Are you taking on the Cayman Islands Marathon this Sunday, 2 December?

With only a few days remaining before the big race, here are six last-minute preparations you should consider.

Avoid illness

You’ll want to be at peak health on race day, so it’s important to avoid illness. Wash your hands frequently, drink plenty of water and carry a hand sanitizer to ward off germs. Your diet leading up to the marathon should also be full of plenty of vegetables to fuel you, and keep the flu at bay.

Learn the route

After training for months, the last thing you want is to get lost during the race. Be well prepared by learning the route in advance.

Plan to arrive early

Rushing to check-in on race day can leave you feeling frantic and affect your performance. Plan to arrive early so you have time to warm up, double-check your route and use the bathroom.

Practice positive thinking

Running a marathon is as much about mental fortitude as it is about physical power. In the days leading up to the race, practice positive thinking. Tell yourself you can do it! Having a personal mantra is a great mental preparation technique, and a useful tool to rely on when the going gets tough on the road.

Stick to tapering

In the lead up to the marathon, you should be tapering your training so that your body has time to recover. Don’t try to cram in any long runs or strenuous workouts the day before the race. This could leave you feeling tired on race day, or cause injury.

Rest well

Get plenty of sleep throughout the week, especially on Saturday night. You want to be well-rested and energised on Sunday morning, so say no to staying up late!

When it comes to completing a marathon, preparation is essential. Follow these six tips for success, and most importantly, enjoy the journey.

Best of luck on the road!

Sources: Great Run, Very Well Fit, and Running Competitor