The differences between daytime and nighttime races are like night and day. Runners and walkers need to be properly conditioned to race at night as these nocturnal events serve up some unique challenges for participants of all fitness levels.
“Runners need to be properly conditioned to race at night. The timing of the race means that you’ll need to prepare somewhat differently, especially in the days and hours just before the race,” says Team Challenge National Head Coach Dave McGovern.
For runners eager to get into the thick of night time racing, here are 4 tips by the renowned running Coach to help you prepare to take on the night:
· Do most of your longer workouts, especially those in the last few weeks before the race, close to race time.
· Tweak the timing of meals to reflect the late afternoon start time. Enjoy a normal dinner the night before, as well as a normal breakfast on race day. The key to night racing is to make sure you have a very light lunch 3-4 hours before the race.
· Be aware that temperatures will fall during the race rather than rise, as is often the case during morning races. The evening start time affords participants much more pleasant race-time temperatures than is normally the case. Faster runners won’t notice much change but slower runners and walkers may want to carry a warm hat and/or long-sleeve shirt to put on as temperatures drop.
· Be sure to stay hydrated. Because temperatures will be dropping, you may feel less thirsty. It is important to drink enough to keep up with your sweat rate.
Too much to think about? Train with Team Challenge for the unique opportunity to run or walk down the Las Vegas Strip at night on November 17th with 40,000 of your best friends at the Rock ‘n ‘Roll Las Vegas Marathon & ½ Marathon benefitting the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA). Through CCFA’s endurance training and fundraising program Team Challenge, participants can train weekly from a custom program designed by Coach McGovern over 16 weeks and fundraise to help find cures for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis – two painful, debilitating, and seldom-discussed digestive diseases that affect nearly 1.4 million Americans.
“Our partnership with the Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Half Marathon at this amazing night race has greatly increased awareness of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis,” said Craig Comins, National Director of Team Challenge. “Team Challenge prepares participants to run or walk a half marathon while helping to raise funds for research, education and support. Continued involvement with this event allows the foundation to keep fighting to raise awareness and critical research dollars.”
Runners and walkers interested in joining Team Challenge this November for the Rock ‘n ‘Roll Las Vegas Half Marathon can visit www.ccteamchallenge.org/westernpawv to attend a Pittsburgh informational meeting! Teams are forming now- REGISTER TODAY!
About Crohn’s Disease & Ulcerative Colitis
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are medically incurable illnesses that attack the digestive system. Crohn’s disease may attack anywhere from the mouth to the anus, while ulcerative colitis inflames only the large intestine (colon). Symptoms may include abdominal pain, persistent diarrhea, rectal bleeding, fever and weight loss. Many patients require hospitalization and surgery. These illnesses can cause severe complications, including colon cancer in patients with long-term disease. Some 1.4 million American adults and children suffer from Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, with as many as 150,000 under the age of 18. Most people develop the diseases between the ages of 15 and 35.
About the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation
The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America’s mission is to cure Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, and to improve the quality of life of children and adults affected by these diseases. The Foundation ranks third among leading health non-profits in the percentage of expense devoted to research toward a cure, with more than 79 cents of every dollar the Foundation spends goes to mission-critical programs. The Foundation consistently meets the standards of organizations that monitor charities, including the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance (give.org) and the American Institute of Philanthropy (charitywatch.org). For more information, contact the Foundation at 800-932-2423 or visit www.ccfa.org. Join CCFA on Facebook at http://apps.facebook.com/supportccfa/and follow CCFA on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ccfa.
