WORDS: CHRISTINA MACDONALD
Whether you’re about to enter your first race or you’ve completed a number of events in the past, having a tried-and-tested race-day strategy and a sound approach to nutrition will stand you in good stead. Planning ahead will give you a much better chance of getting a personal best, or simply having a more enjoyable race experience if you’re not aiming for a time. Being prepared is key to alleviating stress too. “A lot of being prepared comes down to the logistics of the day,” says running coach George Anderson (runningbygeorge.com). “Know what time the race starts and where it is. Are you able to travel there from home? There are factors that determine your general approach that will have an impact on what you’re able to do and obviously some of the decisions you to have to make. The more out of your normal environment you are, the more care and attention you need to pay to your raceday routine.”
Don’t experiment with new foods or products you’re not used to on race day