Race Day Newsletter
Half Marathon November 2021
It's on!
10 weeks ago you started your journey with RaceTeam, the plan has changed with regards to your race, but you have adapted and now it's time to complete your RaceTeam experience with your chosen half marathon.
You are going to be tested on Saturday and will come up against some confronting and challenging moments, get ready to embrace these challenges. Trust the programme, you have done the work, now it's time to put yourself to the test.
Scarborough Half Marathon
Christchurch
Saturday 20 November
Meeting Point: Scarborough Park, Scarborough
Course Map: Click here
Start Time: 6.30am, 7.00am, 7.15am and 7.30am
Check the Start List for your start time:
Start List: Click here
Course Description:
This is a 2 x lap course.
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Starting at Scarborough Park, you run out of Scarborough Park and onto the footpath leading to Heberden Ave. Turn left.
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Run up to the Esplanade and onto the Esplanade pathway which is part of the Coastal Pathway.
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Follow the Coastal Pathway all the way towards Ferrymead.
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At the 5.27km marker, turnaround and reverse the course back to the start. Repeat.
Click on image to view
Te Araroa / Queenstown Trail
Half Marathon
Saturday 20 November
Meeting Point: Beside the Bathhouse cafe
Course Map: Click here
Start Time: 8.00am
Course Description:
This course won't be marked out for you so if you are unsure of the area then download the course map onto your phone.
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Starting at the Bathhouse, run down the pathway into the Queenstown gardens following the pathway that runs alongside the lake front the whole way.
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Continue along the Queenstown trail all the way around to Frankton Arm. You will cross over the old Frankton bridge and follow the pathway down to the lakefront.
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Continue along the lakefront pathway until 10.55km on your watch. There won't be a turnaround marker, so go by your GPS.
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At 10.55km, turnaround and reverse the course back to the finish.
Coach Alex is in Queenstown for the weekend so she will be there at the start to take a group photo and start you off!
Click on image to view
Things to think about in the lead up to race day
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Day Before
Double check your gear!:
Check the weather forecast and make sure you have the right gear for the conditions. Go through your gear checklist to ensure you have everything ready to go, think about things like:
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Is your watch charged?
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Do you have your pre/during/post race nutrition ready?
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Do you have all your race gear ready? (including layers for unpredictable weather conditions)
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Do you have wet weather gear just in case?
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Warm, dry layers for pre and post race
We want to eliminate any unnecessary stress on race day morning so taking time to think this through and make your own checklist now means one less thing to do on race morning.
Weather:
Just a reminder to check the weather forecast and be prepared for all weather. Please have layers and wet weather gear on standby just in case. Be warm before the run and have dry, warm gear for afterwards.
Race Day
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Meeting Point for Christchurch Team:
Scarborough Park
Meeting Point for Queenstown Team:
Beside the Bathhouse
Start Time: 8.00am. Arrive 15-20mins earlier so you can warm up, go to the toilet if needed and have a group photo!
Warm Up!
Make sure you warm up before race start! Go for a 10min easy jog and have warm gear on while you wait around for the race to start, just keep warm. If wet, a plastic poncho from the $2 shop is a great idea, grab one just in case!
Run your half marathon and be awesome ;o)
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Post Race
Be Warm and Re-fuel
You will cool down pretty quickly after your race so make sure you have warm, dry gear to get changed into. Also have some good, healthy post race nutrition at the ready - hydrate and have some protein (muscle repair). Eggs, bananas, protein shakes, nuts are all good choices.
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Post Race Tips
After we finish a race we are on a high and sometimes we forget to look after our bodies post race.
Here are some tips for after your race that will help you to recover as best you can:
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Have warm gear for immediately after your run
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Have some protein ready for after your run to assist with muscle repair (protein shake, banana)
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Rehydrate (preferably with water ;o))
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Stretch, legs up the wall
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Enjoy the feeling of what you have just achieved
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Celebrate!
Use good recovery strategies in the days following your race. Your body will be put under stress so it needs time to recover. Go for some walks in the week following and continue to stretch.
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Good luck everyone!
