NEW YORK, July 9, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 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.
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"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 & Half 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 Marathon & 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 Marathon & Half Marathon can visit www.ccteamchallenge.org to attend one their local informational meetings! Teams are forming now-- REGISTER TODAY!