MY MARATHON RACE DAY ROUTINE (from start to finish)

[@SantaCruzRunner]

My schedule is: wake up go to the bathroom, have coffee, go to the bathroom, once at race start go to the bathroom, just before entering corral go to the bathroom. Finally fingers crossed I don't have to wait in line during the first 5k for a port-a-potty.

[@user-yl7lz1hm6r]

Yep- this was exactly me last year. Mid race sh1te is my biggest fear 😅

[@marcwilding4804]

😂 last time I did London I just stood in the queue for the toilets, did my business and then just joined the back of the queue again! Getting nervous for next weekend now!

[@isiah675]

​@@marcwilding4804😂😂😂

[@ps13101]

7:25 Guy in the red vest really needs to practice picking up cups 😂

[@him050]

He had an absolute mare!

[@Hegemon54]

impeccable hand eye coordination

[@hahaheslop]

It's taken me seven marathons to finally nail everything. Had some disastrous races in the past, but learned a lot. Smashed a PB in Paris last Sunday, got horrendous cramp at mile 23 but managed to plough on for 3hrs 6mins, really happy. 😊💪 gonna try sub-3 in Valencia 🤞

[@brettcoleman8698]

Running my first ever marathon on Sunday in manchester so this has come right on time. Aiming for sub 4 but overall just feel happy to have had this opportunity and raised some money for charity.

[@MrAsthenia]

Best of luck for Manchester on Sunday 💪

[@brettcoleman8698]

@@MrAsthenia thank you!

[@neilgrangermagic]

Great video, Ben! I'm running my first London Marathon this year and this was super useful!! Getting so excited now! Good luck to everyone else running Manchester, London or any other Marathon this year! Let's get this done!!!

[@hahaheslop]

London is amazing, you're gonna have an amazing time!

[@MrAsthenia]

Good luck for London!

[@jeanines_channel3246]

Good luck, Ben! I hope everyone has a safe run. ❤🎉

[@jamesmay6895]

I do a bit of prep the night before (number on vest, gels packed, make sure I’ve got everything easily to hand in the morning, check train times the start, make sure everything is charged up).

[@Feanaro5503]

I'm doing my third ever half marathon on Sunday with a goal time of 1:50. The course has GU gels at the 8 mile mark so I won't carry any of my own. My first two halfs were in 2018 and 2019 and since I didn't know any better back then, I didn't take on any fuel during them, only water. The best part of this race is that my hotel in Rehoboth, DE is right by the start line.

[@HoppySabbathHomestead]

Thank you, I am training for my first 5k and am so excited. I just finished c25k, but my pace is about 45 mins to finish, so I still have a bit of work to do. I appreciate your content!

[@dorothygraham6183]

Morning Ben from Cape Town getting ready to run Two Oceans 56k tomorrow morning. Starting time is 5.30 so a very early start here. Thanks for all the tips have a great run on Sunday.

[@MrAsthenia]

Best of luck! Hope it all goes well

[@matthewpotter8491]

Having done a few marathons and half marathons now, I can say that it takes a bit of trial and error to work out what ultimately works for you. For me this is such an important aspect of the marathon, and perhaps something that people sometimes under estimate. Race day is completely different from your usual training runs. For most people, I imagine they open the front door and away they go. This means it’s easy to plan your pre run hydration and nutrition. However, on marathon day, you typically need to be up earlier, which means eating earlier. Then there is the travel to the start line which you need to factor in, plus all the waiting around at the start area. This is why planning is key. The other thing to factor in is running abroad! E.g…. Will I be able to get my usual pre run food easily?

[@kennethmonroe6939]

Thanks for the video Ben. I ran my first marathon Saturday, the Carmel Marathon (in Indiana, USA), and I did much better than expected. I ran a Boston Qualifying time of 3:43:45 (M60-64). Surprisingly, I was not nervous. I think it was because I had been training 5 days a week since November, and my only expectation was to finish in 4 hours or less. I got to the starting corral late and lined up in the 10:00 minute/mile section. I knew not to start too fast. I set a comfortable pace and pretty much maintained it throughout the race.

