Should I fly in Friday late night or Saturday day before the race for CIM

Friday. One minor mishap Saturday and you miss the race.

I would do whatever feels best to you. Performance wise there's likely little difference.

Personally, I'd fly on Saturday. I'd rather keep a more regular sleep schedule than get in a day earlier but really late. Plus, you're getting up early for the race so better to not be up too late and mess up your routine.

I think you can run fine the day after a flight if you believe it's not an issue in your mind. We did that plenty in college and I don't ever recall any issues.

I would stand up on the plane frequently and do a little walk/jog when you arrive to keep the body moving.

Man up and get the time off work to leave Friday morning. Otherwise, why even bother? With the chance for delays, you'd be screwed either way with your current plans. Delays on Friday evening will get you there even later than you already expect. Might as well pull an all nighter. Delays on Saturday and you risk missing the race. Airlines are unreliable. Always give extra time. Otherwise...just stay home.

Sleep hard Friday, wake up Saturday and fly out.

Neither. Friday day.

That was my first thought.

Saturday

There's a conventional wisdom about the night before the night before a big race (marathon) making a difference for quality sleep. So, flying Saturday morning (if you can't take Friday off) might be preferable. Lots of people get nervous and have trouble sleeping the night before a marathon, but still have a good race provided their prior sleep has been OK. Having said that, you need to know what your pre-race routines are like with travel, eating, sleeping, etc. to make the best decision for you.

Unless the OP is a girl (but then probably shooting for sub-2:37) does it really matter?

i'm not a girl, im a guy. aiming for sub 2:40 this year and going to work down over next few years. its just a question no need to be a douchebag for zero reason. it matters to me and i just wanted opinions. your comment literally was useless. thanks for wasting your own time loser

one time in college we had a ton of flight and van issues on the way out to a meet in California. Ended up going to sleep well after 2am in home time. Ran my lifetime pr the next day. I wouldn’t stress much over it either way.

If you are worrying about it, then Sat seems better. Having a good sleep in your own bed on Fri/Sat night is very important. I do not think a flight delay on Sat. would ruin your plans as it is unlikely to be huge, if any.

Can you really not take any time off OP? A day or two unpaid? If you want the race to go well, I'd fly Wednesday or Thursday, given the time change. Friday during the day works too. Idk which of the two options you have are better. On Friday you want a big meal for dinner & your best night of sleep. Getting in at midnight (2am for you) doesn't help you adjust. I'd probably pick Saturday. You won't be adjusted. Dk how your legs will be. But at least you can eat & sleep at your place on Friday.

i would do friday brah and just have a sleepfest saturday thats rly what the day before a marathon is any way, a sleepfest w some walking and maybe light jog

If you're going to fly Saturday, at least get a direct flight on a reliable airline and fly out first thing Saturday morning before weather delays/cancelations build up in the system if there's something going on that weekend weather-wise. As Er... noted above, one minor mishap and you miss the race. A direct flight takes connection mishaps out of the equation (hopefully).

I have a similar schedule and goals with Chicago and CIM this year. It's difficult for me to get time off work also. I'm working a half day Friday then arriving in the late afternoon.

I like to have at least one morning waking up at my race destination prior to the big day. So with the race on Sunday, I want to wake up Saturday with the ability to do a dry-run of my race morning routine.

Good luck!

Cim is a little hectic in the morning. If you are staying in the city, you need to take a 45 min bus to the start. It's the earliest I've ever had to wake up for a 7am start. When I run it I always make sure that Friday night is a good sleep night for me.