Project Half Marathon: gearing up for the starting line with ChatGPT

My pre-race nerves are slowly but surely kicking in. In no sooner than three weeks, I’ll be waiting at the starting line of the 2024 Greifenseelauf, poised to run my first ever half marathon. Although I’ve spent weeks preparing, I’m currently hovering between joy, motivation, anxiety and uncertainty. Mind you, I think that’s probably normal before doing your first race. Having successfully completed a dress rehearsal in the Grison Alps, I reckon my colleague Oliver Fischer has already been through the same rollercoaster of emotions. Well done Olla, by the way!

I also could’ve signed up for a run or two in the last few weeks, but I simply didn’t get round to it. In hindsight, I’m slightly regretting that, but I just have to push through. In any case, I’ll definitely be making my running debut on 21 September 2024. Like Oliver, I too have been asked a few times about the Greifensee Run and my preparations for the event. Most recently last weekend. The majority of responses I’ve received so far have been positive, with just a couple of people in my extended circle saying: «What? You? A half marathon?!» Sure, I can imagine how surprising my participation in the Greifensee Run must be to some people. But hey, I’m getting a lot of motivation out of their comments – thank you, doubters!

What actually happens on race day?

I’ve got a handle on my training sessions, my diet’s finally under control (if you read my last article, you’ll know what I’m talking about) and I’ve got myself some decent running gear. So, I should be ready, right? Wrong! I still don’t have the foggiest idea about what exactly goes down on the day of a half marathon. Of course, I got my registration confirmation by e-mail ages ago, I know my start time and I’ll get my race number by post any day now. I’m starting in block 8, in case that’s of interest to you.

It doesn’t take much research to figure out where I ranked myself in terms of my goal time, but I’ll save you the googling. My goal time is the only one that starts with an «over». Says it all, doesn’t it?

ChatGPT says: don’t forget safety pins

Now, a half marathon isn’t an event you take part in just for the fun of it. Before the starting signal goes off, there’s a lot you need to consider and do. From breakfast to arrival, warm-up and mental prep, the to-do list could probably go on forever. Not wanting to get lost in the list or forget something important, I consult ChatGPT. I task the AI with creating a checklist containing everything I need to consider in the 48 hours running up to the race. About three seconds after typing in my query and sending it off, I’m looking at an interminably long list of tips, including the following:

48 hours before the race

I need to get my running clothes, food and drinks ready. The clothing list alone contains twelve points. Everything I could possibly need – from a headband to running socks – is on there. I particularly like the suggestion to bring safety pins for my start number. It’s positively MacGyver-esque. The AI also suggests six different meal options – more than some restaurants have on their menu. I’m impressed.

24 hours before the race

At this stage, the AI says I’ll need to focus on eating. Oh ChatGTP, you know me and what I like! I’ll definitely take the tips into consideration: avoiding high-fibre foods (especially in the evening) and drinking enough (but not too much) water. That’s if I’m not too nervous to eat or drink at all, anyway.

6 hours before the race

ChatGPT devotes 16 points to the final hours leading up to the race. This includes advice to pitch up at least 90 minutes to two hours before the race begins, to use the toilet (too much information, ChatGPT, too much information!) and to schedule some warm-up time. As far as warming up goes, the AI provides me with a selection of exercises for mobility, stretching and running technique. I’m also supposed to do a mental check-in, involving visualising my success and the joy of running. The list ends with a motivating, «Good luck with the 2024 Greifensee Run!»

Stress is my friend

After reading through ChatGPT’s full list of tips, I realise I probably won’t have time to be nervous on 21 September 2024. There’s simply too much to do at the race itself before the starting signal even goes off. And that gives me peace of mind. I don’t cope well with nervousness and waiting. With this in mind, I’m going to take a closer look at the race day schedule and put together a plan that’ll get me in the best possible mindset for the half marathon. In the coming days and weeks (although there aren’t all that many left), I’ll be able to rededicate my full focus to running.

I’ve learned a few lessons that I’ll be taking into my final weeks of prep:

• Race day preparations will take at least as long as the half marathon itself
• ChatGPT has proven to be a good assistant, thinking of even the smallest details
• Getting nervous is part and parcel of the event, but a few extra training sessions and a well-organised schedule on race day will help

Do you have your own must-bring and to-do lists for your races? Is there anything you’d strongly recommend I do? Let me know in the comments.

Fancy joining Oliver and me on our journey to becoming half-marathon runners? We’ve been logging our progress (and lack thereof!) in a series of articles.