Half marathon day off before or after

[Twinkleyrocks]

I'm running my very first race ever in a few weeks. It is a half marathon. I can have the day of the race off but can only have either the day before or the day after off. Which would you choose?
I'll be on my feet for probably 14 hours at work if that makes a difference.
Thank you

What time is the race?
If its early I'd take the day off before; if it starts after midday I'd take the day after off if I were you 😊

Good luck!

Day before.
I'm fat and forties.

Was fine the day after

The day before. You don't want to be on your feet all day, the day before a race. Good luck!

Very wise. Thank you. The elite race is at 9am so I suspect the non elites will be within the hour, so pretty early. I'll take the day before off.

Apologies, I hadn't refreshed the screen. The day before it is. And thank you all. I'm very excited. And proud of myself. I'm only a relatively recent runner.

Day before. But expect to hurt the day after. You'll be fine 'on your feet', but stairs are likely to be a challenge, as will sitting down/getting.up.
I've done more than I can count, but today I did one with 1700ft elevation, and I'm expecting to be in pain tomorrow- legs are telling me so already, which is a new one on me!

Thanks @ReviewingTheSituation I believe this to be a pretty flat run but I have no doubt I'll feel every metre the next day.

I'd be the complete opposite! Assuming that you get used to the job being all day on your feet, then I'd work the day beforehand, expecting body to feel typical.

Then take the day of afterwards, just in case it doesn't! Probably going for a long walk or a gentle jog as a recovery activity.

Definitely the day after! You will be tired, from adrenaline in the run and running faster than in training. And hungry. I’m always stupidly hungry the day after.

How well has your training gone?

If you can comfortably run 15-18km with no DOMs the day after, you'll be fine and won't need a day off.

Make sure the day before, off or not, you drink loads of water, and have some complex carbs for dinner. I always have a Chelsea Bun the evening a before a race too

@Twinkleyrocks is it Boston? I'm signed up to that, 2 weeks and 1 day to go and regretting not booking the day after off now!
Plunge yourself in a hot bath after the race, drink lots of water and stretch before and after and you'll be right as rain, as a pp said stairs will be your worst enemy the day after 😂 Good Luck!

A hot bath straight after running isn't necessarily a great idea. It increases blood flow to inflamed muscles, which isn't best for recovery/healing. If your muscles are used to running that far, it's very different from doing it for the first time. A cold bath is best for healing, but that's not an appealing prospect most of the time! Stick to a normal temperature shower.

Training has gone very well sofar.
The DOMS have been mild. I like a warm bath a few times a week to loosen up (and to get peace ) iced anything that hurts and basically listened to my body.
Good advice on the complex carbs and hydration the day before as I cannot eat or even drink a single thing for about 5 hours before I run or I'll be sick.
I've gone for the day before off option. It's the only way I can guarantee that I'm not working for 2 or 3 consecutive days before which would kill me.
Not Boston @savemejebus but best of luck to you. Maybe you could still get the next day off🤞