Pre Race Prep...the stuff no one talks about

I'm running another race this weekend. My mind has been in prep mode. It occurred to me that there are many things that runners do to prepare for a race but they aren't the typical things you'd find when Googling "Pre-race preparation".

1. Pick out your outfit - There are a couple of rules to abide by while picking up your outfit. No "underarmour" tops for men (the tight ones)...especially not with basketball shorts. Women must not bare the midriff unless it has been verified by someone other than yourself that you INDEED HAVE A SIX PACK....of muscle...not fat rolls. Even then, you might be considered self-absorbed, unless you're competing in a triathlon as that event requires more technical clothing. No-show socks are a must. And the last outfitting rule which is generally accepted in the racing community is that you must not wear the race shirt for the race in which you are currently participating. This screams ROOKIE!! It is, however, OK to wear a race shirt from a prior race AS LONG AS you ran the race and didn't borrow it from someone else. It's even better if you wear a shirt from a more difficult race than the one you're currently running.
   
2. Clip your toenails - Taking preventative measures such as this may not ensure that you will not lose your toenails but it will help minimize impact of toes hitting the end of your shoes repeatedly, thereby causing the bruise and blister beneath the nail, resulting in the ever-so-lovely mutated toenail. I've lost many a toenail due to running and my only advice for those who suffer this fate is that you can somewhat conceal the fact that there is no toenails by painting the nail bed instead of leaving it blank. Think of it as a toupee of sorts.
   
3. Set your alarm - The most important reason for this is not only to make it to your race on time, but to allow ample time to get things moving. It is the runner's worst nightmare to have to stop and poop on the side of the road....or to SEE another runner pooping on the side of the road. This is why I recommend that you wake up at least 2 hours before the race, eat a very small meal (I usually choke down a banana, part of a granola bar, and a Diet Coke with Lime), walk around, jog in place, do some squats...do whatever it takes!!
4. Prime the playlist - Music is a powerful tool during a race. It has the ability to turn a painful 1o minute mile into an 8 or even a 7 (confession: I don't run 7 minute miles). It's important to pick music with the right BPM (beats per minute) so that you can match your pace to the music. In my second marathon, I didn't turn my music on until mile 22 and once I did, it was like I'd been immediately pumped full of adrenaline. It really sucked when my stupid Shuffle (the old, white, long kind) died at mile 25 and I was left to the painfully slow rhythm of my feet hitting the asphalt. That's why I recently invested in a new iPod Shuffle...it better work.
   
5. Dream about the post-lunch - One of the reasons I love running is because it allows me to eat whatever I want--and I do! A post-race feast is a great way not only restore glycogen stores, but also a great way to reward yourself for a job well done. I've been doing some thinking and my loyalty is torn between Cafe Rio and Red Robin. Who knows who will win in the end?