What to eat on race day
You don’t need to carbo-load for a 10km race run in about 60 minutes – all your nutritional needs should already be met. So follow your moderate to high carbohydrate diet until two days before race day. The day before race day switch to a low-fibre diet (white bread, white rice, low-fibre cereal) and avoid very spicy foods – and dairy if necessary.
On race day, eat a light carbohydrate meal or snack about two hours before the race, like cereal or porridge with low fat milk; or toast with jam or honey. If you’re not hungry, have a liquid meal replacement. You shouldn’t eat or drink anything that you haven’t tried out before. And drink some fluid with your pre-race meal so you start the race well hydrated.
Once you’ve warmed up and stretched, have about 300 – 500ml of cold fluid about five minutes before the start of the race. If it’s a hot day and you’re running 10km in more than 60 minutes, you might need to drink about once during the race. Make sure you drink enough fluids after the race, and enjoy a salty snack.
Entering the race
If you want to avoid registration queues, get to the race at least 45 minutes before the start. This will give you time to find parking, and go to the toilet, if you’re the nervous type.
If you have a Temp license, pin it to the front of your vest with the safety pins provided.
Start the race middle- to near-back otherwise you might be ploughed down by enthusiastic elite runners who start at a cracking pace.
Running the race
Start at a comfortable pace, and try not to rush off because of all the adrenaline flowing. You’ll tire and run out of steam too early.
Water/coke stations
There will be a couple of refreshment tables on the run. Feel free to walk and take a drink (and catch your breath), before you head off again. Some runners drink and run – see how you feel.
Save enough energy so that you can run down the finishing straight and cross the line with head up high. What a feeling!
The idea of ‘race day’ can be pretty daunting for newbies, so we’ve gathered some advice from a few seasoned runners.
Don’t worry about finishing last
Nearly everyone worries about coming last, but it’s probably not going to happen – especially if you’ve prepared.
Choose your clothing carefully
Wear what you’ve trained in so you know it works. The rule is ‘nothing new on race day’, and that includes your sports bra, socks, shoes and running shorts.
It’s your first race so you don’t have a personal time to beat. Just focus on getting through and finishing – and most of all, enjoy it!
In the days before a race, vary your diet with nongrain carb sources, such as fruits and starchy vegetables, to benefit from a wider range of nutrients. read more..
Friday, 23 March 2012
Liquid Meal Replacement-High Carbohydrate Diet-10Km Race-Race Day
Wednesday, 21 March 2012
Publix Georgia Marathon-Registration Discount-Discount Code-Atlanta Hawks
In recent announcements it is clear you have many options with both registration and running the Publix Georgia Marathon or one of the other races that day. Of course you have the option to run free by entering to win the current race entry giveaway right here on 26.2 Quest, but a very cool partnership with the Atlanta Hawks can give you a discount off of the current Publix Georgia Marathon Registration.When the Hawks win at home, runners benefit with a registration discount. Last night the Hawks won their game against the Portland Trail Blazers in a 92-89 victory which means that if you register today with discount code HAWKS you will get $3 off your registration since the point spread was 3 points. Further information is available here about the Publix Georgia Marathon Sponsorship with the Atlanta Hawks.The third and final chance to get the Hawks point spread discount is following their game against the Cleveland Cavaliers this Saturday, January 21st, lets hope for a victory with a 110 point spread so EVERYONE can run the marathon for free! Hey….. it could happen! (OK, so the discount is capped at $15 so no go)Another option that you have is to admit that you are not marathon ready and sign up instead for the Luckie 5k and Kids Fun Run sponsored by Cuties California Mandarins. The family fun events will be run at Atlanta’s Centennial Olympic Park on St. Patrick’s Day, the day before the marathon and half marathon. More information is available about the Cuties Luckie 5k and other events on March 17th, or you can register now.Don’t forget, if you can’t find any other better option, you can always use the 262QUEST discount code when visiting the Publix Georgia Marathon Registration for $10 off of your registration. This discount is only available for the full and half marathon races. Time to update your feed reader to something that says 26.2 Quest even more - http://feeds.262quest.com/262quest read more..
