[Blog Update from Running Ambassador Chris Stuchko]
The starting line is now in sight as we are only a few days from the beginning of the St. Luke’s Half Marathon.
If you are a local to the Lehigh Valley, congratulations for surviving one of the weirdest training seasons leading up to this race that I can ever remember. One day it was 15 degrees and a foot of snow was on the ground. Then, in what felt like the same week, it was 80 degrees and beautiful. In the days leading up to the race it was 80 again, then four days later it was sleeting and raining. I am confident no matter what weather event happens on Sunday, April 22, that the locals will be ready for any condition.
Our race directors have sent out awesome tips on the basics of race-day logistics and packet pick up. But since this is my final pre-race blog post, I wanted to share some quick do’s and dont’s to make your race day experience the most memorable.
DO: Try to follow all your normal eating and sleeping patterns leading up to race day. The days before the race isn’t the time to try that new Thai restaurant or pull an all-night house cleaning session. You want to make sure you stick to foods and routines that you know will not cause any stomach issues or other pesky inconveniences that can slow you down on race day.
DON’T: Try not to worry if you don’t get a lot of sleep the night before the race. If you have been sleeping well leading up to Saturday night, one night of minimal sleep will not slow you down. You should be anxious and excited to finally put all that training to work!
DO: Wear clothes that you have trained in and know are comfortable. I think most runners, myself included, have a race-day uniform we like to wear. Mine consists of shorts, compression socks and an appropriate top for the weather.
DON’T: Wear the awesome ¼ zip pullover given to you the day before the race. You never want to wear anything for the first time on race day. Also, wearing the pullover is the equivalent of going to a concert and wearing the shirt of the band. Don’t be that guy or gal …
DO: Stick to your race strategy, no matter how fast the person next to you plans to run. If you have trouble pacing, I suggest finding one of the pace groups and stay with them. They provide awesome support and they are a great way to stay on even footing throughout the race.
DON’T: You should not run like a speed demon on the downhill from William Allen High School at the beginning of the race. If you go out too fast because you feel great and rip off a 7-minute mile when you usually run 10 because you get up caught in the excitement the final 12.1 miles of your race will be extremely difficult.
DO: Enjoy some of the great scenery on the course, especially the red covered bridge, shown below, in the Lehigh Parkway. The violin players, waiting on the other side of bridge as you begin on the path back toward the finish line, will make you feel like you are at a classy event, just drenched in sweat.
DON’T: Stop to take a selfie in front of the covered bridge unless you want to be trampled.
DO: Remember the Lehigh Parkway, which we will run in the middle portion of the race, is full of hills. Some are step, some are gradual (like the one shown below), but all of them together will take their toll. Hopefully you listened to the training plan and did that hill work.
DON’T: Think you are done with the hills when you get out of the Parkway. The final hill, with the sound of drummers, going into J. Birney Crum Stadium, will be the toughest, but most rewarding hill. When you get to the top, it is time to take the victory lap around the track and end on a high note.
DO: Remember to get some of the great food after you get your medal. I would recommend all of the items, but do not miss the brownies or the couscous salad. This is one of the best post-race spreads of any race that I have ever done.
DON’T: Feel that you have to follow everyone up the hill in the stadium to get food. There is a second food stand at the opposite end of the stadium that will save you a hill climb after you just did all that work.
DO: Remember to thank the volunteers that help make this an amazing race. The number of people that were needed to set up the race, alert neighbors in the days and weeks before, and help out on race day is truly amazing. In a day and age where very few people are willing to give their time, we runners owe a huge debt of gratitude to the volunteers at the race.
DON’T: Throw your water cups 2 minutes after the water stop. Remember, you aren’t going back to clean it up!
Good luck and keep getting out there!