Finally the day arrives, training has been excellent and you're ready to run a great race… until you get to the starting line and realize you didn't bring your race bib… or your running shirt… or your shoes!

It seems unreal but it happens. Or maybe you did remember the bib but forgot your shorts. Or you didn't forget something as essential as your shoes but you did forget your cap, so you ran the entire race bothered by the sun and unable to concentrate. Or the banana you planned to eat for breakfast was left on the kitchen counter because you left in a rush and didn't put it in your bag…

In short, there are a thousand things we can forget on race day that can ruin the occasion. The best thing then is to make a list of everything you cannot forget that day so important, from breakfast to the clothes you're going to wear, including hydration, toilet paper, watch and race bib. We divided the list into three sections:

• Essentials: those 4 or 5 absolutely necessary things. If we bring them we'll be able to run, no matter what.

• Additional items: they're not strictly necessary but we run more comfortably with them and it's better not to forget them.

• The night before: everything we should check and have ready the night before. If we review this list well and have everything organized, we'll hardly forget anything.

The list is just an example. We recommend that you copy and paste the items that work for you and add more so you have your personalized list. Don't forget to review it always the day before the race and just before leaving the house.

Essentials

• Shoes

• Uniform (shirt, shorts, socks, watch)

• Race bib

• Water or hydration for before, during and after the race.

• Food for before, during and after the race.

Additional items

• Cap or visor

• Heart rate monitor band

• Music

• Sunglasses

• Compression socks

Night before

• Alarm clock set properly

• Race uniform ready and in a visible place

• Race bib pinned to your shirt (on race day shorts are ALWAYS forgotten)

• Ticket to pick up your race packet

• Money in a plastic bag (just in case of emergency)

• Toilet paper in a plastic bag (you never know)

• Sunscreen

• Vaseline

• Medications

Don't forget to have a good carbohydrate-rich dinner and get plenty of rest the night before. In the morning wake up calmly and in a good mood, repeating positive thoughts and ideas to yourself. Eat a healthy breakfast according to your needs and most importantly of all, enjoy the race!