Tuesday, 13 March 2012
The North Face Endurance Challenge-Trail Runners
The much anticipated weekend for many Atlanta runners has arrived as The North Face Endurance Challenge arrives with it’s flurry of races. Since this is only the second year the challenge will make it’s way to Atlanta I am sure there will be many who will be running it for the first time. F.D Roosevelt State Park in Pine Mountain will no doubt be the place to be for Trail Runners and Ultra Distance Runners from more than just the surrounding area.This race was on my list for some time, but with my recent injury and lack of mileage lately I dropped it from my calendar. A recent email prompted me to rethink that, but unfortunately I was not quick enough to get registered in time to join in the excitement. With races ranging from 5k to the elusive 50 miler there is a distance for everyone. I have a lot of running friends who will be participating in different events this weekend. One will be running his first 50k, two others running their first 50 milers, and one who is hopeful that she will be the one to break the tape after trudging through the woods for 50 miles.I am a bit bummed that I won’t be running, but there’s always next year. Who knows maybe by this time next year I will be ready to battle the 50k or 50 mile distances….. we will see.Those that make it out this weekend will have the privilege of meeting UltraMarathon Man, Dean Karnazes in person as he runs a little bit of each race. I am wondering if he would have run all of the races in their entirety if they were not being run simultaneously. :) Maybe he will chime in because I am sure he is a regular reader of 26.2 Quest. :)Will you be running the North Face Endurance Challenge in Atlanta this weekend? If so, what distance are you running? Time to update your feed reader to something that says 26.2 Quest even more - http://feeds.262quest.com/262quest read more..
Monday, 12 March 2012
Weather-Publix
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We are inside the last 30 days and the weather is starting to change to prepare for the cool morning temperatures that are sure to greet us as we line up on October 2nd in Town Brookhaven for the third running of the 13.1 Atlanta and the Karhu 5k. The fall weather in Atlanta is some of the best when it comes to running weather, and the Atlanta stop to the 13.1 Marathon Series takes full advantage of it.If you haven’t heard yet, the course has changed slightly this year to encompass a new start and finish line. I mentioned it a couple months ago when the new course was announced, but it is summarized nicely in this recent press release:The new start line has been improved and will feature wider lanes with less congestion allowing for a smoother transition to accommodate all the participants. For the finish line, Town Brookhaven will add a festive atmosphere for the runners who have completed their 13.1 mile journey and want to celebrate a personal victory. Located in the Town Green, the new start/finish area will be adjacent to the recently opened hybrid Publix at 104 Town Boulevard in the Town Brookhaven development off Peachtree Road. For more information and to read the full press release click hereIf you are planning on running the 13.1 Atlanta or if you are planning on running the Publix Georgia Marathon in the spring you need to take a look at the ATL Challenge. The ATL Challenge rewards runners who complete both the 13.1 Atlanta and the Publix Georgia Marathon or Half Marathon. Make sure you check out the details and get signed up for for the ATL Challenge, as well as the 13.1 Atlanta and Publix Georgia Marathon or Half Marathon.So, you want to run the 13.1 Atlanta and you haven’t signed up yet? Or maybe you have signed up, but you are trying to talk someone into running it with you? You still have time to register and it is not too late to build a few more miles into the schedule before race day if you have found your motivation lacking lately.Or….. Run the 13.1 Atlanta for free!Your other option is to take advantage of US Road Sports generosity and run the race for free! One of you will be walking (or running) away with a free race entry for just taking a moment to enter below and sharing this giveaway with all your friends.The Giveaway:One lucky winner will receive a FREE entry into the 2001 13.1 Marathon Atlanta which will be run at 7:00 am on Sunday October 2nd. Entries will be taken through September 20th and the winner will be chosen randomly on Wednesday the 21st.To Enter:Do any of the following, each will count as an entry:Leave a comment, any comment…. but this is so easy you could enter at least one other way.Share the giveaway on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Dailymile, your blog, or by telling your friends, neighbors, or everyone at your local running club. Just send them back here: 262qst.com/lFc4l Follow the @131Marathon Twitter account, or Like the 13.1 Marathon Fanpage.If you decide to go crazy you can get a lot of entries, just leave a comment for each one to ensure no entries are missed. To make sure you don’t miss the winner announcement make sure you join the 26.2 Quest Community at the 26.2 Quest Fanpage, follow the @262quest Twitter stream, and subscribe via RSS. There is always something going on and I would love to have you as part of the community! Time to update your feed reader to something that says 26.2 Quest even more - http://feeds.262quest.com/262quest read more..
