15 Things That Have Gotten Me Through a Race

Somewhere along the line, I became a veteran racer. I don’t sweat the details like I used to, and packing for a big race doesn’t involve much panic at all. (Got shoes? Let’s go!)

There are still plenty of new races for me to experience, of course (25k trail run here I come!), but I’ve participated in enough races and faced enough major challenges that, when Brooks Running (we’re blog ambassadors for them, you know) asked me to come up with a list of things that have gotten me through a race, I knew it would be a fun (and relatively easy) list to put together!

15 Things That Have Gotten Me Through a Race

1. Funny signs. From “Worst parade ever!” to “If Britney Spears could make it through 2007, you can make it through this race,” funny signs are the best. Please, please, make me laugh. I will love you forever. Promise.
2. Kids holding their hands out for high fives on the side of the course. I love that, even if I sometimes get a little choked up. And yes, adults giving out high fives are also fantastic.
3. Race snacks (like Gu, Gatorade, figs, peanut butter, whatever). I’ve done a long race without any nutrition — I will never, ever do it again. Not only because I know I need it, but also? I like the countdown. Knowing I need to do something every 45 minutes helps to break a long race up into segments that are easier for my brain to handle.
4. Ice cubes in my sports bra. (And the sports bra itself, if I’m being honest.)
5. Great running shoes. No brainer, right? It’s a whole lot easier to test your limits and push for a new PR when your feet are happy!
6. Orange slices and watermelon at the finish line. They are my favorites. Also, beer. (Or wine, if the glass fits.)
7. Sunglasses. I cannot even deal with sun in my eyes.
8. A watch. Even if it’s not a GPS watch giving me my miles and splits, I love having an idea of my pace (which I’m pretty good at figuring out on the fly if I have mile markers), plus, I’m a Galloway method gal, so having a watch helps me figure out when I should take a brief walk break.
9. Looking at other people’s cute race day outfits. Some make me laugh, some make me want to go shopping, but they all give me something to look at. And sometimes, at certain races (like Disney!), there are even characters or people in full costume!
10. Support from my friends, family and FBGs. A race is just one day where it’s up to me to see what I’m made of, but lots of people are involved in helping me prepare for it, and I wouldn’t want to do any of these races without them! Plus, when I have someone cheering especially for me on the actual day of the race, man, it just takes the whole experience to the next level.
11. Seriously great music. Sometimes I go for classic workout hits, and other times I opt for more modern tunes, but, more often than not, thumpin’ 90s jams are where it’s at.
12. Wearing running clothes that make me feel confident. It’s gotta stay in place, it can’t catch or pull, it must prevent chafing, and it has to help keep me cool. If it also makes me look really cool (or really fast!), even better.
13. Mile markers. Because I can always go one more mile!
14. Fellow racers. When someone looks really strong, that inspires me to push harder (or at least fake it until I make it to the finish). And if someone else is struggling, I want to do what I can to help lift them up.
15. Finding a new focus. Often I match a number of steps to my breath (four steps in, three steps out), but sometimes I picture the finish line — and myself crossing it — over and over. And I almost always have a mantra ready to go! It might be as simple as “You can do this,” or it might be more fun, like, “Smile and be present.” And, sometimes, like Jenn, I just have to focus on the parts of my body that aren’t tired, sore or chafing. You know, like my elbow or eyelashes.

If I wanted, I’m sure I could keep going, because really, for as little as running really requires (ummm, shoes, space and enough clothing to cover your naughty bits), it’s sure a lot more fun with all of these elements!

What are a few of the things that have gotten you through a race? The funkier, the better! —Kristen