Worms of Wisdy

As we get closer to race day. I’d like to share some words of wisdom. Things I have picked up over the years. Some serious, some fun. Some you will have heard before, some you may not. Hopefully you’ll be able to take something from them to help you through your race. 

1. Your first goal is to finish. You may want to set a PB or a BQ time or something. You never know what might happen on race day. The weather might not co-operate in some way. Perhaps you wake up feeling a little off-colour and extra nervous, and you just can’t do it. It’s happened to many of us. You’ve trained a long time for this. You should get to the finish first.

2. Always smile for the race photographer. Look like you’re enjoying yourself. No-one needs to know if you’re in any pain. If you can, save a little something and sprint in. Do you know how amazing that’s going to look if the photographer catches you with both feet off the ground? Your friends will see that picture and say.”Oh My God! Look at YOU! Running like that for 26 miles? You’re amazing!”

3. Enjoy the crowd. By the end, they are playing a huge part in keeping you going. There will invariably be young children offering high fives to runners. Take them. Take as many of them as you can. Give back.

4. Thank the volunteers. Seriously. This goes without saying. Over any distance, from 5K to Ultramarathon. We can’t run without volunteers. Manning water stations, road junctions, whatever. Thank as many as you can. It doesn’t take much. Maybe have a witty comment lined up. I used to thank volunteers at road crossings with “Thanks for making sure I don’t get run over”. A traffic cop in Duluth once laughed at that. A little thanks goes a long way.

5. Don’t wear your finisher/participants shirt until you’ve finished the race, It’s bad luck. OK, I just made that one up. BUT

6. You should wear as many t-shirts from previous years as you can in the days before. If you have them of course. It marks you as a veteran and a loyal supporter of the event. MIND YOU

7. If it’s your first time, it’s OK to wear other event finisher shirts.  You’re a runner. Be proud.

8.  The .2 effect (.1 for half marathoners) This is very real. You’ve run all the complete miles of the race, and you now have that last fraction of a mile to go. Crowds line the streets, cheering like you’re a superstar even though they don’t know you. From somewhere will come a burst of energy. Your aches and pains will subside and you will be able to dig in for a spectacular finish. (See number 2)

9. Savor the moment. Listen for your name being called by the race announcer as you approach the finish line. This is your moment. You’ve worked hard for this. Drink it in. Remember it. If its your first marathon remember it for the rest of your life.

10. The .05% factor Never forget that you are a part of an extremely small group of the population. Only .05% of the population have run a marathon. Be special. Have a great time.