Saturday, 10 March 2012
Half Marathon-Karhu
I have been talking a lot about the 13.1 Marathon Atlanta both so you could have a chance to win race entries and also because it has been one of my favorite races to run these past two years. I won’t go into a lot of details today, but sadly I won’t be running it this year. I waited this long because I was hoping that I would be able to somehow get ready for it, but I am not in the condition I need to be to run a half marathon.That won’t be the case for many runners though, and you still have time to join the group of runners calling Town Brookhaven by the beloved name – finish. The online registration closes tonight, but you still have time to get registered online with a $13.10 discount by using the code: BROOKHAVEN131 Don’t delay because the only opportunity you will have to register after tonight will be by walk up on Friday and Saturday.You say you are not ready to run a half marathon yet? In case you were not aware, there is also a 5k distance race, the Karhu 5K, with a chance to win your very own pair of Karhu shoes by beating the Karhu bear in the “Beat the Karhu bear” challenge. You have a pretty good chance of winning as I will not be competing with you (or getting in your way intentionally) This also means that I won’t be going home with an always colorful pair of Karhu’s, but my time will come. You can get all the details about the Karhu 5K race and your chance at the shoes in the recent press release.If you are registered to run, or know someone that is, did you know that you can either be tracked or track those you are supporting? It is easy, make sure you go and check out the Live Entrant Tracking and get registered.A lot of information is available for those running, watching, or living around the race course. To stay up to speed and get your questions answered head over to the 13.1 Marathon Fanpage, but a few items of specific interest could be the Participant Sheet, Road Closing and Course Information, and of course information about packet pickup and other information can be found on the race website: www.131atlanta.comI won’t be running, but I plan on still showing up on race morning to help and cheer you all on. If you have a moment try to look me up. I know it would help if I tell you where you can find me so I will try to narrow it down a bit by telling you to look somewhere around Town Brookhaven……See you on race day!! Time to update your feed reader to something that says 26.2 Quest even more - http://feeds.262quest.com/262quest read more..
