If you missed the three tips given in Part 1, go here for the scoop.
Here are a few more tips that are often missed or overlooked when it comes to traveling away from home for a race or big athletic event.
Start your planning and packing waaaayyyyy in advance. Like earlier than you think you need. I’ve been guilty of the “It’ll all get done one way or another” type of thinking and then it’s a shitstorm of panic, overwhelm, and many details missed when we wait until the 1-2 days beforehand to start packing. And by packing, I mean everything from clothes to gear to nutrition and hydration supplies. ALLLLLLLL THE THINGS. I can tell you from experience and from seeing other proactive athletes who are Spreadsheet Planning Gurus, the more you get stuff planned, sorted out, and packed in advance, the more your Calm Level is cool and controlled.
Even when you get your planning and packing done in advance and you feel you’re all set, ready, and rarin’ to go, there are still things that will be out of your control. For race nutrition/hydration specifically, consider taking some items in your carry on bag if you are traveling by plane. No one wants lost luggage, but it happens and you risk losing your primary nutrition stash. You can also consider mailing supplies to a friend who lives local to the race venue and doing an online search for the stores in advance that carry your preferred products in case that one package of powdered fuel or gels explodes in your suitcase.
Thoroughly read the race’s Athlete Guide and then read it again! Having just come from a race where there were extra-special-highlighted notes about directions to the race location and it being a cupless race, there were still a number of athletes who arrived late or were unprepared. Be responsible and help yourself do better, not just for you and keeping your stress level controlled, but for all of the people behind the scenes who are making the event happen as best as possible for you.
Be flexible. While I’m obviously a supporter of having a well-tested nutrition plan, there has to also be room for pivoting when things aren’t going to plan. If you’ve worked with me before, you know we always need to have a backup plan, and then a backup for the backup plan. Preparing yourself mentally and physically helps you to move through your race with a lower level of disruption. There are always choices to make in a race, some are thoughtful and intentional, while others come about when faced with adversity, pain, and many other unforeseen WTHs. Nutrition is no different.
What races or events do you have lined up going into the latter part of this year? Or what are you working towards for next year?
Let’s be sure you’re ready to go. Drop me a line to let me know what’s on your agenda and any challenges you’re working through.
-Dina