Race tip: map your mind
Get to know the course! Know the turns, the landmarks, etc. Not because you’ll get lost, generally big events have very well marked courses, but because you’ll know where you are when you’re running the race and you won’t be wondering how much longer there is to go. While there will be distance markers, it’s not the same as visually knowing your position (this is especially true if you’re a visual person). Use google street view if you’ve never been in the area or even as a refresher. Know where the long stretches are because they will likely be hard. More so mentally than physically. The last 10km stretch of my first marathon was the most ridiculous 10km I ever ran because it was such a long hilly stretch of road that seemed never to end. I had no idea where the end was, and I didn’t know how much time or distance had passed when I reached certain points. I just had not prepared myself psychologically for that stretch. Know your course and there won’t be any surprises on race day.
"Whether you believe you can or believe you can't, you're probably right." -Henry Ford
