Early Wake Up Call

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Goooooood morning!

I awoke this Saturday morning to my alarm. At 5:05 am. I thought 5 would just be too cruel.

Due to some events happening at Navy Pier today, Chicago’s Perfect 10 was moved from an 8am start time to a 7am start time. I’d like to know who was in charge of that. Not only does it get me up an hour earlier, but it also makes it 2 degrees colder:

  

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Last night, I made sure I was super prepared, so I wouldn’t run into any snags in the morning. I’m taking the bus down to the race and my biggest fear is being late!!! Hence, I’m leaving at 6am since it’s supposed to take 30-40 minutes to get there.

For dinner, I did a little carbo-loading. I had brown fried rice with kale, onion and one egg and some Coconut Aminos mixed it. It was delicious!!!

I also snacked like a mad woman today… There was some pumpkin, grapes, and perhaps a protein muffin or two… Come on, I have to perfect my recipes for you all! Don’t worry, they are coming soon.

I also got all my clothes and gear set out. My goal is always to avoid gear check, so I only bring exactly what I need and what I can carry while running.

My clothes:

My cold weather gear:

This includes my long sleeve top, cheap gloves (in case I toss them… doubt it), an ear band and then a throwaway sweatshirt. I bought the sweatshirt at Walmart a couple years back for about $6 and it’s an awkward length and way too big… So my plan is to wear it down there (since  I’ll be freezing the whole way!) and then toss it near the start line.

And the rest of my gear:

Race bib and timing chip (VERY important!), Garimin, phone armband and headphones, Road ID and GU energy gel.

I’ve also got my Keurig all set for a quick cup of coffee and my banana ready to be sliced in half and eaten.

I’ve looked at the course and figured out where the water stops are in case I want to base eating my energy gel around there (easy place to slow down). I’m not a huge fan of the course: it starts at Navy Pier and then just goes straight down and straight back up the lake shore. Granted, I run there and back every time I do a long run, but I feel like a race course should be a little more exciting. Plus, watching all the fast runners pass me coming back will not be fun… However, maybe it will be encouraging to push harder!

Alright everyone, here I go!!!!

Do you have any pre-race rituals?

When you are going anywhere early in the morning, do you set it all up beforehand?

I always do, especially when traveling!