After weeks of absolutely perfect, gorgeous weather in Charleston, the cold and rain has returned just in time for the week of my 10K. As of right now, the forecast is for chilly weather and rainstorms all week, clearing up to sunny with a high of 72 on Saturday. I am hoping and praying that the weatherman is right for once, because the only thing that sounds more miserable than running a 10K is running a 10K in the rain.
Anyway, I'm beginning my final training week, tapering down my runs and not pushing my body quite so hard in preparation for the big day. I'm heading to the grocery store to pick up more healthy proteins like fish and Greek yogurt, veggies for salads, and am focusing on not filling my body with empty carbohydrates. I know I need to continue eating carbs, but Flavor Blast Goldfish--though delicious--are probably not the best fuel for my body.
My question to any runners out there is what do you recommend that I eat for breakfast on the day of the race? I'll probably wake up to eat around five, and the run starts at 8. My plan for this week is eggs or Raisin Bran cereal with a banana, but I don't want to eat that much that early and want to limit my fiber intake before running. I was thinking maybe a cup of Greek yogurt when I wake up and then a banana around 7:30?
I also want to overhaul my iPod playlist the day before the race so that I've got new tunes blasting the day of the big run. I'm getting sick of some of the songs on my current list, and want to mix it up a little bit. Here's my current running playlist:
Some of the tunes on the chopping block: Teach Me How to Dougie and Love Lockdown. And as you can see, I like pretty much everything from poppy pop like Glee to Britney to rap and country.
What's your go to song that gets your blood pumping and makes the time fly by?
Yay this is excited. I love your playlist, I own 75% of these songs and I shamefully love Britney Spears! Maybe one of these:
Shewolf by Shakira
Young Money by Vita Chambers
Great DJ by The Tings Tings
Hummingbird Heartbeat by Katy Perry
New in Town by Little Boots
Wildflower by The Jane Dear Girls
Love is Dead by The Lovemakers
Good luck but I bet you will be great!
Posted by: Brittany E. | March 28, 2011 at 07:44 PM
i ran my first 5k a couple weeks ago and Girltalk really got me through it.
Posted by: ria | March 28, 2011 at 07:56 PM
Good luck with your run!
I love the play list! I listen to Sugarland and Cee Lo Green's songs quite a bit, too.
Posted by: Thoughts Appear | March 28, 2011 at 09:21 PM
OMG, you and I have VERY similar iPods. Not sure about new music, but I always turn to Bon Jovi (Living on a Prayer-type stuff) when all else fails.
Hmmm. Maybe Katy Perry's Firework?
Posted by: Cat | March 28, 2011 at 10:12 PM
I am such a ball of nerves before a race and it kills my appetite. I usually force a piece or two of toast and a banana. That seems to work well for me.
Great playlist! I have tons of the Glee songs on my playlist, too :-) Oddly enough, I don't actually like running with music during a big race. I didn't even bring my iPod to my half-marathon last year and it was totally fine. I loved hearing the conversations of people I passed and the cheers from the sidelines.
Good luck on Saturday!
Posted by: Stevie | March 28, 2011 at 11:57 PM
Oh yay so exciting! You'll rock it!
As for one of my favorite pump up songs, Rooney's "Just Can't Get Enough" is excellent as is "Magic" by B.O.B.
Good luck!
Posted by: katelin | March 29, 2011 at 12:01 AM
You are awesome, thank you so much for the massive list!!
Posted by: Angela Noelle | March 29, 2011 at 12:47 AM
Congrats on running your first 5K! I'll definitely check out Girltalk.
Posted by: Angela Noelle | March 29, 2011 at 12:47 AM
I never get tired of that dang Forget You song... I can hear both versions on the same run and not cycle past them!
Posted by: Angela Noelle | March 29, 2011 at 12:48 AM
Oooh, that's a good one! I think I'll get the Glee version though... because I am obsessed.
Posted by: Angela Noelle | March 29, 2011 at 12:48 AM
Yes, the nerves are definitely a big concern. I just know I'll be starving by the time I get halfway through the run! I think a banana at least will help out. I'll keep that in mind about listening to the crowd. Maybe the last mile I'll run without music since that's where most of the crowd will probably be.
Posted by: Angela Noelle | March 29, 2011 at 12:50 AM
Thanks lady, I haven't heard of either of those, so I'll check them out! Love hearing about new (to me) music :)
Posted by: Angela Noelle | March 29, 2011 at 12:50 AM
Metro Station - Shake It!
Posted by: Emily Jane | March 29, 2011 at 01:28 AM
Viva La Vida has always been my favorite running song. But I've been loving Animal by Neon Trees & Firework lately. Clearly I need to get some NEW stuff...
Can't wait to hear about the run. I'm doing my first 10K in July!! Woo Hoo.
Posted by: Molly | March 29, 2011 at 02:15 AM
First, I LOVE that you put the Arrested Development photo up there, hilarious. Sadly I do not have a ton of great ideas for your playlist because I love it right now!
Posted by: Jessica | March 29, 2011 at 02:44 AM
Ahh, that is so exciting!
I love your current playlist - I don't know if Glee is really running music, but maybe some more Glee songs?
Can't wait to hear about how awesome you do!
Posted by: Jen | March 29, 2011 at 04:25 AM
Our playlists are identical, almost. I have a lot of Cascada on mine--the fast beats are good for matching my footsteps to, so it helps me to keep going.
Posted by: Heidi Renée | March 29, 2011 at 06:19 AM
I don't know much about play lists or pre-race nutrition, but I do love the fact that you are praying for good weather on your special day! I am just curious to know who you are praying to?:) Just know that based on my last weekend's wake-up call from above, I have and will be praying for you to fly through this experience and come out a stronger woman at the end. That is the goal of all of life's experiences, my love. You are one of my heroes!
Posted by: The Incubator | March 29, 2011 at 04:46 PM
Hey, if the song has a good beat, enjoy it. There's stuff I listen to when I'm working out that I would never listen to for, um, pleasure, I guess. Self magazine tends to offer good playlist suggestions on their website.
I really am hoping and praying for good weather this weekend up and down the coast!!!
Posted by: Kate P | March 30, 2011 at 04:29 AM
I did a press release about the food subject at my last job. According to my dietitian (former) coworkers, here's some eating advice:
· Whatever you eat, be sure you have tried it before coming to the Delaware Marathon. Everyone's stomach reacts differently to different foods, and a race is not the best time to discover that a food doesn't sit well.
· On the morning of the big day, have a light breakfast with lots of carbs. Cereal with fruit and milk, a low-fat yogurt, or a bagel and juice are ideal.
· Runners should not eat solid food for two to three hours before an event.
· Staying hydrated is most important. Drink fluids regularly.
I love fun country songs, like Hicktown or that new rain song, to keep me going.
Posted by: PomJob | March 30, 2011 at 11:42 PM
Oh - and I'm looking forward to a race recap. I'm running my first 10K in June, but mine has military style obstacles along the way. I'm scared.
Posted by: PomJob | March 30, 2011 at 11:44 PM