Hello everyone,

I have a couple of basic questions as I prepare for my first 1/2 marathon this Sunday. 

For what it's worth, I'm a 50 y/o male in average physical shape. I think I'm ready as I've run 9, 10 and 11 mi 'long-runs' the past 3 Saturdays. My questions are:

1. Should I carry any of the Energy Gel packages? I've never used them, but this is longer than I've ever run and starts at 8AM Sunday. I certainly won't have much food in my stomach when I start. At what point should I take them? should I use 1? 2? more?
2. On occasion my nipples get irrated (I know this is funny to ask, thank goodness for anomimity of the internet). I think it's only happened on days where it's rained on me and I have a cotton shirt on. Is this common under these circumstances? Should I prepare for the worst and use bandaids? Forecast is cold (45F) and dry.
3. What should I force myself to eat before the race -if anything? Will 1 banana be sufficient?

Thank you in advance.

O