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A/B – This is one of the most important facets to training, especially in the three to six weeks before an event. Making it more race-specific is usually best, especially in a couple of key training sessions per week. This goes with practicing your nutrition at race pace/effort, getting on terrain that is similar enough (or maybe even the race course itself), and working in a similar level of climbing per km/mile as your race on key long runs.

It’s also one of the main reasons why everyone should work with a coach, as they can better design training toward the specifics of your next race, while balancing the line of helping you become a better runner, without getting too bogged down in the details.

C – Test out different shoes! The greatest mistake I made this year before Trail des Bois de Duchesnay was in only wearing one pair of trail shoes for the entirety of my training. I had heard the race was to be runnable, and so I never wavered away from a pair of fast, runnable trail shoes. I had another set of trail shoes with better grip, way better in mud, but I never even opened the box! Had I opted to try those shoes out and bring them along, I would have been better able to navigate the demands of the course on the day.

And not just shoes! Test everything! Test your mandatory race kit, test belts vs. vests. Test clothing down to the socks. Test everything on key training runs and workouts, treating those efforts almost like it’s a race itself (in preparation, not always in effort!!).

D – If there’s one thing that I need to work on in this sport, it’s asking for help! People want to help others, so don’t be afraid to ask. Get a crew, get your friends and family involved, and give them clear instructions and a break-down of exactly what you will need on the day.

What do you want them to tell you? What do you want to hear vs. what do you not want to hear? What kind of nutrition should they give you at aid stations? How exactly should those transitions be made? How will they keep you cool in hot weather? Even better – practice with your crew or loved ones in advance. Crewing can be stressful, so easing their mind in advance will only help.

Is there anything I’m missing when it comes to race-day specifics? Let me know below and be sure to check out the other key topics in the checklist!