I shower every morning because I don't feel fully awake without it. On race days I usually try to get up at least 3 hours before gun time so there is plenty of time for a 2-3 minute rinse off. I can see how people manage without it if they are used to only showering at night but for me I always take a morning shower, shower after each workout and a shower before bed. That might be excessive but I like to be clean.
Running Hygiene wrote:
Do you shower in the morning before a road race? Why or why not?
Generally, no. When I do, it's not because of smell/hygiene. I've done it to help wake up or to warm up on a cold, damp morning.
Thanks for the answers, everyone! I loved reading all the different perspectives on this, and I’m glad to know there are other people like me who shower before a race. I’ve got a race this weekend. Looking forward to showing up at the start area fresh and clean!
All of my races are pretty early and showering beforehand has never even occurred to me. Im usually waking up far earlier than my normal routine, kitting up, eating something then waiting for pottytime before I head out the door. I also do 99% of my running in the morning (pre shower) so running dirty is my routine.
Basic hygiene, y'all. Check your own odor and if there's a problem, address it.
Some people act like it's a hard-line dichotomy between being freshly scrubbed clean vs smelling like a barnyard... maybe just wear some deodorant! and definitely wear clean clothes! and it's all 90% solved right there. If you didn't shower for a day or even two days prior, yeah, maybe shower before the race so people downwind of you aren't gagging.
You'll be in close quarters with other people at the start, so just try not to stink BEFORE the race. Applies to literally every other day of your life too lol
I shower before the race so I don't have to waste time showering after the race.
Don't have time. If it's at 8:30, I'll wake up at 6, get a coffee and some food, lay around for an hour, and. begin warmup at 7:45
Yes, always. It helps me feel awake and sharp.