Lessons Learned: San Jose Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon

I learned many logistical lessons last weekend (some not race-related). It was not the race I wanted, but I would rather learn these lessons now instead of learning them on December 3 at CIM. Here are the lessons I learned.

Give Yourself More Time before the Race

While I gave myself enough time before the race, I did not anticipate the backup of cars on the off-ramp. I should have considered how long it would take to pay for parking. Since I was in race mode, I only had my driver’s license and one credit card when I attempted to pay for parking. My Discover card was accepted at the convention center parking lot the day before and was not accepted in the parking lot where I parked. (I thought the same organization operated both lots.) I needed to return to my car and get my other credit card. After waiting in line for the second time, I was late for the start of my corral. I had enough time to go to the bathroom before I got in the last corral, but I did not have time to warm up. Being in the last group meant there was a lot of weaving.

My solution for the future is to wake up even earlier. This will allow my body more time to process whatever is left in my GI tract before I toe the start line. It will also eliminate the stress of hurrying to the start and allow for some basic warmup.

Make Sure You Have All of Your Supplies Well Ahead of the Race

I knew I was running low on SOS electrolyte powder that I like to use for my races. I thought I had enough for the race. I only had half a scoop left. I used Nuun after a run before, and my body tolerated it well. I had an extra tablet, so I decided to try it. Two miles into the race, I went for my first sip of electrolyte. My stomach was already feeling a little queasy, and it did not appreciate the fizz from the Nuun. At that point, I did not feel like I could drink water or take in fuel. I ran past porta-potties but didn’t think I needed them yet.

My solution for the future, of course, is to make sure that I have all of my supplies well in advance.

If you need to use the restroom on the course, earlier might be better than later

I passed the portable restrooms near mile six. I could have used it, but it wasn’t an emergency. At about seven and a half miles in, I needed a restroom. Once I took care of business, I could eat, drink, and run faster. If you have to use the bathroom, you’ll have to use it sooner or later. If I used it sooner, I think I could have made up some time sooner.

My solution for the future is to use the restroom sooner if it is needed than later.

What’s next?

I have four more long runs to practice my pre-race fueling again. I am trying to understand why my body reacts differently than in the past. I identified the cause of my stomach issue in the Mountains 2 Beach marathon as a pre-race nutrition bar I consumed. I have had similar problems in non-race situations since that marathon when I ate the same bar early in the morning with the same outcome. I have had some gastrointestinal issues for the past two weeks. It might be something that I need to check out with a doctor.

I conclude by sharing that while it is nice to PR a tune-up race in March, it’s okay if you don’t. You’re not training for the tune-up race; you are training for a race six to nine weeks out from the tune-up. You need to keep your eye on that prize.