 It’s almost race day Longhorns! We are so excited to see you all at the starting line this Saturday, April 8th. For new and experienced runners alike, it is always helpful to know exactly what to expect on race day so you can fully focus on accomplishing your goals. This blog post will hopefully help calm some pre-race nerves and answer your race day questions! How should I prepare the night before? If this is your first race, there’s a few general tips you should know for night before race day preparation. First, it’s smart to do as much as you can to get ready the night before including setting out everything you’ll need (running outfit, race number, safety pins, ear-phones, etc.) You’ll also want to charge your running watch if you’re planning on wearing one. It’s never fun forgetting something you want on race day or not being able to find your lucky pair of running socks. It can also help to plan out transportation, parking, and carpooling the night before. Finally, get good sleep, drink a lot of water and electrolytes, and don’t forget to set your alarm!  What are the start times? The 10K race is set to begin at 8:00AM followed by the 5K at 8:15AM. Runners must arrive to the starting corral at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the race. Runner’s Tip: It’s always a good idea to wake up an hour before your race to get something in your stomach and make sure you’re fully awake. Get to the starting line as early as you feel comfortable so you can loosen up and stretch. However, don’t head there too early - the nervous energy of standing in the corral can take a toll on your energy levels for your race! What should I eat before Race Day? Every runner is different, so if you know what works best for you, stick to that! If you’ve never run a race before or whatever you tried last time didn’t work for you, UT nutrition major and experienced runner/fitness enthusiast Sydney Benator gives excellent advice for pre-race meal choice: “As a go to, ensure to get plenty of carbohydrates before your run and a combination of carbohydrates and proteins directly after. If you are eating thirty minutes to an hour before your run eat some easy to digest carbohydrates such as a banana, dates, a handful of low sugar cereal, a small granola bar, a mini bagel, etc. Directly before a run it is recommended to avoid eating fats and proteins because it takes longer for our body to digest them.” Where does the race start and end? The race starts just west of 21st. Street and Speedway at The University of Texas at Austin. The race ends at the same location followed by a post-race celebration at the steps of the UT Tower. Runner’s Tip: Don’t sell yourself short when finding a place in the corral. Many runners make the mistake of finding a spot further back than they should be. Be confident in yourself and your training and realistically put yourself in the best position to reach your goals.  Where can I find information about traffic and closures for race weekend? All the latest information on traffic and closures can be found here. Runner’s Tip: Have a parking plan before you go to bed the night before the race so you aren’t trying to figure it out in the morning. Leave a little earlier if you are nervous about parking and traffic. It’s better to calm your nerves and be a few minutes early than show up stressed to the start line. Carpooling is also a good idea! Where can I park on race morning? Here are the self-pay parking garages closest to the start/finish line. Please note that other parking locations may be affected by street closures in the campus area. San Antonio Garage Manor Garage We also encourage you to use ridesharing services in the area to avoid the stress of parking on race day morning. Who do I contact if I have any other questions? We'd love to hear from you, please email us at [email protected] Is there race day packet pickup? We offer race day packet pick up for runners traveling from out of town on race day morning from 6:30-7:30am. The packet pick-up tent will close promptly at 7:30am so plan ahead! Runner’s Tip: Get your packet if you can BEFORE race day! Avoid this added stress the morning of your race by stopping by Gregory Gym for Packet Pick-Up. Packet Pick-Up Schedule April 3-4, 1:00-7:00pm April 5-7, 10:00am-7:00pm  Will there be bag check at the race? The Longhorn Run does not offer bag check at the race. Please only bring items that you can run with. Runner’s Tip: If you have any friends or family coming to cheer you on, you may want to ask if they’ll bring you something dry to change into for the post-race celebration. How do I find out about race changes or updates due to inclement weather? Our team will post any updates or changes on the race website homepage and social media channels (@LonghornRun). Will there be pace groups? Yes! Trained pacers from UT’s Texas Running Club and Texas Triathlon Club will be your pacers on race day to keep you motivated and on track through the finish line. We will offer the following pace groups for both the 5K and 10K: 7:00, 7:30, 8:00, 8:30, 9:00, 9:30, 10:00, 10:30, 11:00, 11:30, 12:00. Runner’s Tip: Pace groups can be really helpful for achieving time-based goals. Especially if this is your first race, consider at least starting with a pace group that corresponds with your training and fitness level. While pace groups can be beneficial to some runners, they aren’t for everybody so don’t worry if you find that you like setting your own pace and running alone.  What should I wear on race day? Wear your Longhorn Run 2017 participant tee, your favorite athletic bottoms and running shoes. What can I expect after the race? Post Race celebration is in front of the tower where you’ll find live music, dancing, awards ceremony, and much more! Click here for a list of this year’s awesome sponsors and entertainment: : http://www.utlonghornrun.com/post-race-celebration.html
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