Packing Positivity For The Destination Race
Enjoying a Dole Whip with Mom
Walt Disney World (WDW) Marathon Weekend 2020 is HERE!
Have to admit, it kind of snuck up on me, but in the best way possible. This weekend, my mom and I will be running the 10k together! And then two days later, my husband and I will be running the marathon with approximately 20,000 of Mickey’s friends! I’m looking forward to having fun in the parks and during the races, and also to catching up with my RunDisney pals!
Leading into this trip, we had the holidays, and with the hustle and bustle of life and work, I did not give much thought to the packing until the night before the trip. So, here we have my suggested items to remember to pack for your destination race. (I’ll be sure to tack this up on the inside of the closet door for next time!)
Top 5 Items to Pack for Destination Race
1. Socks & Sneakers
I realize that these items could be bought in a pinch if needed, but I try to abide by the mantra “nothing new on race day”. To be sure, if I forgot my running sneakers, I would absolutely buy a new pair and not attempt to run barefoot!
2. Throwaway clothes
If you will be running in cooler or cold weather, I would recommend packing along some throwaway layers so that you can keep warm while waiting at the start line. I keep a small pile of stuff for donation in my closet (sweatshirts, sweaters, long sleeve shirts), and will grab one of these to wear to race morning, tossing it just before I cross the start line. Most races donate the clothing that is left along the course. One additional tip: I often save the mylar blankets that are given out at the end of races, reusing them in the future to keep me warm on a chilly race morning. And, they can be stuffed easily into the corner of a suitcase!
3. Sun protection
The weather in Orlando this weekend is predicted to be sunny and warm. Sunscreen is always a good idea on a daily basis but think about a way to tote a small amount to reapply mid-race if you are going to be running in the sunshine for a few hours. Trader Joe’s has a small roll-on sunscreen stick that I packed along for this weekend. I’ve also put liquid sunscreen into a tiny plastic snack bag and placed it in my pocket. Don’t forget your sunglasses and possibly a hat or visor to shield your face from the sun!
4. Fuel
This category includes type of fuel, how you will carry it, and mode of carrying water. If you will be running longer than 90 minutes, chances are that you will be taking in some kind of nutrition mid-race. Be sure to review the race information beforehand, to see what fuel and aid stops may or may not be provided on course. If something is offered on course, and you practice with this fuel in training, you may not need to pack along extra. But if you know that, for example, you can’t stomach the gels provided on course, you may want to think about bringing along the jelly beans that you know work for you. In addition, will the water stops provided on course be enough for your hydration needs? If not, think about carrying your own water along in a handheld bottle.
5. Positive attitude
This is, absolutely, the most important item on my list! Lots of things can go awry with traveling, and sometimes, things don’t quite go as planned. If you should get to your destination and realize you’ve forgotten one of the material items on your list, or should the airline lose your luggage, step one is not to panic. I would venture a guess that everything on this list could be bought at the last minute. This mindset carries over into race day as well. I’ll leave you with what has always been my Coach’s best advice to me for race days…
“No matter what happens, above all else: stay positive.” ~Coach Billy Blaser
Excited to report back from WDW Marathon Weekend! Please like and follow our Mindful Marathon Facebook page for pics and updates this weekend!