Happy Saturday everyone! We are officially on our second full day in Virginia but there is still so much to do. Thank you for bearing with me during this transition. There is so much I look forward to sharing with you. Today I have an awesome post for you from Jeremy! He is packing for a big move as well! Take it away Jeremy.

 

Howdy!  Jeremy here from Phoenix.  I blog over at Confessions of an Amateur Athlete.

I’m excited to be a guest here on Sara’s blog!  We were both chatting about packing for our own big moves, which made me think about the packing when we travel out of town for races!

So I’m here to talk about the runner’s checklist to make your Racecation even easier!

One of our biggest concerns as a runner is leaving behind a crucial piece of gear.  Trust me, I can’t tell you the number of dreams I’ve had the night before a race, where I’ve forgotten my running shoes!

 

But I’m the king of preparation, and I’ll pass along some tips to keep you sane and help you enjoy your getaway!

THE GEAR:

1.)    CLOTHING:   before leaving, check on the weather in the area you’ll be racing.  Also, look up reviews online (a great source is bibrave.com it’s like YELP but for races!)  If it looks like the race is chilly at the start, you can bring an old sweater to toss or pick something up at Goodwill.  If it’s typically pretty warm you can ditch the extra layers for light moisture-wicking clothing.  Nevertheless, I *always* bring at least a light jacket for when I’m not running. JUST in case.

 

2.)   SHOES:  Wear your running shoes on the plane!  Don’t worry, they will function jus t the same on raceday, even if you wear them for the flight.  You’ll be comfy on the plane and won’t have to worry about them getting lost in transit because they’ll be snug on your feet!

 

3.)   GPS, PHONE, ETC: If you run with music like me, you want to make sure to you don’t forget your “accessories”.  Take a large Ziploc bag and put all your watches, armbands, headphones, etc. into it.  They’ll be all in one spot and you’re less likely to leave an item behind.  Also include a small Ziploc bag in case you end up running a rainy race.  It’ll help keep those electronics dry if you decide you MUST run with them.

 

4.)   FOOD:  It’s best to make sure you have your go-to fuel with you.  Don’t try to experiment with whatever is available to you at the hotel.  I take my GUs, instant oatmeal, etc. With me.  If you want fresh fruit or bagels, you can always pick those up at a local store nearby.

 

ADDITIONAL TIPS:

1.)   Find your confirmation e-mails for your hotel, your flight, AND your race packet… and print them out ahead of time.  Even if they all claim you can just show your e-mail, it’s best to have a back-up JUST in case.  You never know when you won’t have access to the internet.

 

2.)   Set out everything you need for your run after you get your bib.  That way if you’re missing anything (socks, safety pins, etc.) you’ll have time to run to the store before bedtime.

 

3.)   Find the closest Target, Wal-Mart, or local store to your hotel.  Because chances are you’re going to forget SOMETHING.  But don’t sweat it!  As long as you have clothes on your back and shoes on your feet, you can run.  Everything else will fall into place.

 

4.)   HAVE FUN! This is the most important. Enjoy the scenery on your race.  Take in the sights, thank volunteers, and celebrate your finish at a local restaurant! After all, it’s a vacation too!

 

I hope these tips help you pack your way to an awesome adventure!

Thanks again to Sara for letting me share with you and Happy Running everyone!

 

Thank you Jeremy! Make sure to go and check out his blog! You can also find him on Twitter.

 

Have you ever packed for a runcation?

What is your best tip for packing for a race?.