5 Basic Tips for Running Street Races

Preparing for a street race involves much more preparation than just strength and endurance training. Check out these 5 tips to make sure your next (or first) race is the most enjoyable!

1) Study the route: 

• Where are the hydration stations

• Which ones are for water and which ones are for sports drinks (you are not going to want to have a sport gel from one of these)

• Where are the bathrooms

• Where are there meal stops and what type of food do they offer

With these things in mind, it is always a good idea to stay within this plan, buuut if something unexpected arises, it is important to decide how to continue with a modified plan.

2) Visualize the route:

• Run through it in your mind

• Review about where you are going to hydrate

• Where are there ups

• Where are there downs…are you going to accelerate during the downs?

Suggestion: if you are going to do 42 km: the first 21 km should be slower than the second half…this way your body will be prepared and be able to accelerate later on. If you overexert at the beginning of the race, chances are you will have a hard time finishing it!

3) DON’T TRY ANYTHING NEW

• You must have heard this a thousand times before, but if you didn’t, vualá! Here you have it - the best advice!

• Nothing should change the racing day: wear the same clothes you did during training (imagine that an unforeseen clothing issue could distract you for 21 or 42 km!)

• Also, do not try any new foods or drinks: if you didn’t train with it, it could ruin your entire race.

Everything should be done how it was during training!

4) Prepare everything the night before:

• Leave everything ready: your numbered bib already on the shirt or where you want it put, the clothes you are going to wear, running shoes, any food, and keep everything inside the backpack or belt that you will carry with you.

5) Enjoy it!

• You trained a lot to run this race, now it is time to enjoy it! The route, the people you meet, the public watching…everything will contribute to an unforgettable memory when properly enjoyed!