Tip #2: What Can I Do in 30 Days?

For most of you, it’s been several months since you registered for the Richmond Marathon. Since then, we’ve built up your weekly running mileage, adding more workouts and longer runs—some of you have even done hill work and fit in a few 10K and half-marathon races. So, what can you do in the remaining 30 days to improve your performance on November 10?

The fact is, you cannot add to your fitness in these final weeks. Your goal should be to maintain your condition. Ideally, you’ve been running at least 30 miles a week for the last three weeks to prepare yourself for the 26.2-mile test on November 10. Experienced and competitive marathoners may be running as much as 50, 60, or more miles a week. But no matter what your goal, experience, or ability level, adding mileage now is not a good idea. Your body will not have time to adjust and recover by race day and you risk arriving at the starting line tired, even overtrained, and unable to put out a peak performance. In an upcoming tip, I’ll give you advice on properly reducing your mileage, a process called tapering, in the days before the marathon so that you are fresh and fully recovered on race day.

But there are other things you can do now that will improve your performance—and add to your enjoyment—on race day. These daily tips will help you stay healthy and become mentally prepared for the Richmond Marathon. But even more, the tips will remind you to take care of details that could, if left untended, cause a lot of stress on race weekend.

First, confirm you race entry. This can be done on the Richmond Marathon website. Make sure your information is correct. This will ensure you have no problems when you show up at the expo to get your race packet. Remember to bring a photo ID when you pick up the packet.

Second, review and confirm your plans for traveling to Richmond during race week. If you haven’t made plans, do so as soon as possible. I can help you out with hotel suggestions if you need them, but most have already filled up.

Third, make a plan to get to the expo. You must visit the expo to pick up your official number, chip, and other materials. The expo is an exciting place to be before the race, featuring vendors who showcase and sell their latest products. A wealth of information and offers from race sponsors and charity partners will be available as well.

With these plans in place, you can begin your final preparations for the marathon on November 10. There’s no need waste nervous energy at the last minute. Instead, you can spend the days before the race relaxing and enjoying Richmond during marathon week.