Untied blog: Who’re you callin’ a dummy?

Last week, we posted some insight from our coaches about how to be successful on race day.  With the Williams Route 66 Marathon just days away, we wanted to expand on one piece of insight from Frank Muller.  He suggested laying out all your race-day gear and apparel the night before to ensure you have everything ready to go the next morning.

Many of us are visual people, so why not get a little creative with your preparations?  Clear some space on your dining room table, a spare bed, or the floor, and make a race dummy.

Literally lay out everything you use and run with to create your dummy.  Start at the top and work your way down.  At the top will be a hat, Sweaty Band, headphones, sunglasses and maybe lip balm.  Below that, your chosen shirt and jacket, sports bra or NipGuards.  Don’t forget to lay out your watch or Garmin (but if you do this a few days in advance remember to put the Garmin back on the charger!)  Add in your race number and pins.  Keep moving down to your shorts or tights, Body Glide, socks, shoes and timing chip.* Make sure and include things you might need, like a poncho or gloves.

Laying out your dummy a few days in advance gives you time to visualize what you need, as well as gives you time to remember something you might have forgotten.

Point to note – if anything your dummy is wearing has a tag on it (excluding a $1 poncho or a new stick of Body Glide,) we suggest re-thinking your dummy.  Runners and walkers should never try out a new piece of apparel or shoes on race day.  Wear something tried and true and something that you know works well on your body.

We do suggest those Nip Guards should be new, though.  No one wants to wear used NipGuards.

Now, for the fun!  Who wants SWAG?  Lay out YOUR runner dummy, and take its pic.  Post this photo to the Fleet Feet Tulsa Facebook page (give us a “like” while you’re there) by Friday, Nov. 18 at midnight, and be entered to win a $50 gift certificate toward a new pair of shoes. Winner will be chosen by random drawing and contacted via Facebook.

*Which is actually missing from the sample photo.  See?  This is why we tell you to lay everything out in advance!  Even we can forget things every now and then.

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