Monday, March 22, 2010

Pre-Race Check List

Now:
1. You should be Registered for the race by now. If you're not, don't put it off any longer!
2. Plan your driving route and departure time. Leave EARLY! Plan to arrive at the race at least a hour early! Trust me, you will be glad. Arriving late will stress you out and possibly upset your race. Roads will be closed, parking will be crazy, runners will be everywhere.
3. Figure out parking now. Read the race website to learn about what roads will be closed, what lots are available and how much they cost, etc.
4. MUSIC: Get that i-pod loaded! Jenna made us all CD's that we'll give out at the Pasta Feed.

Saturday, the Day Before the Race:
1. Go to the Race Expo to pick up your runners bag, number bib, timing chip, and more! There will be tons of booths giving away free samples and selling things, so leave lots of time to hang out and explore.
2. Pick out your race outfit and put it on. That’s right—put it on to make sure you don’t forget something like, oh, the sports bra. Or the left shoe. Put the whole thing on and jog around the block. Don’t try anything new for the race.
3. Drink a lot of water all day.
4. Pack your favorite energy gels, bars or blocks. The race will have water and Gatorade stops, but no gels.
5. Make the time to drive to the course, so you know exactly where the parking, shuttles and starting line are.
6. Purchase and prepare your breakfast for early the next morning.

Have the following items ready to go the night before:
*Your race outfit.
*Official race bib pinned to your PETA Pack race shirt.
*Timing chip attached to your shoe.
*Gels and gus and bars.
*Old sweats to wear in the beginning.
*Hat (if you wear one), sunscreen, hair band, dark glasses.
*PETA banner folded up in your pocket that you can hold up as you cross the finish line (if you want one)
*Music (if you use it).
*Fully charged phone.
*Camera! Please, everyone…bring your camera so we can post photos after the event!
*Small bag with a bottle of water, dry shirt, ID and credit cards for after the race.
*SET YOUR ALARM! If you're anthing like me, you should probably set two.

Race Morning
1. You have everything together, so all you have to do is get dressed and go!
2. Leave with enough time to arrive at least 1 hour early!
3. Find parking and walk to the PETA Pack meeting spot near the starting point on 15th & Broadway.
4. Meet up with the team and walk, stretch, eat a banana…and relax because you're there on time.
5. This race has a gear check--her name is Alex Bury. ;) She'll be at the PETA Pack meeting spot while we're getting ready, but she's not racing so she can take our things back to the office. Leave what you can in your car, but she'll take the rest. That means we can show up in a layer of our favorite old sweats over our race outfits to stay warm in the cold morning air.
6. Ready, set, GO Pack GO!

Post-Race list:
1. Wipe tears off face. Seriously. I guarantee that at least half of us will cry when we cross the finish line.
2. WALK…don’t sit down after the race. Your legs will need to walk so the muscles loosen up.
3. Drink water (they’ll provide it at the race).
4. Cheer for other PETA Packers crossing the finish line and take photos!
5. Share large hugs with everyone you see.
6. Come to the PETA office for the Post Race Party...we'll have pizza, drinks, and more waiting for you! It's 1.5 miles from the finish line, so you can drive, walk, or coordinate a ride back to the office.
17. Eat. Drink. Relax. Stay for the Awards Ceremony, get your prizes if you’ve been fundraising, and take home your runners goody bag!
11. Look in the mirror and marvel at how amazing you are.

If you have any questions, email us soon--don't wait until the night before the race or you may not receive an answer! Good luck with the rest of your fundraising, and we'll see you at the finish line!

Alex, Michelle & Jaci

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