What to Pack for a Track & Field Meet

The duffel bag is open on the bed and you're staring into it, trying to remember every single thing from your mental checklist.

Bib Number? Check.

Track spikes? Check.

Singlet? Check.

What else are you forgetting?

Nothing can ruin a day at the track faster than settling down and realizing that your racing shorts are still at home. Or your spike wrench. Or any other equally essential item. We've all been there. Your heart starts racing before any gun goes off, and there's no way you're going to be in the right headspace even if you pull a race-time solution out of thin air. And borrowing shorts from a friend who just finished their race is...well, we don't recommend it. Not again. Not after last time.

So let's get ahead of the problem, shall we? Bookmark this page for your next race day, and let Running Warehouse bear the mental load for you with our stress-free checklist for what to bring to a track meet.

There are three S words that you absolutely, positively, no questions asked, have to have with you on race day.

SHIRT

SHORTS

SHOES

Put your eyes on your singlet. And your racing shorts. And your spikes/flats.

Do it now, before you forget.

And don't give me that "I know my singlet's in the bag because it's ALWAYS in the bag" nonsense. It's not. It's in the washing machine from last night. Your hubris almost ruined your big day.

We can't stress enough how important it is to literally, physically, look at these three before you head out the door. Because there's no way you're finishing that 10k barefooted.

Maybe registration was digital. Or maybe you checked in at the expo the day before the race.

Whatever the case is, take a moment to pause and make sure you have access to your number, or proof of your number, before you head out the door.

If the race uses digital registration, we highly recommend downloading your receipt and saving it to your phone while you're still on your home WiFi. We all know how dicey cell service gets when hundreds of us are crowding into the same stadium.

If you got sent a physical bib, make sure it's attached to your singlet before you leave the house. Doing that will dodge any "forgotten pins" issues, or that awkward, painful dance you do whenever you weave through a crowd and somebody bumps your elbow and you stab yourself with a safety pin.

Or, best yet, why not invest in a pair of BibBoards so you never get pricked again?

Whatever your style, a few minutes of race registration confirmation now can save you a whole headache later, when you're supposed to be warming up.

Moving away from the essentials, but still firmly in the realm of "could ruin your day"- make sure you grab your favorite watch off its charger.

Running watches help you to stay focused and driven by timing your warm-ups before the competition or during (if rules allow). From keeping time and making sure you don't miss your event, to checking your resting heart rate, to reporting your new PR to Strava, the functionality of running watches is endless. Check out our selection of top-rated watches and running electronics, and get all the data you need to elevate your running to the next level.

You don't ::clack:: want to ::clack:: warm up ::clack:: in spikes ::clack:: on asphalt.

Due to the nature of track meets, with event after event happening back to back on the track itself, you'll rarely get the chance to rwarm up mile on the same surface where you'll be competing. And for us non-pros, that usually means taking to the least-busy stretches of parking lots or sidewalks.

For pre-race warm-ups, drills, or once the event is over, you'll need to take off your spikes and racing flats and slip into your favorite, comfortably reliable pair of trainers. Peruse our wide variety of running shoes for the perfect fit and performance.

First- Your water bottle. Sure they'll have some concessions at the track, but your water bottle is better. It's cheaper, it's reuseable, and you can fill it up with all sorts of performance hydration mixes. Win/win/win.

After that, remember that it's going to be a long day, and you are bound to get the hunger pangs. And, while that greasy food truck on the corner looks tempting, a smash burger is unlikely to stay in your gut past the third lap.

Proper fuel and hydration are essential in maintaining your energy levels, so be sure to pack healthy sports drinks and snacks to keep you going. Besides, you are not fun to be around when you're hangry (none of us are).

Track meets can last ALL DAY, and bigger invitationals take a long time. You may also face incremental weather, so it is essential to have extra clothes on hand to change into to keep you dry and comfortable. Plus, you can get rid of (some of) the stink and the sweat of competition by slipping into dry, clean clothes immediately after the race. Fresh new clothes not only help eliminate the painful chafing from sticky wet clothing, but everyone around you will appreciate the fresher scent.

Technically, #5 might cover this.

But wet socks are so miserable that we feel they warrant their own spot on the track meet checklist. Wet socks cling to your feet. They get itchy. The SQUISH factor is disgusting. And the SMELL.

Whether it was raining during your competition or not, get that sweat and extra moisture away from your feet. Keep your toes dry and toasty with an extra pair of well-cushioned running socks. You will want to consider factors such as fabric, cushioning, and height for your events and have extras on hand.

Stretch out those tight or sore muscles and give those tired legs some much-needed TLC with a travel-sized stick roller to massage any aches away. Muscle recovery is an important component of running and training. Stick and foam rollers help stretch muscles and tendons, break down soft tissue adhesion and soothe tight fascia while increasing circulation to the soft tissues. Discover our wide variety of self-massage and self-myofascial release products to help you target sore muscles from head to toe.

At outdoor meets, expect a lot of sun exposure. Whether it's a cloudy day or clear skies, you can get badly sunburned either way. So screen up against the sun's harsh UV rays and protect your skin by applying and reapplying sunscreen (as needed) and chapstick to protect your lips as well. Because at the end of the day, you don’t want to come home a darker shade of red than the track.

Most of us know to keep our arms, legs, and faces slathered with sunscreen, but many forget about the spot with the most direct sun exposure: the scalp! Wearing a hat not only helps protect your head from the sun but also gives your eyes some shade. A quality running hat will keep the elements (rain, sun, and wind) out of your eyes, wicking away moisture, and preventing sweat from dripping down your face and impairing your vision. Those with longer locks will also appreciate being able to block any strands of hair from flying everywhere. Keep your head in the game and wear appropriate headgear.

You may not be able to win a race before the gun goes off, but you can certainly lose one.

Hopefully this list of track meet essentials has left your duffel bag stuffed and your mentality focused and confident. Showing up a little early, and having everything that you need at your fingertips is an often overlooked, but critical piece of any PR effort. We wish you the best of luck in whatever race you're headed out the door for.

Now last three, go grab those phones, wallets, and keys and go rule the day.