However, some of the things we use to fret over were: Our hydration plan, should we or shouldn't we carry our own water? Our injuries, will it or will it not show up on race day? Our shoes, will they or will they not get us through the race comfortably? Using the restroom, will I or will I not have to go? (okay, I admit I STILL worry about this one). The weather, will it be hot and humid or will it rain? And then there are the electronic like the Garmins or the ipods that tend to misfunction once in a while. And don't forget the big one....Our time. Whether we are racing for time or just for fun, time is always in the back of our mind, is it not?
Regardless of what we do to ensure that our races go as planned, there are ALWAYS things that are out of our control. Some of them can affect your race, like the weather or an injury and some may just be a minor annoyance like the parking situation or the little bit of chaffing from a new shirt.
When thinking about a race day mishap, Virginia Beach Half Marathon in 2014 comes to mind. My sister and I shopped the expo on day one and picked up our race packets, met some friends, went to dinner, got up the next day and ran the mile on the beach. We went back to the expo for a bit and then went about our day until it was time to go to bed. As we were laying out our clothes and race gear for the half marathon the next morning Lacey noticed that her timing chip (that goes on your shoe) did not have her name on it but had the name Erica on it instead. What? She double checked her bib and her name was on the bib. How in the world did Erica's timing chip get stapled to the back of Lacey's bib? Of course it was already late and the expo was closed. We worried about how we would fix this situation and if this Erica girl checked her timing chip and noticed if it was the right one. What if she didn't notice and she ran with Lacey's chip? This had never happened to either of us before so we didn't know what to do. I know Lacey went to bed that night a little nervous and unsettled.
In the end, we did find out that there was a runner relations booth at the beginning of the race and they did take care of it. But this situation just goes to show that you have to double check your own bibs and tags. After we show our ID and get our packet, it never occurred to us that we would be given the wrong one. This situation certainly didn't ruin our race but it definitely taught us a lesson and now we are super vigilant when picking up race packets!
Oh no...I'm so glad they were able to fix it for you guys, though! I once ran an out of town half where we didn't make it to the start line in time and the timing had already been cut off for the next race (5K). It was funny to see our results because we didn't have an official start time!
ReplyDeleteLuckily I have never been late for a race.
DeleteI was given the wrong bib/timing chip at a half marathon...didn't notice right away, except that my name wasn't on the bib, and it should have been (I'd registered in time for that). A couple hours later I finally realized something was wrong and went back to the expo - luckily it was close to our house. That definitely taught me to always double check the bib and chip!
ReplyDeleteGlad you lived close. That would have been a disaster if you driven far and very frustrating!
DeleteThis is interesting post! I think the number one thing I worry about now is if I will have to use the restroom or if my shins will hurt.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad everything was figured out before the start of your race - that would have been weird to run with someone's chip!
I think everyone biggest fear is having to stop for a potty break. And most time those lines are so long!
DeleteThat's good that Lacey noticed the other name on the chip! I'm not sure I would have even noticed that. I'll have to remember to check for things like that when I pick up packets in the future.
ReplyDeleteYes, for sure! I always double check now.
DeleteI always think of the worst things possible can happen for race days. So I'm basically OCD on checking, rechecking & Re-rechecking things ... & am STILL missing something on the morning of a race ;) haha
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad that RnR was able to fix the shoe tag issue. I'm actually shocked that RnR still uses the shoe tags since its such an outdated system.
ReplyDeleteYea me too. Maybe they will get up with the times soon. It is probably a cost issue I'm assuming.
DeleteI never would have checked my chip! I'm glad it worked out. I would hate to run a race and not get the credit for the hard work!
ReplyDeleteExactly!
DeleteI might just have the same situation on my blog tomorrow, too, and guess what -- also RnR! Also my first half.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't imagine having it be my first half and having this issue. Thanksfully I have run several halfs before this one.
DeleteOh no! I am glad they managed to sort it out though.
ReplyDeleteYes they did. And I had plenty of time before race started as well.
