Tips to help you go the distance on race day
On October 10, 2010, over 13,000 people will lace up to run the GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon (formerly the Royal Victoria Marathon).
The race route starts in the heart of downtown Victoria, next to the iconic Fairmont Empress, and follows Victoria's scenic city streets through Oak Bay to the Uplands and back, with stunning ocean views to enjoy almost the entire way.
Whether you're a Victoria resident, visitor staying with us at Parkside for race weekend (which is conveniently close to both the starting and finish lines!), running your first 8K road race or a seasoned marathon runner hoping to set a new personal best, here are some tips to help you make the best of Victoria's marathon weekend!
Before the race
Get familiar - If you're from out of town, arrive a day or two early so you can familiarize yourself with the course. You can take a bus tour of the marathon and half marathon course routes for $10, available for purchase with your registration or at the Information Kiosk at the Victoria Marathon Race Expo. The bus tours depart from the Victoria Conference Centre, 720 Douglas Street.
Another great reason to arrive early is to take in the sights, sounds and tastes of beautiful downtown Victoria BEFORE you run, while your legs and feet are still in good working condition!
If you are lucky enough to live here, run or ride your bike along a portion of the route or drive the route in your car so you know what to expect (watch for that hill around Clover Point!).
Prep your mind & body - Take time to relax before the race. Even seasoned runners get the pre-race jitters and second-guess their training! Go for a walk, attend a yoga class or do some stretches on your own.
Another great option is to get a massage before the race; a therapeutic massage can help warm up the muscles by improving circulation, preventing muscle soreness and injury.
If it's your mind that needs to relax, consider a spa massage, reflexology treatment or a facial to put yourself in a calm state of mind.
Carb-Load - As some of you may already know, carbohydrates are an important part of a runner's diet, especially before a race. While it's best to stick to what you know before a race (i.e, don't try any new, exotic foods), give one of Victoria's amazing restaurants a try for an excellent pre-race dinner instead of hitting the grocery store.
Race Day
- Have family or friends drop you off close to the starting line at Menzies and Kingston Streets. If you're visiting, Parkside is only a 7-minute walk from the starting line. If you have to drive, please be aware of the road closures on Sunday morning. Parking is free on Sunday.
- Get there early enough (about an hour before your race start time) to make a trip to the porta-potties before the race starts. With over 13,000 runners, these line ups will be long!
- Bring an old hoodie or sweater you wouldn't mind tossing as the race starts. It can be chilly in the morning in October here in Victoria, so bring an extra layer to wear so you aren't freezing as you wait for the race to start. The extra layer you toss on the roadside when you start to warm up during the race will be donated to charity.
- Make sure you attach your race bib where it can be seen (and not to the layer of clothing you plan to remove!)
- Make a check list the day before (or when you're packing your bag before you leave for Victoria) so you're not caught without your socks or your favourite gels and go over it on race morning.
Some necessities you'll want to remember:
- socks
- shoes
- timing chip
- race bib
- sweat-wicking clothing
Other:
- Gels, Powerbars, etc.
- hydration belt with water/Gatorade
- hat, sunglasses, hair band, arm warmers, etc.
- Garmin or watch
- Advil or Tylenol
For more race day information, check out the marathon's official website.
After the Race
Refuel - If you're not heading to an early Thanksgiving dinner with your family and friends on Sunday after the race, have a hearty brunch or lunch downtown. Eat something shortly after you finish from the food table at the race, then make sure you have something more substantial at least an hour after your race to replenish your calories (especially if you've just run 42.2 kilometres!).
Recover - Consider getting a therapeutic massage after your race to help relax tight muscles, relieve cramping and reduce recovery time. You can get a massage at the race expo, at a spa or at one of Victoria's excellent massage therapy businesses or schools.
Do you have any great race tips to share? Post you pre-race, race day and post-race tips in the comment section below!