Five ThingsTo make Race Day Run Smoother

We are headed to California! I am ashamed to say that we really did very little planning for this race-cation. We of course have our plane tickets and we will be staying at the Disneyland Hotel, but that is all. We made no dining reservations and didn't plan out our park days.  Luckily  we have done a Disney race a time or two so things in that respect shouldn't be too terribly different.  In fact, we thought we would share 5 things that might make your race (wherever it may be) go a little smoother.


If you are a regular reader of our blog, you may find that some of these items may be repeats

1. If your race starts as earlier as Disney races, it may still be dark out when you head to the corral. Be sure to pack a tiny flashlight for in the port o potties. I usually bring one of those keychain flash lights. I brought one for my mom, sister, and I to share at Princess this year and guess what???? When it was my turn, I DROPPED IT.  Yup, all the way down the port o potty it went. It's a good thing I was the last in our little group to use it.

2. Sticking with the port o potty preparedness, be sure to pack a few extra squares of TP or tissues in your pocket. its no fun being stuck in a port o potty that has run out.

3. Normally in the past, I have packed a small trash bag. They really fold up real tiny and take up very little room in my pocket or running belt. This is large enough for 2 people to sit on before entering the corrals but be sure to save the bag because you can use it after the race to collect all your snacks and goodies. I'm thinking I might down size next race and just pack a plastic shopping bag since it might be easier to carry around after the race.

4. If there is a chance that you might be able to buy a post race massage or extra race merchandise after the finish, be sure to carry some cash with you. This is something I don't normally do but since the massages after Disney races only accept cash, I have started carrying money for Disney races.

5. Now this of course is just personal preference, but for races longer than 10K's, I carry my own water bottle. I find that it doesn't bother me at all to hang on to it.  I'd rather have the ability to have a sip any time I want and not have to wait for the water stations. The volunteers are really great about helping you fill your bottles up.  Just take your lid off and they will fill it right up for you.  My little trick that I do with my water bottle is that I put one of my gloves over top of the bottom of the bottle, This allows me to grip easier, I can slip by GU's right in it, and I can even slip my phone in it if I think I will be pulling it out often for pictures ( like during Disney races). 

So those are our 5 things that make race day easier!

What thing makes race day easier for you?




25 comments:

  1. Great list! I also like to bring wet wipes that are individually wrapped in case there is no gel in the porta potty!

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  2. I bring a travel pack of wipes in my SPIbelt for portapotty stops. Extra chafing cream too. Let's just say I'm experienced...

    I've never been to Disneyland! Can you believe it?

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  3. Great tips! TP or wet wipes are a great idea to carry with you during a race - I'll have to remember that one! :)

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  4. This is a great list. I haven't run anything longer than a 7 miler yet..but my first half is next Saturday and these tips will be helpful. I volunteered at a TeamRWB aid station last month and we refilled lots of water bottles. It was a 50K so everyone had their own water.

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  5. I too prefer carrying my own water. For me, its for any race longer than a 5k. You just never know how well equipped the water stations will be.

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  6. Great tips! I never thought about the flashlight one. I generally keep one of those travel size packet of tissues in my flip belt as they can come in handy.

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  7. The TP idea is key! Wet wipes and water bottles too.

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  8. Fantastic list! I like to include some extra snacks in my gear check bag for either pre-race or post-race. I also have a little prepacked pouch with sunscreen, GU, hair ties, headbands, bobby pins, band-aids, safety pins, and BodyGlide that I always throw into my gear check bag. It's a lot easier than trying to repack these items every single race.

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  9. The flashlight idea is genius! It's always so dark in those port o potties that I can hardly even tell where I am.

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  10. Great list! I definitely haven't planned for Disneyland as much as I do for Disney World. I did make some dining reservations though, but they are actually outside of the park. Safe travels and I hope to see you ladies out there!

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  11. I second the cash. I had a wristlet in my checked bag for my second half, and I threw a $20 in. I was so happy that I did because we only got Dixie cups of water, not bottles. I was walking by a deli afterwards and not only did I have cash for buy a bottle of water, I bought lunch too.

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  12. Good list. I actually never take anything with me like this. But once I did enter a portopottie that ran out of TP (I always check now) so if its a large race where they may run out and they dont keep rolls on a top shelf extra in the pottie. Definitely a good idea to bring some extra!
    Although in some races that I may have to pay for a cab ride to get me back to my car or hotel the cash idea has been useful to me too:)
    Good luck this weekend!

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  13. That is such a great idea to bring a flashlight! Have a great time :)

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  14. Sorry, but I had to laugh about you dropping the flashlight! Good luck and have fun in Disneyland! I will be thinking of you!

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  15. I've started bringing my own water for longer races. When I wear my camelback I also get extra room to store things like my phone or gels! I also usually stick some cash, my id, and credit card in there too.

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  16. I've never done a race that started in the pre-dawn hours so these are handy tips
    Have a great time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  17. Have a fun and safe trip! This is a great list. I used to try and not check a bag at races, but now I do check one for all the Disney races. I like being able to put on flip flops after the race. I also sometimes put a dry shirt in there as well if is hot or humid.

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  18. The bag idea so helpful pre-race. I never thought of using it to contain things after the race though. That's a great idea!

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  19. I like to carry my CamelBak with my phone and a bit of cash in it just in case.

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  20. I like to carry cash at large races and a credit card. Sometimes you can get your finishers medal engraved for $10 on the spot. Have a wonderful experience at Disneyland!

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  21. These are great tips! I've never done a Disney run, but I hear they are a lot of fun!

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  22. Great tips! I honestly never thought to carry a plastic bag with me -- that would DEFINITELY come in handy after those races when you've got Gatorade and bananas and bagels, etc. and only two hands to juggle it all. Also...the keychain flashlight? Genius. ESPECIALLY for those Disney races that start at dark o'clock!

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  23. have such fun!!! i'll be thinking of you gals over the next few days! :)

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  24. Great tips! I love the trash bag idea for pre corral idea! Thanks!

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Fairytales and Fitness is a personal blog authored and edited by us, Meranda and Lacey. The thoughts expressed here represent only our own and are not meant to be taken as professional advice. Please note that our thoughts and opinions change from time to time. We consider this a necessary consequence of having an open mind in an ever changing society. Any thoughts and opinions expressed within our out-of-date posts may not be the same, nor even similar, to those we may express today. Some links may contain affiliate links. Some links are just to pages we'd like to share.