Packing for a Destination Race....and a giveaway!

Getting ready for a race is always crazy.  You want everything set out the night before, to make getting ready at the butt-crack of dawn just a little bit easier! When you are traveling for a race, though, things get serious! You don't want to leave anything important at home, because you never want to run in something, or use something, that you haven't already tried out! Especially if you are running a Half or Full Marathon. 13-26.2 miles with a shirt chafing you, or a fuel belt that won't stay put, can be the difference between a PR and an all out melt down!
This weekend, I will be running Rock n Roll Providence! We will be driving to Rhode Island, which is about a 4 hour drive for us, so it is not too bad!

The first thing I pack is always my running outfit. It is definitely the most important part of the weekend! Like I mentioned earlier, you never want to wear something new to a long race. Always try everything out beforehand on a 3-5 miles run, to be sure that nothing rubs wrong, or hangs wrong, or rides up. If the race has a theme, I usually have the outfit picked out way in advance, but for this race I literally decided what I would wear this morning as I packed. I bought the shirt for RnR USA, and thought it would be nice to wear it to more than one race! The skirt, of course, is for added sparkle. I added my Moms Run This Town Bondi Band to keep with the theme! I also pack my gear: fuel belt (I use my Running Buddy, if you use code RBuddyA6 at checkout, you get 15% off and free shipping), earbuds, gps watch and plug (always pack the plug as you pack the electronics, that way nothing gets left behind!), sunglasses and visor (so you have a choice on race morning), Road ID, and the Stick.

Next, I pack what I will wear at the expo, and after the race. These are both super important outfits as well. Your expo outfit should be comfy, and  I always wear something from one of the companies I represent. This expo, I will wear my Swirlgear shirt and hoodie. (Use code 961 at checkout for free shipping!) They are super comfy, and I can move around easily in them. For after the race, I usually prefer sweats. Not glamorous, I know, but I am tired and sore, and usually traveling back home again, so sweats it is. I am wearing my GIANTS sweats this weekend. Even though they suck right now, they are still my boys. I also pack Compression Socks, too, just in case my legs are really sore. They help immensely! I also packed my Sweat Pink hoodie in case it is cold after the race.

Now that I have all of my clothes ready, it is time to pack the little, but very important, things.

Fuel! I can fit all 3 of these in my Running Buddy, along with my iPhone and keys!

paperwork! Directions, waiver, dinner reservations, expo info, and hotel info

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This last picture is super important! I know, the Stick is in here twice, I couldn't decide where it belonged so I used it in both collages! I love having this after the race, to sooth my aching muscles. I even keep it in reach on the car ride home, for when my legs get achey after too much sitting. I bring Aleve for aches and pains, and I take the Anti-Diarrheal the night before and the morning of the race. TMI? Maybe. Lots of runners seem to need this, and on occasion I am one of them! Better safe than sorry! With my knee pain lately, I will also be bringing my KT Tape. I will tape up whether I have pain that morning or not, just to be safe. It is pure coincidence that it matches my outfit, by the way. I only own it in lime green right now. Such a happy color. speaking of happy, you gotta love my Duck Dynasty band aids. I have not had a blister in 2 years, but the time I leave my band aids home, is when I will need them!

Of course, I will also pack the essentials: toothpaste, toothbrush, razor, deoderant, makeup. On an overnight trip, I trust the hotel to provide soap and shampoo. We always stay at a Hilton or a Kimpton, and they are very reliable about that stuff. On a trip of 3+ days, I will bring my own, in case the hotel does not replace used soap and shampoo.

I also pack my laptop (with plug) and my iPhone (with plug) at the last minute, along with my external battery and my backpack with built in charger. That backpack is the best invention. You charge the backpack overnight, and then you can plug in any phone and charge it twice. It is great for Disney, and for Expo days as well. Thanks Mom. Best Christmas gift ever!

As I was packing all of my stuff, and decided to go with the Moms Run This Town theme, I realized that I had some great MRTT stuff to give away! If you are not a member of MRTT, click the link I provided above my Flat Mama pic. It is a FREE running club for women! There are local chapters, and if you put your zip code into the finder, it will tell you which ones are close by! Chapters do races together, training runs, get togethers, and more. There are also fun virtual races a couple of times a year. 

Anyway, I will be giving away:

Sweat Pink shoelaces, a MRTT Bondi Band, MRTT pen, MRTT lip balm, a few MRTT tattoos, and a 5K shubeez shoe tag! Awesome, right? The giveaway will end on Saturday, and I will post the winner by Monday at the latest! Good luck!

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