Organise the essentials, leave time for delays and keep breakfast and warm-up familiar.
Before leaving
Use the breakfast, clothing and anti-chafe approach already tested in training. Check your bib, timing device, shoes, medication, transport plan and weather layer.
Bring water and familiar fuel where the event does not provide what you use.
At the venue
Arrive early enough for queues and a calm orientation. Identify bag drop, toilets, start pens, aid stations and the finish meeting point.
Warm up in proportion to the race and your experience; more activity is not automatically better.
Make a safe call
A race entry does not require you to start. Severe pain, swelling, inability to bear weight, chest pain, fainting or significant illness are reasons to stop and seek appropriate care.