MCM Mama Runs

MCM Mama Runs for Beer and Bling

  • Home
  • About MCM Mama
  • Racing the U.S.A.
  • I Heart Craft Beer
  • Product Reviews
  • Recipes
  • Disclosure
You are here: Home / 5 in 5 / Tips for surviving multi day race events

Tips for surviving multi day race events

May 28, 2015 by MCM Mama 24 Comments

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.

Multi day races

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.

[Tweet “Want to enjoy a multi-day race ALA @runDisney’s Dopey or @ShamrockOn’s Dolphin? Here are some tips!”]

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!

Follow on Bloglovin follow us in feedly

More from my site

  • Tuesday ThoughtsTuesday Thoughts
  • TOTR: Top 10 gifts for runnersTOTR: Top 10 gifts for runners
  • An “energizer bunny” runAn “energizer bunny” run
  • Fun and active fall things to in the DC areaFun and active fall things to in the DC area
  • Half Marathon #15 for 2014: Madison Mini MarathonHalf Marathon #15 for 2014: Madison Mini Marathon

Filed Under: 5 in 5, tips, training

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Comments

  1. Courtney says

    May 28, 2015 at 11:39 pm

    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 summer My Profile

    Reply
  2. Meranda@Fairytalesandfitness says

    May 29, 2015 at 12:12 am

    Seems like all our Disney trips have included multi day events lately! I hope to change that soon though..lol

    Reply
  3. Lara @ Uptite Mamas says

    May 29, 2015 at 6:00 am

    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 FiveMy Profile

    Reply
  4. Susie @ SuzLyfe says

    May 29, 2015 at 6:51 am

    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 WardrobeMy Profile

    Reply
  5. Lesley says

    May 29, 2015 at 9:16 am

    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 VineyardMy Profile

    Reply
  6. Janelle @ Run With No Regrets says

    May 29, 2015 at 10:20 am

    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 FollowMy Profile

    Reply
  7. Sarah @ Sarah's on the Run says

    May 29, 2015 at 10:26 am

    Love this. I want to do a multiple race event soon!! great tips!
    Sarah @ Sarah’s on the Run recently posted…Friday FavoritesMy Profile

    Reply
  8. Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes says

    May 29, 2015 at 1:16 pm

    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 recoveryMy Profile

    Reply
  9. Kathryn @ Dancing to Running says

    May 29, 2015 at 2:01 pm

    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. 2My Profile

    Reply
  10. Molly @alsoranagain.com says

    May 29, 2015 at 3:57 pm

    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 RunMy Profile

    Reply
  11. Deborah Brooks @ Confessions of a Mother Runner says

    May 29, 2015 at 4:06 pm

    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 ReviewMy Profile

    Reply
  12. Karen @ Fit in France says

    May 29, 2015 at 4:38 pm

    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 runningMy Profile

    Reply
  13. HoHo Runs says

    May 29, 2015 at 9:25 pm

    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)My Profile

    Reply
  14. Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home says

    May 29, 2015 at 9:28 pm

    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 MayMy Profile

    Reply
  15. Bain says

    May 29, 2015 at 9:29 pm

    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!My Profile

    Reply
  16. Alanna @ Madeleines & Marathons says

    May 30, 2015 at 5:24 am

    I haven’t done a multi day race event before, but I can see myself doing it one day. Thanks for the tips!

    Reply
  17. Coco says

    May 30, 2015 at 7:27 am

    Great tips. Bringing two pairs of shoes is a great idea.
    Coco recently posted…Five Things I’m Loving For SummerMy Profile

    Reply
  18. Amy @ Running on Faith and Coffee says

    May 30, 2015 at 10:59 pm

    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 RacesMy Profile

    Reply
  19. Sandra Laflamme says

    May 30, 2015 at 11:18 pm

    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.My Profile

    Reply
  20. Victoria @ Ice Packs and Races says

    May 31, 2015 at 7:19 pm

    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 RunnerMy Profile

    Reply
  21. Melanie @ Happy Being Healthy says

    June 1, 2015 at 2:45 am

    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 ProgressMy Profile

    Reply
  22. CARLA says

    June 1, 2015 at 5:16 am

    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.My Profile

    Reply
  23. Jennifer says

    June 1, 2015 at 5:13 pm

    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!My Profile

    Reply
  24. Michelle @ Running with Attitude says

    June 1, 2015 at 8:22 pm

    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 RefreshMy Profile

    Reply
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Who is MCM Mama?
A slightly obnoxious mom and wife who loves good beer and running, who struggles a bit with depression especially in the winter and when running isn’t allowed, who’d rather go on a fun vacation than upgrade the kitchen or add a master bath, and has a minor addiction to the Marine Corps Marathon.

Recent Posts

  • Half Marathon #85: Appalachian Series – South Carolina
  • Half Marathon #84: Appalachian Series – Georgia
  • Coffee with a side of rain
  • Half Marathon #83:Appalachian Series – Alabama
  • Hotel Coffee is better than no coffee…
  • Training for Back to Back to Back Half Marathons
  • Runfessions of a Really Cold Runner
  • Kicking off the year with coffee!

Archives

A slightly obnoxious mom and wife who loves good beer and running, who struggles a bit with depression especially in the winter and when running isn’t allowed, who’d rather go on a fun vacation than upgrade the kitchen or add a master bath. Read More…

Half Marathon #85: Appalachian Series – South Carolina

Half Marathon #85: Appalachian Series – South Carolina

Mainly Marathons Appalachian Series – South CarolinaMarch 27, 20222:47:45 What I wore: hat, tank top, long sleeve quarter zip, capris, and Altra Rivera Location: Seneca, SC (State #41!) Let’s just start out with the truth – this race was the hardest of the races and pretty much sucked. I chose to do the early start […]

Copyright © 2023 · MCM Mama Runs on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in