The other night while I was running at Fleet Feet with my friends I brought up the subject about flying to a race. I’ve never had to fly to get to a race. It has always been car travel before, so I kind of got a little haphazard in throwing things around in the trunk. All the sudden I started to stress a little as I realized I had no idea how to travel for a race by air! Silly things like that worry me…
I know you’re supposed to carry on all of your race gear in case the airline loses your luggage. But I also need to carry my computer and my camera on with me. (My big camera, my DSLR… I’m making my husband carry it to take pictures on the course. I’ve never had any spectators waiting for me at the finish line in previous races. Hopefully I get some good pictures out of this! Plus we’re vacationing in San Antonio after the race, so I’ll want it during that time.) And if you’re allowed to carry two bags on and my purse usually counts as one, I’ve gotta get creative!
I’m flying out with my Team In Training group and my husband will fly out to join me the next day due to his business travels. Thus I can’t just make him carry certain items for me.
Runner’s World had a post on their site today that had lists of items to take with you if you’re running the NYC Marathon this weekend, but the information can translate to other race traveling. So I guess I need to make lists and lists and lists! Do you guys have any tips on traveling via plane to a race?
As for my running this week, I’m now in the taper period… which means that so far, nothing has really changed. My weekday run schedule isn’t any different than it has been for several weeks. I ran 5 miles on Monday, a little over 4.5 on Tuesday and I’ll probably get in another 5 tomorrow (if I can fit it in with our pumpkin carving plans!). On Saturday our run drops back to just 12 miles. But we’re also running at Red Rock Canyon again, so I get some pretty strenuous hill work.
I’m not really ready to truly taper; to slow down a little, sit back and rest before the hard push of the race. Logically I know it’s necessary, but my heart isn’t quite ready to take it easier. I’ve gotta get to that place. I guess there is a reason that there is an actual name for this phenomenon though, most people go through “Taper Madness”!
Jill Will Run 
The NWM was my first flight to a marathon also. I wore my running shoes to the airport, since they take up a lot of room in a carry on bag. At least you can count on the expo to have the things you could possibly forget (gels, hydration belt bottles, body glide etc). Maybe you could get a bigger “purse” and put your real purse and the camera inside of it. I was all stressed out about that too but when I got on the plane, all my teammates had multiple carry ons and they weren’t given any problems. On the way home, I had a purse, a carry on bag, and a big shopping bag and it it was fine.
Wow…I never thought of the flying to a race part. I’m thinking of doing one down south in February which would mean a flying race and I bring a lot of stuff with me when I drive. Alissa has some good ideas. I’m curious to see how it goes for you.
Having just done two “flying” races I agree with Alissa. If you mention that you are traveling to do a marathon the airport people are really nice. I came home from Nike with WAY more than I should have and carried it all on. Don’t stress too much.
Running is way easier than dragging your bike through an airport! To me it’d be more like a weekend getaway than an actual race. Mentally anyway..biggest problem for me when going to a new town is finding healthy places to eat!
Alissa & Melinda: I appreciate your advice, you guys are more seasoned in the marathon field than I so I love hearing your take on things!
~moe~: I’ll post about my packing! That’s compelling writing! HA!
Rachel: Oooh… the healthy places to eat is always a challenge! I always like to avoid places that I can eat when I’m at home while traveling too! That level of pickiness is a hard combination to match.
If you believe all of the books, you just need to throw in your shoes and a pair of shorts! Even though we were driving, I remember packing for Phoenix last year. I was trying to have the right clothes for any possible weather. I also wanted food and snacks for use in the Hotel. I even had two pairs of shoes, because I wasn’t sure which pair I was using! Just remember the thing that we forgot – neosporin plus and bandaids. Maybe you won’t get blisters if you’re prepared!