nervous habit than for cause. I do not carry a fanny pack or iFitness belt for anything shorter than a half, and most halves I do not carry. I will carry one in a marathon so that I have a few excess gels and a place to store gloves and keys, if required.

 

[DisneyParrothead]

I am just getting my miles up to where I think I need something, so this is new to me. I will check a few of these gels and all out on my long runs over the next few weeks and see what works best. So you guys all prefer the Gu over the sport beans?

Michele

I prefer the Gu simply because I get cramps when I chew while running. Happens even if I try to talk, so I'm a silent runner. So far I've found Honey Stinger has the consistency I can handle and I'm rather reluctant to try others. A honey base sounds so much better than what I've been told other Gu brand bases are

 

[FFigawi]

I am just getting my miles up to where I think I need something, so this is new to me. I will check a few of these gels and all out on my long runs over the next few weeks and see what works best. So you guys all prefer the Gu over the sport beans?

I can't speak for anyone else, but my personal preference is Clif Shots (razz or chocolate), Clif Bloks (razz or berry), and Sport Beans (fruit punch). For a marathon, I start off with the shots, then move to the blocks, and finish off with the beans because I get tired of eating the same thing over and over again.

All the brands and flavors are different, so you really should do some experimenting to see which ones you like best and that give you the best results.

 

[joan4mickey]

One article of clothing I like for cooler morning races is a "throw away shirt" and sometimes mittens. I just keep a shirt or two that would normally go in my goodwill bin and wear it race day and then toss it aside. Most races collect the tossed articles and take them to a goodwill type organization. $1 mittens can be found at many places and can also be tossed if your hands warmup.

 

[stitchfan18]

I got a GU sampler pack when I first started using gels. It has several of their gel flavors, some chomps, and gu brew recovery drink. (http://www.runningwarehouse.com/descpage-GUPES.html)

I usually only carry water when I'm training and rely on water stops during races. Most people at the races I've run don't carry water either.

 

[Bookwood]

one thing I haven't seem mentioned (ok maybe I didn't read all of coachs list really well LOL) is a large trash bag for cold or rain. More races than not (at least that I've done) require a bag for one or the other of those weather conditions and sometimes both. Also being a pooh size lady I train with a few sips of liquid every mile-so I make sure I have my power ade or power zero in hand at the start of a race. (the few times I've not carried I've gotten cramps somewhere between mile 6 and 9 depending on the sweating conditions at the race.

If I were you I'd try out several different combinations for fueling on my long runs so you find what works best for you. Then if you aren't sure that's what you'll get on the course- bring it.