"Make a plan and stick to it. You should plan everything from how you'll get to the race site to how you'll run the race. Make weather adjustments if necessary. I learned very soon that on warm on humid days I had to make some changes in my racing plans. Going too hard in difficult conditions can lead to a poor performance, as well as a dangerous situation."

- Grete Waitz,
9-time winner of the New York City Marathon

Race preparations are a key to success
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Having a great race is what all runners hope for when race day approaches, but success depends on a number of factors. Some things you can't control - such as weather, the course and the competition - so don't waste energy worrying about that.

For me the last race preparations always started a few days before the race. I would run less, make sure I got enough rest, and stay hydrated. That's important because all the upcoming JPMorgan Chase Corporate Challenge races will be run under warm and humid conditions, unless you are lucky enough to get a cool evening.

For me, racing well was very important and as a result I was quite serious with my race preparations. Having a bad race because I had been too easy with my preparations was the last thing I wanted. If I ran poorly, which happened now and then, it was more because I wasn't in great shape.

Being at many JPMorgan Chase Corporate Challenge races over the years, I have seen plenty of runners who could have had a better race if they were better prepared on race day.

For me, the most important thing was having more than enough time to get to the race site. Then I could easily familiarize myself with the course, warm up, go to the bathroom etc. I was always nervous and being stressed made me even more nervous and distracted, which would affect my running. I suspect the same holds true for some of you, but even if it doesn't, why risk having a poor race because you're rushing to the race site?

Here's a list of things you can control and that will help you have that great race for which you've been training.

Make a plan and stick to it. You should plan everything from how you'll get to the race site to how you'll run the race. Make weather adjustments if necessary. I learned very soon that on warm on humid days I had to make some changes in my racing plans. Going too hard in difficult conditions can lead to a poor performance, as well as a dangerous situation.

If you are driving, give yourself plenty of time to park the car and arrive early so you don't waste time driving around looking for a space. Don't underestimate the traffic on race night.

Make sure you have time to find your team and get your bib number if you haven't received it from your team captain earlier. And make sure you have some extra safety pins. During all these years with the Corporate Challenge I have never been at a race and not been asked for safety pins.

Make sure you know where your start is. Some races have two starts, one for competitive runners and one for non-competitive participants.

There is always water at the start, but I suggest you bring your own bottle so you don't spend time looking for water before the start. There is also some food available at the finish, but sometimes it happens you are too tired to pick it up right after the race so pack a little snack in your bag that you can eat when you have had a bit of time to rest.

Arrive so early that you have time to relax a little before you start warming up for the race. I always arrived early at all my races, even the ones that were not very important. I spent the time going over the course in my mind and how I would run it. That helped me relax and also get excited about the race.

Line up according to your level of fitness. Don't stand in the front row if you don't belong there. Doing so is unfair to faster runners and it may make you go out faster than you planned.

After the race you will get your finisher T-shirt. Take off the wet clothes and put it on if you haven't brought your own. This will prevent you from getting a chill and make you less vulnerable to getting sick.

Have a great JP Morgan Chase Corporate Challenge race, and keep running.