I ran my long run yesterday (more on that tomorrow) and discovered part way into the run that I had forgotten to fully charge my Garmin. My oversight got me thinking that I should make a checklist so I don’t forget to do these things the night before, and I wanted to share my checklist with you.
During marathon training, I like to do a little bit of carb loading the night before my long runs. It helps me practice fueling for race day. I also like to check the weather forecast and use the Runner’s World What to Wear tool if I’m not sure how much coverage/layering I’ll need to stay comfortable.
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What’s on your long run checklist?
Do you eat or drink coffee before your runs?
I usually just grab a gel if it’s a longer run so I can get out the door.
How early do you go to bed before a long run?
Yes, yes and yes! All of the above. Especially the going to bed early and setting an alarm. I used to love that feeling of waking up super early and hitting the roads before anyone else. I haven’t been seriously training in a while so I haven’t done it, but it is a great feeling!
It is, although sleeping in can feel pretty nice, too, if your schedule and the weather allow it. 🙂
Great list! I don’t go to bed earlier before long runs unless I’m especially tired, but I normally try to get to sleep early anyway!
Thanks! A little extra sleep every night can’t hurt, right? 🙂
I probably should have one of these as well! I tend to run in the afternoon/evening because of my work schedule. I always find myself running around trying to find things far past when I wanted to be out the door.
I do the same thing in the morning. I’ve found that gathering things the night before really helps cut down on prep time.
I do most of these!
Sounds like I’ve covered my bases then. 🙂
Great idea to have a checklist. I have forgotten stuff before too.
Thanks! 🙂
Our lists are really similar. I also need to create something quick like this so that I don’t forget little – YET IMPORTANT – things (like whistle/pepper spray)! I often don’t go to bed any earlier before a long run. I’ve never liked going to bed. 🙂
I’ve also found that keeping everything in one place makes things easier so I can just pick up everything in one area as I’m getting ready.
Girl yes to the lip balm!! It drives me nuts when I don’t have it on a run 🙂
Me too! Lip balm with SPF so my lips don’t get sunburned.
Your list is great, and I pretty much pack everything you list, plus my little Canon PowerShot camera that I almost always carry on my runs. I never know when I’ll see something that I need a picture of for my blog, and it’s always ready in the palm of my hand! 🙂
I wrote a post on what to wear during different weather conditions and temperatures last March. A new lady joined our running group and when she realized that I was Debbie from Deb Runs, she told me that she read my blog and had just printed out that article and kept it in her running clothes drawer as a reference! That was so cool to hear. I bet a lot of people will print out your list to keep with their running gear, too!
Aw, I love that you had such a great impact on someone through blogging! That’s fantastic! What kind of a pack do you use that’s big enough to carry a point-and-shoot camera? Do they make one big enough to carry my D-SLR? 😉