If you have been training for any of the running events—marathon or half marathon—coming up in Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore, you should be ready to sprint now. If you haven’t been training, it is too late to start now, so wait until next year (and make sure you start on time).
Prepare for the early start on the day of the marathon by organizing on the day-before-the-run evening.
Cut out this list of dos and don’ts and keep it handy.
The timings are based on the first of the races coming up, the Delhi half marathon; but you can always count back 12 hours from the race start time in your city (see Running Times) and adapt this checklist accordingly.
Also Read How to train for a half marathon
Treadmill: Life’s a marathon
The day before the race
Don’t go running. Take it easy—if you’ve been training, you’ve done enough. If you really must, go for a 1-2km run in the morning. Don’t make plans to train in the evening.
7.30pm
Pack your bags• You’ll need three small bags to fit into one lightweight and waterproof bag. One bag for the stuff you’ll need in the morning, and two others to hold the things you will need during the race and after you cross the finish line
• Do not pack anything new (especially T-shirt or shoes) for the day of the race. Everything you pack should have been tried and tested during your training runs — not just once, but several times
Morning/pre-race bag
• Full sleeve T-shirt or tracksuit top
• Track pants
• Mobile phone
• Change of Rs50 (the parking lot is not always close to the start point)
• Water bottle
• Large bin liner (if it’s cold, bin liners work very well to keep you warm while you wait for the run to begin, and you won’t mind discarding them as you set off).
Running bag
• Running shoes
• Socks
• Dry-weave T-shirt (not cotton)
• Bib with your participant number (attach four safety pins to the corners; on the back, write your name and the phone number of a person to contact in an emergency)
• Shorts
• Sunglasses (it’ll get quite bright after 7am or so, but bring this only if you’re used to wearing one while you run)
• Cap (if you are used to wearing one while you run)
• Belt pouch for on-the-run snacks
After-race bag
• Change of Rs50 (the finish point may not be very close to the parking lot)
• Water bottle
• Dry snack foods, fruit (cereal bars, bananas, etc.)
• A complete change of clothes, including a fresh set of underclothes and a pair of comfortable slippers or floaters
• Set of adhesive bandages for blisters and minor cuts
• For men: Thick cream (such as Nivea), petroleum jelly (such as Vaseline), or micropore tape to protect your nipples (bleeding from friction is not unusual, and is not just embarrassing but painful)
8pm
• Eat a carbohydrate-rich dinner. The “traditional” marathoners’ choice would be pasta or pizza. Rice is great as well.
8.30pm