[@KonstantinLoginov-Norway]

Ben, your videos helped me so much to run my first marathon! (3:53!) Thank you! (Also, looking forward to run Valencia 2024 in one of the these new singlets you announced! 🙂)

[@JamesSmith-iz3pl]

Thanks Ben. I think I would add: Be prepared for no everything to go exactly as planned. The longer the race the higher this probability. I've been running 10ks to 100ks for 30 years and I'm still learning.

[@timtrenholm3698]

Immodium is now part of all my key long runs and half/full marathons. Since my last marathon a bathroom break cost me a BQ, but I would have got cut anyways (which I knew at the time). Never again will I hopefully ever need to take a bathroom break on one of my 1-3 key races for the year.

[@dannydavis2941]

I was 18 minutes behind you! Great work out there. It was a great race. Little video of the ultra part so thanks for that.

[@jonathansharp1628]

Great video, Ben. So relatable. Thank you. Running Boston on Monday and going to watch this and your mental strength one on loop until then!

[@MrAsthenia]

Good luck for Boston! 💪

[@lenkaontherun]

I only ran a half-marathon recently, but OMG I slept terribly afterwards for a few days. Good to know I'm not alone! It was my first, so my body was probably like "wtf was all that about". I wasn't as sore as I expected, but the bad sleep and feeling exhausted surprised me.

[@Ckblab]

You nailed it all, Ben! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@david_walsh]

Hey Ben, I’ve only recently discovered your channel and love your content. Super inspiring and it’s sparked that running flame within me. Thanks for that. Big fan! Also ordered your running hat which I can’t wait to receive. 👌

[@chski1220]

Great video! Do you suggest taking a gel about 10-20mins before the start, or is it enough to drink a drink mix 360 throughout the morning?

[@stolts34]

You need to be sure your hydration is on target. Not just being hydrated but don't over do it and have to pea during the race. Running events might not be a concern, but I had a tremendous pain during the bike of a triathlon because of the pressure on my bladder from leaning over the bars. I finally pulled into the woods. Felt fantastic!

[@reynold_tv]

Thanks Ben. Very useful information, as I will be running London next weekend, so I'll be able to plan out everything in advance. Keep the great content coming 💯👍🏿

[@SirThomas1212]

My first full marathon will be on May 5th, working on my training plan hopefully I'll achieve my goal and thank you for the last 6 miles tip, definitely I'll think of my 3 young boys and my wife to push me to the finish line. Thank you for the video!

[@johnlouiepamintuan7295]

Watching this for my first marathong 25km next month. Gonna follow these tips.

[@BenParkes]

You got this! Good luck!

[@johnlouiepamintuan7295]

@@BenParkes Just finished earlier this morning my first 25km half marathon. I watched this and your other videos about the comment mistakes before marathon.. The tips helps a lot. I just struggle a little bit because I failed to sleep the day before and they change the route in the last minute that's why it turned out a little obstacle course but thank God I manage to pull my act back together without passing out because of no sleep and finished 2 hrs in 17 mins. Thanks Sir Ben!

[@SuperBear128]

Brilliant video! Perfect timing too, with my London 2024 just around the corner and my first ever marathon - really appreciate this video. THANK YOU!! ❤

[@gerardroberts2250]

Thanks for the tips Ben!!! I am very very thankful for the insight. 🙏🏼🤗

[@joelmead]

Thanks for the video! You’ve been a huge inspiration for me as I start making running content here on KZbin, thanks for your channel ❤

[@ohjernesundbaum]

Great video! Love your positive energy!

[@Bwebber99]

Enjoy Boston good luck, noticed the pictures from the New York marathon.

[@stephenball2556]

Thanks for all the really useful advice 👍 this will be invaluable for the Manchester Marathon this Sunday

[@AtharieAlSalem]

Love this video thank you!

[@kylekermgard]

This is getting my race nerves up and mine isn't for another 5 or 6 weeks

[@mpe379]

Can relate 100 percent. Heart rate rising just from watching this video 😄

[@mikeellsworth4223]

So so true!!😂 I’m the same!

