Multi-day race events are becoming increasingly popular. They range from high mileage multiple day races like the Mainly Marathons races and Disney’s Dopey to two day lower mileage options like the Frederick Nut Job (5k/half marathon) and the Shamrock marathon’s Dolphin and Whale challenges (8k/half or full marathon). Since I’ve now run 5 half marathons in 5 days at both the Riverboat Series and the Dust Bowl series and two marathons in a row at the Independence Series, plus the Nut Job, I feel like I’ve learned a few useful things along the way. So, for my free Friday participation with Cynthia, Courtney, and Mar, here are my tips.
1. Plan an appropriate training plan. I know I’m the queen of racing undertrained, but when you are running multiple races in a short amount of time, it’s harder to get away with that. So find or create a plan that includes at least a few weeks that mimic your eventual races. Obviously your mileage will be lower than the races, but running 2-7 days in a row (depending on your races) in training a few times will give you some hints on how your body will respond.
2. Bring at least two pairs of shoes. You should have been rotating your shoes between runs anyways, but this is particularly important for multi-day series. There’s always a chance that weather will render one pair useless, plus it’s good to let each pair rebound for a day before using again. I find that it also helps to wear two styles or brands of shoes if you can. For me, this makes me use my muscles in different ways and I end up not as sore.
3. Focus on recovery between the races. Practice what works for you beforehand and have it with you. For me, the magic formula is chocolate milk, epsom salt baths, and compression socks. (The added massage between my two full marathons definitely helped as well.)
4. Focus on fueling between races. Don’t go crazy, but do make sure you eat enough. Get a snack that includes protein right after each race and then make sure you have a nice meal at each meal time between. Personally, I find a deli sandwich (OK, I eat a Subway sub after most races) has a nice combination of carbs, protein, and salt, but you know your own body. Just don’t overeat and don’t eat a super rich or heavy meal.
5. Plan on having fun. For most of us, multi-day races are not the place to run our fastest races. (I broke this rule when I ran Nut Job.) Choose one race to really push yourself (for me that’s always the last race) and take your time on the others. The last thing you want to do is push so hard on an early race that you are too sore to race again.
Multi-day races can be a lot of fun and they usually bring a lot of bling, but they can also be a recipe for injury if you aren’t smart about it. My superpower is quick recovery LOL, but I think that most people could race on multiple days if they train right and race smart.
Have you ever done two races in two days (or more)? What did you think? Got any great tips?
If you are local, don’t forget to enter the giveaway for two free entries in the Fit Foodie 5k!
Excellent tips and you’ve earned the right to give them! Planning really is key!
Courtney recently posted…Five Free Things to do in DC this summerÂ
Seems like all our Disney trips have included multi day events lately! I hope to change that soon though..lol
Thanks for this post! One of my goals is to run a multi race day, but I haven’t found one yet that works in my schedule. I will have to keep these tips in mind. The two shoes was something I hadn’t even thought of even though I do rotate shoes while training!!
Lara @ Uptite Mamas recently posted…Free Friday Five
Love the two pairs of shoes point–your shoes need to recover just like you! But make sure you train in both of them!
Susie @ SuzLyfe recently posted…Five Easy Pieces: Essential Summer Wardrobe
I know people who do a lot of mutli-race trips to Disney. They did the training, and they can do the races. I know people who did Dopey and they said the hardest part was the lack of sleep.
Lesley recently posted…Fort Ross Vineyard
Great advice!! I ran a 5K and half marathon in the same weekend last year and I was NOT a fan…my focus was the half marathon (I added the 5K in later) but I ran too fast the day before and I think it may have impacted my goal race. Love the sneaker tip – I am too cheap to buy 2 pairs of shoes but I know it’s probably the best way to go for the reasons you mention!
Janelle @ Run With No Regrets recently posted…5 Healthy Food Blogs You Should Follow
Love this. I want to do a multiple race event soon!! great tips!
Sarah @ Sarah’s on the Run recently posted…Friday Favorites
I have never done a race two days in a row, can you believe that? I need to get on that!
Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes recently posted…Friday Five: 5 ways to speed up post marathon recovery
All great tips. The multiple pairs of shoes is a great suggestion. You never know if it’ll be rainy, etc on the day of your first race, and the worst thing possible would be having wet shoes for the subsequent races.
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…Friday Five – Potpourri v. 2
Although I’ve never done a race series, these are great tips!
Molly @alsoranagain.com recently posted…5 Ways to Stay Sane when You Can’t Run
Good tips and for me-this past Ragnar went so much better bc we were able to eat real food throughout.
Deborah Brooks @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…Cassey Ho’s “Hot Body Year Round” Book Review
I have never done multi day races in a row. Great tip about two pairs of sneakers… I would not have thought of that. I don’t rotate pairs, but I know I should…. thanks for the reminder.
Karen @ Fit in France recently posted…Friday Five : what pops into my head while running
I want to do a series so badly! It’s probably the only way I’ll be able to move up in Half Fanatics at this point. Maybe next year…
HoHo Runs recently posted…Five Runfessions (May 2015 Edition)
I haven’t done back to back races, but I would say that there would be no goal finish time if I did! It would be just for fun!
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…Runfessions for May
These are the things people do not think about when planning for an event. Thanks for doing a post on this subject–I’m definitely going to share!
Bain recently posted…Rock ‘n’ Roll San Francisco–threepeat!
I haven’t done a multi day race event before, but I can see myself doing it one day. Thanks for the tips!
Great tips. Bringing two pairs of shoes is a great idea.
Coco recently posted…Five Things I’m Loving For Summer
I have never run more than one event in a day, but these are great ideas if I never do! Love the one about shoes.
Amy @ Running on Faith and Coffee recently posted…5 Reason to Travel for Races
I have only ever done relays but never the multi-day multi race challenge. I definitely want to give that a go at some points so these tips will be very helpful!
Sandra Laflamme recently posted…Fresh Friday Five. Hopes and dreams.
I’m still working on finishing my first half marathon but a multi-day race challenge sounds like a fun thing to do down the line! 🙂
Victoria @ Ice Packs and Races recently posted…Friday Five: 5 Things I’ve Learned as a New Runner
Wow, I’m beyond impressed; like jaw-dropping impressed! I can’t believe all the races you’ve done back to back. You are a machine! I love all of your tips too. I recently started rotating my shoes between runs and I like it!
Melanie @ Happy Being Healthy recently posted…The Negative Effects of Sugar + a Little Bit of Progress
I fear it makes me SO SO SO TOTALLY OLD (git off my lawn?) I think:
MOTHER OF MERCY I COULD NEVER DO THIS!!
CARLA recently posted…Structured procrastination.
Great tips! I’ll note that for Shamrock next year – would have been good to rotate shoes.
Jennifer recently posted…Need Your Help Picking a Race!
These are great tips that I plan to hold on to – I really want to do multiple races. I would not have thought to not only rotate the shoes but use two different styles to test your muscles – so smart!
Michelle @ Running with Attitude recently posted…June Refresh