DeleteYikes! I've never checked my chip. I had a friend who lost his on the way to a big half marathon. Didn't realize it until it started. Had to use a finish line picture to prove his finish and finish time. Crazy! That was years ago, and any time he does the Indy Mini, we always ask each other if we have our chip!
ReplyDeleteOh no! Sounds like that was a mess.
DeleteI have heard of this happening before good thing you checked it out!
ReplyDeleteI wish I would have caught it that day at the expo instead of right before Bed.
DeleteOh wow! I always see the signs at RnR race expos saying "please make sure the name on your bib matches" et al. I've never had a problem, though, so never thought much about it until now. Good thing you checked! What a relief that the race organizers were able to straighten it out quickly!
ReplyDeleteThat's the crazy part. My name matched on my bib. It was the red timing chip you put thru your laces that didn't match never thought to have checked that too.
DeleteOh no!! I would have freaked out! Glad it all got resolved!
ReplyDeleteThanks. An easy fix!
DeleteGlad you guys got it fixed! I'm not sure I would have noticed! There is always something that can go wrong!
ReplyDeleteI'm actually surprised I picked up on that too.
DeleteGlad it was able to be fixed!!!
ReplyDeleteMe too!
DeleteIf that had happened to me I would have had even more trouble sleeping the night before the race than usual. I'm glad that's never happened to me and that it was straightened out.
ReplyDeleteLuckily I got s hold of my friend that is a race director and assured me that it would be resolved in the morning so that eased my anxiety a bit.
DeleteGlad you got it fixed! I don't think I would have checked that!
ReplyDeleteI worry a lot about getting to the corral on time. Like have nightmares about it!
I didn't bother to check It since my bib was right. Now I know for the future.
DeleteI definitely need to check my bib and timing chip at the expo now! Glad it was fixed!
ReplyDeleteYep. That is the first thing I check from now on.
DeleteOoh, that timing chip could've been a disaster if you girls hadn't caught it!! I still worry about using the bathroom and fueling correctly, even for SHORT races. I just feel like that kind of anxiety will never go away no matter how experienced I become.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it ever does. Everyone has those race day jitters.
DeleteI've heard about these types of things happening, good thing you caught it and could rectify it before the race! I've definitely had issues with my headphones that has been pretty frustrating...usually the music won't play or my headphones won't stay put.
ReplyDeleteSame here. Or worse, ipod or Garmin isn't charged!
DeleteYep, never would've thought of that one! One part of me is always thinking about potential mishaps and planning all the things, while the other part of me is like "chill, just let this be a fun race that you just casually partake in." Usually the first voice wins. Haha.
ReplyDeleteI've learned to relax throughout the yrs and just go with it. When I grt myself worrying about things it reflects on my performance. It is what it is.
DeleteGood thing there was a runners relation booth to help out. I'm pretty sure I would've lost sleep due to stressing so much about it. I've never had that problem, but I would worry and worry, especially if I was using that race for a time to submit.
ReplyDeleteIt wasn't goal race so I wasn't too concerned. But it was just the point.
DeleteGood thing they were able to sort it out! I think I worry most about getting to the start on time.
ReplyDeleteSo glad it didn't delay things. It was actually a quick fix but I was worried it wasn't going to be.
DeleteThis happened to me once- I have a heck of a PR for a 5K (like 10 years ago). We didn't catch it until we looked at the times later. Crazy!
ReplyDeleteOh man that would have made me so mad!
DeleteHuh. Good to know. That's never happened to me before but now I'll be sure to check!!
ReplyDeleteYea me either so didn't think that was something I needed to check.
DeleteOh, glad you were able to get it sorted out before the race. I've gotten a bib in the wrong corral before, but also was able to switch on race day. Phew.
ReplyDeleteThat happened to me before too but I noticed it right away and it was a quick fix. This
ReplyDeleteI worry about that one too.
ReplyDeleteMy race day mishaps usually include no portapotties when nature calls...
ReplyDeleteGood thing you guys noticed, I don't think I would have. Glad it was all sorted out. I always worry about going to the bathroom before a race. I did forget my flipbelt once and had to run without music for a half marathon. It actually turned out ok, but now I always double check to see if I have it.
ReplyDelete