Wednesday, 7 March 2012
Karhu
I once again was able to enjoy the 13.1 Atlanta, however this year was a little different than the previous two years. I was really looking forward to running this year and trying out the new course, but alas it was not meant to be. It is crazy how fast you can lose fitness while injured and eating too much, I just wish I didn’t know so much about it.Even though I was not able to run I still decided to make my way down to Town Brookhaven to cheer everyone on and to give you a little insight into race day, at least from my point of view. I cannot even begin to image how early the race director and key volunteers had to get up to get everything ready for race day. I woke at 4:00 and was on my way at 4:30. By the time I was driving down Peachtree the cones were already completely set in place just waiting for the race to start. I arrived at Town Brookhaven to find nearly everything ready, and yet it was only 5:15.While walking around and checking out the start and finish it was quickly apparent that the start would go much smoother than it had in the previous two years. The corrals were set up with the official start opening up wide. In previous years the space narrowed after the start which caused slow downs and even walking after crossing the start. This year as I watched, everyone that wanted to was running easily as they started their race.With a field of 3,300 - or actually 3,299 since I wasn’t running :) Town Brookhaven didn’t seem too crowded and there were plenty of places for everyone to warm up. I stood near the front and watched the cars pour in and was lucky enough to meet and talk to Barefoot Runner Michael Sandler from www.runbare.com who was making his way through Atlanta to promote his recent book release of Barefoot Running.There were some very exciting results with two new course records, and only one runner beating the Karhu Bear in the “Beat the Karhu Bear Challenge” All I have to say is that was one fast bear!Emmanuel Ngatunyi, of Marietta, Ga., won first place in the male division with a time of 1:03:59. The 18-year-old established a new race record by blowing away the previous mark of 1:08:03. Reuben Mwei, of Acworth, Ga., took second place with a time of 1:04:33, while Jynocel Basweti from Marietta earned third place with a time of 1:07:30. On the women’s side, Lilian Mariita, 23, of Marietta, shattered the women’s race standard with a time of 1:17:28 (previous record 1:21:39). Placing second was Justyna Mudy from Rome, Ga., with a time of 1:17:46, and Meggan Franks of Starkville, Miss., took third with a time of 1:20:37. The Karhu 5K provided an extra incentive to all competitors as the Finnish shoe company encouraged all runners to try to "Beat the Karhu Bear." The first 10 runners who "Beat the Karhu Bear” were to receive a coupon for a FREE pair of Karhu running shoes. Only one runner was able to accomplish the challenge as 14-year-old Danny Shaughnessy of Douglasville, Ga., was just six second better than the bear – coming in with a time of 0:19:41. The Bear costume was worn by Andrew Mearns of Atlanta as he placed second with a time of 0:19:47. The complete results can be found at www.131atlanta.com and the 13.1 Atlanta Marathon and Karhu 5K Results Press Release is also available in it’s entirety.It once again was a successful race, and one I am sorry that I was not able to run. I will now be turning my sights on other races, one of which will be the Publix Georgia Marathon in March, which is also a US Road Sports race, just taken to the next level. Make sure you keep an eye on www.262quest.com, the RSS Feed, the 26.2 Quest Fanpage, and the @262quest Twitter account. I don’t have a commitment yet, but I will see if I can work out a couple race entry giveaways for my loyal readers.Did you run the 13.1 Atlanta? If so, tell us about it and feel free to post a link to your race report in the comments. Time to update your feed reader to something that says read more..
Sunday, 4 March 2012
Elite Runners-Finish Line
In every race there are so many different types of runners, and many different types of winners. Of course there are the ones we all hear about, the ones that cross the finish line first. The ones we don’t hear about as much are those that are completing a new distance, or crossing the finish line for the first time. Some have overcome insurmountable odds, and others are out running as part of their commitment to take their health and fitness serious for the first time in their life.These are just a few of the winners that will lace up their shoes on the first Sunday morning in October if you ask me, but today we are talking about yet another type of winner for the Atlanta stop of the 13.1 Marathon Series. Last week we announced the second free race entry giveaway for the quickly approaching 13.1 Atlanta. The entries rolled in throughout the week and it is now time to randomly pick the runner who will be attaching the bib courtesy of US Road Sports.Speaking of winners and the 13.1 Atlanta, the field of Elite Runners were just announced yesterday and contain the likes of Reuben Mwei, Emmanuel Ngatunyi, Jynocel Basweti, Cory Baumann, Martin Hernandez, and Daniel Kirwa for the men while Tamara Karrh, Lilian Mariita, and Risper Geswaba will be battling it out amongst the other women. You can read the complete Elite Runner Press Release for more information on the individual runners.And the winner is……And now on to the reason at least a few of you are reading. There was a total of 27 entries which I put into the handy random.org number generator shown to the left. After the quick click of the button the number 7 appeared revealing Pam Burrus from Moms RUN This Town on Facebook as the round two winner of the 13.1 Atlanta race entry. Pam, please contact me at info@262quest.com so I can send you the code so you or a friend can get registered. I need to hear from you by Sunday night or I will need to pick a new winner so we can make sure the free entry gets put to good use.If you are not the winner and still need to register, you can still register online up until the 28th and make sure you use the discount code: BROOKHAVEN131 to get $13.10 off of your race entry. While you are registering don’t forget to register for the ATL Challenge.Don’t forget to connect with 13.1 Marathon for more information about this and many other races. You can connect with 13.1 Marathon on Facebook and on Twitter at @131marathon. You can also connect with 26.2 Quest on Facebook and on Twitter at @262quest. Time to update your feed reader to something that says 26.2 Quest even more - http://feeds.262quest.com/262quest read more..
