You can never rely on other racers – or even friends’ opinions of what type of course you are about to race on. Just because you may not be competing within the lead pack does not mean you can’t benefit from knowing the rules of the race and the race course.
Depending on the city and location, you may very well know what you’re getting into. Chicago will be flat; Big Sur in California will have brutal hills; and Hardrock 100 in Colorado will have steep descents. However, the majority of the races you participate in will not be so obvious when it comes to course terrain, so you’ll have to do your research.
The Very Least
At the very least you should look at a map of the course online to see what type of details they have about the race course to help you visualize the course and mentally plan for the day.
Knowing what type of course you’ll be entering will help calm your nerves, and keep you from starting out too fast. The more you visualize yourself crossing the finish line, the better your chances of making it a reality on the day of the race.
The Average
Having previously run part or all or part of the course will benefit you tremendously. Depending on what kind of course you’ll be racing, you’ll be able to plan your workouts.
If the course is accessible to you, make note of landmarks to make mental notes like the halfway point, 5k mark and the last mile. These mental landmarks will help you get through the day come race time.
The Overachiever
If you can, the biggest benefit will come from running/riding the actual course prior to race day. Obviously, that’s usually impossible, so instead pick a section that’s normally difficult to run/ride for you because of its steep hills, or technical turns. Perhaps if it’s a marathon or longer distance, you probably don’t want to run the entirety of the end of the course because your mind and body will know what to expect at the end of the race. It can be beneficial to drive the course prior to race day, if possible.
The Lead Pack
If you know you may be the leader of the pack and in the front of the race most of the time, you should be responsible for knowing the route. Not all races are well marked or well-staffed. The last thing you want to do is to try and figure out which way to go when you’re racing especially when you have a ton of people following you.
Follow the Rules
In order to follow the rules, you need to know them so be sure to view the race website for a complete list of rules. You can find a complete list of USAT rules here: USAT Rules and Regulations. Be sure to follow the “unwritten” rules to keep the peace among races.
It takes a lot of determination, time and training to properly prepare for any race. But on race day, the last thing you need to be doing is worrying about the course. So be sure to do your research and know what you’re getting into before you start the race that day.
Do you need help to learn the best race course for you? Contact me today so I can help get you find the next perfect course for you!
