First 1/2 Marathon!!!

Sunday, I will be running my first half marathon EVER!!! I am so excited. Below are the marching orders from my mentor, Deb:

Sunday: Bronx Marathon! We will be meeting at 7:15 am at the right side of the baggage check-in area. The race starts at 8:00 am.

• Don't forget to pick up your number at NYRR, 9 East 89th St. (@ 5th Ave): Fri 1:00-7:00 p.m. or Sat 11:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
• None of you should be RACING this half. Just take it like a normal run and practice drinking and eating gels (yum).
• Directions by Subway: Take the 4 or D trains to Bedford Park Boulevard/Lehman College and walk west on Bedford Park Boulevard to the start at Goulden Avenue.
• After the race, get your bag, put every layer you have back on, stay warm, and go to the TNT Cheering section about 200 yards from the finish line to cheer everyone one! GO TEAM!

Tips from Ramon:

• Friday, go for a 2-3 mile run, Saturday don't run at all, just stretch.
• Drink plenty of liquids Fri and Sat. You can add a sports drink per day, or add a little extra salt to your meals.
• Starting Friday, 60-65% of your calories should come from carbohydrates. You don't need to eat more, just make sure most calories come from carbs.
• Sunday morning you should be done with breakfast by 6:00-6:15 am (if a light breakfast) 5:30 if complete breakfast. Continue to hydrate until 6:00 am. After that make sure you get rid of the excess of fluids (aka go to the bathroom).
• 5-10 mins before the start have your last 6-8 oz of liquids so you . If you do this it'll prevent you from going to the bathroom in the first mile. But you need to make sure hydrate Fri and Sat, so you have the tank full by race day.
• Don't skip any water station except the first.
• You should have a gel about 50 minutes into the race, and every 40-45 minutes from there. You MUST have the gel/food with liquids to help the body break the nutrients. [NB: Bring 3 gels just in case!]