Things to do before the race

Prepare the running clothes and running shoes and socks you will wear in the race tomorrow.

Pin your race number on your vest now. Pack a bag with what you need before the race. This should contain such things as spare T-shirt or sweatshirt to wear while warming up, maybe also running tights. Don't forget to include toilet paper and some vaseline for those places that usually chafe.

With the wild weather we have been experiencing lately, it might be worthwhile borrowing a good idea from runners in more northerly marathons.

Unsure of the weather, the runners often tear holes in black bin bags for their arms and head and wear these on the startline, over their running kit.

The advantage of so doing is that when they warm up after a mile or two, they can just rip off the bag and discard it at the side of the road (preferably beside a drinks station, so the marathon organisers can dispose of the bag for you).

Throwing away a bin bag is cheaper and easier than discarding a much-loved T-shirt, and gets you through those first few minutes until your body warms up.

Of course, if it rains, you might choose to wear the bin bag for a large part of the race (although you might be asked to show your race number by marshals along the route).

Talking about rain, you might consider wearing a cap in the race, especially in the full marathon.

Up to 40 per cent of body heat can be lost through the head, and extreme loss of body heat can be dangerous. Make it a point to have a cap and even gloves, along with an extra T-shirt or top in your bag at the start in case you decide not to run in only your vest and shorts, as planned.

Other options

It's always better to have other options if the weather worsens between leaving home and the race starting.

Eat mainly carbohydrate-based meals today (pasta, pizza, bread, rice); no big T-bone steaks, no fried eggs, or any other food that might be difficult to digest.

Make sure you drink at least two litres of water during the day, and even nibble a 50gm packet of peanuts.

Get up extra early tomorrow morning and eat a light breakfast, making sure you finish eating at least three hours before the race start time.

So if you are running the full marathon, this means finishing breakfast (toast and jam with tea, is often enough) before 5 a.m.

If you are running the half marathon, I suggest you finish eating by 6.30am. Of course, you can continue to sip water (if you wish) right up until the race start.

Leave home tomorrow in plenty of time. If you are driving to the finish in Sliema and catching the organised bus to the start, don't be late. The bus will not wait for you.

If you are making your own way to Mdina, leave home in plenty of time, especially if you are running the half marathon, because some roads may be closed due to the marathon which starts two hours earlier.

If in doubt, be early, but have extra clothes to keep warm.

Realise that if you rely on standing around and jogging to keep warm, then you will be using valuable energy that you would be wiser to save for during the race itself.

If you are someone who is often late for events in your everyday life, note that both races, the marathon at 8 a.m. and the half marathon at 10 a.m., will start exactly on time.

See you on the startline.