I love destination races, but they take a little extra planning.  The weather can change leading up to race day, so it’s best to pack race options for rain, cold, heat (I sound like the mailman), etc…

Most importantly remember NOTHING NEW ON RACE DAY! 

Race Day Outfit: If you are flying, it is a good idea to pack your race outfit in your carry-on bag.

• Visor or hat
• Shorts or tights
• shirt or singlet
• Socks
• Race shoes
• Throw away jacket (zip-up preferred)
• Gloves
• Earbuds
• Handheld water bottle or fuel belt
• Bib belt or safety pins
• Hair clips. Rubber bands
• Sports bra
• Sunglasses
• Armband for your ipod or iphone
• ziplock bag for your phone or key if it’s raining (plastic bags always come in handy!)

Technology:  Don’t forget your chargers!!

• Laptop and charger
• Phone and charger
• Garmin and charger

Toiletries:

• Sunscreen!!!
• Makeup
• Bodyglide
• Deodorant, face wash, body wash, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc…
• Medication and vitamins

Nutrition:  These are my race fuel choices.

• Gu
• Picky Bars
• Cocogo Code: JENCHOOSESJOY (all caps) for 10% off
• Do you usually drink coffee before a race?  Make sure you have a coffee maker in your room.  Often, race hotels will serve coffee at ungodly hours to runners before a race.  Have a plan.  Coffee is important.
• Race Day Breakfast:  You’ve practiced your long run breakfast for months. Do your best to recreate it in your hotel room. I take banana bread. Instant oatmeal is also easy to make in your room if you have a coffee maker.

Recovery:

• Massage Stick
• Compression sleeves
• Ibuprofen
• Protein powder.  I like Vega Recovery Accelerator.

Paperwork:

• Id
• Hotel confirmation
• Flight info
• Race confirmation numbers.  A lot of races mail you a passport for the expo.
• Race bibs if they were mailed to you.  Boston mailed us our 5K bibs.

Reservations:  I know you don’t pack reservations, but it’s an important part of planning your trip.

• Are you attending the race pasta dinner or do you need reservations at a local restaurant?  Remember that Italian restaurant reservations fill up quickly on race weekend.
• Shakeout Runs.  Runner’s World and other running brands will host shake-out runs at large races.  They often ask you to rsvp via Facebook invitation.

This was a Runner’s World shakeout run in Chicago with Deena Kastor and Bart Yasso!

What have I forgotten?

Do you like destination races? Where is your favorite destination race?

Do you participate in the pasta dinner and shake-out runs before the race?

Are you big planner or do you just go with the flow when you’re travelling?  The more I plan, the less stress I have on race day.

#choosejoy