Mayhem 6: Fixed Time Race Tips

Fixed Time Race Tips

If this is your first fixed time race, or if this is the first time you've put together your own race experience, the following tips may help!

Consider the safety record of a given area as it pertains to whatever is important to you. Perhaps that's the number of people who are out and about, wildlife, or vehicles.
Consider the weather. Is your potential race site one with shade for hot days, shelter you can duck into if lightning starts, or one you can get alter if it gets too windy?
Give some thought to terrain and environment. Flat as a pancake might sound good for the first hour or two, but then your legs may be begging you for a change in grade to work different muscles. Hills are great for that, but too many and you may feel like kicking yourself for the lack of flat. Trails offer softer landings for your joints, but bugs, roots, and rocks might have you wishing you'd stuck to asphalt. Your neighborhood has its appeal, but that might grate on you if you have to do the same out-and-back countless times for hours on end. The treadmill in your basement might be climate controlled, but it might also get monotonous. The liveliness of town or city roads may entertain you, but it might also add more stops than you'd like. In other words, look at wherever you're contemplating from all angles to choose the best place for you.
Bodily functions don't stop for a race! Ideally, you'll have a place for an aid station. Access to restrooms, water, and supporting items such as electrolytes and food, fresh socks and shoes, sunscreen, bug spray, facial wipes, a first aid kit, and such is a must.

Carry your cell phone with you and make sure you have enough charge for your duration and a portable battery, if you don't.
Plot out at least a rough idea of where you'll be and when. Share that with one or more people who you can count on to keep an eye on you and to come get you should you encounter trouble.
Consider using any live tracking option you may have for your watch or phone app.
Wear an emergency information tag somewhere first responders can easily access.
Choose your clothing ahead of time with the weather in mind.
Be mindful of nutritional needs to reduce your risk of any number of ailments from heat exhaustion and heat stroke to muscle cramps.
Keep alert for what's in and around your path.
If you're racing in dim lighting, wear reflective clothing or illuminated devices and have a bright headlamp or flash light.
Follow the rules of the road, if using one! Go AGAINST traffic unless it is unsafe to do so.
If you carry any sort of defense or deterrent mechanism, be sure you know how to properly employ it.
Have a first aid kit that would address your most likely needs accessible.

Start days before your race!
Be sure in the 2-3 days before your race you've started paying extra attention to how much you hydrate and how well your food choices will fuel your body come race day. It's always a good practice, but especially when you're planning on being out for several hours.
Don't eat or drink new things 2-3 days before your race since you may not expect your body to react badly, yet it may.
Eat your last heavy pre-race meal and last fibrous foods long enough before your race that they have time to make it through your digestive system. For some people that may be a few hours, but it could be several. Ex. If you're racing at 5 a.m., perhaps make sure you finish your dinner the night before by 7 p.m.
Eat a light enough or early enough breakfast (or other meal) before your race that you won't have gastrointestinal difficulties (GI distress) during the race, but will have enough energy to get going.
If you are prone to GI distress, have your trusted remedies ready: flat soda, ginger lozenges, etc.
Do no underestimate your need for water and electrolytes. We sweat even in the cold and if we don't replace salt and other electrolytes, our bodies don't function well. We may feel sick or worse.
Practice your race foods during training!

Flat carbonated beverages
Gatorade or other electrolyte drink
Ice pops
Peanut butter (smooth, could also be other nut or seed butters) and jelly squares (vegans could do vegan tortillas, like the Mission Tortilla)
Pizza (when folks are going slowly enough to digest)
Grilled cheese sandwich squares (ditto pizza note)
Pringles
Pretzels
Combos
Oreos
Nutter Butters
Oranges
Bananas
Watermelon
Pineapple
Gummy Bears
Swedish Fish
Jelly Beans/Sports Beans
Ginger disks
Mint disks