[@ravivem]

Great video as always Ben. Thanks for the tips.

[@Jaqaroo]

That was great Ben! I enjoyed that video.

[@path2running]

Fantastic video as always !

[@WorldT]

good review. yes last few races I did , I did go faster at beginning then I should even going faster then the pace bunny and paining for it near the end, thanks on sharing

[@sarahajeffery3845]

Love this video

[@theswerunner]

Only 7 weeks until i’m going to smash my marathon PB 🎉. Thanks for the great content.

[@tonykeman]

my 1st marathon is in 1 week! great tips Ben!

[@ClubmanGT1971]

Brilliant 👌

[@tarsembains1824]

Great advice Thank you

[@Monikasfit]

thanks for this.. 🎉😊 i have my first marathon in 2days!

[@leeedwards3783]

Wow, that is a lot of carbs even before the race has started. Around 220g. I have read a bowl of porridge and a banana is a good start. Just looked online and that is about 140g. Surprising. Will look into the sports drinks. Thanks again for a great helpful video.

[@chidori662277]

Wheres the iconic “hello everybody” intro 😢

[@micah2501]

Do you always take your timing chip off of your bib and put it on your shoe? That was interesting!

[@seancassidycowie4193]

Rotterdam marathon this weekend and I’ll be wearing the London Ben Parkes hat, gotta be worth a few minutes

[@unknwoncommand1985]

probably should incorporate bringing imodium during my races too. dont want upset stomachs to happen

[@ekman8851]

This made me stressed, was hoping i could just turn up 20min before the race, run it and go home. Preperations stresses me out.

[@michaelbrownlie4595]

1½ - 2 liters of fluid in the morning before the race? Damn! I'd need more than two toilet stops before the race for that! Potentially also where I'm going wrong!

[@svenfokkema3440]

Running my 1st 50K trail race on Saturday and just packed my bag. Not sure whether (the timing of) this video helps to calm down 😉 Feeling jittery 😬 #maranoia

[@LittleMrsW]

You’ll do fine! I did my first 50k a year and a half ago. Stick to your plan, make sure you take in fuel early on, and have a backup source of fuel for later in the race (preferably liquid, like orange juice, since you may not feel like eating much). And have FUN!!!!

[@LittleMrsW]

Also the aid stations on ultra races are incredible 😁

[@svenfokkema3440]

@@LittleMrsW Many thanks! First 'ultra' done and I enjoyed it.

[@alfred87]

Hi Ben. Monday will be my first time running Boston, any helpful tips?

[@macau.friend]

I always go to the bathroom at least twice before the race starts. In fact, I like to do all my warmups near those toilets. And one more thing everyone should do after crossing the finish line is to look up Ben and get a selfie with him 😂

[@Chrisagnew1988]

Ben what race belt do you use to put your gels etc in ?

[@him050]

That guy in the red vest had an absolute mare at the water station 😂

[@ShantyIrishman]

Can't wait to do my 2nd marathon in 2025, I'm halfway done in my 9+1.

[@DarkCuriosity]

Thanks for your content! It looks like a great event! Will try for 2026, since next year is closed. I also think about the loved ones. And those who didn't believe in me, just out of spite ;) Whatever keeps you going!

[@ManagingMarathons]

Coffee, portable loo, coffee, run! 😅

[@mad8298]

Imodium for the win!!😁

[@kaprikornian1]

I did my first HM this year...I have the full marathon as a goal but it is a scary one... I don't know if I will ever be able to acomplish those 42k :|

[@marcwilding4804]

Ben, thanks so much for your help, I am hoping to give you a shout out on course (you’ll be heading back towards Westminster and I’ll be a lot slower on my way to Docklands) if I see you next weekend! Good luck!

[@Mickeeey18]

Is it just me but when its racing day you just are starting to fast :D Good tips Ben !! ps: i always wear the black hat for racing day

[@chakalaka3960]

The thumbnail 😂

[@Notnotcam]

Love this video! Thank you so much, got one in 10 days, starting my taper!

[@The_classicnoob]

Second

[@robh124]

First :D