Race Day Tips
- Water Tables
- Nutrition – you cannot run all day without eating. Not only will you add extra struggle to your day but chances are you’re going to be ill later that evening. Hopefully you have been practicing your race day nutrition strategy on your long runs. Personally, I have never taken nutrition seriously while running until this year. I know now that tired, heavy feeling in my legs can be avoided if I eat properly. Keep your electrolyte levels up with Energade, salted orange slices and race food offered at the water tables.
- Weather – Remember we will be running in a different climate then we are used to. The temperature will vary throughout the day as well. It will start out cold in Pietermaritzburg so bring a top that you are not particularly fond of so you can discard it later on to keep you warm for the first few km’s of the race. Even though you might warm up as you climb Polly Shorts you will want to keep your warm stuff for the bottom the hill where the temperature can dip again. The sun can be viscious and there are many sections of the race that offer no protection. Keep yourself cool by throwing water over yourself. Be careful of over hydration, I recommend watching the following clip, Waterlogged on YouTube.
- Be Self-Sufficient – even though we have ARD planning to be along the route, there is no guarantee they will be able to get to us. Make sure you have whatever you need to get you to the finish on you and do not bank on getting ARD along the route. Chances are you will get them but they face many challenges race day as well. Luckily, all along the route will be spectators as well. These strangers have devoted their whole day to help you get to the finish. Don’t be shy, take what these people have on offer. Last year the water tables towards the later part of the race were also very well stocked with food such as salted oranges, potatoes, bananas, crackers, race food, energy sweets etc. So don’t panic if you don’t get ARD support along the road. Try to make it easy for our supporters also. Put all your goodies in one bag to make it easier for them to carry to the road. They have to park far from the route and hike through the bush to get to us. Shoes, foodstuff, socks etc. can go in your Comrades drawstring bag you get at the expo. Label it with your name and ask someone to have it on route for you. Be appreciative and grateful for the assistance. It is not easy for our supporters and they sacrifice a lot to be there for us.