Georgia Marathon-Half Marathon-Publix
Many of you have just finished a full marathon, while others of you are merely a week or two a way from your 26.2 mile journey. For some of you this will be just another marathon, but to many others it was or will be the first after a long yet exciting journey. If you are like many of the others who have made their way to the only finish line with ancient Greek roots, it will only be the first of many more to come.Do you need a discount or a free entry to fit it into your budget?There are still many more that have not yet decided to make that commitment, and yet they are reading this and wondering – can I do a marathon, should I do a marathon? The best advice I can give you is to find a friend who has run through multiple pair of shoes so they would have the privilege of calling themselves a marathoner and then make your way over to the Publix Georgia Marathon Registration, as I am sure you will be needing it.One of the first questions I was asked when I crossed the finish line of my first marathon was if I planned on doing any more, to which I immediately answered – Absolutely! If you have completed a marathon you know exactly what I am talking about, and if you have finished a half marathon you know the question is not much different for you – you have run a half marathon, are you planning on running a full?Regardless of whether you have just finished your 100th, your first, or are yet to run a marathon the Publix Georgia Marathon is within your reach. With nearly 5 months of training time available it will give you plenty of time to train even if you need some time off to rest from your most recent adventure.The Publix Georgia Marathon was recently awarded the 2012 Southern Region Marathon Championship by RRCA. This will no doubt draw an elite group of runners with names which will be easy to recognize.If you have not yet registered and already have Sunday March 18th blocked off on your calendar you will want to head over and register in the next couple days before the price increase on November 3rd. When you stop by to register at the Registration Page make sure to use the exclusive discount code: 262QUEST to get $10 off when checking out.What about a FREE RACE ENTRY to run the Publix Georgia Marathon?You say that you love discounts, but a free entry interests you as well? Then I have a deal for you that you cannot refuse. I have a code ready for one lucky winner. That code will allow that winner the privilege of running either the half marathon or full marathon courtesy of US Road Sports.The Giveaway:One Lucky runner will have the opportunity to run the Publix Georgia Marathon on March 18th, 2012. There are multiple ways to enter, and many which you can use to enter over and over again until the winner is drawn on November 18th. If I have not posted the winner and closed the comments you can still enter, so keep entering and keep promoting it for the best chance to win.How do I enter?Leave a comment and tell us why you want to run the Publix Georgia Marathon (1 time). Tell everyone you know about this giveaway: Share it on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, DailyMile, your blog, a billboard, or even by painting it on the side of your car or etching it on the bathroom stall. Each time you share it come post a separate comment for each share. To make it even better, you can share it each place again every day for additional entries – just come back and comment to let us know of each share for an even better chance of winning. The question is…. how bad do you want this entry?If you haven’t already, make sure you head over to the Publix Georgia Marathon Fanpage, follow them at @GeorgiaMarathon on Twitter, and stop by the Publix Georgia Marathon Website. While you are taking the Social Media tour be sure to look for 26.2 Quest at the 26.2 Quest Fanpage, on twitter @262quest, and subscribe to the RSS Feed to keep posted on this and many other great promotions, thoughts, and a chance to read more..