Hey there!  How is everyone doing?  How is it that summer break is almost over.  While I am sad about it, I am also excited for a new school year.  

This week’s Tuesday Topic:  What’s your pre-race routine?  You can write about this topic, or feel free to post any running related blog post.  Remember to link-up with Kim and Zenaida!  Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier!  Remember to come back for later linkers!

I am lucky that my stomach can handle pretty much anything.  One of the things I have to be careful about is eating too much spicy food.  What happens is that the next morning I tend to spend an extra few minutes in the bathroom.  I LOVE spicy food but try not to eat too much of it.

Where it is before a run or a race, I always have coffee.  As a matter of fact, even if I am not running, I always have coffee first thing in the morning.  I love the taste and the smell.  If I am running less than 6 miles then I don’t eat anything.  For longer runs I eat an Orgain Organic Protein Bar (chocolate cookie dough is my favorite).  I drink my coffee and eat my protein bar while getting ready.  If I am staying at a hotel, I find out if the hotel is offering a free breakfast and I usually get a bagel.

I try to have my clothes and gear ready the night before so that I can quickly get dressed.  Oh yeah and so that I don’t forget anything.

Depending on the distance, I may drink UCAN on the way to a run or race.  I’ve tried Cranberry Raspberry, Chocolate, Orange, and Cocoa Delite.  My favorite one is Chocolate.  Sometimes I make a gel with UCAN.   

I’ve run over 100 races and still get nervous before a race.  When will I learn?  Being nervous makes me go a lot to the bathroom.  I have counted and have sometimes used the port-a-potties 3-4 times before a race.  Yikes!

Do you have your gear and clothes ready before a race?  Have you forgotten something and realized it right before a race?